Travelling to the Algarve with Children
At SandyBlue, we understand that travelling with young children can sometimes be daunting. We really want to make it as easy as possible for you to enjoy your time in the Algarve. So, we’ve gathered all of our local knowledge to pass on to you ahead of your next family holiday.
We have a selection of Villas and Apartments which are baby/toddler friendly - We can help with everything from baby food, baby toys, cots, potties, nappies, car seats, pool guards, local childcare providers and more to make your and your little one’s holiday the best yet!
See all our children/baby friendly Villas
One thing is for sure…. Babies and toddlers don’t travel light! You’ve got to think about bottles, nappies, formula, sterilising, LOTS of clothes, bibs ......the list goes on. Travelling with young children requires planning and preparation - check out these great baby travel tips from BabyWheels.net .
The good news is that in today’s world a lot of this has been simplified for us. In Apolonia, the international supermarket here in the Golden Triangle, you can pick up lots of familiar brands including Huggies, Johnsons, Aptamil, SMA, Cow & Gate and Ella’s Kitchen. This means that you needn’t lug enough nappies and food for your whole two week holiday. Better yet, you can even order online and arrange for everything to be delivered to you when you arrive! The same applies with the local Continente supermarket where you can also find high chairs, linen for cots, baby clothes and car seats to name a few. There is also a supermarket in Almancil called Pingo Doce where you can find the everyday necessities like nappies, baby food, bottles, baby wipes and soothers.
Sterilising bottles is hassle at the best of times but sometimes it has to be done. Disposable sterilising bags are widely available in the UK and Ireland. They are easy to use… just make sure to check that the property you are renting has a microwave so that you can use them here. Disposable bibs too are very handy. They are easy to transport and are perfect for people on the go. Stick them in your nappy bag and take them to the beach, the restaurant, shopping… Simply use them and then dispose of them and the mess!
An important factor of travelling with young children is heat. Even adults suffer from extreme heat changes so if you’re coming from a colder climate in the peak of summer make sure to bring along good sunscreen, a hat and anything else you think might be useful in keeping your baby out of the sun. Make sure to keep everyone well hydrated and avoid the hottest parts of the day, which in the Algarve tends to be around 3pm.
We can reserve a cot, highchair, baby bath, baby changer and/or potty for you and arrange for it to be in your holiday accommodation when you arrive. Our cots come with an added foam mattress and linen. (Please note that there is an additional cost for this service and provision of these items is subject to availability). We canb also provide you with any additional items that you might need, for example, toys, wooden cots, stair gates, bouncers and walkers.
Usually babies don’t find it hard to adjust to a new bed but it’s always a good idea to take along your child’s favourite blanket, toy and book for bedtime to make sure that they settle right in to a good night’s sleep.
Need a babysitter? We have a good list of local people who provide this service. The list outlines their relevant qualifications and experience as well as their hourly rate and contact details.
Car hire companies in the area will readily supply car seats as requested. Make sure to mention your requirements when you are booking your rent-a-car. Be warned that many taxis in the area won’t provide car seats so if you’re heading out at night make sure to double check with the company when you’re ordering the taxi. Our dedicated driver, Luis, does provide car seats. He can even collect you from and take you to the airport if you feel like avoiding all the hassle of renting a car.
When you’re here and settled there’s lots of amenities for children! Aside from the obvious ones like the beach, there are some resorts that have playgrounds for children. , which is in Vale do Lobo, is great fun for children with all sorts of activities to keep them busy. In Quinta do Lago, there is a play area at the fabulous KOKO Lane Bistro where on Friday nights during summer you will also find Picnic in the Park which offers live music, tasty food and lots of fun activities for kids. You can always bring your own picnic too or pre-order a picnic basket from KOKO Lane Bistro. The Four Seasons Country Club also has great facilities for children including a playground and there’s also a crèche for children from 18 months upwards.
We have lots of properties that are perfect for families travelling with young children. In particular we have some properties that have a pool fence so that your little beloved can be safe from any danger around the pool. Check out Casa Segredo and Townhouse Flores for example. Alternatively you could consider purchasing a safety alarm for the pool. You can read more about these There are also lots of properties based all on one floor to avoid having to think about steps such as Heaven Scent . The majority of our properties have shutters on windows and doors making bedrooms secure. They also serve as black-out's to keep the light out when the little ones are trying to sleep. It may also be worth ensuring that there is air conditioning in the bedrooms of your chosen villa, particularly during the peak of summer, to ensure the room is at an ambient temperature for sleeping. Whatever your particular requirements, just ask and we can let you know what the best child-friendly property is for you!
