To visit Portimão
Portimão is one of the most famous seaside resorts in Portugal, offering excellent conditions for relaxation. Tourists in this Algarve town can choose accommodation in one of the 60 hotels as well as in luxury villas or apartments. Portimão has many cafes and restaurants serving excellent local cuisine. Shopping enthusiasts can visit the boutiques in the historic center or the shopping malls on the outskirts.
Portimão is famous for its golden sandy beaches, surrounded by picturesque, sometimes oddly shaped cliffs. The most famous of them is Praia da Rocha, surprisingly wide, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. Vacations in Portimao not only allow you to bask in the sun and enjoy swimming in the ocean, but also to indulge in various water sports and activities: water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and many others.
On this page you will find all the information you need to visit Portimão and answer your questions: what to do in Portimão? What to see in Portimão? Where to sleep in Portimão ?
Guided tours and activities in Portimão, Portugal
To begin with, I think one of the great things about all the cities in the Algarve in Portugal is the variety of tours and activities available. There are so many to choose from and it will often be difficult to pick the right ones once you get there. To make things easier for you and to help you sort out, I have selected for you the best guided tours, private tours and activities that you can do during your vacation in Portimão.
All the activities selected below are conducted by English-speaking guides to facilitate communication but are also free to cancel. A good way to avoid being caught off guard in case of unforeseen events and to avoid unnecessary costs if you want to change your plans. I have selected activities in Portimão that have been rated as close to 5 stars by the many visitors who have passed before you. I have put all the chances on your side to have the best time with friends or family.
How to get to Portimão
Portimão is a large city in the Algarve region of Portugal, so you will have no problem getting there, either from Lisbon or from Faro.
To go directly to Portimão from Faro, where the airport is located, you can take the train using the company CP – Comboios de Portugal. The distance is 66 kilometers and the trip will take 1 hour and 26 minutes. This is the cheapest way to travel, as the train ticket between Faro and Portimão costs 4€.
The most convenient way to get to Portimão from Faro is to book the services of a private carrier. They will pick you up at the airport and take you directly to your destination for a reasonable price. In the column you will find a direct link to book the best transfer service between Faro airport and Portimão. You will find two specialized ones below:
- Private transfer by car per group up to 3 people for 80€.
- Transfer by bus or van per group up to 4 people for 37€.
When you travel on the Portimão – Lisbon line by bus, you should know that the distance is about 183 km. You can take this bus at the Rodoviaria Sete Rios Station. To make your trip easy and comfortable, I recommend you to book cheap bus tickets as soon as possible. The average travel time from Portimão to Lisbon by bus is 3 hours and 15 minutes, but your trip may take longer on weekends and holidays.
There is no train that goes directly to Portimão from Lisbon, so you will have to take a train to Faro and then another one to Portimão. I advise you to take the bus to make this trip, it will be faster and easier.
Best hotels in Portimão in the Algarve
You will easily find plenty of accommodation in the Algarve but if you want to discover the best hotels in Portimão, then you can follow the button below. It will take you to Booking, where I have made a selection of the best rated hotels to avoid any bad surprises.
Of course, I recommend you to book as early as possible since the closer you get to the high season, the harder it will be to find a place in the best hotels in Portimão.
Some may want to enjoy all the comforts of the Algarve without any budget limit. In this case you will find in the column of this page a link to a site for booking luxury villas in the Algarve. These are luxurious villas with the possibility of heated pools, cooks, staff and more, so expect prices to be accordingly high, but this option is available through Essencial Portugal.
