Top things to do in Portimão
Attractions, tours, and activities in Portimão
Portimão: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Portimão
About Portimão
Including tips for the best time to visit Portimão
Portimão is the second-largest city in Portugal’s Algarve region, known for its fresh seafood and beautiful beaches. Its former fishing docks are now a palm-fringed promenade filled with waterfront restaurants and whitewashed houses.
Portimão’s main draw is Praia da Rocha, famous for its nightlife and distinctive limestone rock formations spread along the sand. You’ll find many beachfront bars and restaurants serving cocktails and fresh seafood. It’s a popular beach for families looking to wade in the clear water, but if water sports are your thing, you can try surfing, jet-skiing, parasailing and more. The area behind the beach comes alive at sunset when clubs like NoSoloÁgua host parties featuring guest DJs until the early hours of the morning. A popular alternative is Praia do Vau, which features scenic caves and sheltered bays.
You can expect to eat very well in a city that thrives on fishing, with Portimão’s grilled sardines being the number one dish to try. Other tasty regional delicacies include clam stew and black pork made from native Iberian pigs.
The best shopping options in Portimão are in its historic centre, where you’ll find all sorts of goods like clothes, jewellery and souvenirs like local wine, honey and pottery. If you want to explore the city’s heritage as a key fishing port, head over to the Museu de Portimão. Housed in a former fish can factory, it also features an archaeological exhibition on the area’s human evolution dating back to Neolithic times.
Tonight
From $45 per night
Next weekend
From $797 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.05 |
| Language | Portuguese |
| Average weekend price | $86 per night |
| Average weekday price | $82 per night |
| Average stay | 3 nights |
Points of interest in Portimão
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Portimão
Portimão reviews
What other travelers say about Portimão
If you want a resort full of loud mouthed drunk people who...
June 20, 2022
If you want a resort full of loud mouthed drunk people who want to party then this is the place for you. If you want a quieter holiday, good food, amazing restaurants and bars then ferragudo is amazing - proper Portugal!!
Friendly, interesting and relaxed location beside the river...
June 19, 2022
Friendly, interesting and relaxed location beside the river and harbour. Scores of traditional, shops, cafes & restraunts, with the night life (for the younger traveller) located nearby at Prais de Roche
I love Portimao.
June 4, 2022
I love Portimao. Praia do Rocha strip is the main 'night' area with a great mix of lovely bars for sports, music, cocktails and more, and some great eateries. For tapas try Humbertos, for meat lovers Fogo do Chao can't be beaten, but certainly easy to find most cuisines locally. I would avoid the ridiculously overpriced Kame sushi (there is better sushi in the old town), or enjoy one of the many traditional Portuguese restaurants instead. Some lovely beaches all around the town, especially as you go west. Lots of cool boat trips to do locally, great fishing trips from nearby Alvor, shore fish from walk to the farol that juts out to sea, and some great sites to visit within a short driving distance too. The old town has got some lovely Pastelarias and coffee houses, and some great architecture. All in all, really a lot to offer and see.
Beautiful clean beaches.
May 8, 2022
Beautiful clean beaches. Lots of restaurants however limited choice of food. Other hotels allowed music and noise to go on to the early hours so if on sea view side needed to close windows and wear ear plugs
Quiet a big city , roads are good .
May 3, 2022
Quiet a big city , roads are good . Lots of food stores. Liked the Marina and beaches , spent time on Praia de Rocha and Praia Vau . Lovely clean beaches , lots of coffee shops and restaurants . There are boat trips from the Marina to the Benagil caves and Marina area , unfortunately did not have the time to do that . Autodrome quiet close for motor or motorbike racing enthusiast Took a drive to Ferragudo on the opposite side of Portimoa , some more beautiful beaches and beautiful views from the Lighthouse .
Great place to stay.
April 29, 2022
Great place to stay. Loads of shops, plenty to see, and the buses are great to get around. You will want to go to old town in Portimaio to mix with the locals. Don't forget to book a boat ride to the caves and visit Toni's bar to meet some amazing people.
Popular places to stay in Portimão
Stay in some of the best accommodations Portimão has to offer
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Algarve Dream View 2B flat Praia da Rocha, Portimão
From $344 per night
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DOM ELENA - JARDINS DA ROCHA Praia da Rocha, Portimão
From $158 per night
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Oceano Oasis Rocha Praia da Rocha, Portimão
From $221 per night
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Chill Apartment w Pool - Praia da Rocha Praia da Rocha, Portimão
From $93 per night
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Other accommodations in Portimão
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Portimão
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Apartments
From $19 per night
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Villas
From $74 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From $22 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $34 per night
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Guest houses
From $19 per night
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Hostels
From $17 per night
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B&Bs
From $42 per night
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Homestays
From per night
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Farm Stays
From $84 per night
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Self-catering Accommodations
From $19 per night
