It is easy to see why Praia da Luz is so popular for holidays, the resort has everything you need - a lovely beach, lots of restaurants, bars and cafés, a bank, shops for everything you are likely to need and all in a very attractive setting. It is an ideal resort for family holidays with everything close at hand.

Along the promenade, running by the beach, you will find many restaurants, cafés and shops. There are also market stalls and artists displaying their work where you can browse if you want a break from the sand and sea. Surprisingly, there are also some Roman ruins of a bathing complex, dating from the 3rd to 5th century, hidden just behind the wall that runs along the promenade.

There are several small supermarkets (including a Spar) plus a main supermarket, Baptista, close to the church for your everyday needs and also a very well-stocked shop selling natural products (Harmony Earth, close to Baptista) for all those alternative products you thought you wouldn't be able to find. If there is anything else you need, Lagos is a short drive away (10 minutes). There is a regular bus service and of course taxis.

With Praia da Luz being an excellent family resort you really don't need to travel further afield however, there are fun things for families to do fairly close at hand.

Lagos Zoo is only a short drive away, concentrating on keeping smaller animals (the monkey islands are brilliant) and birds. It is ideal for an afternoon out, not being too big and so not overly tiring for young children. There is also a 'pet corner' which is very popular with children of all ages.

Slide & Splash at Lagoa is the nearest water park for somewhere to cool off on those hot summer days and Zoomarine at Guia (near Albufeira) although a little further away, (about a forty-minute drive) is another great family day out - take your swimsuits as there are pools as well.

Going west towards Sagres, there is a blo-karting track just beside the N125 past Vila do Bispo and of course there are always the more exposed beaches of the western Atlantic coast around Sagres for surfing.

It is well worth a day out in Lagos as it is so close and one of the most attractive towns in the Algarve. The main avenue runs the length of the town with the marina and town beach on one side and the cobbled squares and streets that make up Lagos town centre on the other. There are restaurants and cafes to suit all tastes and a lot of them have fantastic views across Lagos bay.

Lagos also has plenty of shops to tempt you and a splendid vegetable, fruit and fish market which is open in the mornings. It is also a town with history - the narrow streets of the old centre are still ringed by 15th century defensive walls and a fort still guards the entrance to the harbour. Take your beach gear with you as there are plenty of beaches to choose from - whether you fancy secluded, cove beaches with calm clear waters ideal for swimming, or the 4kms-long stretch of golden sand around the bay, Meia Praia, which doesn't get crowded even during the height of summer.

For more information on events in the area download the tourist office events guide.

For more information on place of interest in the area click here for Vila do Bispo and here for Lagos.

And for those who enjoy a holiday which includes active activities you will find cycling routes, golf courses, diving centres, various gyms and centres to enjoy yoga, tai chi etc plus great local areas for bird watching and the opportunity to enjoy walking trails.