Portimão has about 45,500 inhabitants and is after Faro the second biggest town of the Algarve.
Coordinates: 37° 8′ N, 8° 33′ W
Already in the New Stone Age the region along the Rio Arade was peopled and also the Celtiberians, Romans and Moors have left their traces in today’s city area. Portimão became an important harbour at the time of the Portuguese discoveries. The earthquake of 1755 destroyed big parts of the town, which therefore became nearly insignificant. In the 19th century the harbour and the town have regained in importance because of the industrialisation of the conservation of food. At the beginning of the 20th century the district of Portimão Praia da Rocha and the same-named beach have been the first places in the Algarve that have been used for touristic purposes.
Today the city is an important trading place and the touristic center of the western Algarve. The town is connected to the train line Linha do Algarve. Immediately by the northern city area is the N125 and only about 3 km northern is the highway 22. The first impression deceives the visitor: In spite of the relatively high buildings in town, life is tranquil and stress-free and the diverse promenades as well as the old town seduce you to strolling and to relaxing.
Old buildings alternate with modern tower buildings. The history of the town can be seen everywhere, the Atlantic and the Rio Arade are ubiquitous.
In the past one knew how to defend the town against attacks from the sea.
View upon the Praia da Rocha. Hotels, restaurants, the casino, cafés, snackbars and shops offer everything a comfortable stay represents.
The Fortaleza de Santa Catarina de Ribamar is located above the new Marina and at the eastern point of the promenade of the Praia da Rocha.
Also for bigger ships is place in the harbour. The Marine of Portugal disposes here of a base. The city has the second biggest harbour of the Algarve after Olhão.
One can regularly see big cruisers on the Rio Arade. There are also ferry connections with the Canary Islands and Madeira.
The promenade along the Rio Arade tempts people to go for a walk and to linger.
Here you can book coast tours, boat trips to watch dolphins, cave tours and trips upon the river to Silves.
The square Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes between the Rio Arade and the old town. Restaurants, bistros and cafés make you want to linger.
The old town and the pedestrian area of Portimão offer everything the heart could wish for: Restaurants, cafés, shops, handicraft, antiquities and much more.
The traffic connection is good, there are plenty of parking areas, and important spots of the city are well signposted. Some streets (especially in the old town) are very narrow.
The townhall (Câmara Municipal De Portimão) of Portimão.