Portimão has access to some of the finest beaches on the Algarve. Praia da Rocha is the closest and most famous — a long sandy beach backed by dramatic sandstone cliffs, two kilometres south of the town centre. Further west, the beaches become quieter: Praia dos Três Castelos and Praia da Vau are less developed. On the eastern side of the Arade, Praia Grande at Ferragudo is reached by a short taxi ride or boat and tends to be less crowded than Praia da Rocha in peak season.
The Arade estuary itself is calmer than the open ocean beaches and popular with water sports. Local operators offer kayaking, paddleboarding, and boat trips to the sea caves along the coast.