Sean C
cb30976081
- Flights MAN→FAO: £530-636 verified (cheapest £530) - Updated budget calculations: - 10 nights shared pool: £1,880 ✅ - 10 nights private pool villa: £2,380+ ⚠️ - Still viable under £2,000 budget
11 KiB
11 KiB
Option 1: Portugal - The Algarve 🇵🇹
Why Choose This?
✅ Cheapest flights from UK
✅ Shortest flight time (2h 50m)
✅ Amazing beaches - some of Europe's best
✅ Family-friendly - very welcoming to children
✅ Great pools - most accommodation has them
✅ Vegetarian-friendly - fresh seafood alternatives, markets
✅ Car hire very cheap - from £30-40 for 10 days!
Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Destination | Algarve, southern Portugal |
| Airport | Faro (FAO) |
| Flight from Manchester | 2h 50m direct |
| Airlines | Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TAP |
| Car Hire | Essential - £30-60 for 10-12 days |
| Best bases | Albufeira, Lagos, Vilamoura, Carvoeiro |
Flight Options (Manchester → Faro)
Airlines & Typical Prices (July 2026) ✅ VERIFIED 16 March 2026
| Airline | Typical Price (return, family of 3) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest options | £530-570 | Various airlines |
| Full range | £530-636+ | Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TAP |
Verified Cost (18-28 July 2026, family of 3): £530-636+
Source: Kayak UK - direct search 16 March 2026 (3 travellers)
Actual Prices Found (3 travellers):
- £530, £538, £559, £571, £592, £594, £608, £611, £612, £615, £623, £627, £636
Flight Times:
- Outbound: Morning/afternoon departures available
- Return: Flexible times
- Duration: 2h 50m direct
Book at:
Car Hire (Faro Airport)
Prices (10-12 days, July)
| Car Type | Daily Rate | 12 Days | With Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (Fiat 500) | £5-8 | £60-96 | £120-150 |
| Compact (VW Polo) | £8-12 | £96-144 | £160-200 |
| Family (Golf/ Focus) | £12-18 | £144-216 | £220-280 |
Estimated Cost: £100-200 with full insurance
Book at:
Tip: Book in advance for better rates. Full insurance recommended.
Accommodation: Apartments/Villas with Pools
Option A: Airbnb Apartment (10 nights)
| Type | Price Range (10 nights) | Pool | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment | £500-700 | Shared | Albufeira |
| 2-bed apartment | £600-900 | Shared | Carvoeiro |
| 2-bed apartment | £800-1,100 | Private | Lagos area |
Estimated: £700-900 for 10 nights with shared pool
Option B: Villa with Private Pool (10 nights)
| Type | Price Range | Pool | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bed villa | £900-1,300 | Private | Near beach |
| 3-bed villa | £1,100-1,600 | Private | More space |
Estimated: £1,000-1,400 for 10 nights with private pool
Option C: Mix (5 nights hotel with pool + 5 nights apartment)
- Hotel (half board): £400-600 for 5 nights (child-friendly resort)
- Apartment: £300-450 for 5 nights
- Total: £700-1,050
Budget Breakdown (10 nights) ✅ UPDATED WITH VERIFIED PRICES
Budget Option (Shared Pool Apartment)
| Item | Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (cheapest direct) | £530 | ✅ Verified (Kayak, 3 pax) |
| Car hire (economy, fully insured) | £150 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Accommodation (shared pool apartment) | £750 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Food (self-catering) | £300 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities | £150 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| TOTAL | £1,880 | ✅ Under budget! |
Mid-Range Option (Private Pool Villa)
| Item | Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | £530-636 | ✅ Verified (3 pax) |
| Car hire (compact, fully insured) | £200 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Accommodation (villa, private pool) | £1,100 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Food (self-catering + some meals out) | £350 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities | £200 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| TOTAL | £2,380-2,486 | ⚠️ Over budget |
Budget Option (12 nights, staying under £2,000)
| Item | Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (cheapest direct) | £530 | ✅ Verified (3 pax) |
| Car hire (economy) | £150 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Accommodation (shared pool, 12 nights) | £850 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Food (self-catering) | £350 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities | £150 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| TOTAL | £2,030 | ⚠️ Slightly over budget |
Child-Friendly Activities (Age 6)
Beaches (All Free!)
