Portimao is a traditional fishing port and harbor on the Arcade River estuary on the southern coast of the Algarve. Located near the popular Praia da Rocha beach, Portimao is only 40 miles from Faro. If you are looking for a traditional Portuguese vacation, this is the place to visit. Everything in Portimao revolves around the riverfront and the port, the main square, the gardens and the restaurants. Add the city’s shops, markets and boutiques and you have a city that gives you a true taste of Portugal. Local crafts, including lace, jewellery, copperware and pottery, are offered here at very reasonable prices. Portimao is well known for its traditional restaurants where you can taste the city’s famous charcoal-grilled sardines and fresh seafood. Most of the restaurants and bars are located along the riverbank and around the harbor, giving you great views while enjoying a quiet, relaxing meal. The city holds a sardine festival every year in August. Nearby Praia da Rocha is much livelier than Portimao at night, offering restaurants and bars with live music, nightclubs, and a casino.
The coastline around Portimao has cliff walks, sandy coves, caves and fascinating eroded rocks. The city is within walking distance of some of the best beaches. Praia da Rocha beach is considered one of the best beaches in the entire Algarve. Just a couple of miles from Potimao is the sandy beach Praia dos Tres Irmaos. Popular with several are the dark golden sands of Tres Irmaos. The popular beach and fishing port of Ferragudo is just a couple of miles away on the east side of the river. There are many beautiful sandy beaches between Praia da Rocha and Alvor, especially Praia do Vau. Diving, snorkeling, and swimming are favorite pastimes here, with some really good dive sites along the coast.
There is much to do and see in and around Portimao. Visit the old towns of Alvor and Carvoeiro, and the historic sites of Cabo San Vicente, Lagos, and Silves Castle. Enjoy a great family day in the Quinta da Rocha nature reserve. Another great family day out is an excursion to the Monchique mountains, where you can explore the incredible forests, valleys and fragrant orange groves. For sports lovers there is golf, deep sea fishing and horse riding. Deep sea fishing is a popular sport here in Portimao, take a trip from the port and try to catch sharks, conger eels and sea bass along the coast.
Portimao offers fantastic cruise trips for you to enjoy your cheap holiday in Portugal. Experience a romantic dinner cruise along the coast, enjoy drinks and show off your moves on a dance cruise, or simply take a relaxing dolphin-watching boat trip.
Portugal not only has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, but also boasts of being one of the sunniest places. Portimao enjoys more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year with summer temperatures often exceeding 30°C. The climate together with the many cheap holidays that Portugal offers make it an ideal option for your cheap holidays at any time of the year.