Martinhal Sagres Review: The Best Family Resort in Portugal
Set along the stunning Algarve coast, Martinhal Sagres is more than just a luxury destination resort. It’s a resort specifically designed for families with young children. Every detail here has been carefully considered, allowing parents to truly relax while kids enjoy everything the resort has to offer.
During our family trip to Portugal a few weeks ago, we were hosted at Martinhal Sagres for part of our Algarve adventure, followed by a stay at Martinhal Chiado in Lisbon. We were incredibly excited and honored to experience these properties and share our honest review with our audience.
In this post, I’m sharing my full review of Martinhal Sagres, along with our personal experience, honest recommendations, and a few helpful tips if you’re considering booking a stay at Martinhal Sagres family resort.
This was our first time staying at a Martinhal property, and it was easy to see why Martinhal Sagres has been recognized as Portugal’s Leading family resort and Europe’s leading villa resort at the World Travel Awards.
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Martinhal Sagres Review: Resort Overview at a Glance
- Location: Algarve coast in Sagres, Portugal, overlooking Martinhal Beach
- Length of stay: We stayed for 4 nights, which felt perfect when combined with a busy 3-day Lisbon itinerary
- Vibe: Luxurious yet incredibly kid-friendly, relaxed, organized, and easy
- Accommodation Options: Hotel rooms, family houses, and luxury private villas
- Dining: Three restaurants with plenty of kid-friendly options and nearby play areas
- Highlight of our stay: Play areas near restaurants and how effortless everything felt while traveling with kids
- Not ideal for: Couples looking for a quiet escape, as the resort is very family-focused
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Getting to Martinhal Sagres From Lisbon
Getting from Lisbon to Sagres takes a little over 3 hours driving. I highly recommend renting a car, as it’s by far the most comfortable and convenient way to get around the Algarve, especially if you’re planning day trips, beach hopping, or exploring the surrounding areas as we did.
Note: Faro Airport is the closest major airport to Sagres, about a 1-hour-15-minute to 1.5-hour drive away, depending on traffic. So if you’re heading straight to Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort, flying into Faro is your best and easiest option.
After landing at Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport from New York, we decided to spend one night in Lisbon to help the kids adjust to the time difference and ease into the trip. Rather than rushing straight into our drive south, it gave us a chance to slow down and get our first little taste of Portugal.
For our first afternoon, we kept things simple and family-friendly with a visit to the Lisbon Oceanarium, which turned out to be one of the best experiences in Lisbon with kids.
Afterward, we wandered around the city for a bit, soaking in our first views of Lisbon and, of course, trying our very first pastel de nata in Portugal.
Tip: During your drive from Lisbon to Sagres, do yourself a favor and stop for lunch at Restaurante O Camilo in Lagos. This ended up being one of my favorite meals of the trip, with incredible ocean views, fresh seafood, and a relaxed Algarve atmosphere. Reservations are highly recommended during peak months, and can usually be made by phone or in person.
Martinhal Sagres Review: First Impressions
The minute we arrived at reception, we knew this resort was designed with families in mind. Babies and toddlers occupied a few play areas while parents checked in stress-free. Despite seeing kids, strollers, and families everywhere, the atmosphere somehow still felt calm, organized, and relaxing.
The team at the front was incredibly friendly and welcoming. They confirmed the ages of our 6-and 3-year-old boys and surprised them with sweet, welcoming backpacks, which instantly made them so happy.
Then they went over the property map, even made a few reservations on our behalf as we were still figuring it all out, and offered a few recommendations at my request.
The staff helped us with our luggage, and we headed to our villa, which was about a 3-minute drive away. The entire arrival process felt seamless and stress-free, which always sets the tone for the rest of my stay.
Choosing Your Accommodation at Martinhal Sagres
Accommodations at Martinhal Sagres Resort are thoughtfully designed for families, with options ranging from hotel rooms to luxurious villas and townhouses.