| Beach | Why It's Great | Distance from Faro |
|---|---|---|
| Praia da Marinha | Stunning cliffs, rock pools | 45 min drive |
| Praia de Dona Ana (Lagos) | Safe swimming, beautiful | 50 min drive |
| Praia da Falésia | Endless golden sand | 25 min drive |
| Praia do Vau (Portimão) | Calm waters, family-friendly | 40 min drive |
Attractions
| Attraction | What It Is | Cost (family) |
|---|---|---|
| Zoomarine | Water park + dolphin shows | €100-120 (~£85-100) |
| Slide & Splash | Water park, slides | €80-100 (~£70-85) |
| Krazy World | Zoo + mini golf + pools | €60-80 (~£50-70) |
| Lagos Zoo | Small, child-friendly zoo | €35-45 (~£30-40) |
| Benagil Cave boat trip | Sea caves by boat | €50-60 (~£40-50) |
| Algarve Shopping | Mall, cinema, bowling | Free to browse |
Free Activities
- Beach days
- Pool time at apartment
- Walking old towns (Lagos, Albufeira Old Town)
- Markets (fresh fruit, veg)
- Cliff walks
- Rock pooling
Vegetarian Food
Self-Catering (Best Option)
Supermarkets:
- Continente, Lidl, Aldi, Pingo Doce
- Fresh fruit, veg, cheese, bread excellent
- Large supermarkets in every town
Local Markets:
- Daily markets in most towns
- Fresh, cheap produce
Vegetarian-Friendly Portuguese Dishes
- Gaspacho (cold tomato soup)
- Salada de legumes (vegetable salad)
- Queijo da Serra (local cheese)
- Omeletes (everywhere)
- Pimentos (stuffed peppers)
- Cataplana de legumes (vegetable stew)
Restaurants
Most restaurants have vegetarian options. Look for:
- "Vegetariano" on menus
- Pizza/pasta places (everywhere)
- Indian/Thai in larger towns
Sample 10-Day Itinerary
Days 1-3: Albufeira Area (East Algarve)
Day 1 (Arrival)
- Morning: Fly Manchester → Faro (2h 50m)
- Afternoon: Pick up hire car, drive to accommodation (30 min)
- Evening: Explore local area, supermarket shop, pool dip
- Food: Self-catered dinner
Day 2 (Beach Day)
- Morning: Praia da Falésia - stunning cliff-backed beach
- Afternoon: Beach play, paddling, sandcastles
- Evening: Albufeira Old Town - ice cream, wander
- Food: Breakfast at apartment, beach picnic, dinner at apartment
Day 3 (Water Park)
- Morning: Zoomarine or Slide & Splash (water park)
- Afternoon: More slides, dolphin show
- Evening: Relax at apartment, pool time
- Food: Breakfast, water park lunch, dinner at apartment
Days 4-6: Lagos & West Algarve
Day 4 (Move West)
- Morning: Check out, drive to Lagos area (1 hr)
- Afternoon: Check into new accommodation, explore Lagos
- Evening: Lagos marina, dinner out
- Food: Breakfast, lunch out, dinner out
Day 5 (Beaches)
- Morning: Praia de Dona Ana - beautiful, family-friendly
- Afternoon: Praia do Camilo - stunning cliffs (walk down steps)
- Evening: Sagres Point (sunset) - dramatic cliffs
- Food: Breakfast, beach picnic, dinner at apartment
Day 6 (Boat Trip)
- Morning: Benagil Cave boat trip - see famous sea caves
- Afternoon: Praia da Marinha - one of Europe's best beaches
- Evening: Relax, pool time
- Food: Breakfast, picnic, dinner at apartment
Days 7-10: Return East & Relax
Day 7 (Lazy Day)
- Morning: Sleep in, pool morning
- Afternoon: Local beach
- Evening: Albufeira Strip - family-friendly restaurants
- Food: All self-catered
Day 8 (Adventure)
- Morning: Krazy World - zoo, mini golf, pools
- Afternoon: More activities or pool
- Evening: Relax
- Food: Breakfast, lunch out, dinner at apartment
Day 9 (Market & Beach)
- Morning: Local market - buy fresh produce, souvenirs
- Afternoon: Final beach day
- Evening: Farewell meal out
- Food: Breakfast, picnic, dinner out
Day 10 (Departure)
- Morning: Pack, final pool dip
- Afternoon: Drive to Faro airport (30 min), drop off car
- Evening: Fly home
- Food: Breakfast at apartment, airport food
When to Book
| Item | When to Book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 3-4 months ahead | Best prices |
| Car hire | 2-3 months ahead | Availability |
| Accommodation | 3-6 months ahead | Best selection |
| Travel insurance | Asap | Covers cancellation |
Booking Checklist
- Flights Manchester-Faro return
- Car hire Faro Airport
- Accommodation with pool
- Travel insurance
- EHIC/GHIC cards
- Check passport validity
- Notify bank of travel
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✅ Short, cheap flights
- ✅ Amazing beaches
- ✅ Very child-friendly culture
- ✅ Great weather (guaranteed sun)
- ✅ Cheap car hire
- ✅ Affordable overall
- ✅ Lots of pools
- ✅ Good vegetarian options
Cons
- Can be very hot (30°C+) in July
- Some areas very touristy
- Need car for best beaches
- English breakfast pubs everywhere (avoid!)
My Verdict
Portugal Algarve remains a STRONG OPTION for under £2,000 with a pool.
Budget Reality (with verified prices):
- 10 nights shared pool apartment: £1,880 ✅ (under budget)
- 10 nights private pool villa: £2,380+ ⚠️ (over budget)
- 12 nights shared pool: £2,030 ⚠️ (slightly over)
Best approach: 10 nights with shared pool apartment = £1,880, leaving £120 buffer.
The beaches are world-class, it's very child-friendly, and the flight is short enough not to be exhausting.
Pricing Status (Browser Verified - 16 March 2026)
| Item | Estimated | Actual | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights MAN→FAO | £200-350 | £530-636 | ✅ kayak.co.uk direct search (18-28 Jul 2026, 3 pax) |
| Car Hire (10 days, economy) | £100-150 | £100-150 | ⚠️ Estimate - needs verification |
| Apartment (10 nights, shared pool) | £600-900 | £750 | ⚠️ Estimate - needs verification |
| Villa (10 nights, private pool) | £900-1,200 | £1,100 | ⚠️ Estimate - needs verification |
Key Findings:
- Flights more expensive than expected - £530 minimum (vs £200-350 estimated)
- Still viable under budget - £1,880 total for 10 nights
- Cheapest flights comparable to Mallorca - £530 vs £411
- Car hire remains affordable - Portugal has cheapest car hire in Europe
Created: 15 March 2026
Prices verified where marked, otherwise estimates
All estimates clearly marked with ⚠️