Exploring Portimão: A Hidden Gem
Often overlooked in favor of the popular Praia da Rocha, the harbor town of Portimão has its own charm—with a lively promenade, outdoor sculptures, and a quaint old quarter. It was the perfect place to start our weekend.
Accessible Adventure Hunt
To avoid the challenges of cobbled streets, we tried a fun and accessible alternative: the Adventure Hunt App. This self-guided treasure hunt leads you along a concrete pathway through shady backstreets, pretty squares, and the promenade, with clues to solve along the way. Organized by the non-profit POIS!, the path is colorfully decorated to “infuse the city with joy.”
- Duration: ~2 hours, including stops at local craft shops
- Starting point: Portimão Museum (with disabled parking and an accessible restroom)
History at Portimão Museum
The Portimão Museum gives a fascinating glimpse into the town’s industrial past, especially its fish-canning history. Original machines, old photos, and stories of the working women and creche on site bring the building’s legacy to life.
Local Eats and Sardine Tasting
We enjoyed lunch at a casual café behind the sailing club—sunny patio, harbor views, and affordable prices.
Across the water in Parchal is the Conserveira do Arade sardine factory, the last remaining cannery in the region. We took a guided tour—wheelchair-friendly and hygienic (they even cleaned the wheels!). The tour showcases the traditional hand-processing of fish, and the tastings surprised us: from smoked sardines to spicy mackerel. Advance booking required.
Don’t Miss: The Stork Chimneys
Look up! The area’s historic chimneys now host dozens of nesting storks. Spotting them became a game (loser buys dinner!). Just before Odiáxere, we stopped at “Stork Village,” where tall posts support giant nests—a memorable wildlife moment.
Clifftop Views and Coastal Charm
Ponta da Piedade Boardwalk
Starting at the Ponta da Piedade lighthouse, a new wheelchair-accessible boardwalk winds above the cliffs with panoramic views toward Dona Ana beach (which is not accessible). The scenery—turquoise sea, limestone arches, and fleets of kayakers—is breathtaking.
- Boardwalk in both directions from the lighthouse
- Spring bonus: wild buttercups and orchids blanket the cliffs
- Café on-site with indoor/outdoor seating and great ice cream
Waterfront Stops in Lagos
Next, we drove five minutes to Lagos’ waterfront and enjoyed a drink at Mar Restaurant & Bar, perched above Praia da Batata. Accessible parking is right outside. After a smooth roll down to the promenade (no cobblestones!), we had lunch at Império Restaurante, known for seafood and accessible restrooms—still rare in the area.
Wine with a View and a Beach Sunset
Tasting at Falesia Vineyard
Between Lagos and Luz, Falesia Vineyard is Portugal’s southernmost winery and just steps from the sea. The tasting lodge overlooks the vines and offers generous samples with platters of local cheese, cured meats, and olives. Wine tastings are on Thursdays by appointment.
Praia da Luz: Sand, Promenade & Sunset
Praia da Luz is a charming old fishing village with a wheelchair-accessible promenade and boardwalk to the white sand beach. During high season (May–October), the beach offers amphibious chairs and fully adapted bathrooms. We finished the day with a sunset dinner at Boaty’s Tapas Café—I paid, having lost the stork-spotting challenge.
Where to Stay: Accessible Lodging
- Solar de Mos: We stayed at Solar de Mos Hotel in Lagos, which has an accessible room in the annex. While the room was a bit tight and the wheelchair didn’t fit in the shower cubicle, they provide shower chairs and other aids upon request. There’s a lovely patio and shared pool with just a few neighboring rooms.
- Vila Branca: Next time, we plan to try Vila Branca. Their accessible one-bedroom apartment includes a wheel-in shower and wheelchair-friendly kitchenette—perfect for a longer stay.
Jane and I have been great friends for over 20 years since we worked together at The Travel Foundation. We love to explore new places and find fun experiences. Jane has MS and is now a wheelchair user, so we need to do a bit more trip planning these days, but we never let the wheels get in the way of a good time!
