Day 1 in Praia da Rocha

Welcome to Portugal! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Make your way to Praia da Rocha and arrive at your hotel. Check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

Begin your vacation by exploring the state-of-the-art Portimao Marina. With bars, restaurants, a swimming pool, and a resort complex, it is one of the largest and most elaborately-planned marinas in Portugal. From there, cross the bridge back into central Portimao and take a leisurely stroll along the Portimao Riverside (called `zona ribeirinha` by locals). Near the start of the esplanade (toward the end if coming from the direction of Praia da Rocha), you will see a bust sculpture of a head. It is called `Pensando Omar` (the name `Omar` being a homonym for `o mar`, `the sea` in Portuguese) and was sculpted by artist Assem al-Bacha.

Afterwards, take some time to learn about one of Portimao`s most famous native sons, former President of Portugal Manuel Teixeira Gomes, at his birthplace. It is now a museum called the Casa Manuel Teixeira Gomes. You also have the opportunity to learn about Portimao and Praia da Rocha`s history by visiting the Portimao Museum, located inside an old cannery. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceicao, three blocks from the Casa Manuel Teixeira Gomes, is the city`s principal Catholic church, and will be of particular interest to those of you who are religious history enthusiasts. End the day by strolling Portimao`s largest square, the Praca da Republica. Find a place to eat, and if there is a show going on at the nearby Teatro Municipal de Portimao, buy a ticket and enjoy the show! Return to your resort in Praia da Rocha when you`re ready to relax and recharge.

Day 2 in Praia da Rocha

Since you already had the chance to sample the attractions in Portimao, we recommend exploring Praia da Rocha and the nearby areas today. Start at the waterside Fortaleza de Santa Catarina, one of the lines of defense against foreign navies in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Nearby, the Praia da Rocha Boardwalk begins, running parallel to Avenida Tomas Cabreira. It is lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors, bars and nightclubs. Stroll the boardwalk, but make sure you leave some time to sun yourself on the beach!

The beaches west of Praia da Rocha are also inviting. Take your pick from any of the three beaches that separate Portimao and Praia da Rocha from Alvor: Praia dos Careanos, Praia do Vau, or Praia dos Tres Irmaos. The latter beach is adjacent to the town of Alvor, where the ruins of Alvor Castle are open to the public. People who like archaeology or history will learn a lot by visiting Alvor Castle and the Roman Villa of Abicada, a Roman settlement occupied nearly two millennia ago. Return to Praia da Rocha in the evening and enjoy its great nightlife, whether you want to dance all night, gamble at the casino, or enjoy live music!

Day 3 in Praia da Rocha

Begin bright and early by driving ten miles northwest of Praia da Rocha to visit one of the wonders of the Copper Age, the burial mounds that comprise the Megalithic Monuments of Alcalar. Then take a ride across the Arade River to Ferragudo, where you can explore another fortress, the cliffside Forte de Sao Joao do Arade. You can sun yourself on the adjacent beach, Praia da Angrinha, but definitely allot yourself time to explore the beaches on this side of the river. From west to east, there`s Caneiros Beach, Carvoeiro Beach, and Benagil Beach. Some travelers insist the beaches get even more stunning as you travel from west to east!

Additional Days in Praia da Rocha

If you have an extra day in the area, continue your fun by exploring two notable sights away from the city. For those who like fast cars and racing, the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve northwest of Praia da Rocha hosts all kinds of professional car races, from Le Mans 1000 Hours of Algarve to Formula One test races. Now for those who want more sun and water in their lives, head east-northeast from Praia da Rocha and Portimao to Slide & Splash. Built in 1986, it is the oldest water park in Portugal, and sitting on 11 acres of land, it is also the largest. Relax in one of many pools and lazy rivers or take the plunge on such scary water-slide rides as `The Tornado` and `Kamikaze`.

If you drive 35 miles southwest of Praia da Rocha, you will reach the southwesternmost tip of Portugal and a town called Sagres. Sagres, coming from the Latin meaning sacred, is perhaps best-known for its geographic placement, with a lighthouse and national park occupying much of the land jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. Also of note in the region is the Fortress of Sagres and a church and cemetery called the Nossa Senhora da Graca.

Northeast of Praia da Rocha by approximately 12 miles, the city of Silves is full of history and sights to be seen. The capital of the Algarve before Faro, Silves was founded in the eighth century by the Moors, who incorporated the settlement into the nearby Caliph of Cordoba. An important center of science and learning, Silves was described as the `Baghdad of the West`. After the Portuguese retook the town in 1242, its importance declined, but Silves`s fortunes were reversed in the twentieth century with the advent of national and international tourism. In 1910, city officials began a preservation of Silves Castle, which was first built in the third century before the Common Era. Later, the remnants of the city`s walls were also restored, and the local government has funded a number of archaeological excavations in the area. People visiting Silves come for the history and stay for the charm.

Your Last Day in Praia da Rocha

Depart your hotel and head to the airport for your return home. We hope you enjoyed your time in the Algarve!