Villas in Portimao

The town of Portimao presents the most spectacular beaches in the Algarve, and villas stretch along the coast putting you on the doorstep of the beach of your choice. Find a villa next to Praia da Rocha, the town beach with all the amenities for families, or further west next to the Algarve’s most beautiful stretch of coastline, indented with sandy coves on a backdrop of orange tinted cliffs. Continuing a little further west, stay by Praia de Alvor for a natural beach away from the crowds.

Villas in Portimao suit all budgets and are the epitome of comfort, convenience and character. Choose from the many villas in suburban settings or go all out and rent a villa outside the town with a spacious garden and bedroom space for up to 15 people! Sit out in the garden and enjoy a glass of quality local wine, and then head to one of the many superb fish restaurants dotted around the town.

Porimao is above all a beach destination, and for good reason. It boasts some of the finest beaches in the Iberian Peninsula, with the undisputed star being the 1.5-kilometre soft white sand of Praia de Rocha. An alluring stretch of golden sand, with orangey cliffs backing up the west and east ends and shallow waters perfect for families. 5 kilometres further west and you come to Praia de Alvor, ideal if you want to leave the crowds behind, and flanked by a wonderful system of dunes as well as a natural lagoon to the rear. In between the two, there is a stretch of sheltered coves that are unlike anything else in this part of the world, just itching to be explored.

If you enjoy sliding across the ocean on a board then you have come to the right place. The lagoon behind Alvor is sheltered from the ocean but still exposed to strong breezes, creating exemplary conditions which draw kite and windsurfers from all across Europe. If surfing is more your thing, the locals congregate at Praia da Rocha, with its reliable waves and convenient amenities. Portimao is also a great starting point for dolphin watching trips. Soar across the ocean on a speed boat and arrive at their natural habitats, where the chance of seeing dolphins living in their natural environment is really high. This is what holidays are all about!

Portimao hosts two important annual beach football competitions – the Mundialito, which brings together the best national beach football teams in the world, and the Portuguese Stage of the European Beach Soccer League. Experience the real buzz in the stadium as the players score acrobatic goals and attempt brazen overhead kicks. Right on Praia da Rocha beach, football fans are in for a treat.

Board the Ophelia catamaran in the riverside zone of the Portimao and sail down the Algarve’s western coast. Explore the whimsical rock formations so common in this part of the Algarve, and explore the wondrous caves of Benagil, stopping for a lunch of barbecued fish. Heaven!

This fascinating museum is devoted to the former fishing and canning industry that was superseded in Portimao by tourism. Housed in a cannery factory, much of the equipment has been well-preserved and left in its original place. See interesting archive footage of the cannery in the museum’s movie theatre.

Visit the beautiful Santa Catarina Fortress, built on Praia da Rocha and lovingly restored to its former glory. It contains a dozen pieces of artillery from different calibre and a lighthouse that is no longer operational. The fortress affords lovely views of the river and the town in both directions.

At Mercado Municipal, you can stock up on wonderful fresh food, take it back to your villa and cook a fabulous meal. The fish and seafood selection is out of this world, and there are numerous fruit and veg merchants, butchers and delicatessens. Come on Saturday mornings when there is also a special farmers’ market full of tasty local specialities.

Portimao is renowned for having the best fish in the Algarve, with sardines being its speciality. Lunch time? Choose one of the many restaurants lining the town’s pretty streets and order a portion of roasted sardines, preferably with a salada à montanheira, a typical regional salad. You wont’ regret it!

The Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve, a 15-minute drive from Portimao, is one of Europe’s largest and best tracks. Helpful staff, great atmosphere and tip-top equipment, this makes for a memorable adrenaline-fuelled day out!

Visit the quaint fishing village of Ferragudo located across the estuary from the town of Portimao. The village sports a handsome riverfront, the ancient Castle of São João do Arade, beautiful views back to Portimão, and fabulous technicolour sunsets.