Free walking tours in Portimão and what to see

Must-sees

Portimão is one of the largest towns in the Algarve, at the mouth of the Arade river. Its waterfront has a riverside promenade and the Portimão museum, set in an old canning factory, which tells the story of fishing and the sardine industry. In the centre, the main church and the shopping streets stand out.

A few minutes away is Praia da Rocha, one of the best-known beaches in the Algarve, with wide sand below cliffs and the Santa Catarina fort at one end. Across the river, the village of Ferragudo keeps its seafaring air, and to the west lie the beaches of Três Irmãos and Alvor.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Portimão; what is on offer is at sea. The most booked trips are by speedboat, boat, catamaran or pirate ship to the Benagil caves, also at sunrise or sunset, and combined with kayaking or dolphin watching.

Boats leave from the marina and the riverside quay. The town also has a racing circuit and a sardine festival in summer.

How long to spend

The town can be seen in half a day; most people stay at Praia da Rocha for several days at the beach. With a week you can combine a boat trip to Benagil with Lagos, Silves, the Monchique hills and Carvoeiro, all nearby. In summer Praia da Rocha is very lively.

Where to stay

Praia da Rocha has most of the hotels, with the beach, restaurants and nightlife. The centre of Portimão, by the river, is more urban and cheaper, with the train and bus stations. For something quieter, Alvor and Três Irmãos, to the west, or Ferragudo, across the river, have calmer places to stay.