natural wonder
Benagil Sea Cave
A cathedral-like sea cave with a massive natural skylight opening in its domed ceiling, accessible only by water along the Algarve coast.
11 km · about 20 min drive
EuropePortugalFaro
Portimão
Faro, Portugal · Europe
About Portimão
Portimão works well as a base: 10 minutes from Estômbar, 11km from Benagil Sea Cave.
Portimão is in Faro, Portugal, with about 38,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Estômbar, about 5 km away.
Portimão (European Portuguese pronunciation: [puɾtiˈmɐ̃w] ) is a city and a municipality in the district of Faro, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. The population in 2022 was 63,079 in an area of 182.06 km2. It was formerly known as Vila Nova de Portimão. In 1924, it was incorporated as a cidade and becameRead more
known merely as Portimão. Historically a fishing and shipbuilding centre, it has nonetheless developed into a strong tourist centre oriented along its beaches and southern coast. The two largest population centers in the Algarve are Portimão and Faro.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Portimão?
Within an hour or so of Portimão: Benagil Sea Cave (11 km), Silves Castle (11 km), Praia da Marinha (12 km), Praia do Camilo (13 km).
Are there any good drives near Portimão?
The nearest famous roads are EN125 Coastal Road.
Where is Portimão?
Portimão is in Faro, Portugal, about 5 km from Estômbar.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 38,487
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Portugal
- Region
- Faro
- Timezone
- Europe/Lisbon
- Coordinates
- 37.1386, -8.5378
Tags
Worth the detour from Portimão
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
castle
Silves Castle
Portugal's best-preserved Moorish castle, with red sandstone ramparts overlooking the old Algarve capital.
11 km · about 20 min drive
beach
Praia da Marinha
A stunning Algarve beach framed by golden limestone cliffs, sea arches, and crystal-clear Atlantic waters.
12 km · about 25 min drive
beach
Praia do Camilo
A small, secluded Algarve cove reached by a steep wooden staircase, nestled between ochre cliffs and azure waters.
13 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Ponta da Piedade
A spectacular headland of golden sandstone arches, grottoes, and sea stacks rising from turquoise waters near Lagos.
13 km · about 25 min drive
racetrack
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
Roller-coaster Portuguese circuit with dramatic elevation changes
13 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Fóia (Serra de Monchique)
The Algarve's highest peak, reached by a twisting road with sweeping views over coast and hills.
20 km · about 25 min drive
beach
Praia da Falésia
A near-endless beach backed by striped ochre and red cliffs running for kilometres near Albufeira.
33 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Portimão
- 20 kmFóia (Serra de Monchique)The Algarve's highest peak, reached by a twisting road with sweeping views over coast and hills.
- 43 kmCabo de São VicenteThe southwesternmost cape of mainland Europe, with a working lighthouse on 75m cliffs at the end of the N268.
- 48 kmEN125 Coastal RoadThe classic east-west Algarve artery linking the region's beach towns, villages and clifftop detours.
- 57 kmCabo SardãoWild Alentejo headland by the Cavaleiro lighthouse where white storks nest on sea stacks and cliff ledges above the surf: claimed to be the only place in the world they breed on coastal rocks. Short walk from the lighthouse car park.
Driving in Portugal
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€9.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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