Portimão

Portimão, one of the largest towns along the Algarve, is a bustling port with a long history situated at the mouth of the River Arade. As you approach the town, it seems to hold little promise, but ignore the hodgepodge of its surroundings and head straight for the heart of the old town with its bustling shopping street, the Rua de Commercio, which leads you to the delightful church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição. Although rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755, this church actually dates back to the 14th century. Though Portimão is worth a brief stop, its nearby beaches make this destination truly special. The most celebrated of these, made famous by a group of English writers in the early 1900s, is Praia da Rocha, one of the coast’s original beach resorts, as evidenced by the old mansions and villas along the shore dwarfed by high-rises. It has an exceptionally high number of sunny days and is pleasant even in winter. The vast Praia da Rocha, with the Fortaleza de Santa Catarina at one end guarding the entrance to the harbor, is one of the most dramatic beaches we have ever visited. Buff-colored soft sand, towering ochre and red cliffs, and rock formations in the beach and offshore make Praia da Rocha truly unforgettable. On the western part of the beach there is a tunnel through the red cliffs to an eastern section with a few hotels and restaurants. The eastern part of the beach has an abundance of shells, replenished with each tide. Be sure to stroll along the beach at dusk—the sunsets are unforgettable. As the sun slips toward the horizon, the sand and the rock formations turn stunning shades of mellow gold and red. When the tide is low, you can walk for a great distance, ducking through natural tunnels and exploring caves.  Praia da Rocha blends into an equally lovely beach, Praia do Vau.