Portimão

Travel Guide
Portimao showing food
Stroll along the scenic waterfront promenade, wander around the shop-lined pedestrianized streets of the old quarter and dine on fresh seafood at outdoor cafés.

The biggest town in the Western Algarve, Portimão is packed with shops, appealing restaurants and cafés, and a handful of historic sites and attractions. Explore the city streets on foot and absorb the laid-back atmosphere, then hit the beach just south of town for a fix of sun, sea and sand.

Up until the 1980s, Portimão’s docks would have been packed with fishing boats, with the town serving as a center for sardine fishing and processing. Today, however, the fishing industry has been overtaken by tourism and retail, and the town draws visitors who want to shop and dine amid pleasant surrounds.

Start by strolling around the historic center of town, where much of the architecture dates back to the 19th and 20th centuries. Look for historic religious buildings such as the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, parts of which date back to the 15th century. Venture inside to inspect the hand-painted azulejo tiles up close.

Find out more about the town’s fishing heritage at the award-winning Museu de Portimão. Set in the building that once served as the town’s fish cannery, the museum tells the story of the town’s fishing industry as well as documenting the human history of the region from prehistoric times to the modern day.

If you need somewhere to rest, stop for a break in the Jardim Visconde Bivar on the riverfront. Many restaurants along the riverfront Ribeirinha serve delicious fresh seafood. Grilled sardines are considered a local specialty.

Just south of town is Praia da Rocha, one of the most well-known beach resorts in the Algarve. Spend days on the golden-sand beaches, sunning and swimming, then experience the resort’s nightlife in its many bars and clubs.

The nearest commercial airport to Portimão is in Faro, about 43 miles (70 kilometers) away. Trains and buses connect Faro to Portimão. Portimão itself is walkable, with the beach of Praia da Rocha just a 30-minute stroll or a short bus ride from town.

Where to stay in Portimão

Portimao featuring food

Portimão City Centre

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the beaches and bars in Portimão City Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at Algarve Racing or Portimão Harbor.

Portimão City Centre
Default Image

Alagoas

While Alagoas isn't home to many top sights, Alvor Boardwalk and Tres Irmaos Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Alagoas
Default Image

Alcalar

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

Alcalar might not have many top sights, but Algarve International Autodrome Raceway and International Kart Circuit are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Alcalar
Default Image

Monte Judeu

When in Monte Judeu, you can plan a visit to Le Meridien Penina Golf and Portimão Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Monte Judeu
Default Image

Rasmalho

Rasmalho might not have many top sights, but Monchique Thermal Springs and Algarve International Autodrome Raceway are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Rasmalho
RR Hotel da Rocha
RR Hotel da Rocha
4 out of 5
Ave Tomas Cabreira, Praia da Rocha, Portimão
The price is €80 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
€80
per night
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Portimão. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (855 reviews)
Good hotel for Moto GP
"Fantastic location and staff friendly and welcoming"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

RR Hotel da Rocha
Hotel Algarve Casino
Hotel Algarve Casino
5 out of 5
Avenida Tomas Cabreira, Praia da Rocha, Portimão, Faro
The price is €91 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
€91
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Portimão. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (995 reviews)
Lovely March stay
"Lovely stay. Excellent location to attend the Motogp. Hotel lovely and clean and staff all very pleasant and accommodating. Nothing to fault"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Hotel Algarve Casino
Jupiter Algarve Hotel
Jupiter Algarve Hotel
4 out of 5
Avenida Tomas Cabreira, Praia da Rocha, Portimão, Faro
The price is €95 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€95
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Portimão. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (679 reviews)
"The property was close to the beach and restaurants. It has an excellent breakfast. The area that could use improvement is around the pool area. The enclosure needs to be replaced."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Jupiter Algarve Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Flor da Rocha
Flor da Rocha
3 out of 5
Rua das Conchas, Sitio dos Castelos, Portimão
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Portimão. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Rocha Beach and Alvor Beach are located nearby. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (192 reviews)
"Nice spacious 1 bedroom. Clean and comfortable. The noise from outside and upstairs moving furniture around can occasionally be loud. Mentioned to them re problems with kitchen and bathroom faucets and it was fixed by the time we returned. Overall, very nice"

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2023

Flor da Rocha
NH Marina Portimao Resort
NH Marina Portimao Resort
4 out of 5
Marina Portimao, Portimão
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Portimão. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (701 reviews)
"Enjoyed the NH Marina Portimão. Friendly staff. The room was spacious, a bit older, but very clean. We were in the Marina side. There is also Deck & Sun side. The brunch was really delicious and lots of options. Would recommend staying there."

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2024

NH Marina Portimao Resort
Apartamentos Jardins da Rocha
Apartamentos Jardins da Rocha
3 out of 5
Edificio Jardins da Rocha, Avenida V3, Portimão, Faro
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly aparthotel in Portimão. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools, and WiFi. Popular attractions Rocha Beach and Alvor Beach are ...
8/10 Very Good! (195 reviews)
"The hotel hallway is dark, light is too dim. Location is convenient, with a mini market and cafe right across the hotel. We booked 2 rooms, only one is with sea view."

Reviewed on 24 Oct 2023

Apartamentos Jardins da Rocha
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Portimão

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
40
" "5 - Excellent 43.956043956043956%
4 - Good
40
" "4 - Good 43.956043956043956%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 9.89010989010989%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 2.197802197802198%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
3 Jan 2020

Lovely place, I have been there six times now and will return

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
18 Dec 2019

PLENTY OF PLACES TO EAT AND A FAIR AMOUNT OF FOOD CHOICE.MOST PLACES LIKE THE AQUA SHOPPING CENTRE ARE WALKABLE,ALBEIT UP THE ODD HILL CATHEDRAL AND MUSEUM IN THE TOWN.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Nov 2019

Parts are stunning & parts are very trashy Bit of a ghost town out of season, but that’s ok. ✅

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Nov 2019

Beautiful beach at Praia da Rocha - only 15 minute walk or shuttle bus from hotel

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Oct 2019

Everything was so easy to get to. Transportation was great and hotel were very helpful in giving us directions . We are already looking to book up for next year to meet up with family from ireland ... DEFINITLEY the best place we have ever visited ..

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
10 Oct 2019

Dockside nice. Lots of trips available