Pedro DominguesPortimão is one of the most popular destinations in Algarve, with some of the most beautiful and well-equipped beaches in the southern region of Portugal. Have you ever heard of Rocha Beach or about Three Brothers Beach?
The center of Portimão is also beautiful and pleasant to walk around, especially if we consider the riverside walk along the mouth of the River Arade.
With regard to what to do in Portimão, or from Portimão, there is no lack of tourist attractions and tourist agencies that organize tours and excursions along the Algarve coast.
Based on what I observed and saw during my visit to this city, in the south of Portugal, I created a top 23 of things to do in Portimão, and I present it to you below, with notes from my own experience.
Where is Portimão located, in Portugal?
Portimão is located in the Western Algarve, in the South of Portugal. Its neighbors are the municipalities of Monchique, Lagoa, Silves and Lagos. It is next to Rivers Arade and Alvor.
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Useful tips for visiting Portimão
1. Rent a Car to visit Portimão
To visit Portimão, a car will help anyone who wants to explore not only the essentials next to the city, but also the surroundings, so I leave you a link to Discover Cars, if you need to compare some prices between rental companies and make a reservation.
2. How to get to Portimão?
As for how to get to Portimão, the nearest airport is located in Faro, capital of the Algarve. I recommend using Skyscanner and Google Flights to do some research before buying your tickets, comparing prices and flight conditions.
Once you arrive in Portugal, there are many buses and trains connecting Faro to Portimão. If you are travelling to Portimão from Lisbon, same thing applies. Check Rome2Rio website, if you are not sure how to get there from your location. For bus tickets in Algarve, use Rede Expressos or Vamus Algarve; for trains, use CP – Comboios de Portugal.
>>> Check possible flights with Skyscanner
3. Take out Travel Insurance to visit Portimão
I also recommend that you take out travel insurance for your stay in Portimão, and I recommend to do it with World Nomads.
4. When to visit Portimão?
Portimão is essentially a beach destination, so summer will always be a winning bet. But you should bear in mind that this is also the most expensive season and with the most people.
If you want to go hiking along the Algarve coast, you can also opt for a visit in spring or autumn. 😉 Between Lagos and Lagoa, passing through Portimão, I recommend 3 different trails, all absolutely fantastic:
- The trail that starts at Luz Beach and goes to the city of Lagos, passing by Ponta da Piedade. To know more about it, check my article with things to do in Lagos.
- The Trail from 3 Castles Beach to Alvor (to be mentioned in this article).
- And the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in Lagoa.
5. What to eat and where to eat when visiting Portimão?
In Portimão, be sure to taste good fish or seafood. Tuna, Cataplana, Clams, Octopus or Grilled Sardines, for example. With regard to regional sweets, try the next three that were in competition for the 7 Sweet Wonders of Portugal: doces finos, queijos de figo, and Morgados.
As for where to eat, there are several possibilities, and I leave you some suggestions below:
- Casa da Tocha
- Restaurante O Viriato
- Restaurante Sereia
- Restaurante Ruccula (Alvor)
- Restaurante A Lota (Alvor)
- A Ria (Ferragudo)
6. Accommodation tips in Portimão
| Alojamento | Pontuação | Localização |
|---|---|---|
| Oriental Beach | 8.7 | Rocha Beach |
| Hotel da Rocha | 8.8 | Rocha Beach |
| Jupiter Algarve Hotel | 8.7 | Rocha Beach |
| Tivoli Marina Portimão | 8.6 | Rocha Beach |
| Villa Rio Guest House | 9.0 | Portimão Center |
| Villa Prana Guest House | 9.4 | Portimão Center |
| Vitor’s Plaza | 8.7 | Alvor |
| Hotel Alcaide | 8.7 | Vau Beach |
| Clube Vilarosa | 8.7 | Rocha Beach |
| Villa Mariazinha | 9.2 | Rocha Beach |
| Flor da Rocha | 8.7 | Rocha Beach |
Things to do in Portimão and Top Attractions
And now, all things to do in Portimão. I put together a top 23 list of the main attractions to visit in Portimão, and if you do all of that, and visit all the places I’m going to mention, you will have known everything that is essential in this region.
Map | Things to do in Portimão
1 – Angrinha Beach and Castle of São João de Arade (Ferragudo)
The first spot to mention is Angrinha beach. When visiting Portimão, I only had time to swim into the waters of one of the beaches on the Arade river, and this one seduced me because it was right next to Ferragudo, which I also wanted to visit, and of course, because it was close to the Castle of São João de Arade.
