Best tours of Portimao

This port city belonging to the Algarve region is without a doubt a great choice for your holiday. From here you can access fascinating experiences, as there are a variety of activities and guided tours. For example, you can enjoy segway rides and kayak excursions to the Benagil caves in Portimao.

Additionally, you can escape to the fishing villages and rural areas, go on safari rides, explore the old town and enjoy the local gastronomy. And you can't leave the city without sampling the local oranges and wine tasting in the surrounding wineries and estates.

Portimao is a small town that you can tour in a short time. An electric vehicle such as a Segway is the best option, especially in summer. This type of experience will allow you to get to know the most beautiful places in the city. They are also complete activities that fit very well into short itineraries.

They are generally designed for small groups, so I recommend booking in advance. During the tour you will have the opportunity to explore stories of the city as well as the rock formations that surround this Portuguese coastline. It is one of the best things to do in Portimao, as you will get to see some of the city's iconic sites, including:

• Portimao Promenade: Praia da Rocha is one of the best beaches in Portimao, where a small fishing village that has been modernised in recent years is located. It is an ideal holiday destination.
• The Lighthouse of Portimao or Lighthouse of Praia da Rocha: is a hiking area, where many people go hiking. From the top you will get the best views of the city, you may also meet some fishermen.
• The Ribeirinha de Portimao: is an old area with a variety of gastronomic proposals. From here you can see the Arade River, which you can enjoy on board the best boat tours in Portimao.
• Portimao Pier: also known as Pier Vasco Da Gama or the marina. This area is home to the Portimao Museum, where you can learn more about the fishing process and conservation industry on this coast of Portugal.

Details of interest

• Price: from 68 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately one and a half hours.
• Means of transport: the tour is usually done on a Segway, but you have to arrange transfers to the meeting point.
• Advantages of this option: it usually includes a guide and all the equipment needed to use the Segway.
• Disadvantages of this option: not recommended for pregnant women.

The crystal clear waters of the Portuguese coastline are breathtaking and if you want to appreciate them in detail you can take advantage of a kayak tour. This type of experience not only allows you to enjoy Portimao's best beaches, but also allows you to discover hidden gems.

The Benagil Caves in Portimao are a very popular coastal area, and I assure you that they are absolutely worth a visit. They are notable for their coves and holes at the top of the caves. You can do the walk on your own, as it is about half an hour's drive away. However, a guided experience will make it easier for you to get the permits and the sea transfer to the caves.

You can also take the opportunity to explore the village of Benagil, which I recommend cycling through. Please note that it is not advisable to swim to the cave for safety reasons. The currents are strong and you may encounter difficulties in the sea. I recommend you opt for the best boat tours in Portimao, which make stops at beautiful coves.

Interesting details

• Price: from 40 euros per person.
• Duration: about two and a half hours.
• Means of transport: generally, return transfers are by catamaran.
• Advantages of this option: it is usually available in Spanish and usually includes the accompaniment of an expert guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: it cannot be done in bad weather conditions, for safety reasons.

Portimao is a coastal area belonging to the Algarve region. If you plan to stay for several days and don't want to limit yourself to the beaches, you can plan a trip to the surrounding area. This is an experience that is usually available in Spanish, and allows you to taste the exquisite wine of the region. You'll usually start the tour by stopping at nearby fishing villages and then explore the best wineries.

This is one of the best things to do in Portimao, as it allows you to get away from the routine and escape the tourist crowds. Some of the places you can visit are:

• Olaria Pequena: one of the oldest potteries in the region, located in the Porches area.
• Algar Seco: an attraction that stands out for the rock formations that surround the Algarve.
• Praia da Marinha: one of the best beaches in Portimao, there are many beach bars in the surroundings where you can taste the gastronomy of Portugal.
• Benagil: is a fishing village, typical of the region. From here you can visit the Benagil caves of Portimao, famous for their holes and coves.
• Villa Alvor: Algarve is surrounded by wineries and estates, where you can go wine tasting. This villa is one of the most popular and tastings start at 10 euros.

