Portimão.
A settlement since prehistoric times, Portimão has long been an important port for trade and a major fishing and canning industry has developed, in particular for the delicious Algarve sardines. Much of the ancient city was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755, but it remained a key city and was rebuilt from the ruins.
A must for any trip to Portimão is to visit one of the specialist restaurants on the quayside and sample the very best freshly caught and cooked sardines that the region can offer. A plate of perfectly cooked sardines served with fresh bread and washed down with a half bottle of crisp, chilled Vinho Verde will only cost you a few euros.
The old traditional restaurants have been recently transformed by a huge and successful redevelopment of the quayside area, bringing new walkways and fountains to complement the existing character of the harbour.
On the largely pedestrianised streets of Portimão you will find many and varied high quality shops, the city is one of the largest in the Algarve and serves a very wide area of the population with consumer and luxury goods. A great place to shop for those souvenirs or special gifts, noted for Leather goods, ceramics, lace and cork. For sustenance as you shop, choose some of the delicious locally made confectionary using marzipan from the many almonds grown in the region.
The city boasts a huge open air market on the first Monday of each month especially good for clothes, shoes, leather goods and hand embroidered table linen. Don't be afraid to haggle over the prices - it's expected!
Directions: There are several choices of routes to Portimão from Casa Arabella but the distance is roughly the same at approx 35 km. The fast routes are fairly well signposted but the most scenic takes you through Silves towards Monchique.
At the Messines crossroad, turn left and follow the road for Silves, driving through the town alongside the quay. After passing a "Galp" service station on your left (there are two Galp garages in Silves, one on your right as you enter the town and one on your left as you leave) take the last exit from the roundabout. Shortly after that you will pass the "Modelo" supermarket, follow this road through the countryside for about 10 km until the road forks, right is signed for Monchique, left for Portimão. Follow the left road right into the centre of Portimão.
On another day, the right hand turn will lead you to the highest point in the Algarve around the beautiful town of Monchique ..... but that's another story!
The roads and directions can easily be seen on our area map