Restaurants in Portimão
When you’re on vacation, it’s normal to look for places where you can fill up on energy between outings. So below you’ll find a list of the best restaurants in Portimão for you to enjoy during your Algarve vacation.Whether you have plans to go there or want an excuse to visit Portimão, here you have the long awaited list of the best restaurants to eat in.Taberna da Maré restaurant in Portimão
This restaurant is a safe address to taste the best of the local gastronomy in a place full of history. Licensed as a tavern since 1946, it is one of the oldest places in the area and considered one of the best restaurants in Portimão. It was once a meeting place for the fishing community.Its menu is full of delicious dishes including “carapaus alimados” as a starter and clam rice or squid Algarve style for something more substantial.O Mata Porcos restaurant in Portimão
Just like the previous restaurant, this is a Portimão classic that you should not miss if you are on vacation in the Algarve.Contrary to the name of the restaurant, you won’t only eat pork here. Even if the bifanas are a tradition, you can also taste the lulinhas à algarvia, the rice with octopus or the massada de cação. In case that’s not enough, you should know that the prices here are tavern-style, i.e. affordable, so you can order other dishes without breaking the bank!Restinga restaurant in Portimão
As soon as you enter Restinga Praia, you’ll find yourself in front of racks full of fresh fish. However, the great specialty of this Portimão restaurant is the paghetti with clams. But of course, there are other equally delicious choices, which you will discover by looking at the menu.Whether it’s after a day on the wonderful beaches of the Algarve, or before you leave for your next destination, take a trip to Alvor to discover La Restinga, you won’t regret it!Àbabuja restaurant in Portimão
The history of this place goes back to the 1990s, when Manuela Soares spotted an old fisherman’s house. She decided to transform it into what is now the Àbabuja restaurant.Whether it’s fried shrimp with oranges or fried cuttlefish with clams, the appetizers are tempting. However, spaghetti with shrimp and clams or grilled fish are the best main dishes. You can also enjoy meat dishes such as steak with babuja or a meat cataplana.Caniço restaurant in Portimão
Besides being one of the oldest, the Caniço is one of the most charming restaurants in Portimão. It is located in Praia dos Três Irmãos, in a cave in the cliff. To get there, you have to go through a tunnel and then take an elevator from the Aldeamento da Prainha.Here you can enjoy excellent fresh fish and seafood. You can also accompany your meal with an excellent wine list.Adega Vila Lisa restaurant in Portimão
The Adega Vila restaurant is a typical Algarve restaurant with blue barred doors and windows. It offers a warm atmosphere with tables and benches for maximum conviviality.Dinners are served at a fixed price, with a tasting menu consisting of starters, four courses, desserts, drinks and coffee.Restaurante do Cais in Portimão
On the top floor of the Clube Naval de Portimão is the Restaurante do Cais, a very bright and pleasant place to eat. It faces the Arade River, allowing you to enjoy magnificent views of the city, the fishing village of Ferragudo and the docks of S. Francisco.In addition to the specialties of the house, you will find a very pleasant service.Weather in Portimão
Portimão has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters moderated by the Atlantic Ocean. The coldest temperature the city has ever known was -2 ° C (28 ° F) in January 1976.Portimão, like the other municipalities of the Algarve, is also very sunny, with an average of 2800-2900 hours of sunshine per year. The average temperature of the sea water is about 16°C in winter and 20-21°C in summer.
