For children (and a lot of adults), there’s nothing more entertaining than a waterpark. For parents, there’s nothing more relaxing than having your kids entertained by something else. Waterpark hotels are a win-win for the entire family.
Portugal has several great waterpark hotels, the majority of which are located in the Algarve. Alternatively, you could just stay at a normal hotel and buy daypasses for the nearest waterpark (see tips for that below).
Some tips:
- Travelling with teenagers? It’s best to either stay at the Aquashow Park Hotel, or stay at a normal hotel and visit one of the waterparks mentioned below.
- Travelling with young children? Any of the hotels mentioned below will be suitable.
Aquashow Park Hotel
Aquashow Park Hotel is the biggest and most popular waterpark hotel on the Algarve (and across all of Portugal). It has all kinds of waterslides including some that are almost horizontal, some that twirl around in a circle, and some that are big and wide. It also has a rollercoaster that goes into the water, a wave pool, a giant Jacuzzi, and several other funfair-style rides.
Although the waterpark is aimed at families, the Aquashow Park Hotel itself is actually quite stylist and adult-friendly. It has excellent facilities for adults like indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, a spa, and a fitness centre.
The cost of the hotel includes free entry to the waterpark. Alternatively, you don’t have to stay at this hotel: you can buy day passes to the waterpark separately.
Note: Aquashow is open for May 1st – September 30th. The hotel is still open the rest of the year, but the waterpark won’t be.
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Jupiter Albufeira Hotel
Jupiter Hotel in Albufeira has several water slides and chutes, as well as a large family-friendly swimming pool. And, if you get bored of the pool area, the hotel offers a free shuttle service to Albufeira’s Praia da Oura beach. There’s also a regular bus to Zoomarine, one of the Algarve’s most popular water theme parks.
Adults needn’t worry either: there’s also an adults-only swimming pool and spa that you can relax in while the children play on the slides and chutes.
Other facilities at the hotel include a tennis court, children’s club, arcade room, and a babysitting service (surcharge).
3HB Clube Humbria – All Inclusive
Although 3HB Clube Humbria isn’t a big waterpark hotel like Aquashow, it does have several waterslides that will keep younger children entertained. The hotel also has a playground, a multipurpose sports court, swimming pools, a table tennis table, and a kid’s club.
3HB Clube Humbria is situated in Olhos De Água which is around 15 minutes by car from Albufeira. It’s also 5 minutes drive from the nearest beaches: Praia Olhos de Água and Praia Barranco das Belharucas.
Alfagar Aparthotel
Algafar Aparthotel offers apartment-style accommodation near Albufeira in the heart of the Algarve. The complex has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as a selection of waterslides and water chutes.
Other facilities include tennis courts, a football pitch, and a gym, as well as a bike hire service. The hotel also has several on-site restaurants, and there are even more options at the nearby town of Olhos de Água.
Alfagar Alto Da Colina Aparthotel
Alfagar’s other hotel, Alfagar Alto Da Colina, is situated just a couple of minutes from Alfagar Aparthotel. Like Alfagar Aparthotel it also has swimming pool with waterslides and waterchutes, as well as other facilities like a football pitch, tennis court, gym, and playground. Normally, Algafar allow you to use the facilities of either hotel so your kids will have two lots of waterslides to choose from.
Be Live Family Palmeiras Village
Be Live Family Palmeiras Village is a hotel resort located near Armação de Pêra and Porches in the Central Algarve. The hotel resort has waterslides and waterchutes for kids of all ages, including a half-sunk pirate ship for younger children to play on in the children’s pool.
There are several different on-site restaurants at the hotel serving a variety of international cuisine, as well as several different bars as well. There’s also a fitness area with a well-equipped gym for those that want to keep fit on their break.
NAU Salgados Palace
Nau Salgados Palace offers luxury, 5-star hotel accommodation near Albufeira in the Central Algarve. Facilities at the hotel, like the spa, gym, and gardens, are very adult-focused, but the hotel’s swimming pools do have a few small water slides that would keep smaller children entertained.
Option 2: Hotels Near Waterparks
Alternatively, instead of staying at a hotel with a waterpark or with waterslides, you could stay at a hotel that’s near a waterpark. The following are some of the most popular waterparks in Portugal (especially the Algarve) and a selection of the hotels that are located close by.
Slide & Splash
Slide & Splash is located between Lagoa and Portimão, near to resort towns like Ferragudo, Carvoreiro, and Praia da Rocha. It is one of the most popular waterparks on the Algarve, particularly for rides like Drops, the Big Wave, the Black Hole, and Kamikaze, all of which are guaranteed to get the heart pumping.
For younger children, Slide & Splash also has a much tamer water-based playground with many fun slides and climbing frames.
Hotels near Slide & Splash
If you’re staying at Ferragudo or Carvoreiro, you’ll have no problem getting to and from Slide & Splash. Alternatively, these hotels are even closer to Slide & Splash.
- Lagoa Hotel (2 km away) – Affordable hotel located in Lagoa that has an outdoor swimming pool and on-site restaurant.
- Rio Arade Algarve Manor House (2.7 km away) – Small hotel offering bed and breakfast accommodation near Parchal and Estômbar.
- Pestana Golf & Resorts Carvoeiro (3 km away) – Upmarket hotel with outdoor swimming pool and access to 5 golf courses.
Aqualand
Aqualand is situated right in the middle of the Algarve, near Armação de Pêra and Porches. Some of its most popular, and most exciting rides, include Hydra, Crazy Race, Rapids, and the Flying Mattresses. It also offers Kamikaze, a 30 metre high ride that’s guaranteed to give you a rush of adrenaline.
As well as the rides mentioned, which are suitable for older children, teenagers, and adults, Aqualand also has several water playgrounds for younger children to play in.
Hotels near Aqualand
- Amendoeira Golf Resort (4 km away) – Golf-focused resort with apartments for rent.
- Vale d’El Rei Hotel & Villas (6.5 km away) – Hotel and villa accommodation with facilities that include a swimming pool, tennis courts, spa, and restaurants.
Aquashow
Aquashow is located near Quarteira, Vilamoura, Loulé, and Faro. It has several great adrenaline-pumping rides like the 32-metre high Freefall, the Wild Snake, and Speed Race, as well as a rollercoaster (The Twin Space Shuttle) that zips along at speeds of more than 70 km/h.
If that all sounds a little hair-raising, don’t worry: Aquashow also has plenty of calmer rides and slides, including several that you can go on as a group.
Hotels near Aquashow
As well as Aquashow’s own Park Hotel, the following hotels are also located close by:
- Hotel Pinhal do Sol (1.5 km away) – Affordable 3-star hotel with 2 outdoor pools, tennis courts, and an on-site restaurant and bar.
- Pestana Vila Sol Golf & Resort Hotel (3 km away) – Hotel resort that has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, on-site bars and restaurants, and gold course access.
- Four Seasons Vilamoura (6 km away) – Upmarket resort with apartment-style accommodation, a lagoon-shaped swimming pool, and several on-site restaurants.
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