Portimao, Portugal Questions

[ajtraveler66]

Portimao is on the itinerary for a late April 2023 cruise that we are very seriously considering--Lord willing. (We are four healthy senior citizens).   Do you have any recommendations on what we might enjoy as far as sightseeing goes (particularly nature as opposed to architectural).   Also...it's always fun to have a leisurely lunch at a place with a real local touch and a great view, if possible...any suggestions?

 

Selecting this cruise itinerary came as a surprise to us.  But it's on a smaller ship, NCL Star.  And the thought of passing through the Strait of Gibraltar also helped to inspire us to make this decision.

 

Thanks.

[edinburgher]

When we looked at Portimao tourist info online  we didn't find much to interest us.  There really wasn't much by the port, there was no shuttle bus  and it was a good mile (perhaps a little more) to reach the town centre and the bus stop where we caught a bus to pretty Alvor.  Look for online info on it.  Tripadvisor has pretty pics and many restaurant reviews as there are at least a couple of dozen restaurants there which were setting up for lunch service as we were leaving. Having said that, we got the impression  some could have been tourist traps, so again, I advise you look at Tripadvisor Alvor restaurant reviews.  It might suit you very well as there is a wonderfuyl boardwalk alongside the river/estuary/nature reserve which runs for around 5 or 6 k and . there is quite detailed info on it if you search eg Alvor Boardwalk. or "a guide to Alvor boardwalk".  And the small but pretty Portuguese forming fishing village is easily walkable.  Our ship was running a shorex to something like "pretty Algarve fishing vi8llages" andAlvor was one of them. Wwe saw the coach arriving as we were living so it is worth a visit.

 

Another alternative to Portimao would be to go to nearby Praia de Rocha.  Again, lots of info online.  Or try searching "side trips from Portimao".

 

We took the public bus to Alvor and back again, butit was a long walk to the bus stop and  the initial part of the route ran back in the direction of the port so I would recommend thjat you four share a taxi instead. it is a short distance and in a taxi would be only around 20-30 minutes max.  We explored some of Portimao after we returned. You could also sea4rch restaurant reviews for Portimao in case you decide to stay in town.  The information is all out there, you only need to spend a little time doing online (or CC) research.

 

And again, do read previous threads.  Go to "Other mediterranean ports", under your user name input Portimao or Alvorr (or wherever), click on this forum from the dropdown under the search box, then hit the little magnifying glass to bring up all previous threads ready for you to read.

Edited August 12, 2022 by edinburgher