In reality, this riverside area is not part of Portimão, but of Lagoa. This area belongs to Lagoa, but it is so close to Portimão that I have to mention it here!
The Castle of São João do Arade is also known as Castle of Ferragudo, Fort of São João Baptista or simply as Arade Castle. Its origin dates back to the time of the Philippine dynasty in Portugal, and unfortunately I don’t think it’s possible to visit its interior, as it is a private property. But it is possible to admire it from the beach, and it really marks the landscape next to the mouth of the river! 😉 I found a quiet place there, with several children playing in the sand and next to the water.
2 – Ferragudo Village and Church
As far as the village of Ferragudo is concerned, I clearly highlight the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, from where you have a brutal view over the mouth of the River Arade. The center of Ferragudo is old and picturesque, with streets full of flowers and colorful corners to discover. For me it is clearly one of the most beautiful villages in Algarve!
3 – Ponta do Altar Lighthouse and Viewpoint
The Lighthouse of Ponta do Altar is close to Ferragudo, and from there you have an impressive view over the city of Portimão, Rocha Beach and the countless boats that fill the mouth of river Arade.
Adjacent to this location is Pintadinho beach, which I ended up not visiting. I liked, however, to sit on a rock next to the lighthouse and watch the blue horizon. It was quite windy there, but pleasant.
4 – Riverside Walk of Portimão
The Riverside Walk of Portimão is close to the city and is one of the most pleasant places to be. I can say without a doubt that it was the place that I liked the most when I visited the center of Portimão.
This riverside walk begins at the Portimão Museum and next to Vasco da Gama Pier, extending beyond the Railway Bridge, dating from the beginning of the 20th century. It also passes through several other places not to be missed, namely:
- The old Bridge of Portimão, from the last quarter of the 19th century.
- Visconde Bivar Garden.
- And Square of Manuel Teixeira Gomes, with a huge lake in the center, and a bandstand.
5 – Portimão Museum
As far as the Portimão Museum is concerned, it is housed in the former Fish Canning Factory, dating from the end of the 19th century. Of note is the permanent exhibition on the identity of Portimão and its territory, which will allow you to learn more about the history of this region, highlighting its connection to the sea and fishing. Also noteworthy is the possibility of visiting the old factory cistern, where the Underwater Park of Portimão is located.
For more information about the museum, my recommendation is to visit the official website. There you will find more descriptions and information about timetables and prices.
6 – Convent of São Francisco in Portimão
The Convent of São Francisco, from the 16th century, is in ruins and is privately owned. Therefore, you cannot visit it, but you can admire it from the riverbank. It’s south of the Portimão Museum, so it’s only a short detour for museum visitors.
7 – Manuel Teixeira Gomes House Museum
The house of Manuel Teixeira Gomes is already in a more central position in the city. It is also a museum in Portimão, in honor of the writer and politician Manuel Teixeira Gomes, former President of the Republic of Portugal. It is located in the building where he was born, and admission is free, with the possibility of booking guided tours. Inside you will see some exhibitions showing the work of the writer and his political life.
8 – Mother Church of Portimão
The Mother Church of Portimão dates from the 15th century, located in the highest part of the city. Undoubtedly, its portal stands out, inspired by that of the Monastery of Batalha, in Leiria.
9 – Jesuit College Church and Republic Square in Portimão
In the Republic Square of Portimão, not far from the main church of the city, is the Jesuits College. Inside is the mausoleum of Diogo Gonçalves, responsible for the construction of the building at the end of the 17th century.
10 – Municipal Theater of Portimão and Garden 1st of December
The Municipal Theater of Portimão is also known by the acronym TEMPO (“time”, in English). It is located in Garden 1st of December and has its headquarters in the Sárrea Gárfias Palace, whose construction dates back to the 17th century. Throughout its history, it was a School of Arts and Crafts, headquarters of the Court and Finance Services and also the Municipal Library, for example.
11 – Bivar Palace and 1st of May Square
Sárrea Gárfias Palace was also the former seat of the Town Hall, now housed in the 18th century Bivar Palace. This building in Portimão is located right on 1st of May Square.
