Portimão lives along the Arade, and its waterfront works in two acts. Upstream, the riverside promenade: palm-lined gardens, café terraces and the quay where the sardine fleet once landed, running from the road bridge past the museum, the town's evening passeio, with the old town one street behind.
Downstream at the river mouth, the marina: 600 berths backed by a colourful arcaded village of restaurants and bars, the departure point for the coast's best boat days, Benagil cave tours, dolphin watching, Arade trips upriver to Silves and deep-sea fishing, with Praia da Rocha's sand beginning immediately west.
Walking one into the other along the river takes half an hour and stitches the whole city together; the Santa Catarina fortress watches over the finish.
Highlights
- Palm-lined riverside promenade and gardens
- 600-berth marina at the river mouth
- Boat trips to Benagil's caves and dolphins
- Arade river cruises upriver to Silves
- Santa Catarina fortress above the entrance
History & context
The Arade made Portimão, Phoenician and Roman traders worked the river, Silves's medieval port traffic passed this mouth, and the sardine quays fed the canneries; the marina (2003) turned the working river to leisure without losing the geography.
Frequently asked questions
Do Benagil boats leave from here?
Yes, cave tours, dolphin trips and coastal cruises run from the marina daily in season; book a day ahead in summer.
Can you walk the whole waterfront?
Yes, riverside to marina is about half an hour on foot, flat the entire way.