Praia da Rocha is a popular base for families visiting the Algarve. The action centers around the resort’s waterfront, with boat tours setting sail from the marina, and Segway and bike tours following routes along the riverfront promenade in Portimão and the boardwalk behind Praia da Rocha beach.
Nighttime bar crawls often take participants to venues on the strip behind the beach, while full-day tours and multi-day tours typically travel along the coast, stopping at locations including Praia da Rocha, Alvar, and the Ponta da Piedade rock formations near Lagos.
Praia da Rocha is about a 50-minute drive from Faro airport. The nearest train and bus station is in Portimão, about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) to the north. If you’re coming by public transport, you’ll need to take a bus from Faro airport to Faro train station, and then take a train to Portimão. From Portimão station, it’s a 10-minute taxi drive to Praia da Rocha. For an easier journey, prebook an airport transfer instead.
Praia da Rocha is a lively resort, and is particularly busy in June, July, and August. Outside of school vacation time, you’ll find a more relaxed vibe and fewer people on the beach.
While you’re in Praia da Rocha, be sure to check out the Three Castles Viewpoint (Miradouro dos Três Castelos) at the west end of the beach. From this lookout, you can see various cliffs, arches, and rock formations. On the far side of the beach sits the Santa Catarina Fortress, which offers idyllic views out across the beach, the marina, and the Arade River as it flows into the Atlantic.
