There’s plenty to keep families busy in Faro. From beaches and boat trips to historic streets, wildlife and easy outdoor adventures, the city offers many ways to enjoy the day without having to travel far between activities. If you are visiting for the first time, our guide to the best things to do in Faro is a good place to get your bearings.
The best things to do in Faro with kids depend on your family’s interests. Some children will love exploring the islands by boat, while others may prefer wildlife spotting, beach time or relaxed walks around Faro. If a boat trip is on your list, our guide to Ria Formosa boat tours for families explains what to expect when travelling with children.
We welcome families on our boat Tours from Faro throughout the year, so we know how much of a difference the right activity can make to a family day out. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite family activities in Faro, along with a few local tips to help you choose the experiences that will suit your children best.
Take a Family Boat Trip from Faro
A boat trip is one of the easiest ways for a family to experience the Ria Formosa, with the scenery changing throughout the journey. From Faro Marina, you can head straight into the lagoon, where the city quickly gives way to calm channels, salt marshes, sandbanks and views across the islands.
There is plenty for children to notice as you travel. They can look out for birds, watch local boats making their way through the waterways and observe how the landscape changes between marshes, channels and open stretches of water.
At the same time, adults can take in one of Faro’s most distinctive natural settings without having to plan a full day of sightseeing.
Our boat tours from Faro include different routes and durations, making it easier to choose an experience that fits your family’s pace and plans for the day. If you would like a clearer idea of what the journey involves before booking, our guide to Ria Formosa boat tours for families covers practical considerations for visiting the lagoon with children in more detail.
Turn an Island Trip into a Family Adventure
One of the most enjoyable ways to discover the Ria Formosa with children is to combine time on the water with the chance to step ashore and explore. The barrier islands feel noticeably different from central Faro, giving families a welcome change of pace without requiring a complicated day trip or lengthy journey.
Our boat trip to Deserta and Farol Islands brings together two distinctive stops. Deserta is known for its quieter natural surroundings and wide coastal landscapes, while Farol has a more lived-in island atmosphere, with its recognisable lighthouse giving children something to look out for as you approach.
The variety works particularly well for younger travellers because the day moves naturally between different settings. There are opportunities to spot wildlife, enjoy changing views from the boat, and spend time ashore, stretching your legs and taking in the islands at a relaxed pace. It gives families plenty to enjoy in one outing without making the day feel too busy.
Enjoy an Easy Beach Day at Praia de Faro
Not every family day in Faro needs a full itinerary. Praia de Faro is a good option when you want to slow things down and give children time to enjoy the coast without travelling far from the city.
The long stretch of sand gives younger visitors plenty of room to play, build sandcastles and spend time by the water, while parents can enjoy a more relaxed pace. There are also nearby places to stop for food or a drink, making it easier to turn a few hours at the beach into an uncomplicated family outing.
If you are planning to visit, our guide to Praia de Faro covers the area in more detail. During the warmer months, bring plenty of drinking water, sun protection and some shade, particularly if you are visiting with younger children.
Make Wildlife Spotting Part of the Fun
The Ria Formosa is one of the best places to introduce children to wildlife, as nature is part of its landscape. Birds can often be seen feeding in shallow water, flying across the lagoon or resting around the salt marshes and mudflats, which makes the experience feel natural rather than staged.
You can turn wildlife watching into a simple family challenge by asking children to look for different colours, shapes and movements around the water. Younger children may enjoy spotting the first bird they see, while older ones can notice how different species feed, fly or move through the lagoon. Families who want a stronger focus on nature can join our Ria Formosa Birdwatching boat tour.
Wander Through Faro’s Historic Old Town
Not all Faro attractions for families involve getting on the water. Faro’s historic centre is compact enough to explore on foot, making it a good option when you want something cultural without turning the day into a tiring sightseeing route for younger visitors.
Walk through the Arco da Vila and spend time wandering between cobbled streets, historic buildings and quiet squares. Children may enjoy looking for colourful tiles, unusual doorways and small architectural details, while adults take in more of Faro’s history and atmosphere. Our guide to Faro’s Old Town offers more ideas of what to look out for, and the area is easy to combine with the marina before or after a boat trip.
Go Kayaking on the Ria Formosa with Kids
Families with older children may want to experience the Ria Formosa closer to the water. Kayaking offers a slower, hands-on way to move through the lagoon, giving you more time to notice the channels, marshes and smaller details that can be missed from a larger boat.
Our Kayak Tour in the Ria Formosa provides a different perspective from travelling by motorboat. For children who enjoy outdoor challenges, paddling together can become part of the adventure rather than simply a way to get from one place to another. Before booking, consider your children’s age, confidence around water and physical ability so the activity feels enjoyable for everyone.
Cycle Around Faro and the Ria Formosa
Cycling is a good option for families who want to spend more time outdoors while seeing more of the area around Faro. The relatively flat landscape makes it easier to enjoy a relaxed ride, especially if you choose a simple route and build in regular stops along the way.
Older children and teenagers may enjoy the freedom of cycling through the area, particularly when the ride does not feel too strict. You can pause for water, take in the scenery or stop whenever something catches your attention. Our guide to cycling routes around Faro can help you plan your route, while our bike and electric bike rentals give families a flexible way to experience the Ria Formosa at their own pace.
Look for Dolphins Along the Algarve Coast
For many children, few wildlife encounters feel as exciting as seeing dolphins in their natural environment. Heading beyond the lagoon gives families the chance to experience a different side of Faro’s coastal setting, where the sheltered waterways of the Ria Formosa open out towards the wider Algarve coast.
A dolphin-watching boat trip from Faro involves searching the open water for wild dolphins and other marine life. Because the animals are free-ranging, sightings cannot be guaranteed, but that unpredictability is part of what makes the experience special when an encounter happens.
This type of trip is best suited to families who are comfortable spending more time at sea. Children can enjoy the excitement of looking across the water, waiting for movement and learning that wildlife experiences happen on nature’s terms. It gives the day a sense of anticipation while still offering a memorable way to discover the marine life found along the Algarve coast.
Make the Most of Your Family Holiday in Faro
From beaches and historic streets to wildlife encounters and island adventures, Faro gives families plenty of opportunities to explore while keeping the pace comfortable. The city is enjoyable in its own right, but having the Ria Formosa just beyond the marina opens up even more possibilities for memorable days outdoors.
Here at Formosamar, we love helping families discover the waterways, wildlife and islands that make this part of the Algarve so special. Whether you want a relaxed boat trip, an island adventure or something more active, our Ria Formosa tours and activities offer different ways to experience the landscape together.
If you are still deciding which experience would work best for your children, please get in touch with our team. We will be happy to help you choose an activity that suits your family and helps you enjoy your time with guided tours of Faro.
