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Portimão Culture & history

Our most recommended Portimão Culture & history

From Portimão: Algar de Benagil and Sea Caves Boat Tour

1. From Portimão: Algar de Benagil and Sea Caves Boat Tour

Sail along the Algarve coast on a boat trip from Portimão. Admire highlights, including the Benagil Cave and the Fort of São João do Arade. Swim in the crystal waters and learn about the area from your guide. Boarding at the Marina of Portimão, you will see the Castel of S.João do Arade and the fort of Stª Catarina from the Arade River, a unique perspective from the river to the city of Portimão.  See beautiful beaches and caves, from Portimão through to Carvoeiro, passing Benagil all the way to the famous beach of Praia da Marinha. During the boat tour, your guide will talk and explain all about the caves and the coastline, fauna, flora, and the geology of the region with the stunning caves formations. On the way back to the marina your skipper will navigate the boat away from the cliffs giving you a broader perspective of the coastline.

Portimão: Arade River and Silves History Tour

2. Portimão: Arade River and Silves History Tour

Come and explore the beautiful Arade River and experience a journey between between Portimão and Silves which is full of history. You will have about 1.5 hours to visit this wonderful medieval city, which contains numerous monuments, a castle, a museum, and excellent gastronomy. Throughout your tour, you will enjoy an unforgettable and unique experience aboard a solar-powered boat. You will travel on a boat so silent that all you will be able to hear yourself glide though the water, as well as hear the sounds of the waves hitting the shore. Combining comfort and fun, this tour is great for couples, families, and groups. Capacity has been reduced by 30% to ensure all guests' safety during the trip. The Arade River has forever been of great importance in connecting Silves (the Islamic capital of the Algarve between the 8th and 13th centuries) to the sea. For centuries, the Arade was the scenery of important merchant trades, and was sailed by many cultures including the Phoenicians, Romans, Vikings, and Moors, among others. Ships came to carry minerals, oranges, cork, wood, figs, almonds, carobs, fish, salt, among other various riches of this region.

From Portimao: Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach Boat Tour

3. From Portimao: Benagil Cave and Marinha Beach Boat Tour

Discover the beautiful coastline of the Algarve on a boat cruise from Portimao. Admire the views of rock formations as well as the beaches of Marinha, La Rocha, and Carvalho, with a stop for swimming during the tour. Start the tour from Clube Naval de Portimao located by the Arade River. Pass by the quaint fishing village of Ferragudo, St John´s Fortress situated by the river, the Marina of Portimao, and La Rocha Beach. Next, sail by the various rock formations, hidden beaches, and mysterious caves that dot the coastline between the city of Portimao and beautiful Praia da Marinha. Admire the sights of Carvalho Beach, Canairos Beach, Paradise Beach, and Carvoeiro village. Spot the rock formations of Algar Seco such as the Cathedral Cave, Cave of the Smugglers, Monster Cave, Cave of the Heart, Turtle Cave, and many more. Arrive at the famous Benagil Cave which you can snap photos from different perspectives from the boat. Afterwards head to Praia da Marinha (Navy Beach) and make a stop for swimming in the bay. Afterwards, speed along the coastline back to Portimao.

Portimão Walking Tour

4. Portimão Walking Tour

This is a walking tour of the city, showing what we have and what we had, and you will be able to know what you can visit in nearby places it is a walk, accompanied by a local, who will tell you some stories about the chimneys, and will tell you about the old factories. we will cross the riverside area, pass through the gardens and go to the city center. We will suggest you more places to visit, as well as if you want places to experience the local gastronomy. this is an informal tour of the city, where you can enjoy the company of a local.

From Algarve: Private Seville Day Trip with Transfer

5. From Algarve: Private Seville Day Trip with Transfer

Explore the charming city of Seville on this guided sightseeing day tour. See some of its majestic monuments, such as La Giralda and the Real Alcazar. Start your tour with a convenient pickup from several centrally located meeting points in the Algarve, including Olhos de Água, Vilamoura, Quarteira, Portimão, Albufeira, and Armação de Pêra. Enjoy a ride to your first destination in an air-conditioned vehicle. Visit the Giralda Tower, once the minaret of a local mosque. Enjoy spectacular views of the city from its viewpoint. See the grand Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Europe up close. Check out the stately Real Alcazar, a great palace built in the 14th century. Spend a day gazing at magnificent architecture and charming courtyards filled with orange trees. Get dropped off back in the Algarve at the end of your tour.

Silves: Volkswagen T2 Algarve Flavors Tour

6. Silves: Volkswagen T2 Algarve Flavors Tour

After pickup from your accommodation, board a classic Volkswagen T2 for a 4 to 5-hour flavor tour and get ready to see and taste the Algarve in a unique way. Punctuated with fascinating history and local knowledge, discover the rich palates of Portugal’s southern coast, complete with a road trip playlist. Start with a stop at Dona Laranja. Have a guided visit to this 3 generation farm of citrus production, and taste seasonal oranges from the tree. Following that, visit the picturesque Market of Silves to discover and taste some new Algarve products. After, discover Silves in a guided visit. You might want to go to the Castle (tickets not included), the most well preserved in the Algarve, and the second monument most visited in the Algarve. Meanwhile, we will prepare you a nice picnic with local products and wine.

Albufeira: Silves Castle, Lagos, and Ponta Da Piedade Tour

7. Albufeira: Silves Castle, Lagos, and Ponta Da Piedade Tour

Enjoying the medieval Silves Castle. As well as the castle itself, take in the statue of King D. Sancho I at the castle's entrance. This statue dates back to the time of the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the Portuguese monarch D. Sancho. Visit Ponta da Piedade, Lagos, Praia da Rocha, and more, taking in unbeatable views along the way. Enjoy an optional boat trip in Ponta da Piedade. The trip starts with pickup from your hotel or any other location in the Albufeira area, then head directly to Ponta da Piedade (an approximately 45-minute ride). Enjoy the cliffs of the Ponta da Piedade headland, one of the finest natural features of the Algarve. This limestone coastline is formed of sea pillars, fragile rock arches, and hidden grottos where the exposed cliffs reveal their golden color and the turquoise sea waters lap precariously balanced rock formations. Join an optional boat trip before continuing to the tour Next, visit Lagos where you can witness a history of navigators and pirates. In Lagos, you can choose to have lunch at a local restaurant and stroll through the historic city center, where you can see various street artists doing shows and telling their stories. Later, set off towards Praia da Rocha in Portimao. Round off your trip enjoying the wonderful view of Forte de Santa Catarina over Portimao marina and Arade River. Our last stop will be in Benagil, our customers will be able to visit the famous cave of Bengil, on a boat ride (not included in tour price, €25 per person) Finally, we stop at Praia da Marina, a paradise scene, one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal,

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What people are saying about Portimão

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 97 reviews

A wonderful seamless and stress free experience Vanda our guide was great. She was very considerate and comfortable to be with Extremely knowledgeable and a fountain of information Not one moment was boring She took us all around the important historical sites and gave us our space and time to explore too She was available if we needed any information We loved her and wish we had more time to do more tours with her We wish her the best and our extremely happy with her service

Our group of 6 adults really enjoyed the trip along the coast. The guide had a lot of useful and fun information for us. The scenery was lovely and the caves we visited were interesting. We have s much more detailed view of the area than we did before the boat trip.

I was really impressed with the boat captain. I’ve been around boats my whole life and don’t know many that could back it into a cave with waves like that. I felt very safe the whole time and our guide was funny and informative. I would definitely recommend!

Very good tour, beautiful views, and it's not too long. Perfect!

This is the best part of our Algarve trip. Highly recommend it.