Hi, we are going back in may for our 3rd visit. We stay on the montechoro strip, which is a great base. The bars and resturants are all great with kids, if you are looking for all round family entertainment try
coconuts, which does all sorts of party games, quizzes, etc. There is also
Casablanca, which is part of a hotel complex, but anyone can use the bar, this also offers great family entertainment. Both of these places are on the montechoro strip.
If you enjoy karaoke, try the
absolbar.
As for trips and days out,
Zoomarine is a must, but take your swimming stuff!
Slide and splash is another great day, if you like water parks.
Loule shopping is another good day, the gypsy market here is great for bargains like replica tshirts etc.
There are plenty of places selling boat trips, these go from
Albufiera or Vilamora.
Vilamora is really nice the food places are quite expensive here though, as its quite a posh resort, the yachts in the marina are something else.
There is water park at the very top of the montechoro strip, but its not very big.
I could go on forever recommending places to eat, but as people's tastes vary, its just trial and error. Senor frogs is a great pizzeria, La Bamba is another great place to eat.
If you are going with a tour company i recommend that you dont book your excursions through them as you can get your trips at nearly half price sometimes if you book through shops on the stip.
I am not 100% sure but i think 'the strip' consists of 2 halfs. The top being
'montechoro', and the bottom half being
'praia d oura'. There is a main road that divides the two, with a
linekars bar on the corner.
Hope this helps.
If you find anywhere worth reporting let us know as we go a few weeks after you.