Things to see in Portimão
The surroundings of Portimão are picturesque. First of all, you can enjoy the sandy beaches framed by rocks. It is here that you can see some of the famous caves and tunnels of the Algarve, many of which can be seen during your walks on the ocean.The city of Portimão in southern Portugal is located next to various reserves including the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, formed by the Atlantic Ocean, several rivers in the Ria de Alvor area and the wild beaches of the Costa Vicentina (Protected Area). You will see amazing rock formations and migratory birds like white storks.Despite the fact that the earthquake of 1755 destroyed many architectural monuments in Portimão, you can still see sites today: the fortified walls, Fort Santa Catarina, the Jesuit and Franciscan monasteries.Excursions to Portimão will allow you to see the oldest religious building in the city, the Church of Our Lady of the Virgin Mary (Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição).On the outskirts of the city, archaeologists have discovered the ruins of the Roman villa Abikada, dating from the 4th century. The necropolis of Alcalar, which consists of 16 megalithic structures, is even older.Saint Catherine’s Fortress
The medieval fortress of St. Catherine, also called Fort of Santa Catarina de Ribamar, is located in the district of Porches, municipality of Portimão, at the extreme east of Praia da Rocha. The fortress is accessible by climbing the steps carved into the rock.The fortress is considered one of the last military projects in the Algarve during the reign of the Habsburg family. The trapezoidal fortress was built to protect the peninsula from attacks by pirates and corsairs, as well as from enemy armed invasions. The construction of the fortress is considered one of the finest works of the military engineer and architect Alexander Massai, who lived in the Algarve from 1617 to 1621. He was in charge of strengthening the military defenses along the coast.Convent of San Francisco
If you walk to the center of Portimão, you can see the ruins of the Monastery of St. Francis, located at the mouth of the river Arade. The monastery had another name – the Monastery of Nossa Senhora do Esperanza (Monastery of Our Lady of Hope). Despite the fact that there is almost nothing left of the monastery, this place attracts many historical monument lovers and those who want to enjoy the beautiful view of the Arade River. This church has beautiful architectural features, a gallery and the chapter house.The monastery itself was founded in 1530 and was the favorite resting place of visiting dignitaries. Indeed, when the monks arrived at this place, there was already a church, and a little later other premises began to be completed. In 1573, King Sebastian I of Portugal visited the city and took part in a solemn mass.Museum of Portimão
The Portimão Museum opened in May 2008 and is located in the building of an old canning factory, built at the end of the 19th century. In order to host exhibitions in the building, it has been completely restored and modernized. The museum often hosts temporary exhibitions, there is an archive room that stores historical information and thematic seminars are organized. The Council of Europe recognized the Portimão Museum as the best in 2010 and awarded it an honorary prize.The museum’s exhibition will tell the development of the city, industry, historical moments and cultural traditions. The museum is divided into three rooms. The first room of the museum tells the story of the birth of Portimão. Visitors can discover the advantages of the city’s geographical location and the natural resources of the region, from prehistoric times to the present day.Visitors have the opportunity to follow the whole process of canned food production, from the supply of fish to the promotion of the products in the market. The third room of the museum is located in an old underground reservoir, where rainwater was collected and sent to steam boilers. In this room, visitors can watch a film about the underground flora and fauna of the city, located on the right bank of the Arad River.Church of the Virgin Mary
The Church of the Virgin Mary, considered the main church of the city of Portimão, is located on a hill next to the Rua da Igreia, practically opposite the old market. It has three naves and is decorated with gilding and sculptures in baroque style.Among the sculptural images inside the church, the statue of the Apostle Peter stands out, dating from the 16th century. There are also four Crucifixes, made of ivory and ebony, and a Manueline baptismal cup (16th century), decorated with floral elements and installed on a cornice on the wall. The Church of the Virgin Mary of Portimão is one of the oldest buildings in the city.College of Jesuits
The Jesuit College is located on the corner of Rua do Comercio, in the center of Portimão. This magnificent building was commissioned by the nobleman Diego Gonçalves in the 17th and 18th centuries. Inside the church is the marble tomb of Diego Gonçalves. It should be noted that this church is considered the largest in the Algarve.The first stone was laid in October 1660, and the college was inaugurated in March 1707. The façade of the building is divided into three parts. The middle part, the highest, serves as the entrance to the church. The entrance is decorated with a vaulted pediment. During the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, the church was damaged, but reconstruction work was quickly carried out. The entrance door on the right side of the façade is in Manueline style (16th century). The church has a nave inside. The main altar, as well as the images on the side altar, are made of wood and richly decorated with gold.The side annexes of the college now house organizations such as the administration of the city of Portimão, the care center for the elderly and the local scouts. There is also the Diego Gonçalves Museum of Fine Arts.