We stayed in one of their Bay Houses, located on the quieter edge of the resort, about a 10-minute walk from the main resort area and pools.
We absolutely loved the peaceful location, ocean views, and extra space for the kids.
Our townhouse had two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, including a kids’ bedroom with three rollaway beds.
Upstairs was an open-concept living area with modern furniture setup, a fully stocked kitchen, and a balcony overlooking nature and the ocean.
Downstairs, we had a private, enclosed backyard where the kids loved spending time.
We loved this location. We did not mind our tranquil walks from the resort to the main area and the beach, which took about 10 minutes and was absolutely stroller-friendly.
If you want to stay closer to the pools and restaurants, you may prefer the Ocean Houses, while larger groups might enjoy the added privacy of the Luxury Villas.
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Martinhal Sagres Resort Review: Facilities and Amenities
Pools
Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort has several pools throughout the resort, including family and kiddie pools, as well as an adults-only pool for parents seeking a quieter atmosphere.
We explored a few different pools during our stay, but we kept coming back to the main pool by the beach. It had the best atmosphere, ocean views, a pool bar, plenty of space for families to spread out, and a fun, lively energy that made it easy to spend hours there every day.
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Martinhal Sagres Review: Kids Club
The kids’ club at Martinhal Sagres is divided into age groups. There’s a nursery for babies from 6–12 months, a crèche for 13–23 months, Raposinhos for ages 2–4, Fox Club for 5–6, and the Explorers Nature Club for children aged 7 and up, with even a separate teen program for older kids.
We checked out the kids’ club for littles, and while it looked amazing, my toddler only wanted to stay if his brother stayed in the same group. So we decided to skip it and let them enjoy everything else the resort had to offer.
Depending on age and season, children can take part in everything from arts and crafts and treasure hunts to beach games, swimming pool activities, and group sports.
One of the highlights is the emphasis on outdoor experiences. Kids can join guided bike rides around the resort using rented bikes, which is a big hit for slightly older children.
There are also beginner-friendly surf lessons and water-based activities nearby, giving kids a safe introduction to surfing.
Family-friendly sports activities
There are so many activities at the resort for families! We wanted to try everything! Tennis courts, a football pitch, bike rentals, paddling, and even a rock-climbing wall.
One day, we started with a rock-climbing challenge, then played tennis, and finally let the boys take over the soccer field!
Baby Concierge at Martinhal Sagres
Martinhal Sagres is hands down one of the best resorts if you’re traveling with babies and toddlers. You can leave much of the heavy baby gear at home and simply pre-order essentials like high chairs, strollers, bottle sterilizers, cots, and more, which makes traveling much easier.
We honestly wish we had known about this place earlier. Our kids are now 6 and 3, and it really feels like this would have been an amazing place to spend those earlier baby and toddler years.
Easy Direct Beach Access
One of the things we really loved about Martinhal Sagres was how easy the beach access was.
The resort sits right above Martinhal Beach, so that you can go from your room or pool area straight down to the beach in just a few minutes. Or stay at the beach hangout area which we loved
It never felt like a big effort or something you had to plan for, which makes such a difference when you’re traveling with kids. Check out all the facilities at Martinhal Sagres
The beach itself is wide, calm, and very family-friendly, so it was easy to spend a few relaxed hours there without needing much preparation. We often just walked down, enjoyed some time by the water, and then went back up to the resort whenever we felt like it.
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Restaurants at Martinhal Sagres
Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort has several restaurants throughout the resort, each with its own vibe to suit whatever you’re in the mood for.
O Terraço
This is the main restaurant at the resort (my personal favorite), and where breakfast is usually served. It’s a buffet-style setup with indoor and terrace seating, and it has some of the prettiest views over the resort.
We were recommended to make a reservation here for both breakfast and dinner, especially during busy periods, as it can get quite full.
O Terraço offers a more luxurious dining experience with modern Portuguese cuisine, elegant presentation, and a calmer atmosphere.
There’s also a small play area nearby with crafts and coloring papers, which is helpful if you’re dining with kids.
