Guidebook for Portimão & Praia da Rocha
Essentials
Lidl Portimão
Avenida das OlimpíadasPharmacy - knowledgeable and speak different languages. Go to the roundabout outside CPR3 entrance and walk up the slope in the direction of the beach, near the top take a left turn and the pharmacy is on your left. 5 minute walk from the apartment.
Farmácia Palma Santos (Praia da Rocha)
Pharmacy - knowledgeable and speak different languages. Go to the roundabout outside CPR3 entrance and walk up the slope in the direction of the beach, near the top take a left turn and the pharmacy is on your left. 5 minute walk from the apartment.
Shopping
In the heat of the day this is a surprisingly cool place to spend a couple of hours window shopping. There is also an underground car park to keep your car cool too!
341 locals recommend
Aqua Portimão Shopping Centre
72 R. de São PedroIn the heat of the day this is a surprisingly cool place to spend a couple of hours window shopping. There is also an underground car park to keep your car cool too!
Across the road from Lidl - this is a smaller shopping centre than Aqua but also closer to the apartment. About a 20 minute walk or a short taxi ride (there are taxis waiting outside the shopping centre).
132 locals recommend
Continente Portimão
Lote 1 Beco da MalataAcross the road from Lidl - this is a smaller shopping centre than Aqua but also closer to the apartment. About a 20 minute walk or a short taxi ride (there are taxis waiting outside the shopping centre).
Food Scene
A family-friendly Brazilian restaurant just down some steps off of the main beach road of Praia da Rocha which offers a great value buffet or the full rodizio service. Very friendly staff and always a good atmosphere.
18 locals recommend
Fogo de Chão Portimão
1 Av. Tomás CabreiraA family-friendly Brazilian restaurant just down some steps off of the main beach road of Praia da Rocha which offers a great value buffet or the full rodizio service. Very friendly staff and always a good atmosphere.
Great restaurant just across the bridge from the apartment offering food cooked on bbq - especially good for fish and seafood. Can get busy so be prepared to wait for a table.
Just behind this restaurant is another similar but simpler restaurant.
28 locals recommend
Restaurante Mistral
Avenida das Comunidades LusíadasGreat restaurant just across the bridge from the apartment offering food cooked on bbq - especially good for fish and seafood. Can get busy so be prepared to wait for a table.
Just behind this restaurant is another similar but simpler restaurant.
Delicious grilled fresh fish and meat on the harbour front in the centre of Alvor.
32 locals recommend
Zé Morgadinho
Largo da RibeiraDelicious grilled fresh fish and meat on the harbour front in the centre of Alvor.
A very popular family friendly restaurant, large open seating area inside with some outside seating. Expect to join a queue/line and wait 10-20 minutes to enter in busy summer months. Great choice of fish and meat dishes, reasonable prices.
10 locals recommend
Adega Da Marina, Actividades Hoteleiras, Lda.
75 R. 25 de AbrilA very popular family friendly restaurant, large open seating area inside with some outside seating. Expect to join a queue/line and wait 10-20 minutes to enter in busy summer months. Great choice of fish and meat dishes, reasonable prices.
Drinks & Nightlife
Katedral club
Sightseeing
Great view to the beach, marina, Portimao town and the coast in general.
There is also a good value cafe/ice cream shop within the ruins of the Fort.
54 locals recommend
Santa Catarina Fortress
4 Av. Tomás CabreiraGreat view to the beach, marina, Portimao town and the coast in general.
There is also a good value cafe/ice cream shop within the ruins of the Fort.
Look out point offering fantastic views of coast in both directions.
12 locals recommend
Viewpoint of the Three Castles
Look out point offering fantastic views of coast in both directions.
Arts & Culture
Not too expensive and a great introduction to the history of this area.
174 locals recommend
Portimao Museum
Not too expensive and a great introduction to the history of this area.
If you want a change from the heat (or the rain) or just a chilled evening - about a 15-20 minute walk away in the direction of Continente retail centre / the Police station
19 locals recommend
Algarcine Cinemas de Portimão
Avenida Miguel BombardaIf you want a change from the heat (or the rain) or just a chilled evening - about a 15-20 minute walk away in the direction of Continente retail centre / the Police station
Parks & Nature
Get out and about - there is so much more to the Algarve, here are some of our personal favourites ...
Lots of guided trips go to the town of Monchique, approximately 30 minutes from Praia da Rocha. There is also a local bus service which leaves from near Aqua Commercial Centre. On the way up the mountain you can first stop at Caldas - a traditional quaint spa town. Once in Monchique town there are lots of independent shops - especially good for buying cork bags and other cork products. The church is well worth a visit and just below there is a large free open air municipal swimming pool - open during summer months. If you wish to continue to the top of the mountain then you should allow a further 10-15 minutes drive, the top area is known as Foia - there is a snack bar here and views!
267 locals recommend
Monchique
Lots of guided trips go to the town of Monchique, approximately 30 minutes from Praia da Rocha. There is also a local bus service which leaves from near Aqua Commercial Centre. On the way up the mountain you can first stop at Caldas - a traditional quaint spa town. Once in Monchique town there are lots of independent shops - especially good for buying cork bags and other cork products. The church is well worth a visit and just below there is a large free open air municipal swimming pool - open during summer months. If you wish to continue to the top of the mountain then you should allow a further 10-15 minutes drive, the top area is known as Foia - there is a snack bar here and views!
If you like unspoilt beaches head to the West coast of the Algarve and the Aljezur coast line. My favourite is near Carrapateira as there is the salt water of the sea and also the fresh water of the river. This area is re-known for being a surfing hot spot.
65 locals recommend
Carrapateira
If you like unspoilt beaches head to the West coast of the Algarve and the Aljezur coast line. My favourite is near Carrapateira as there is the salt water of the sea and also the fresh water of the river. This area is re-known for being a surfing hot spot.
The most southerly western area of Europe. Rugged coastline and great views. Can be a little windy so take a light jacket or jumper.
30 locals recommend
Cape Saint Vincent
The most southerly western area of Europe. Rugged coastline and great views. Can be a little windy so take a light jacket or jumper.
This is a beautiful village on the way to Monchique town in the Monchique hills of the Algarve. Half way up the mountain on the left hand side.
It has a tree covered square which is perfect for lunch. The hotel offers fabulous BBQ.
There is a hotel and lovely art shops to visit.
52 locals recommend
Caldas de Monchique
This is a beautiful village on the way to Monchique town in the Monchique hills of the Algarve. Half way up the mountain on the left hand side.
It has a tree covered square which is perfect for lunch. The hotel offers fabulous BBQ.
There is a hotel and lovely art shops to visit.