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 Portimão Accommodation
Portimão Holiday Apartments
Portimão Holiday Rental Agents
Portimão Hotels
Portimão Hotels & Spa
Portimão Inns
Portimão Commerce
Portimão - Products
Portimão - Services
Portimão Entertainment
Portimão - Night Life
Portimão - Restaurants
Portimão - What to Do
Portimão Golf
Álamos Golf Course
Alto Golf Golf Course
Morgado Golf Course
Penina Academy Golf Course
Penina Championship Golf Course
Penina Resort Golf Course
Portimão Maps
Town Map
· Praia da Rocha Map
Portimão Property
Estate Agents
· Developments
· Property Services
Portimão Vehicle Hire
Rent a Car
Portimão Wines
Algarve Wines
Portimão - History
The town traces its origins back to a small trading port of the Phoenicians,
Greeks and Carthaginians. Some historians have indicated
that the place was originally the famous Portus Hannibalis named by
the famous Carthaginian General, Hannibal Barca. During the
following Moorish occupation they renamed the place “Burj Munt”.
Located at the mouth of the River Arade it provides a natural
harbour and has at times been known in its past as a home for smugglers
and pirates. The river also provides the sea access to the up-river
ancient city of Silves which was once the capital of the Algarve
during the Moorish occupation. At this time this town was renamed
Porcimunt and Arabic remains still exist under the present
constructions included a Moor Bathhouse and swimming pool. In the 10th century
an important sea battle between a Arabic fleet and raiding Vikings of
which two longboats have been discovered but it is believed than more than
20 or more boats are still to be discovered. In 1463 King Afonso V granted to
a group of 40 personages to the foundation of a hamlet by the name of São
Lourenço da Barrosa. Later in 1504, it was recognized as a town and granted
the name “Vila Nova de Portimão” and became part of the possessions of
the Castelo Branco family until the 17th Century. Much later it was
commonly renamed as Portimão and was extensively developed in the 19th
century to become one of the most important centres on the Algarve of the
fishing and canning industry until the early 1980s when the recession drove
the remaining factories out of business.
(Visit - Portugal History)
Portimão - Description
The town with some 35,000 inhabitants is essentially commercially
orientated and was the main shopping town of the whole Algarve during the
1970s and 1980s. The municipal church of Portimão is the last attractive
building surviving in the town dates from 1476 but it has undergone many
alterations as from 1717 onwards. There is another church lining the main
square which was constructed in in 1640. The town council appears to have
adopted a policy of demolishing architecturally interesting buildings in
favour of modernization. The Municipal Museum is housed in an old sardine
canning factory and here regular exhibitions are held that cover art,
history, and general culture, all of a local and national content. A boat
Marina was recently opened adjoining Praia da Rocha and this adds
the fascinating sight of the many boats at anchor and a further choice of
bars and restaurants in which to pass the evening. When approaching the
town from the direction of Faro there is a choice of two bridges to cross.
The old one runs along past the harbour but we would recommend take the
new bridge. It is so well balanced in design that it can be seriously
considered among the most pleasing bridges to the eye built in Portugal
in the 19th Century. On the river front near the square with the cafés
many different boat tours and deep sea-fishing outings can be booked.
Portimão - Nearby Locations
In the Portimão area is Armação de Pera with a small 18th
Century fortress and a popular location for tourists with its long sandy
beach. The beach village of Alvor is another popular tourist
location. Still maintaining its village character with its 16th Century
Parish Church its narrow streets teem with life in the tourist season.
The village of Carvoeiro is a small charming beach location that
is now surrounded by comfortable self-catering villas. The tourist trade
happily not yet overpowers the small delightful fishing village of
Ferragudo, lying just across the river from Portimão.
Slightly inland is Lagoa a small administrative town. Praia da
Rocha and Praia de Vau are seriously devoted to offering
tourist accommodation with the added attractions of good beaches and
active nightlife. The inland city of Silves and its truly
interesting historical background is worth a visit. Included in the many
true stories are the battles between the Moors, the Crusaders, and the
Portuguese. Unfortunately, the city was for the most part destroyed by
the earthquake of 1755. The Moorish occupiers considered the city at the
turn of the 11th Century as the centre of all true culture in the Iberian
Peninsular.
Near to the town of Portimão are several sites of interest such
as the Caves of Estombar, the mosaic floor of the Roman villa at
Figueira, and at Alcalar the recently well restored burial
tombs from the Dolman period (around 3.500 BC). Here, evidence of quite
a large settlement of the 4th and 5th millennium BC which is undergoing
investigation.
Portimão Weather (detailed)
Detailed Ferragudo weather conditions
Detailed Portimão weather conditions
Detailed Praia da Rocha weather conditions
Portimão Photographs
Grilled Sardines
· Church
· Quay Side
· Praia da Rocha
· Praia da Rocha
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Portimão Events |
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| Formula 1 Speed Boat Racing |
April |
| Feira de Sta. Catarina |
3rd & 4th June |
| Festival de Sardinha |
August |
| Feira das Melancias (Watermelon) |
3rd August |
| Feira de Portimão |
7th to 9th August |
| Horse Jumping (Belmonte) |
September |
| Feira de N. Sra. do Amparo |
7th of October |
| Feira of São Martinho |
11th November |
| Town Holiday |
11th December |
| Flea Market |
7th & 21st of every month |
| Market Day |
1st Monday every month
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Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Quarteira
· Quinta do Lago
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vale do Lobo
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António
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Portimão Telephone Numbers
8500
