We have 11 days in Portugal planned for mid-late March (15-26). We are planning a few days in Lisbon and then heading south. Looking for a good home base in the Algarve for that time of year. Hard to get a read on things from guide books, etc since it is not peak season.

People: 2 Parents and 7-year old daughter
Car: Likely Yes
Interests: Big hikers (kid can do up to 8 miles), Outdoor Activities, Nature. Kid likes standard kid things (playgrounds, etc). Kid loves to play on the beach even if the water is too cold.

Any places to seek out or avoid?

In that time of year, I like Montegordo and/or the surroundings (Manta Rota, Altura, Cacela, Cabanas, etc). It's on the east side, much hotter than the west side of Algarve. Montegordo is (still) a fishing village, but very developed, it even has a Casino (so you might not notice that in fact you are in a fishing village). One of the things I like to do there is "hunting" conquilhas (a kind of clam) on the beach. I think that for a kid that can be a lot of fun. It's near a beautifull Natural Park that is now a home base for Flamingos. It is near Vila Real de Santo António, a "big" city, with a nice market., where you can take a boat to Spain (Ayamonte, wich is nothing special, but well, at least it's Spain, it's different.). With a car you can also visit Castro Marim, a lovely village where you can "feel" the moorish presence.

In March (and even beg. of April) the sunset at Cacela Velha is beautifull. And the oysters are very good (as well as the shrimps or even the "chouriço assado"). Cacela Velha is just one of the most beautifull places in Portugal. A small thing, at the top of a hill, facing the ocean. And it's on that east area of Algarve, two steps away of Montegordo if you have a car.

HelenaFatima's eastern Algarve suggestions cover some really worthwhile destinations (e.g. Ayamonte, Castro Marim, and stunning Cacela Velha) with Tavira also not far afield. For a first visit, though, you may want to stay somewhere more central to maximize your daytrip options, which can then cover the whole stretch of the Algarve from east to west. We've stayed in Albufeira, always mid-to-late-March many, many times. From there you can do an east coast swing covering the aforementioned places, or one to the far west coast (Prince Henry's navigational school and where Europe ends at Cabo Sao Vincente). Other trips in between can include/combine * the castelo in Sagres; pretty strolling in Lagos; small-boat cliff cruise near Lagos; * nearer still to Albufeira the pretty dune walks at charming Alvor combined with the Fortaleza in Portimao, and maybe a swing through the beach village of Carvoeiro; * a short drive from Albufeira are stunning rocky beach coves and coastal walks around Praia de Sao Rafael, then broad stretches of dune walks at Gale, and really nice restaurants in Armacao de Pera; * other nearby treats are the lovely, lovely inland village of Alte reachable by narrow gorgeous country drives from Paderne; and also the enchanting rock formations and bubbling water spouts at Olhos d'Agua (with more seaside restaurants with nice views). Staying central, you can hit it all - - be sure to take the ultra fast and nearly empty toll highway.

For hikes, the cliffs near Praia de Sao Rafael are great (undulating topography, rich vegetation, capped by amazing cliff view); just west of Armacao de Pera at Praia de Nossa Sta. Barbara de Rocha there is a little chapel, deep cut swimming coves, and great cliff walks with some spectacular sights; the dune walks at Alvor are wooden planks much of the way. This is really FUN walking territory. The Atlantic water, you must be apprised of, is cold to the extent that it can be dangerous to go in for more than one or two minutes (same can be true of unheated hotel pools). It may be tempting to stay longer but it can be hard on the metabolism - - but if you go in for one or two minutes your body will radiate a glowing warmth for the rest of the day!

Speaking of nearly empty, mid-March is a fabulous time to go because the flowers are in bloom and the weather can be perfect. Also, it doesn't start to get crowded till Easter, and some places that are packed a couple weeks later are near empty, the roads are super easy to negotiate - - some restaurants might feel a bit deserted, but everything is generally open, so you get individual attention. And the hotel prices can be a fraction of what they are later in the season. Albufeira has gotten very touristy/commercial in the center, but there are hardly any tourists there to muck it up. You could look for places in Albufeira (plenty of cafes/restaurants, nice beach, some pretty strolls), or in Armacao de Pera (boring modern generic buildings but a nice seafront), or a villa near Gale (away from any city action), or even further west in Carvoiero or Alvor. Hopefully others will also have recommendations.