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Portimão History
It 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 Roman 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 the place
was named Porcimunt but 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.
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
town's church that is the last attractive building surviving in the town dates
from 1476 but it under went many alterations as from 1717 onwards. The town
council appears to have adopted a policy of demolishing architecturally
interesting buildings in favour of modernization. Happily, it also has a very
active cultural department and there are always different forms of events
happening throughout the year. 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 de 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 Map (Click Here)
Portimão Golf
Alamos ·
Alto Golf ·
Gramacho ·
Morgado ·
Palmares ·
Penina ·
Pinta ·
Vale de Milho (9 Holes)
Faro Airport Transfer to Portimão
Faro Taxi to Portimão
Portimão Weather
     
Portimão Information
 800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
112 - SOS
282 470 700 - Town Hall
282 422 122 - Fire Brigade
282 412 503 - Police
282 416 656 - Transit Police
282 417 295 - General Hospital
282 420 400 - Private Hospital
282 419 269 - Emergency Treatment
282 422 122 - Ambulance
282 416 556 - Tourist Office (Portimão)
282 419 132 - Tourist Office (Praia da Rocha)
Portimão Events
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Dakar |
January |
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Março Jovem (Musical Events) |
March |
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Formula 1 Speed Boat Racing |
April |
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Feira de Sta. Catarina |
3rd & 4th June |
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Festival de Sardinha |
August |
Feira das Melancias
(Watermelon) |
3rd August |
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Feira de Portimão |
7th to 9th August |
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Horse Jumping (Belmonte) |
September |
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Feira de N. Sra. do Amparo |
7th of October |
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Feira of São Martinho |
11th November |
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Town Holiday |
11th December |
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Flea Market |
7th & 21st of every month |
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Market Day |
1st Monday every month |
Portimão Beaches
Praia da Rocha
Praia da Marina de Portimão
Praia dos Três Castelos
Praia de Alvor
Praia do Alemão
Praia do Vau
Prainha
Praia Grande
Praia dos Caneiros
Praia do Pintadinho
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Portugal Golf
