Sunshine, beautiful beaches, lots of attractions and great food make the Algarve the perfect choice for a quiet holiday, whether you are going with the family or hoping to relax in luxury for a few days.

This beautiful region of southern Portugal has more than 100 miles of coastline and benefits from 300 days of sunshine a year. It is easy to find a long sandy beach to enjoy a little peace and quiet, while sports lovers will discover there are lots of golf courses to choose from, together with tennis clubs and plenty of opportunities to try some water sports.

The surroundings and quality of the hotels and restaurants in the Algarve means you are guaranteed to enjoy your holiday, but some resorts are sure to be better suited to your needs than others.

If you are booking Algarve holidays for the family, you may find the area around the city of Albufeira is a good choice.

It is home to two of the best beaches on the Algarve, together with a wide choice of affordable accommodation and a host of cheap places to eat and drink.

There are a number of attractions children are sure to love, including ZooMarine, a theme park that has daily shows by dolphins and seals, as well as rides, swimming pools and a tropical aquarium. Albufeira is also just a short bus journey from the water slides at the Aqualand theme park.

Vilamoura is the Algarve resort to choose if you are planning a luxury break. Upmarket accommodation is plentiful in the town, much of it overlooking the marina that is home to everything from small pleasure boats to multimillion-pound yachts.

The customary Algarve attractions of sandy beaches and peaceful golf courses are close at hand, but much of the activity in Vilamoura is centred on the marina. You can choose to board a boat for a fishing trip or tour of the sea caves, but can just as easily spend a few lazy hours relaxing in one of the stylish bars and restaurants overlooking the harbour.

As well as weather, beaches and facilities for holidaymakers, the Algarve has a rich history to discover. Whether you choose to base yourself in Albufeira, Vilamoura or Praia da Rocha, you will be within reach of the area’s selection of museums and archaeological sites.

The Cerro da Vila’s collection of Roman finds in Vilamoura, the selection of menhirs at Albufeira’s Museo Arqueologico and the stunning Igreja de Sao Lourenzo are all worth visiting if you wish to enjoy a little culture during your Algarve holiday.