One of the largest towns in the area is Portimao. It has been known throughout the years as one of Portugal’s leading centers for sardine fishing and canning. You can still taste the fresh fish alongside the pier everyday when the fishing boats bring in their catch around noon hour.
(photo by glenbowman)
There are several outdoor restaurants located side by side where you can enjoy a salad, fresh grilled sardines and a cold beer or bottle of excellent local wine. During the 1970s, there were about 5 dozen fish-processing factories in the area. However, today, there is just one left.It’s still a busy little town of about 45,000 people though it’s quite scenic, has some excellent shops, and features some of the best restaurants you can find anywhere in the country.
It’s not known as a major tourist town, but you’ll find that’s probably what makes it so charming. Portimao allows you to observe the local traditions and way of life while blending in seamlessly and soaking in the atmosphere.
It’s an ideal town to explore by foot and is also a great base for visiting other areas of the Algarve. If you rent a car and stay in local hotel, you’ll easily be able to visit the entire southern coast from east to west.
Along the way you’ll pass some fantastic villages, beaches, markets, landscapes, and towns. In fact, you don’t even have to rent a car to enjoy Portimao and the immediate surrounding area.
Nearby you’ll find a couple of popular beach resort areas. These are Praia da Rocha and Alvor. These are both situated on the Atlantic and offer several fine hotels in all price ranges.
They’re easy to walk from Portimao and there are numerous buses to take you there if you feel it’s a bit too far. Many people like to stay in these outskirt villages and visit Portimao for dining and shopping.
You can also head to Portimao to simply watch the world go by. There’s a huge riverbank park/square area right next to the harbor and close to the seafood restaurants. You’ll also find numerous outdoor cafes here where it appears some local residents love to spend most of their days.
If you visit the attractive town, one of the most popular sites is the Igreja Matriz. This is a wonderful church that was erected in the 13th century, but was damaged during the huge earthquake that struck Portugal in 1755.
However, the Gothic portal still remains today. There are three aisles in the church which feature statues of saints which were saved from the original church. Portimao is quite a charming destination and is located in an excellent spot for those who just want to relax and enjoy the local beaches as well as those who want to explore the sights and sounds of the surrounding area.
It may not be a glamorous tourist site, but it’s one of the most interesting and authentic Portuguese towns on the map.
