Praia da Rocha (Rock Beach) is a vast stretch of sand sheltered by cliffs, located next to the town of Portimão in the region of Algarve, Portugal. Known internationally, visitors are treated to sun, sea-baths and a sweeping bay offering excellent conditions for water sports and boat-rides.
"Three Bears", "Indented Rocks" and "Two Brothers" are some of the names chosen by the local inhabitants to identify the rocks that rise from the sand, affording soothing shades when it gets too hot.
The Tomás Cabreira Avenue, which follows the coastline to the Santa Catarina de Ribamar Fortress, is full of hotels, bars, restaurants, esplanades and discotheques which, together with the Casino, turn Rocha into a zone of intense commercial and tourist activity. Extremely cosmopolitan, the zone offers an enormous variety of night entertainment, which grows significantly during the summer season.
Things to See & Do
* Praia da Rocha – beach
* Fortress of Santa Catarina de Ribamar
* Mexilhoeira Grande – old village
* Tomás Cabreira Avenue
* Alvor – fishing village
General information
Cruise Season – Feb - Dec
Currency - Euro (€)
Language - Portuguese
Population – 35,000
Electricity – 2 round pins European style
Time - GMT + zero hours
International Country Telephone Code + 351
Port Location – The port is located at nearby Port Portimao which is a 5 minute taxi or bus ride from Praia da Rocha.
Transport Links – Faro is the nearest international airport to Portimao and Praia da Rocha. The excellent Faro-Lagos motorway makes this area in the western Algarve easily accessible and the journey time is approximately 30 minutes by road. Other travel options are bus, train, taxi, private transfer or car hire.