Portimao Travelers Recommend

A holiday hot spot in Portugal’s western Algarve, Portimao sits on the Arade River and offers something for everyone: beaches, marine caves, dolphin-watching cruises, local wines, and more. Here’s how to spend three days in this picturesque port city.

Day 1: Classic Portimao

Get acquainted with Portimao, from its plaza-dotted old town to its riverfronts, beaches, and sea caves. A Segway tour is a quick way to get around, covering signature sights such as the lighthouse and Praia da Rocha beach. 

After lunch, take to the ocean on a catamaran, stand-up paddleboard, or private cruise to see the nearby Benagil Caves, burrowed into cliffs east of Portimao. Trips leave regularly from Portimao’s marina, and usually include swim stops.

End the day with a drive west to the Algarve’s most scenic clifftops. Tours with round-trip transport typically visit Cape St. Vincent (Europe’s southwesternmost point) and Ponta da Piedade, renowned for their sunset views.

Day 2: Out and about

Cast your sightseeing net wider today. Head out on a private tour of western Algarve vineyards without worrying about tasting and driving. Alternatively, explore the countryside on a Jeep tour, bumping along off-road trails past old-school villages.

For a change of tempo, take a leisurely eco-boat ride along the Arade River, watching birds and wandering around the medieval town of Silves en route. Or for a fun twist, travel in the sidecar of a chauffeured vintage motorbike to see the surrounding coast, stopping by the resort town of Alvor and the whitewashed fishing village of Ferragudo.

Day 3: Beach and sports time

Finally, relax on Praia da Rocha or Praia do Vau, perhaps interrupting your idyll for a dolphin-spotting cruise. You’ll also find a myriad of water sports options along the shoreline to the east, from parasailing to Jet Ski rides. For maximum thrills, book a tandem skydive—you’ll be treated to sweeping views over the Algarve’s cliffs as you descend to the sands of Portimao.

If you didn’t visit the Benagil Caves earlier, swap a boat trip for something different. Board a scooter or convertible car with a guide at the helm, and zip by beaches before getting out and making the short swim to the caves. Then, conclude your stay in true Portimao fashion: feast on grilled sardines at a riverside restaurant before a final dose of nightlife in the old town or marina.

Fringing the Arade River and Praia da Rocha beach, scenic Portimao is a hub of the western Algarve. From flopping on golden sands to riding boats and touring local wineries, it’s easy to fill a day in this port city. Here’s how to get the maximum from 24 hours in Portimao.

Morning: Adventure

Start in adventure mode with one of Portimao’s most popular activities: a trip to the Benagil Caves. Home to secret beaches, these wave-sculpted sea caves are Instagram-heaven and reachable only via the water—so a boat trip is your best option. Alternatively, widen your horizons with an extended cruise that takes in more of the beauty spots along the coast, from other grottos and rock formations to Algar Seco’s sea pools. If you prefer staying on land, join a Jeep tour along the Arade River and nearby Praia da Marinha, considered one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches.

Afternoon: Fun and exploration

You’ll find countless ways to enjoy Portimao’s shores: bounce across the waves on a Jet Ski, spot dolphins in their natural habitat, or simply lounge on the beach. Those interested in the Algarve’s gastronomic scene might opt for a food or vineyard tour—or up the fun factor on a motorbike sidecar tour with stops to taste tapas and wine.

Night: Sailing and sunset views

With the fading sun glinting on the sea, dusk in Portimao is a wonderful time to explore. Save your feet on a Segway ride around the marina and Praia da Rocha, or head for Cape St. Vincent, Europe’s southwesternmost point, to watch the sunset—join a tour to skip the hassle of arranging your own transport. If you missed a boat trip earlier, conclude your Portimao stay in style, with an early-evening cruise to the Benagil Caves that includes snorkeling and Champagne to toast the sunset from the deck.

Situated in the heart of the western Algarve along the Arade River, the port city of Portimao offers historic sights, a restaurant-lined riverfront, and a modern marina—alongside stunning sandy beaches and sea caves. Here’s how to spend two days in this picturesque Portuguese hot spot.

Day 1: The must-sees

**Morning:**Get your bearings by checking out Portimao’s main sights. Wander the quaint old quarter on foot, or zip around on a Segway tour that covers the lighthouse, marina, and Praia da Rocha beach. Alternatively, discover Portimao’s surroundings on a Jeep tour that showcases some of west Algarve’s most photogenic beaches and vantage points.

**Afternoon:**Take to the waves on a trip to the Benagil Caves, a cluster of postcard-perfect grottos accessible only from the ocean. Join a guided cruise for ease, or up the adventure on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard tour.

**Night:**Savor Portimao’s famous grilled sardines at a river-view restaurant, or hit the marina to dine by the sea. You might also opt for a tour to Cape St. Vincent, Europe’s southwesternmost point—a hassle-free way to experience this rocky promontory’s stellar sunset views.

Day 2: Sand, sports, and more sightseeing

**Morning:**Relax on Praia da Rocha or other beaches, all of which boast turquoise waters and gently shelving sands. When you need a break, book one of the water sports options along the coast.

**Afternoon:**Cap your beach time with a laid-back afternoon activity—maybe a dolphin-spotting cruise, a rural horseback trek, or a stand-up paddleboard session on the Arade River. Alternatively, taste some of the Algarve’s excellent wines during a vineyard tour, or take an eco-boat river cruise to medieval Silves.

**Night:**Mark your last evening with a cruise along Portimao’s cave-dotted coast, complete with a glass of bubbly and a snorkeling stop. Or, simply soak up Portimao’s lively evening atmosphere, and watch the sunset from a restaurant-bar at the marina or riverside.