***  
Praia da Luz is a lovely friendly family orientated resort towards the Western end of the Algarve. It has many bars and restaurants all of which welcome children. There are plenty of shops including supermarkets, chemist, bank, internet cafes, small boutiques etc.  
The beach is lovely and sandy and the sea is not normally rough here making it ideal for families. At low tide there are lovely rock pools at the eastern end of the beach. In the summer water sports are available on the beach including waterskiing, windsurfing, sailing, pedaloes and inflatable rides. The beach is overlooked by spectacular cliffs and for the energetic a challenging 'walk' to the top of these cliffs and perhaps along the top to the next beach can make for a more exerting day out. The beach is backed by a lovely tree lined promenade with several bars, restaurants and beach shops.  
 
Praia da Luz is only 10 minutes drive from the beautiful town of Lagos, widely recognised as the prettiest town on the Algarve. It has several wonderful beaches, a lovely modern marina with bars and restaurants and a pedestrianised town centre which is a wonderful place to go for a wander on a summer evening, with street vendors and entertainers out in force to appeal to diners and bar goers. 
 
Further West, about a half hour drive are the fabulous West coast beaches such as Amado with their much wilder seas. They are a draw for surfers and there are surf schools on several of these beaches. Close by are the famous nautical town of Sagres and the most South Westerly point in Europe Cape St Vincent. 
 
Heading East there are two water parks, a zoo, a marine life park, a large modern shopping centre and the ancient capital of the Algarve Silves with its castle and old cork factory museum all within a half hour drive. 
 
For golfing there is the magnificent Boavista course just 5 minutes down the road. Also within a half hour drive are Palmares, Penina and Parque de Floresta.