Portimão

Portimão is a coastal municipality in western Algarve that spreads across three parishes: Portimão, Alvor, and Mexilhoeira Grande. The town sits along the Arade River near its mouth at the Atlantic and combines urban areas with a shoreline that includes beaches and cliffs.

The settlement was known as Burj Munt under Moorish rule and was recaptured by the Knights of Santiago in 1249 during the reign of King Afonso III. The town grew into a major fishing port during the 19th century, specializing in the canning industry.

The Museu de Portimão occupies a former sardine factory and displays exhibits about the local fishing industry, preserving original machinery and regional artifacts. The old factory retains its industrial character and shows visitors how the canning industry once shaped the economic life of the town.

The town offers several medical facilities, shopping centers, and a train station that connects to larger Portuguese cities. Most attractions and services are easily reachable on foot or by public transport within the urban areas.

The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is a Formula 1 racing circuit with a 4.7-kilometer track that features significant elevation changes. The circuit sits on a hill north of the town and offers visitors views of the surrounding countryside during events or track tours.