10 Best Things to Do in Portimão

The Algarve has no shortage of spectacular beaches but Praia da Rocha, located right at the heart of Portimão, is one of the most convenient. The name translates to “rocky beach” and it’s a literal one, with hunks of limestone marooned amid a sea of yellow sand. The beach stretches for 1 km or so, and is popular with families as it shelves gently into the clear water.

Though it’s tempting just to lie in the sun, there are many water sports available near the beach for those who prefer to stay active, including surfing, jet skiing, parasailing and kayaking. Stroll along to the neighbouring Praia dos Três Castelos, where you’ll find a trio of rocks in the sea which inspired its name, "Three Castles" Beach. 

When the Museu de Portimão opened its doors in 2008, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for the building that once housed the Feu Hermanos canning factory. Sardine canning had been a major employer in the area since the late 19th century, leading many to dub Portimão as the sardine capital of the Algarve.

This award-winning museum, which won the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 2010, tells the fascinating story of the contribution the industry made to the area. If you’re tempted to try canned fish as a result, 15-minute stroll north to Maria do Mar restaurant on Rua Direita gives you the chance to do just that.

From Portimão, take a boat trip to see the breathtaking Benagil Caves. Waves have sculpted this sea cave into a magnificent landform with natural skylights and arches that perfectly frame the turquoise sea beyond.

Algarve Discovery’s boats depart regularly from Portimão’s Vasco da Gama pier, located close to the Museu de Portimão in the centre of town. On the way, you’ll see Portimão from the water as you amble downstream along the Rio Arade and pass the Fort of Santa Catarina, Ferragudo Castle and the small fishing village of Ferragudo.

Fortaleza de Santa Catarina is one of Portimão’s most recognisable historical landmarks. Together with nearby Forte de São João do Arade in Ferragudo, it was constructed in the 17th century to defend the estuary of the Rio Arade. A plaque reads “Built by the order of D. João de Castro (Governor of the Algarvian Kingdom) for the protection of the city of Silves and Vila Nova de Portimão from Spanish pirates and Moors”.

These days, accessing the fort is simple – all would-be invaders need to do is climb the steps cut into the cliff above Praia da Rocha beach. The views, both from the beach and the miradouro (viewpoint) at Santa Catarina itself, are splendid, particularly on a fine day. 

Locals flock to Mercado Municipal de Portimão, Portimão’s market, in search of fresh produce daily. Plump red tomatoes, shiny piles of peppers and juicy pears fill the greengrocery stands, while each morning’s seafood catch ensures there’s always a crowd in the fishmonger’s section.

If you’re self-catering, keen prices make this a smart choice for purchasing the makings of dinner or some flowers to brighten up your apartment. And if you’re not, there’s no harm in soaking up the atmosphere before retiring to a local café for some refreshments.

Manuel Teixeira Gomes is Portugal’s 7th president and Casa-Museu Manuel Teixeira Gomes demonstrates just how highly regarded he is in his Portimão hometown. Teixeira Gomes was also an accomplished writer, keen traveller and a diplomat, and several first editions of his work can be seen here. The info is mostly in Portuguese, so come prepared with a translation app.

Regular exhibitions of the work of local photographers and artists make this as much a gallery as it is a museum. Look out for listings for the recitals and literary gatherings occasionally held here, too. If you just can’t get enough of the guy, make your way to Praça Teixeira Gomes near the river – this square has a sculpture of him.

Enjoying a fishing trip from Marina de Portimão seems very fitting especially since the city relies so heavily on the sea. Every day, boats leave the city’s marina in search of big game, happy to welcome onboard those who fish for sport rather than a living.

Rui and Pedro Santos of RP Paradise offer a range of fishing trips from Portimão utilising traditional inshore fishing techniques. Whether you’re hoping to catch a blue marlin or bluefin tuna, squid or cuttlefish, there’s a good chance you’ll be content with your catch of the day.

Slide & Splash Waterpark has been a popular attraction on the Algarve for over 30 years. A little over 6 km east of the centre of Portimão, the theme park is squarely aimed at the family market. Fun is the order of the day, wherever you are on this 7-ha site. Race each other down the foam slides, hurtle through the scarily fast Black Hole, or get your groove on in the Disco River.

If all that sounds just a little too exhausting, there’s a Jacuzzi and lagoon area perfect for relaxing. Pamper yourself as you get your tootsies in tip-top condition at the fish spa or book a massage in the Aquafeeling Zone.

The Castelo de São João do Arade is a magnificent medieval fort that dominates the east bank of the Arade River. It was originally built in the 15th century to protect Ferragudo from pirates and marauders. While the castle's interior is closed to the public, it's worth a visit to see its imposing walls and rows of battlements.

On either side of the fort are the fine sandy beaches of Praia Grande and Praia da Angrinha, where you can sunbathe, enjoy a swim, or have dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants. Catch a ferry from Praia da Rocha Harbor for great views of the castle.

The imposing Rio Arade Suspension Bridge that carries the N125 over the namesake river in Portimão is a masterpiece of modern engineering. The scale is impressive: the main span of this cable-stay structure measures 256 metres, with the 2 side spans each providing another 107 metres. The soft alluvial sand makes this a potential hazard in the event of an earthquake but engineers designed the bridge with earthquake-proofing in mind.

Follow the track beside the lagoon on the east end of the bridge to watch the sunset behind it. Photographers will be delighted – the 62-metre-high concrete pylons form a dramatic A-shaped silhouette against the orange sky.