12 – Rocha Beach
Rocha beach has something that sets it apart from other cliff beaches in Algarve: an extensive stretch of sand over 1 km long. At the back are many resorts and hotels, for those who want to stay close when visiting Portimão, and even some wooden walkways to walk along the beach in an easy and accessible way.
It is one of the beaches in Algarve with the best support infrastructure, with many restaurants, bars and even souvenir shops on top of the cliffs.
13 – Fort of Santa Catarina
The Fortress of Santa Catarina is next to Rocha Beach, and was built during the Filipino dynasty, as was the Castle of São João de Arade. Its function, due to its proximity, was to defend the mouth of the river. Inside, stands out the chapel with the same name as the fortress.
14 – Portimão Marina
Portimão Marina is also very close to Rocha Beach. It is in a privileged location with easy access, so it deserves a stop to admire the boats that are anchored there, some of them very luxurious and at the same level as those found in Vilamoura.
15 – Viewpoint and Beach of the 3 Castles
The Three Castles Viewpoint separates Rocha Beach and 3 Castles Beach. It is a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the two beaches and going there is one of the most mandatory things to do in Portimão.
The 3 Castles Beach does not have the extensive and wide stretch sand that Rocha Beach has, but it has more beautiful cliffs and rock formations, and therefore invites you to go there to discover its secrets. It is my favorite of the two, however the Rocha is much better for families and kids.
16 – Trail from 3 Castles Beach to Alvor
Ponta de João de Arens is a place that I really want to explore again on a future visit to Algarve, and I intend to do it through this trail from 3 Castles Beach to Alvor, which I haven’t done yet. I intend to do the following sequence of beaches, always on foot:
Three Castles Beach > Careanos Beach > Vau Beach > German Beach > Boião Beach > Beach of João de Arens > Submarine Beach > Prainha > Three Brothers Beach > Torralta Beach > Alvor Beach > Mouth of Alvor River > Alvor
In fact, this trail is a mix of 2 official walking routes in Portimão: PR2 (Ao Sabor da Maré) and PR3 (Varandas Sobre Mar). This includes Alvor Walkways, which are the largest in Algarve.
It will be a full day trail with strategic stops for swimming along the way. I already know João de Arens Beach, Three Brothers Beach, Torralta Beach, and the village of Alvor. These are the sites that I will introduce to you next in this article.
From what I don’t know yet, I’m very curious about the following two beaches, for example:
- Boião Beach, as it is next to all the rock formations in the sea that can be seen in the photo below, on the right.
- Submarine Beach, for the rock that has exactly the shape of a submarine.
17 – João de Arens beach
Access to João de Arens beach is not easy, as the road to get there is not in good condition, or at least it wasn’t when I visited it. It is necessary to walk to the beach, leaving the car some distance away, as there is no easy parking nearby. Here are some pictures of this awesome place. 😉
18 – Three Brothers Beach / Torralta Beach
Three Brothers Beach was almost deserted when I got there, and it was not yet time for sunset. I was surprised, because the beach has a stupendous quality, due to its huge caves and rock formations. It was precisely because of the rock formations that it earned the name of Three Brothers Beach: there are 3 rocks in the ocean called 3 brothers.
I crossed over to Torralta beach and experienced the same strange phenomenon of few people on the beach. I think I was lucky, because these beaches are usually very busy. It was there on Torralta beach that I waited for the sunset when I visited Portimão.
For me, Three Brothers Beach was one of the most beautiful beaches not only in Portimão, but also in the whole Algarve, and even in Portugal: rival of Marinha Beach, which I visited the other day on foot, waking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail in Lagoa.
19 – Alvor (Church and Castle)
In Alvor, I highlight the main church from the 16th century, in Manueline style, and the old Muslim Morabitos scattered around the village, one of which is attached to the church. Don’t forget the ruins of Alvor Castle, also of Arab origin in the 8th century.
20 – Roman ruins of Quinta da Abicada
On the way to the interior of the Municipality of Portimão, I cannot fail to mention the Roman ruins of Quinta da Abicada, corresponding to an ancient Roman Villa inhabited between the 2nd and 5th centuries AD.
21 – Megalithic Monuments of Alcalar
Likewise, I must mention the megalithic monuments of Alcalar, which have an interpretation center to visit. Find out more about the opening hours on the official website of the Museum of Portimão, of which it is part.
