Praia da Rocha (Portimão)

Praia da Rocha is the principal beach of Portimão. It is here where mass tourism in the Algarve was born. To date, it is one of the most popular destinations in the Algarve, offering 24/7 fun and entertainment. A grand beach, surrounded by one of a kind rock formations.

The main attraction of Praia da Rocha is the spectacular rock formations surrounding the beach. These impressive red-colored cliffs give the beach a fascinating feel. Literally, the name Praia da Rocha means ‘Rocky Beach‘.

The beach is quite sandy. The sand on this beach is soft and yellow. In the summer, the sand can get very hot, so make sure to bring flipflops. The sand is perfect for families with children, and you will probably see several sand castles when walking on the beach.

The water here is very clear. In contrast to what some people think, there are no rocks in the water of Praia da Rocha. However, the next beach (on the west), Praia dos Três Castelos, has many rocks in the water. Swimming around Praia da Rocha can be a nice experience, but the water of the Atlantic Ocean can be a bit cold.

In the summer this is very refreshing though. There can be good waves here.

Also, there are many water sports available on Praia da Rocha, including surfing, jet skiing, parasailing and kayaking.

Praia da Rocha is quite a big beach: it stretches for more than a kilometer. It is both long and wide. The east side of the beach is located near the marina and the estuary of the Arade river. The beach stretches all the way to the rock formations in the west, which separate Praia da Rocha from Praia dos Três Castelos.

Do not sit too close to the rock formations, as there is the danger of rockfall.