Details of interest

• Price: from 70 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately seven hours.
• Means of transport: these experiences usually include pick-up and drop-off in selected areas and return. They also usually include private transport to take you to all points along the itinerary.
• Advantages of this option: Child seats are available, so it is a great option if you are planning activities with children in Portimao.
• Disadvantages of this option: It is a very expensive tour, so it is advisable to book in advance.

To visit the Algarve countryside, I recommend opting for a 4x4 or jeep safari tour. It is an ideal rural experience to see the quieter areas around Portimao, and to explore lesser known sites. The perfect opportunity to wander through historic villages, which preserve the heritage of the region.

This is one of the best things to do in Portimao if you want to learn about history and get away from the crowds. You will probably come across pastoral areas, orange groves, distilleries and Moorish castles. Some of the places you can get to know in Algarve Rural are:

• Estoi Palace: an impressive building full of ancient details, combined with modern touches, which is currently used as an inn. It is ideal if you want to spend the night in the area, or stay on the terraces to watch the sunset.
• Church of Santa Barbara de Nexe: a 14th century Portuguese church, popular for its stories of miracles and pilgrimages.
• Castro Marim Castle: a Moorish castle on a hilltop overlooking a breathtaking view, it stands on top of ancient Roman fortifications.

Details of interest

• Price: from 40 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Means of transport: usually includes pick-up and drop-off, as well as transfers from one point to another in a jeep or 4x4.
• Advantages of this option: it usually includes a guide in Spanish.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for pregnant women or people with health problems.

The old town of Portimao is one of the most beautiful, traditional and popular areas. You can't leave the city without taking a tour through its narrow streets. There are different options to live this experience, you can do it on your own on foot or by tourist bus. You can also schedule a guided tour or take advantage of the free tours, which are free options with limited spaces.

This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Portimao, as it takes you to explore its historical heritage. The free walking tours usually take about an hour and are usually available in English. It is only recommended that you leave a tip of between 5 and 10 euros for the guides. Paid tours are usually longer in duration and are quite inexpensive, some of the sites you can see are:

• Portimao Marina.
• Portimao Town Hall: cultural shows are held near this area and it is one of the oldest parts of the city.
• Casa Manuel Teixeira Gomes: it is an ideal place to get inspired, the entrance is free and it is an obligatory cultural stop. There are many exhibitions and it won't take you more than twenty minutes to explore the area.

Interesting details

• Price: free if it's a free tour and also from 20 euros per person, other organised tours.
• Duration: about two hours.
• Means of transport: usually on foot.
• Advantages of this option: ideal for getting to know the most traditional sites of Portimao.
• Disadvantages of this option: it sells out quickly, especially in summer.

To explore the best beaches of Portimao, I recommend you take advantage of bike tours. This type of activity usually offers a tour of the Seven Hanging Valleys, known as the best trails in Europe.

Some of the places you can visit are:

• Praia da Morena: it is an ideal beach to spend the afternoon, there are areas with umbrellas, beach bars and coves from which you can dive.
• Praia de Albandeira: between Praia da Morena and Praia da Albandeira there are 3 caves to explore. Here you will find some of the most beautiful coves of the Algarve Coast.
• Benagil: this is a fun stop as it is a seaside village. On the shore you'll see kayaks, boats and pedaloes heading to the Benagil caves in Portimao.
• Arcos Naturais: This is a very popular spot, open 24 hours a day. It is the furthest point from the city, being an hour's bike ride away. You can also take advantage of the best boat tours in Portimao, which will allow you to appreciate this marvel from another perspective.

Details of interest

• Price: from 37 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately two and a half hours.
• Means of transport: generally, a meeting point is set, but you must organise your own transfers. To get to the areas set out on the route, you will need a bicycle and helmet.
• Advantages of this option: it is usually a private tour, so it is ideal if you go with friends or family.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you are travelling with children, you should bear in mind that it is only available for children aged 12 and over. It is also not suitable for people with health problems.

