Our Family Adventure at Martinhal Sagres, Portugal
Like many others, I’d seen this hotel all over my Instagram, so we decided to use our Avios points and book it way in advance—in November 2024 for a trip in September 2025. Very pre-organised for us! From the moment we arrived at Martinhal Sagres Family Resort, it was clear why it’s so popular with families—relaxed luxury, incredible facilities, and endless fun for little ones. The kids were instantly won over when they were greeted at check-in with a cuddly fox teddy, a lovely touch that made them feel welcome immediately.
Our Home Away From Home
We stayed in a two-bedroom Garden House, tucked among greenery with plenty of space for the kids to explore. The layout felt private and peaceful, yet just a short stroll from the main pools and restaurants. It had a large outdoor area where we’d sit in the evenings once the kids were asleep – even if it was a bit chilly and mosquitos occasionally joined us! There was something lovely about those quiet moments, wrapped in a jumper, listening to the waves in the distance and finally unwinding with a drink in hand.
Fun for Kids (and Parents Too)
Martinhal is brilliantly set up for families. There are multiple swimming pools, each with a shallow children’s pool right beside it — meaning parents can actually relax while still keeping an eye out. When the wind picked up in the mornings, we’d head to the indoor pool, which was beautifully warm and there was an entertainer one day we went singing kids songs and dancing.
The Market Square quickly became our children’s favourite spot: a playground, a bouncy castle, and the ever-popular VW camper van. Surrounding the square is a restaurant, a food shake and a bar, so parents can enjoy a drink while the kids play safely within view — our ideal kind of setup!
For food essentials, there’s a handy on-site supermarket, complete with freshly baked pastries each morning. Our kids made sure chocolate croissants became part of our daily routine.
The Amenities We Missed
The resort also offers a range of activities we sadly didn’t get to use but looked incredible. We had hoped to visit the Spa for some grown-up downtime if the kids settled at the club. The tennis courts and Gym are available for active guests. We also saw watersports available down on the beach, which would be great for families with older children. We really wanted to take a cycle, but hiring bikes was quite pricey, and we probably needed another year before our daughter would sit still enough in the trailer for a proper family ride!
Trying Out the Kids’ Club
Martinhal’s kids’ club is impressive, with separate areas for different age groups. We decided to give it a try for our two- and three-year-olds since they could be in the same room. Unfortunately, just as we’d ordered our first cocktails by the pool, we got the call — they were homesick! We’d promised ourselves we’d only try it if they were happy, so we quickly collected our little explorers and spent the afternoon playing adventure golf instead which is free to play – just pick up the clubs from the gym desk.
Exploring Beyond the Resort
While there’s plenty to do on site, we couldn’t resist exploring the Algarve. One day we drove about 50 minutes to Slide & Splash Waterpark. The kids absolutely loved it and they had a great toddler area, even though the water was freezing! It was still a few degrees warmer than Sagres that day, so worth the trip.
Another highlight was a short drive to Praia do Camiño on the west coast. The vast sand dunes and rolling waves were perfect for a bit of wild beach fun. Our kids got drenched chasing waves — and, of course, we forgot spare clothes (a classic parenting lesson learned).
On an overcast day we met friends in Lagos and visited the Centro Ciência Viva, a brilliant hands-on science museum with a great outdoor play area. We then found a Mexican restaurant with a kids’ menu promising free ice cream. When the server told us they’d run out, our son’s tears must have melted hearts — the waitress popped out and returned moments later with ice cream from a nearby shop. Portuguese hospitality at its finest!
Evenings in the Village Square
Every afternoon around 5pm we’d wander back to the Village Square, where the kids could burn off energy in the playground while we relaxed with a drink. It became our daily ritual — watching the sun dip, chatting with other families, and enjoying how easy life felt there.
Final Thoughts
We can’t recommend Martinhal Sagres highly enough for families. The thoughtful layout, warm staff, and endless activities make it ideal for little travellers. As our kids get older, I can already see us returning again and again — discovering new adventures from A to Z.
A to Z Family Travels 