The town with 35,000 inhabitants is mainly commercially orientated and was the main shopping town of the whole Algarve during the 1970s and 1980s. The town's church dates from 1476 but it under went many alterations as from 1717 onwards. 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. A boat Marina was recently opened adjoining Praia da Rocha and adds the fascinating sight of the many boats at anchor and a further choice of bars and restaurants in which to pass the evening.

When approaching the town from the direction of Faro there is a choice of two bridges to cross. The old one runs along past the harbour but we would recommend take the new bridge. It is so well balanced in design that it can be seriously considered among the most pleasing bridges to the eye built in Portugal in the 19th Century. On the river front near the square with the cafés many different boat tours and deep sea-fishing outings can be booked.

Extremely cosmopolitan, Portimão offers an enormous variety of night entertainment, which grows significantly during the summer season where the "peak hours" at Praia da Rocha are at three in the morning: bars close and the discotheques remain full until dawn.