Portimao is a region with a wealth of history worth exploring, and Silves is not far behind. The Islamic capital of the Algarve fuses the modern with the ancient and allows for an experience of connection with nature. That's why you'll always have the option of eco-boat tours, which take you to appreciate the city from a different perspective.

In addition, these experiences allow you to learn about the history of the Arade River, and even spot birds and other species of the region, depending on the season. During the tour, you may stop at the Portimao Museum. You will also pass by the Portimao Cathedral and the Moorish and medieval castles. Other sites to see include:

• São João Fort: it is a kind of castle that separates Angrinha beach from Grande beach.
• Fort of Santa Catarina: it used to be an old castle, but years ago it was converted into a private residence. It can only be seen from the outside.

Details of interest

• Price: from 42 euros per person.
• Duration: around five hours.
• Means of transport: does not usually include transfers, but usually covers the boat trip fee.
• Advantages of this option: usually includes a small wine tasting.
• Disadvantages of this option: cannot be done if the tides are high.

Of course, you can't leave out the gastronomy of Portugal. During your trip I recommend you to schedule a tour to get to know the flavours of the south. It is also the perfect excuse to taste the local wine. The city offers a variety of places to eat, some of the most recommended are:

• Casa de Tocha.
• Squash.
• Dona Barca.
• Ú Venâncio.

You can try local snacks and typical dishes in traditional restaurants so you can choose your favourite. You will also discover the gastronomic history of the region. You might even go to an artisan bakery and taste tapas in the historic centre.

Interesting details

• Price: from 105 euros per group.
• Duration: approximately four hours.
• Means of transport: the tour is usually done on foot and pick-up is offered.
• Advantages of this option: it is usually a tour for small groups, so it is a personalised experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: This is one of the tours that sells out the fastest, especially in high season.

If you want to relax, there are many experiences available in Portimao that will help you disconnect from the crowds. To enjoy the best beaches in town, I suggest you sign up for a coastal tour. These types of experiences usually include sporting activities such as surfing lessons.

These classes are usually classes for all levels, so you can sign up even if you are a beginner. The most important thing is that you know how to swim. The main advantage of this type of tour is that you will get to see the beaches with the lowest waves. You will probably pass through Carvoeiro, Lagoa and Lagos, exploring the best surfing coves.

Remember to bring hydration, sunscreen and a snack to recover your energy. However, there are beach bars available in the surrounding area for your convenience. It is also advisable to bring extra clothes and comfortable trainers. The spots to visit depend on the season, as the idea is to take advantage of the beaches with suitable conditions for surfing the waves.

Details of interest

• Price: from 80 euros per person.
• Duration: around three hours.
• Means of transport: pick-up is usually available from certain points in Portimao.
• Advantages of this option: you will be accompanied by a professional surf instructor.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for pregnant women, children under five, people with heart or respiratory problems, people with epilepsy, people with no swimming experience or who are claustrophobic.

Algarve oranges are very famous for their sweet and fresh taste, and this kind of experience will introduce you to the production of citrus fruits in the region. The orange groves are located on the outskirts, and learning about them is one of the best things to do in Portimao. It's also the perfect excuse for a trip to the countryside.

You can take a tour of the orange groves and production plants to learn about the process the fruit goes through before it reaches Portuguese homes. You can also enjoy a freshly squeezed orange juice. Some of the stops you can make are:

• Algoz: this is the heart of citrus production in the Algarve, where one of the most important production plants is located. It is located twenty-five minutes from Portimao.
• Silves Castle: its construction has Roman, Arab and Moorish influences.
• Silves: the Islamic capital of the Algarve, it is a great stop to learn about history and enjoy the citrus-growing areas.

Details of interest

• Price: from 60 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 7 hours.
• Means of transport: usually includes return transport.
• Advantages of this option: these are generally personalised experiences ideal for small groups.
• Disadvantages of this option: not recommended if you have a short itinerary.