Portimao Walking Tour

[xroadrunnerx]

We will be visiting Portimao on September 25th and are looking for some suggestions for a walking tour. Does anyone know of one?

[Hlitner]

Portimao is a wonderful little town where you can simply walk around on your own. Very few ships can dock (we were on the Prinsendam when she did dock there) unless they are relatively small. There is a very nice promanade along the river and the downtown area is a few blocks inland. You can get some local boat tours (much cheaper then booking on the ship) from kiosks right along the promanade. One boat tour takes you up the coast along the seaside cliffs, into some caves, and you get to see lots of birds nesting on the cliffs. Our favorite activity here is to simply have a nice lunch of fresh sardines. If you walk along the river and go under the large bridge (this is a hike) you will find a few restaurants along the water that are famous for their sardines...which come right off the fishing boats (nearby) and are grilled to prefection.

 

Hank

[algarve_holiday]

Further to what has been said (all correct) it is also worth venturing into the centre of town to explore it’s magnificent churches, municipal market and commercial zone. This will give you an idea of the ‘real Algarve’{Portimão is very much a Portuguese working town rather than a tourist destination}

Worth mentioning, by the riverside, is it’s award winning museum (covers the whole history behind the sardine and fish canning industry in the Algarve – Portimão) and can be enjoyed in a short period.

 

I organised a guided walk of Portimão last year for couples on the Maasdam: http://algarveholidaystudio.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/portimao-guided-tour-walk-monday-28.html

 

and the previous year for couples on the Prinsendam: http://algarveholidaystudio.blogspot.com/2010/08/portimao-guided-tour-walk-sunday-19th.html

 

I hope you have a most enjoyable cruise and a lovely time in the Algarve.

 

If I can help further in any way let me know!

 

Manuel

[hkto]

Portimao is quite small (and there is a siesta in the afternoon). You can go to tourist office first & get some maps & info if interested. Lots of material there. Address & email contact is here http://www.cm-portimao.pt/portal_autarquico/portimao/v_pt-PT/menu_servicos/contactos/turismo/

 

We took cave viewing boat tour (from riverfront - 1 hr). It's a traditional Portuguese boat which was quite shaky on open water (don't recommend to people with sea sickness). There are other boat tours (dolphin watching & fishing) sold from Portimao marina (no more than 2 km away from town center). PDR beaches are close; should be still warm in the end of September.

[xroadrunnerx]

Thank you all for your helpful information. A walk along the river with a nice lunch sounds like an enjoyable day!