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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
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 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.
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Portimão Weather Forecast |
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Portimão
(Area Map)
Portimão Events
17th March - Feira de Alvor
1st Weekend of June - Feira de Sta. Catarina
7th to 9th August - Feira de Portimão
3rd August - Feira das Melancias (Watermelon)
7th of October - Feira de N. Sra. do Amparo
11th November - Feira of São Martinho
11th December - Feira da Cidade (Town)
Portimão Restaurants
Selected list for Portimão area
 Useful Portimão Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 282 416 416
Fire Brigade - 282 422 122
Police - 282 417 717
Transit Police - 282 416 656
Hospital - 282 415 115
Emergency Treatment - 282 416 272
Ambulance - 282 412 122
Tourist Office - 282 419 131
Useful Portimão Facts
Distance from Faro Airport - 67 Kms
Town Holidays - 11th December
Postal Code - 8500
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Loulé
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António |
