Silves and Arade River Eco-Friendly Solar Boat Trip from Portimão
by Algarve Sunboat
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€100Overview
The tour begins at Pier A in Marina de Portimão, where passengers board an eco-friendly solar-powered boat for a 4.5-hour trip along the Arade River. The boat is equipped with cushioned seats, shade, and tables for comfort. As the boat travels upriver, the captain provides live commentary about the history and landmarks along the route. The boat passes several notable sites including the 17th-century Fort of São João in Ferragudo, the 16th-century Convent of São Francisco in Portimão (which is not open for visits), the Portimão Museum housed in a former fish canning factory, the oldest road bridge connecting Portimão and Parchal built in the 1870s, the 300-meter-long metallic railway bridge opened in 1922, and the main EN 125 road bridge completed in 1999 linking Portimão and Lagoa. Upon arrival in Silves, passengers have about 1.5 hours to explore the medieval city independently. They can visit historical sites such as monuments, the castle, and the museum, or choose to try local food. After the visit, the boat returns to Portimão, offering a different view of the city and the river’s mouth. The tour includes all taxes, fees, and live commentary on board. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and parking fees are not included. The trip is subject to weather conditions and minimum passenger requirements. Passengers should check in 15 minutes before departure. The boarding point is on the north side of Portimão Marina, accessible via Rua Simão Correia. The tour is not suitable for small children, pets, or travelers with reduced mobility, and pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies or in advanced stages are advised against participation. Only water and food for young children are allowed on board, and smoking is prohibited.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Algarve Sunboat
Departure is from Pier A at Marina de Portimão.
Fort of São João, Ferragudo
This 17th-century fort on the bank of the Arade River was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. It guarded the river estuary alongside Fort of Santa Catarina in Portimão and was used until the late 19th century. Later it became a private residence and currently remains well maintained with connecting walls, guardhouses, and a garden.
Convent of São Francisco, Portimão
A 16th-century architectural complex originally consisting of houses donated by Simão Correia and a chapel built in thanks to God’s protection in wars. The convent was constructed in 1541. It is privately owned, not open to visitors, and is in an advanced state of decay.
Museu de Portimao
Located in the former Feu Hermanos fish canning factory on Portimão’s riverside, this museum preserves local heritage and history.
Oldest road bridge in Portimão
This bridge connects Portimão with Parchal and was built between 1875 and 1876 by a French company under engineer Bonnet. It is an example of 19th-century iron architecture, constructed alongside a railway bridge after embankment works began in 1863.
Metallic railway bridge
Built between 1915 and 1919 by Empresa Industrial Portuguesa, this 300-meter-long bridge has six iron arch spans supported by stone pillars. It opened on July 30, 1922, extending the railway line from Tunes to Lagos.
EN 125 road bridge
Completed in 1999, this bridge crosses the Arade River between Calvário and Companheira. It is the main connection between Portimão and Lagoa councils.
Meeting point
Check-in is 15 min before departure. Boarding is on the north side of Portimão Marina, by the administrative building (Rua Simão Correia). Don’t enter just “Marina de Portimão” in Uber/taxi or you may be dropped on the south side, a 15-min walk away. We can’t wait for late arrivals.
End point
Check-in is 15 min before departure. Boarding is on the north side of Portimão Marina, by the administrative building (Rua Simão Correia). Don’t enter just “Marina de Portimão” in Uber/taxi or you may be dropped on the south side, a 15-min walk away. We can’t wait for late arrivals.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Silves and Arade River Eco-Friendly Solar Boat Trip from Portimão
by Algarve Sunboat
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€100Overview
The tour begins at Pier A in Marina de Portimão, where passengers board an eco-friendly solar-powered boat for a 4.5-hour trip along the Arade River. The boat is equipped with cushioned seats, shade, and tables for comfort. As the boat travels upriver, the captain provides live commentary about the history and landmarks along the route. The boat passes several notable sites including the 17th-century Fort of São João in Ferragudo, the 16th-century Convent of São Francisco in Portimão (which is not open for visits), the Portimão Museum housed in a former fish canning factory, the oldest road bridge connecting Portimão and Parchal built in the 1870s, the 300-meter-long metallic railway bridge opened in 1922, and the main EN 125 road bridge completed in 1999 linking Portimão and Lagoa. Upon arrival in Silves, passengers have about 1.5 hours to explore the medieval city independently. They can visit historical sites such as monuments, the castle, and the museum, or choose to try local food. After the visit, the boat returns to Portimão, offering a different view of the city and the river’s mouth. The tour includes all taxes, fees, and live commentary on board. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and parking fees are not included. The trip is subject to weather conditions and minimum passenger requirements. Passengers should check in 15 minutes before departure. The boarding point is on the north side of Portimão Marina, accessible via Rua Simão Correia. The tour is not suitable for small children, pets, or travelers with reduced mobility, and pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies or in advanced stages are advised against participation. Only water and food for young children are allowed on board, and smoking is prohibited.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Algarve Sunboat
Departure is from Pier A at Marina de Portimão.
Fort of São João, Ferragudo
This 17th-century fort on the bank of the Arade River was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. It guarded the river estuary alongside Fort of Santa Catarina in Portimão and was used until the late 19th century. Later it became a private residence and currently remains well maintained with connecting walls, guardhouses, and a garden.
Convent of São Francisco, Portimão
A 16th-century architectural complex originally consisting of houses donated by Simão Correia and a chapel built in thanks to God’s protection in wars. The convent was constructed in 1541. It is privately owned, not open to visitors, and is in an advanced state of decay.
Museu de Portimao
Located in the former Feu Hermanos fish canning factory on Portimão’s riverside, this museum preserves local heritage and history.
Oldest road bridge in Portimão
This bridge connects Portimão with Parchal and was built between 1875 and 1876 by a French company under engineer Bonnet. It is an example of 19th-century iron architecture, constructed alongside a railway bridge after embankment works began in 1863.
Metallic railway bridge
Built between 1915 and 1919 by Empresa Industrial Portuguesa, this 300-meter-long bridge has six iron arch spans supported by stone pillars. It opened on July 30, 1922, extending the railway line from Tunes to Lagos.
EN 125 road bridge
Completed in 1999, this bridge crosses the Arade River between Calvário and Companheira. It is the main connection between Portimão and Lagoa councils.
Meeting point
Check-in is 15 min before departure. Boarding is on the north side of Portimão Marina, by the administrative building (Rua Simão Correia). Don’t enter just “Marina de Portimão” in Uber/taxi or you may be dropped on the south side, a 15-min walk away. We can’t wait for late arrivals.
End point
Check-in is 15 min before departure. Boarding is on the north side of Portimão Marina, by the administrative building (Rua Simão Correia). Don’t enter just “Marina de Portimão” in Uber/taxi or you may be dropped on the south side, a 15-min walk away. We can’t wait for late arrivals.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.