Portimao Harbour

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sat May 03, 2008 12:35 am

Do any of you ever go to the seafood restaurants along the harbour side at Portimao? You know, the ones in a line as you go under the old bridge?

I always try to go once each holiday and love the ambience there. They are usually filled with the Portuguese on their lunch breaks and I just love sitting there with my grilled sardinhas, salad simples and a white wine spritzer in the wonderful afternoon sunshine, listening to the Portuguese chatter...nice

Anyone else tried this?

blue · Post by **blue** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:13 am

I love the old restaurants under the arches, in fact Ellie I think I shall have to go there for lunch next week, would go today but having lunch in one of the lovely restaurants in Lagos. Eeee it's a hard life.

TAXMAN · Post by **TAXMAN** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:27 am

When I think back a few years, I feel regret at what has happened to the sardine restaurants at Portimao harbour. Yes I agree that the ones underneath the arches are still fine places to eat sardines but you miss the old view of the harbour itself as well as that almost overwhelming barbecue aroma. The new restaurants by the waterside are a pale shadow of what once was. But then Portimao has lost so many of its best places to eat. Lanterna - now there was another great restaurant now sadly missed (I would admit it might not strictly have been in Portimao but it was close)

blue · Post by **blue** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:32 am

Have eaten in the new restaurants, don't like them at all, they just seem souless & completely lacking in any character.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sat May 03, 2008 6:06 pm

TAXMAN wrote:When I think back a few years, I feel regret at what has happened to the sardine restaurants at Portimao harbour. Yes I agree that the ones underneath the arches are still fine places to eat sardines but you miss the old view of the harbour itself as well as that almost overwhelming barbecue aroma. The new restaurants by the waterside are a pale shadow of what once was. But then Portimao has lost so many of its best places to eat. Lanterna - now there was another great restaurant now sadly missed (I would admit it might not strictly have been in Portimao but it was close)

Yes, I remember them well Taxman from our time of living there..they were right up against the harbour side. We often drove over the old bridge and you'd see them packed with lunchtime visitors and as you say, the aroma from BBQs......
We did this so many times as we had to go into Portimao to a certain drogeria to buy furnishings for our carpentry business.....ahh you've made me very nostalgic

I know it may not be the same there now but I still like to go at least once during my hols, to soak up the atmosphere...and dream in the sun

p.s. I forgot to mention the little potatoes in skins..essential part of the sardine lunch. Blue I don't know how you manage it...its such a hard life

elliex

blue · Post by **blue** » Sat May 03, 2008 10:22 pm

I know Ellie but I try my best. We had a lovely lunch in the centre of Lagos today, half a dozen oysters each to start then cataplana. Lots of people wandering around in medieval garb & the town was decorated with bunting & banners, have no idea what it was all about but it looked very jolly.

carolyn · Post by **carolyn** » Tue May 06, 2008 1:11 pm

We have been to the new 'sardine' restaurants on the harbourside a couple of times. Both times the service was really slow and the second time, despite a very long wait, one of my sardines was almost raw! Needless to say we have not been back.

Now we always go the 'old' restaurants - particularly Dona Barca - under the arches. Its just a shame that they no longer have the river view. We have never understood why they were moved from the harbourside to be replaced by a large promenade which is featureless except for a few palm trees!

Günni · Post by **Günni** » Tue May 06, 2008 3:19 pm

carolyn wrote: a large promenade which is featureless except for a few palm trees!

...and the art-sculptures along the way...

(thats the reason?)

carolyn · Post by **carolyn** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:10 am

Oh yes - they're so noticeable I'd forgotten them

drewster1964 · Post by **drewster1964** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:53 am

We had lunch at the Dona Barca the typical sardine and salad lunch as you describe at the foot of the tall chimney! Wonderful and we will be back there in July08. Sardine Heaven indeed!

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Sat May 10, 2008 11:25 am

I'm ashamed to say that even with having a place in Carvoeiro, I've never really explored Portimao (well not for at least 10 years)

Driving into the centre always puts me off as I don't know where to park and which are the best places to head for. I would like to go the harbour, I think.
Could anyone give me directions and suggestions please.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sat May 10, 2008 5:52 pm

Hi Tricks mate

I don't drive out there so I normally get a bus or a taxi.

The taxi fare has gone down. I remember it used to cost something like 15 -17 euros but since they've had meters it has cost me 10 -11 euros.I went with a German friend so we shared the fare.

But you can get a bus, which saves the worry of parking and they stop by the park, with the harbour just a very short walk away. I think its only couple euros.

If you're having a long stay, which I know you do in the children's summer hols, you can buy a bus season ticket, which would be cheaper still. I was offered one at Lagoa bus station (but I was only there for short stay so didn't bother).

Im wondering if you can get one at the tourist office in CVO's square?

Ive used the buses quite a few times and find them very comfortable and it would save you the worry of parking problems.

elliex

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Sat May 10, 2008 5:56 pm

That's a great idea Ellie,
It would be nice to take the bus with the children.
Where can I get the bus to Portimao from carvoeiro ?
or do we have to go to the bus station in Lagoa?

I've often read about a ferry from Ferragudo to Portimao but never seen it, have you any ideas about that?

p.s. just bought my annual bouganvilla to kill again

Trickyx