22 – Algarve Motorsports Park
Algarve Motorsports Park is located in Portimão, so I have to mention it also. Keep an eye on the official website so you don’t miss any races or events that may take place during your trip. It would be something super interesting to add to your itinerary, don’t you agree? A fantastic opportunity!
You can also enjoy the racing karts, at a certain cost. 😉
23 – Guided Tours to visit Portimão and Algarve
To finish, below are examples of possible guided tours in Algarve with Civitatis, Viator and Get Your Guide. Some are in Portimão, or from Portimão. If you do your own research, you will find even more alternatives on these websites. 😉 I personally think that the one with the pirate ship looks interesting, don’t you think?
Guided Tours with Get Your Guide: 1 - Tavira Tuk Tuk City Tour 2 - Albufeira: Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour 3 - Portimão: Benagil Caves Speed Boat Tour with Sunset Option 4 - From Lagos: Boat Cruise to Ponta da Piedade 5 - From Faro: 4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour 6 - Benagil Caves and Secret Spots Guided Kayaking Tour 7 - 1-Hour Carrapateira Horseback Riding Tour 8 - From Albufeira: Half-Day Algarve Jeep Safari 9 - From Lagos: Kayaking and Boat Cave Explorer Tour 10 - Loulé: TechSalt’s Rock-Salt Mine Tour 11 - Portimão: Pirate Ship Cave Cruise 12 - Albufeira: Single, Double or Triple Parasailing Tour
Guided Tours with Viator: 1 - Dolphins and Benagil Caves from Albufeira 2 - Boat trip to the caves of Benagil (from Lagos) 3 - Benagil Caves Tour from Portimao 4 - Benagil Cave tour from Faro 5 - Benagil Long Boat tour (From Carvoeiro to Praia da Marinha) 6 - Boat Tour to Benagil Caves from Armacao de Pera 7 - Kayaking in Secret Algarve Benagil Caves 8 - Benagil Area Kayak and SUP (from Albufeira) 9 - Kayak Trip in Lagos and Ponta da Piedade 10 - Parasailing from Albufeira Marina by Boat 11 - Coasteering and Cliff Jumping Near Lagos 12 - 2 hour Off-Road Buggy Adventure Tour from Albufeira 13 - Jeep Safari in the Algarve Mountains (Albufeira) 14 - Sunset Tour on a Luxury Sailing Yacht from Vilamoura 15 - Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro 16 - Boat trip to the 3 Islands of Ria Formosa (Olhão) 17 - Classic Food Tour in Lagos 18 - Wine Tasting Tour from Albufeira 19 - Tandem Skydiving in Algarve 20 - 2 Hour Surf Lesson at the Algarvian West Coast
Guided Tours with Civitatis: 1 - Tuk Tuk Tour in Tavira 2 - Benagil Caves Speed Boat Ride from Portimão 3 - Ponta da Piedade Caves Kayak Tour from Lagos 4 - Ponta da Piedade Caves Boat Trip from Lagos 5 - Albufeira Half Day Safari Tour 6 - Faro Walking Tour 7 - Parasailing in Albufeira 8 - Ria Formosa Eco Boat Trip from Faro 9 - Benagil Caves Boat Tour from Carvoeiro 10 - Deserta and Farol Islands Cruise from Faro 11 - Lagos Dolphin Watching or Dolphin Watching in Albufeira 12 - Sagres Coast Sunset Jeep Tour from Lagos
Other Itineraries and Travel Guides in Portugal
- N2 Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
- Madeira Itinerary and Travel Guide
- São Miguel Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Terceira Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Pico Itinerary in Azores
- Faial Itinerary in Azores
- Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
- Porto Itinerary and Travel Guide
- Things to do In Braga (Minho)
- Things to do in Guimarães (Minho)
- Things to do in Viana do Castelo (Minho)
- Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary
- Douro Valley Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
- Things to do in Bragança
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Things to do in Aveiro
- Things to do in Coimbra
- Things to do in Leiria
- Things to do in Fatima
- Things to do in Nazaré
- Things to do in Peniche
- Things to do in Évora (Alentejo)
- Things to do in Beja (Alentejo)
- Algarve Road Trip Itinerary
- Things to do in Lagos (Algarve)
- Things to do in Faro (Algarve)
- Things to do in Tavira (Algarve)
I hope you enjoy visiting this city of my country. 😉 If this article with Things to do in Portimão (South of Portugal) was useful for you, please send me your feedback below, in the comment section.
