Out and about in Portimão during your stay in the Oceânico Atlântico Apartments

Located at the heart of the Algarve, the town of Portimão lies close to Praia da Rocha. Having transformed itself into a lively urban centre, with a magnificent marina, shops, bars and restaurants, Praia da Rocha retains much of the character of Portugal and its people.

There are many restaurants in the centre of Portimão, but it is the sea-food restaurants on the sea front which are the most sought-after. The best atmosphere, whether by day or night, is to be found in Avenida Tomás Cabreira in Praia da Rocha, with its wide range of restaurants and cafés which cater for every taste and occasion.

Praia da Rocha, one of the Algarve’s finest beaches

The vast sands of Praia da Rocha end in imposing cliffs, where you can find the bars, restaurants, casinos and pubs which make Praia da Rocha a great place for nightlife. The causeways over the beaches which run along the cliffs are perfect for a walk at the end of the afternoon or simply to sit and watch the sunset.

To the east of Praia da Rocha stands the imposing Forte de Santa Catarina de Ribamar fort, dating back to the 17th Century, and opposite, the recent Portimão marina. You can enjoy a wide range of water sports, including having sailing lessons and hiring vessels for recreational purposes. Bars and pubs, cafés, nightclubs and a casino all go to make up a vast array of entertainment venues for all tastes.

Also not to be missed is the historical centre of Portimão, with its ancient two-storey houses with cast iron verandas and elaborate masonry around the doors and windows. The City Council is housed in the ancient Palácio dos Viscondes de Bívar palace, with its fine classical design. The city also has countless places of historical interest, such as the narrow streets in the ancient fishermen’s and traders’ quarters, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição church, the Colégio dos Jesuítas, the Convento de São Francisco and the Capela de São José. The town of Ferragudo, on the other side of the River Arade, known for its famous fish restaurants, is also worth a visit.

For lovers of motor sports, the Portimão region has the extremely modern Algarve International Autodrome, inaugurated in November 2008, which includes a 4.7km perimeter track, a capacity for over 70,000 spectators, a kart-racing track, as well as countless other facilities. An intensive schedule has been planned for 2009, such as A1GP (World Cup of Motorsport), a leg of the Historic F1 World Championship, the Algarve 1000km (LeMans Séries), the FIA GT World Championship and the SuperBikes World Championship race.

About 1 km away, you can find modern commercial and entertainment spaces, such as the Municipal Auditorium, which holds musical and theatrical shows, the Municipal Cinema and the Continente Shopping Centre.

Golf in Portimão

Blessed with a favourable climate all year round and with magnificent landscapes, the Algarve is one of the main areas of growth for golf courses in all of Europe. The Portimão region is particularly well served, with the two 9-hole championship courses at Penina, Morgado do Reguengo, one of the largest layouts in the Algarve and the Alto do Golfe with a majestic view out to sea, amongst others.

Business, Congresses and holidays in Portimão

Portimão has all facilities for the business segment. Just 1.5km away from the Oceano Atlântico Apartments, the Portimão Fair and Exhibition Park (ExpoArade) is particularly well suited for holding major events. The Park has an area of 7 hectares, and includes a riverside path, an open-air amphitheatre, restaurant, the Arena Pavilion (which hosts music, sports and theatre performances), ample wooded areas, and a 300-vehicle capacity car park.

Another option is the Arade Congress Centre, around 3km away, which provides the setting for exhibitions, conferences and congresses. This space includes an auditorium with a capacity for over 1,000 people, two pavilions with areas of 700m2 and 500m2, 6 meeting rooms, 2000m2 of foyers, a VIP Lounge, private rooms and an exterior area of over 1,000m2 with a view over the river Arade.