Family Surfing on the Algarve

Epic sea battles were fought off this coast, and it was at the small town of Sagres that Prince Henry the Navigator established his School of Navigation which launched voyages of discovery around the world.

Thanks to the protection of the Costa Vicentina national park, this dramatic stretch of Atlantic coastline has remained mercifully undeveloped, but nowadays the seafarers are of a different kind and the School of Navigation has given way to surf schools.

A great place to stay is the Monte Velho Nature Resort. Reached via an unpaved track from the ‘main’ road, this former farmhouse has been converted into a small hotel with a relaxed atmosphere, set amid unspoilt countryside with views of the surrounding pine forest and the ocean. There are no TVs in the rooms, but don’t panic, kids – there are much better things to do with your time here, and Portuguese TV is not that great anyway.

Just minutes away from Monte Velho are two of the best surfing beaches in Europe, including the renowned Amado, where friends of the owner of the hotel run a friendly, laid-back surf school to take advantage of the great waves. After the initial frustration of going through the spin cycle a few times and having a sand facial, you’ll soon progress from shark biscuit to master of the cutback.

For those who still have energy to burn, there’s body-boarding, windsurfing, sailing, beach football or just mucking around in the waves to keep you entertained. For parents, there’s a wide sandy beach to relax on and, back at the hotel, a massage service and hammocks for taking a well-earned siesta. Away from the sea, Monte Velho also offers donkey-trekking, quad-biking and mountain biking in the nature reserve. All in all, one righteous holiday.