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 Portimão Accommodation
Portimão Holiday Apartments
Portimão Holiday Rentals
Portimão Hotels
Portimão Hotels & Spas
Portimão Inns
Description
The town of Portimão with some 35,000 inhabitants was until the
the 21st century the main shopping town for the Algarve and its
boom period was during the 1970s and 1980s. Portimão's town
church is the last attractive building surviving from 1476, but it has
undergone many alterations from 1717 onwards. There is also a further
architecturally uninteresting church in the centre of the town which
dates back to 1640 and belonged to Order of Jesuits. Various Portimão
town councils in the 20th century have unfortunately adopted a policy of
demolishing any architecturally interesting buildings in favour of
modernization. The recently built Municipal Museum is housed in a rebuilt
sardine canning factory and here regular exhibitions are held that cover
art, history, and general culture, all of a local and national content.
Nearby Praia da Rocha has a large long sandy beach and above the
many restaurants, clubs, bars and shops that are purely designed to attract
and entertain the tourist. A yacht Marina was opened behind Praia da
Rocha and this adds the fascinating view of the various sized boats at
anchor alongside a choice of of further bars and restaurants in which to
pass the evening.
When approaching Portimao from the direction of Faro visitors
will find a choice of two bridges to cross the estuary. The original bridge
is the that runs along past the harbour but we recommend tourists take the
newer bridge as it gives a easier entry to the town. This newer bridge is
so well balanced in architectural design that it can be considered among
the most pleasing bridges to the eye built in Portugal in the 20th Century.
On the quayside of Portimao many different boat tours and deep
sea-fishing outings can be booked.
History
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 20th Century.
On the river front many different boat tours and deep sea-fishing
outings can be booked.
Nearby Locations
In the Portimão area is the beach village of Alvor
and popular tourist location. Still maintaining its original small
village character with a 16th century Parish Church. In the tourist
season the narrow streets teem with life at night to the varied
entertainment offered by restaurants and bars. Another village of
of interest is nearby Carvoeiro with a small charming beach
but is now surrounded by comfortable self-catering apartments and
villas. The tourist trade has happily not yet overpowered the quaint
and charming village of Ferragudo which lies directly across
the river from Portimão. Slightly inland from Portimão
is the town of Lagoa which is administrative town. Praia da
Rocha and Praia de Vau locations are seriously devoted to
providing tourist accommodation with good sandy beaches and active
nightlife. The inland city of Silves has a truly interesting
historical background and is worth a visit. Included in the many
true stories are the battles between the Moors, the Crusaders, and
the Portuguese. Unfortunately, the old Moorish palaces in Silves
were completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. The Moors are
said to have considered Silves at the turn of the 11th century
as the centre of 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,. At Alcalar, there are recently well restored
burial tombs from the Dolman period (around 3.500 BC). It is here that
there is evidence of a large settlement from the 4th and 5th millennium
BC and which is now undergoing further investigation.
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 Commerce
Portimão Services
Portimão Entertainment
Restaurants
What to do
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
Estate Agents
Developments
Property Services
Portimão Vehicle Hire
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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