Portimao is a city located in the Algarve, on the southern coast of Portugal. In the 19th century the fish canning industry restored the old town which was reeling from economic recession. The town was renamed Portimao in about 1924, and became one of the most vital centers of the fishing and canning industry on the Algarve. Portimao has some 35,000 residents. Some historians have indicated that the place was initially the famous Portus Hannibalis named by the celebrated Roman general, Hannibal Barca. Portimao is located at the mouth of the River Arade, and it provides a natural harbor which has at times been known in its past as a home for smugglers and pirates. The river also provides the sea access to the ancient city of Silves which was the capital of the Algarve during the Moorish occupation.
One place to see is the Municipal Museum. 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.
Or go to the coast and hang out on the river front. On the river front near the
square with the cafes many different boat tours and deep sea-fishing outings.
If you are a golf fan you can go to Penina. This 18-hole, par 73 challenge is
the grandfather of golf courses in the Algarve.