10 Things to do in Portimao

Adventure Hunt´s 10 favorite things to do in Portimao

Adventure Hunt has put together a list of the best things to do in Portimao – after you have done our Adventure Hunt of course!

We hebben een lijst gemaakt van dingen die je met het gezin kunt doen, dingen die je met kinderen kunt doen en dingen die je met een groep kunt doen.

Portimao Museum

Discover the history of Portimao at the waterfront museum. Housed in a former canning factory, with interactive exhibits bringing to life the town’s canning history, this museum is an excellent illustration of what life was like for many of the town’s residents in the 19^th Century. There’s also a really interesting exhibition on the area’s prehistoric past and the impressive megalithic monuments of Alcalar.

3D Fun Art Museum

If historic attractions don’t appeal to you, how about visiting the 3D fun art museum? It’s a fun and immersive experience where you can engage with optical illusions. Visit the gravity-defying upside-down room, walk the plank across a giant sinkhole, and try many other silly but enjoyable exhibits. Located across from the waterfront, it’s a cool place to spend an hour or so.

Mercado

Stock up on picnic foods at the municipal market. This bustling covered market is a great place to check out what fruit and vegetables are in season, sample locally-produced cured meats, cheeses, jams and olives, as well as picking up some fresh fish or seafood for supper. Take your time browsing the stalls and make sure you stop for a ‘pingado’ (expresso) and a freshly baked pastry at one of the stalls. The market is open every morning and on weekday evenings.

Conserveira do Arade

For a flavourful artisanal experience, visit the Conserveira do Arade fish canning factory in Parchal, just across the water from Portimao. Guided visits are available and provide a fascinating insight into the whole process, from filleting to canning. Everything is done by hand – even slicing the lemons to go on top of the fish – and you can sample their selection of produce and buy some from the shop to take home. Once you’ve tried their produce, you’ll never want to eat a mass-produced sardine again!

Traditional Restaurants

On a similar theme, Portimao has some wonderful restaurants offering traditional ‘petiscos’ (small plates). Try muxama (salt-dried tuna slices), a delicacy that was invented during Roman times, or migas – a kind of thick bread sauce flavoured with meat or fish. For the more adventurous, there’s papas de sarrahulho, a hearty soup flavoured with pig’s blood, or stewed chicken gizzards. It’s all really tasty and definitely worth trying.

Ferragudo

Take the short taxi ferry ride from the waterfront over to Ferragudo. Sitting at the mouth of the River Arade, this picturesque fishing village is a lovely place to stroll around its back streets and if you follow the waterfront you’ll reach Castelo de São João do Arade, beyond which there are some pretty beach coves.

Fortaleza de Santa Catarina

Back on the other side of the river in Portimao there’s the impressive Fortaleza de Santa Catarina. Dating back to 1621 the fort was built to prevent pirates sailing up the river. Climb the steps to the battlements for some sweeping views of the marina and Praia da Rocha beach.

Praia da Rocha

For a more traditional tourist experience, Praia da Rocha is a fun place to spend some time. It’s a large, modern resort with a huge sandy beach that stretches for over 1Km and has everything you need for a relaxing or active afternoon. There are plenty of sunbeds to rent, different watersports to try, and a long promenade lined with ice-cream and souvenir shops, bars and cafes.

Monuments of Alcalar

If you’re a history buff, you’ll enjoy visiting the Megalithic Monuments of Alcalar, just a short taxi ride or drive from Portimao. Dating back to around 3000BC, these prehistoric burial tombs are now National Monuments. Even if you’re not a big lover of history, it’s fascinating to explore the now restored burial chamber, and you can’t fail to be impressed by the size and construction of these ancient structures.

Silves

Another side trip worth taking from Portimao is the eco-boat upriver to the beautiful medieval town of Silves. Learn about the history of the river as you enjoy the scenery en route, with plenty of time to explore the narrow, winding streets of Silves.