Portugal
Beaches Pictures
Algarve, Portimao Beach
Part of Portimao's massive, striking beach. Pity about the high-rise dominated hinterland.
Portimao
beaches are terrific but package hotel territory these days.
In
previous lives this port town was fought over by Phoenicians, Greeks,
Romans, Christians and Moors. Then in 1755 the monster quake that
flattened Lisbon did the same for this area, encouraging its next
incarnation as a major fishing port.
Until very recently it remained so - until the developers invaded
and established a hundred high-rise hotels all at once onto the coastal
strip. Now it's solid gold, pack-man land, an upmarket Albufeira but
with even less traditional Portugal style; like, er, zero.
Praia da Rocha, next door, is the best known surfer's beach on the Algarve's south coast.
The Algarve from east to west: Downside | Tavira | Faro | Albufeira | Portimao | Lagos
The west (Atlantic) coast beaches: Surfing | Guincho | Ericeira
Pictures: Portugal | Lisbon Guides: Portugal | Lisbon | Map
