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 Portimão History
It races its origins back to a small trading port of the
Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians.
Some historians have indicated that the place was originally
the famous Portus Hannibalis named by the famous
Carthaginian General, Hannibal Barca. During the
following Moorish occupation they renamed the place “Burj
Munt”. Located at the mouth of the River Arade it
provides a natural harbour and has at times been known in its
past as a home for smugglers and pirates. The river also
provides the sea access to the up-river ancient City of
Silves that was the capital of the Algarve during the
Moorish occupation. At this time the place was named
Porcimunt but later in 1504 it was recognized as a
proper town and granted the name “Vila Nova de Portimão”
and became part of the property possessions of the Castelo
Branco family until the 17th Century. Much later it was
commonly renamed as Portimão and was extensively
developed in the 19th century to become one of the most
important centres on the Algarve of the fishing and canning
industry until the early 1980s when the drop in fish stocks
and recession drove the remaining factories out of business.
Portimão - Description
The town with some 35,000 inhabitants is essentially commercially
orientated and was the main shopping town of the whole Algarve
during the 1970s and 1980s. The town church that is the last
attractive building surviving in the town dates from 1476 but
it has undergone many alterations as from 1717 onwards. The town
council appears to have adopted a policy of demolishing
architecturally interesting buildings in favour of modernization.
Happily, it also has a very active cultural department and there
are always different forms of events happening throughout the year.
A boat marina was recently opened adjoining Praia da Rocha
and adds the fascinating sight of the many boats at anchor and a
choice of bars and restaurants in which to pass the evening. When
approaching the town from the direction of Faro there is a choice
of two bridges to cross. The old one runs along past the harbour
but we would recommend take the new bridge. It is so well balanced
in design that it can be seriously considered among the most
pleasing bridges to the sight built in Portugal in the 19th Century.
On the river front many different boat tours and deep sea-fishing
outings can be booked.
Portimão Nearby Locations
In the Portimão area is Armação de Pera with a small
18th Century fortress and a popular location to tourists with its
long sandy beach. The beach village of Alvor is another
popular tourist location. Still maintaining its village character
with its 16th Century Parish Church its small streets teem with
life most of the year around. The village of Carvoeiro is a
small charming beach location that is now surrounded by comfortable
self-catering villas. The tourist trade has happily not yet
overpowered the small delightful fishing village of Ferragudo,
lying just across the river from Portimão. Slightly inland
is Lagoa a small administrative town. Praia de Rocha
and Praia de Vau both seriously devoted to offering tourist
accommodation with the added attractions of good beaches and active
nightlife. The inland city of Silves and its truly interesting
historical background is worth a visit. Including in the many true
stories are the battles between the Moors, the Crusaders, and the
Portuguese. Unfortunately, the city was for the most part destroyed
by the earthquake of 1755. The Moorish occupiers considered the
city at the turn of the 11th Century as the centre of all true
culture in the Iberian Peninsular. Near to the town of Portimão
are several sites of interest such as the Caves of Estombar,
the mosaic floor of the Roman villa at Figueira, and at
Alcalar the well restored burial tombs from the Dolman period
(around 3.500 BC).
Portimão Events
17th March - Feira de Alvor
3rd & 4th June - Feira de Sta. Catarina
7th to 9th August - Feira de Portimão
3rd August - Feira das Melancias (Watermelon)
7th of October - Feira de N. Sra. do Amparo
11th November - Feira of São Martinho
11th December - Feira da Cidade (Town)
Portimão Map
Portimão Town Map
Portimão Distances
Distances between each Tourist Town in Kms (Click Here)
In order to read the above document please download Acrobat Reader (Click Here)
 Useful Portimão Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 282 416 416
Fire Brigade - 282 422 122
Police - 282 417 717
Transit Police - 282 416 656
Hospital - 282 415 115
Emergency Treatment - 282 416 272
Ambulance - 282 412 122
Tourist Office (Portimão) - 282 470 717 / 282 470 718
Tourist Office (Praia da Rocha) - 282 419 132
Useful Portimão Facts
Distance from Faro Airport - 67 Kms
Town Holidays - 11th December
Postal Code - 8500
Portimão Beaches
Praia Grande
Praia do Pintadinho
Praia da Rocha
Praia dos Três Irmãos
Praia do Vau
Portimão Accommodation
Portimão Hotels
Portimão Holiday Apartments
Portimão Inns
Portimão Private Rentals
Portimão Holiday Rental Agents
Portimão Commerce
Portimão Services
Portimão Entertainment
Portimão Restaurants
Portimão Golf Courses
Álamos Golf Course
Alto Golf Course
Morgado Golf Course
Penina Championship Golf Course
Penina Academy Golf Course
Penina Resort Golf Course
Portimão Property
Portimão Estate Agents
Portimão Developments
Portimão Property Services
Portimão Restaurants
Selected List in Portimão Area
Portimão Vehicle Hire
Portimão Rent a Car
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvôr
· Armação de Pêra
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António
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