Fans of historical places will be interested in visiting the district of Armação de Pêra, which preserves a small fortress called Fortaleza de Santa Catarina. The fortification was built in the early 17th century and is now open to the public. The Fortaleza de Santa Catarina overlooks the Arade River, the village of Ferragudo, Praia da Rocha beach, and the Portimao Pier. The fortress is one of the key historical sites in the resort.
Fans of hiking will prefer the Carvoeiro neighborhood. Although it is considered a beach tourism center and lacks outstanding historical sites, Carvoeiro is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic areas of the city. The villas located near the coast are true works of architectural art. There are also many important tourist attractions in the vicinity of the resort.
Portimao's hiking routes can also include an excursion to the Neolithic burial site of Alcalar, located on the outskirts of Lagos, or to the ancient Roman villa of Quinta da Abicada.
Fans of cultural vacations in Portimao are recommended to visit the local museums and galleries. The Municipal Museum of Portimao is located on Rua D. Carlos I. The museum building was originally the old cannery "San Francisco," which operated here for over 100 years. After reconstruction, the former fish factory building became a modern museum in 2008, serving as the cultural center of Portimao. Tourists may be interested in the exposition about the life and history of the city, as well as its population.
From September 1 to July 31, the museum is open on Tuesdays from 14:30 to 18:00, and from Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00. In August, the museum is open on Tuesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The museum does not accept visitors on Mondays, and on Tuesdays, it is partially closed in the morning.
The ticket price for adults is 3 EUR, and a family ticket is 4.5 EUR. For children under 15 years old, admission is free, and young people aged 16 to 25 receive a 50% discount.
