Keeping a teenager occupied and happy can be tough, but fortunately if you’re heading to Albufeira there are fabulous beaches, water parks, go-karting tracks, bowling alleys, water sports, boat trips and more.
With our guide to the top things to do with teenagers in Albufeira you’ll have plenty to do however long you stay.
HIGH ROPES AND PAINTBALL
With High Ropes you can swing through the trees and challenge your friends and family to an action-packed day of climbing, rope bridges, swings and various activities set just on the outskirts of Albufeira. The course should take around 3 hours and can be tagged onto another activity such as Paintballing. There’s a 2500m2 paintball course onsite that has tons of challenging and fun obstacles to help camouflage you from your potential attackers.
ZOOMARINE
Swim with Dolphins at the Algarve’s most popular theme park. Other than the islands Malta and the Azores, this is the only place in mainland Europe where you can swim with Dolphins in the safety of a pool. This is an unforgettable experience that will leave even a teenager smiling for days.
A day at Zoomarine will keep everyone entertained with plenty of fast rides, a beach and a tropical river system to float around in. There are shows involving animals throughout the day, and the acrobatic Pirate show shouldn’t be missed.
WATER PARKS
Three main water parks should be mentioned here, and we love them all for different reasons. Take sunscreen, a parasol and a towel with you; you’ll need them all. You can bring your cooler box if you like but all of the parks have full catering facilities on site.
AQUASHOW
Aquashow it is in Quarteira is about 20 kms away from Albufeira and is home to the most comprehensive water park in the region.
Big slides, thrilling rides, birds of prey and animal shows go on throughout the day, and there’s a wave pool too.
Take to the sky in the Air Race, take your life in your hands on the White Fall (seriously, not for the faint-hearted), enjoy some foam fun on the foam slides. There’s so much to do here that even the most active of teens will be wiped out after a full day.
SLIDE & SPLASH
A little further away than Aquashow, Slide & Splash is in the town of Estombar, on the way to Portimao.
Any teenage waterpark enthusiast will be squealing with joy when they read the list of attractions here. Black Hole, Kamikaze, Tornado, Crazy River, River Dive, Foam Slide and Corkscrew should give you an idea of what to expect. They also have some pools and animal shows for those moments where you need to catch your breath again.
AQUALAND
Centrally located between Albufeira and Lagoa, Aqualand is the closest of the three parks and has a good variety of slides and attractions. Flying Carpets, Surf Beach wave pool, Raging Rapids, Super Surf and of course the Kamikaze are all available along with some more relaxing rides such as the Slow River Congo and swimming pools dotted around to cool down.
BEACH DAY
There’s so much to do at the main beaches in Albufeira; you can Parasail, go on a boat trip or just lay in the golden sand and catch some rays.
Fishermans Beach is located in the old town and is easy to get to. You’ll find a great selection of things to do here from the beach volley ball (most of the local kids will speak English) to Banana Boats and Jet skis or the fantastic Jet Boat. The beach will be packed in July and August, so if you want something a bit more chilled, maybe head for Falesia or Salgados.
Just down the road from Areias do Sao Joao, the Oura Beach is the main beach for The Strip and the new town and has loads of high-energy things on offer. Jump on the Jet Boat and slice your way through the waves or hold on tight to the Crazy UFO ring as it propels you over the sea.
You can also try Parasailing, Water Skiing, Jet Bikes, banana boats and ring rides. There are Pedal boats, Kayaks available for hire too.
There are lots more beaches in the areas so make sure you take a look at our Best beaches in Albufeira guide to discover them all and to find the perfect one for your teenagers and all of the family.
ALBUFEIRA MARINA
Home to a high speed go kart track, Segway hire, bowling alley, amusement arcades and boat trips galore a trip to Albufeira marina is a great way to spend the day. There are also plenty of nice bars and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat or a drink and enjoy some shade.
ALGARVE SHOPPING
A shopper’s paradise can be found at Algarve Shopping in nearby Guia with lots of international brands to choose from including H&M, Zara and Mango. There’s a great food court where you’ll find everything from KFC to Sushi.
CINEMA
Also in Algarve Shopping you can find a 9 screen cinema and you’ll be pleased to know that movies (except cartoons) are normally played in their original English language with Portuguese subtitles.
Going to the cinema is a fraction of the price that it is in northern Europe so it’s also great value.
WATERSPORTS
If it’s water-based fun, you name it, and you’ll find it at the beaches or the marina in Albufeira.
Kayak trips can be enjoyed by the whole family and for those who want to take it little easier there’s a support boat nearby who will be happy to give you a lift!
SUP (stand up paddle) boarding is also growing in popularity and like kayaking is a great way to explore the Algarve coast as they allow you to set your own pace and get right up close as you pass through its many caves and coves.
At the marina you can also find a fully equipped dive center offering try dives, lessons and organised trips. There’s also snorkeling safaris available for those who want to get involved but prefer to be a little nearer the surface.
If you want something more adrenaline filled, banana boat rides and other high speed inflatable rides depart from both Fishermans beach and Oura Beach.
INFLATABLE WATER PARKS
There are a couple of inflatable islands at the end of the main beaches in Albufeira. They are a lot of fun and will soon have even the most active of teenagers worn out.!
GOING OUT
A few things that might be good to know is that the legal drinking age has increased to 18 (previously 16 for beer and wine) and it’s the same for purchasing tobacco products.
However there are plenty of places where teenagers are welcome, and it shouldn’t be a problem to find disco, bars and karaoke places where the whole family can hang out.
Erin’s Isle is known as a family bar, near the strip, and has a range of entertainment and places like Sir Harry’s in the old town have live music and pinball machines. Most bars have music, many have WIFI and teenagers are welcome throughout the day (and night!).
ON YOUR BIKE
Hire a bicycle to get around at your own pace, or you can join a guided tour if you’d like the experts to show you the sights. Salgados lagoons are a great place to explore by bike near Albufeira.
HIGH-SPEED DOLPHIN SAFARI
Take to the ocean in a super fast, large RIB that incorporates three things in one. High speed, a dolphin safari and a caves tour. So not only is it a lot of fun but it’s a great way to see some of the coastline and nature.
Starting at the Marina, the RIB will head west towards the famous Benagil Caves on the lookout for pods of wild Dolphins to play with along the way.
Other articles you might enjoy:
Albufeira: The Ultimate Guide to Where to Stay, Eat, Drink & Play
Top 52 Things to Do & Love in Albufeira – Discover Great Activities, Attractions & Sites
Best Albufeira Beaches
Albufeira Attractions & Activities
Albufeira Boat Trips
Things to do with young kids in Albufeira
Things to do at night in Albufeira