As Dunas
Located right by the beach and main pool, As Dunas has a much more relaxed feel. It’s the place you go for easy lunches, drinks, and laid-back meals with ocean views—something like burgers, grilled fish, and salads.
It’s also the most convenient spot if you’re spending the day at the pool or beach, and there’s a small play area close by, which keeps kids entertained.
They also serve breakfast here with pretty much the same menu items as O Terrace, but end breakfast service much earlier than O Terrace does. Something I would inquire about is whether you eat a late breakfast.
Os Gambozinos
This is the resort’s Italian restaurant. Think pizza, pasta, and simple comforting dishes that kids love. It has a very casual, family-friendly atmosphere and was actually our kids’ favorite because of their amazing outdoor play area with bouncy activities and a setup.
Tip: Every restaurant at Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort has high chairs available, which makes dining with babies and toddlers very easy throughout the resort.
They played before the food arrived. Finished everything in less than 10 minutes and ran back to the playground. We were left with plenty of food, wine, and all the time in the world for a slow dinner. Lol.
M Bar
M Bar is more of a relaxed lounge-style spot for drinks and light bites, especially in the evening. It’s a nice place to wind down after dinner or grab something casual without a full meal.
Kids & Babies Menus
One thing that really stood out to us was how well they cater to babies and toddlers. They even have a kids’ menu for very little ones, with a variety of simple meals and purees. This honestly surprised me in a really good way, as I’ve never seen this level of baby and toddler food options at other resorts we’ve stayed at.
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Mercado Deli at the Resort
I also want to highlight the Mercado Deli at the Resort because we ended up using it a lot during our stay.
It was our go-to spot for daily essentials like fresh fruit, snacks for the kids, and little things we needed for our day trips. They also have freshly baked bread, cheese, wine, and other essentials, making it really convenient to skip a restaurant breakfast or a full meal on days when you want something quick and casual.
Fitness & Spa at Martinhal Sagres
The resort also has a gym for parents to escape to, as well as a spa, which I highly recommend.
I scheduled my facial appointment here, and when I arrived, they informed me that the steam room and sauna were open to guests even without a treatment, which was such a pleasant surprise. It was a very quiet, relaxing, and overall enjoyable experience.
Things to do near Martinhal Sagres
During our stay, we took a few easy day trips from Sagres, perfect if you are looking to explore beyond the town.
We did a Dolphin & Benagil Caves boat tour along the coast, which was a highlight for seeing the cliffs and caves from the water.
We also visited Lagos, a lively nearby town with beautiful beaches, old streets, and plenty of restaurants.
Another trip took us to Carvoeiro, a smaller coastal town known for its scenic views and relaxed atmosphere. All of these spots are an easy drive from Sagres and make great additions to a family stay.
Compared to other parts of the Algarve, Sagres felt far less crowded and much more focused on nature, beaches, and surf culture. We have also heard that Sagres has some amazing viewpoints.
We also heard great things from other travelers about the local seafood restaurants and relaxed surf-town vibe in the center of Sagres, especially around sunset.
Martinhal Sagres Review: Final Thoughts
We’re incredibly grateful to have experienced Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort Hotel in Portugal and to have made such special memories together. What stood out most was how easy everything felt from start to finish. Traveling with kids felt genuinely stress-free here, and we truly wish we had discovered this place earlier.
We loved the direct beach access and all the family-friendly activities that kept everyone entertained and relaxed. My personal favorite was the play areas by the restaurants, which honestly felt like every parent’s dream when dining out. For once, I could actually enjoy my starters and a glass of wine without rushing.
And the baby concierge service is such a lifesaver. Until you travel with little kids, you don’t realize how much things like step stools, high chairs, baby essentials, and even strollers can make such a difference.
Would we do this trip again? Absolutely. While the on-site dining and luxury accommodations can make this a pricier stay, we felt it was well worth it for parents looking for a truly relaxing, stress-free luxury vacation with kids.
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