Best watersports & boat tours in Portimão

Portimão, the biggest city in the Western Algarve is perfect for all those who love being by the Ocean but also enjoy an afternoon spent doing some shopping and strolling along a promenade with vibrant life! In Portimão, you have the best of both worlds. You’ll find plenty of beautiful beaches to choose from for sunbathing and loads of ocean-related activities to do. 

You can go on a boat tour in Portimão and head over to the famous Benagil caves, go on a dolphin watching tour or just relax on a chilled sunset tour along the beautiful coast of the Algarve. For the ones who prefer to stay on land, just relax at Praia da Rocha or Praia João d’Arens! 
If you wish to enjoy some seafood, there are enough seafood restaurants to choose from in the Marina of Portimão or the old town. Exploring the Algarve is must.

The best way to get around the Algarve during your holiday in Portimão is definitely with a rental car! With a car, you can not only  explore the attraction in the Algarve but also drive through all the fishing villages along the coast and in the countryside. However, if you prefer public transport, there’s a train line along the Algarve and bus lines are becoming better. And the train station in Portimão is very central. For more tips around getting around in the Algarve, read these tips.

To discover the most impressive beaches and caves along the Algarve coastline, the best option is to book one of the cave boat tours in Portimão. Or go join a kayak or SUP tour.

Portimão is a city in the Algarve, in southern Portugal. Portimão is known for its historic center, lively marina and stunning beaches. To taste some local history and culture, the Portimão Museum shows exhibitions on the local history.

In Portimão, you can find several historical landmarks, including the Forte de Santa Catarina de Ribamar, Castelo de São João do Arade, Megalithic ruins of Alcalar. There are also many impressive churches you might want to visit. Check out the church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, a beautiful church in gothic style. Also worth a visit is “Igreja do Colégio”.

Don’t miss out on some of the impressive viewpoints! From Miradouro dos Três Castelos, you have a beautiful view of Praia da Rocha. From Farol da Ponta do Altar, you can see the amazing coastline, caves and sea on  small boats.

The Parque Municipal do Sítio das Fontes, located just attached to the Arade river, is a place worth to spend a day in family, swim and sunbath. The rivers are salt and sweet watered rivers. Odelouca river is also worth a go. Located in the hearth of the Portimão city center, “Jardim 1º de Dezembro” is a beautiful garden. This place is perfect to relax, after some shopping in the local boutique shops.

For the golf lovers, in the nearby city of Alvor, you can find “Adventure Golf Alvor”, and many other golf courses, including Penina Golf.

The most popular boat tours in Portimão are the Benagil cave tours. The cave tours departing from Portimão, will take you to visit the coastline and caves, including the Benagil sea cave. We have many tours to Benagil available.
The dolphin watching tours departing from Portimão, are a must for everyone who loves to see dolphins swimming in the wild. Kids love it and the parents too. Much better than a zoo!

There is no better way than discover the coastline in style than to charter a private sailing yacht or a speed boat.
A full-day charter will allow you to discover both Ponta da Piedade in Lagos and the Benagil caves. At the start of the day or a sunset cruise.
And did you know you can even explore the Arade river by boat, and discover the city of Silves? There are many boat tours in Portimão, but book in advance, as tours get full fast.

The best watersport? We are fan of kayaking. From Portimão, you can go on a boat and kayak tour to discover the amazing caves. We also recommend the boat and snorkeling tour for the ones who want to discover the underwater world. For the most adventurous, you can even try out some wakeboarding!

The Algarve is known for its fresh fish. In the Summer months, the best fish to eat is the seabasses. We recommend eating at a typical Portuguese restaurant such as “Taberna da Maré”, “Restaurante O Humberto” and “Restaurante O Atlântico”.

For fresh meat, fish and vegetables visit the authentic Mercado Municipal de Portimão. Here you can find the best fresh fish, to grill at home. For vegans and vegetarians, there are many options, including “Armazém integral”, “Surya café” and “ Vegetarianus”

In and around Portimão, you will find beautiful beaches. By car or on a boat tour, you can easily discover many of the most impressive and stunning beaches of the area. Some of them are secluded and only accessible by the sea! You've probably heard of Praia da Rocha, the main and biggest beach of Portimão. It's ideal for a relaxed beach day and lunch at one of the many beach bars.

West of Rocha, we have Praia dos Três Castelos. Praia dos Careanos is right next to Praia do Vau. Both have unique, rocky cliffs and turquoise waters. Praia dos Três Irmãos is a rather broad beach with many large rock formations, caves and nearby amenities like restaurants. Praia do Submarino and Praia João D'Arens are known for their impressive cliffs.

Praia da Prainha is probably the most picturesque beach you'll ever visit. You have to climb over a few rock formations, cross through arches, wade through some water. But the end result is incredible! If you'd like to go for a quick refreshing dive, Praia da Marina de Portimão, is the beach nearest to the Marina. Here, you'll find the NosoloÁgua Beach Club.

Praia do Pintadinho is the first beach East of the exit of the Arade River, also known as Praia do Molhe. On the other bench of the Arade River, you'll find Ferragudo. The main beach of Ferragudo is Praia Grande. Here you'll find the best sunset parties, every Sunday at Club Nau or Kalu Beach Bar. Praia da Angrinha is South of Ferragudo. Praia de Carvoeiro is the beach of a cute fishermen town with the same name, on the way to the famous Benagil Beach. As you see, there are many beaches to choose from around Portimão!