The Arade River meets the Atlantic Ocean at the town of Portimão in the Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region. Here sandstone cliffs and striking rock formations frame the shorelines, and golf courses are as plentiful as the beaches. The long stretch of golden sand known as Praia da Rocha offers parasailing, kayaking and other watersports. Along the riverfront promenade, open-air eateries serve the local specialty of freshly grilled sardines, and you can learn about Portimão’s history as a fishing port in the award-winning museum housed in a former cannery. To explore further along the Algarve coastline, hire a boat to sail to hidden grottoes, caverns and rocky archways such as Benagil Cave or Ponta da Piedade. Inland from Portimão, the region has several other quaint towns that make for a lovely afternoon stroll, including Silves, where you’ll find an impressive Moorish castle and authentic Portuguese atmosphere along the cobblestone streets.
