Holidays to Praia da Rocha, Algarve

Overview

Welcoming tourists in since the 1930s, Praia da Rocha has gone from a quiet beach resort on the southern coast of Portugal to a lively coastal town. Praia da Rocha boasts one of the biggest beaches in the Algarve and visitors are entertained with a selection of restaurants and bars along the promenade. There’s even a casino if you fancy a flutter on the cards!

Holidaymakers are greeted by a lush and distinctive beach, together with the built-up area around it that forms Praia Da Rocha. It offers everything you could wish for from a beach break, with the history, sights and nightlife of Portimão also just a stone’s throw away.

Weather

Summers are real scorchers for those who enjoy cheap Praia Da Rocha holidays, with temperatures in the mid-twenties being just to the liking of those looking to soak up the sun. Of course, if things get a little too heated, a dip in the water is a welcome diversion, as is the regular Mediterranean breeze.

Beaches

‘Rock beach’, as it would be known if translated directly into English, may not win any awards for the imagination behind its name, but it ticks every box for those looking for beachside relaxation and sunshine-focused activities.

Needless to say, the beach itself is the chief attraction of this small area, with the rocky cliffs that surround it forming a unique and breathtaking sight. Praia da Rocha’s beach is one of the longest and widest beaches on the south coast of Portugal. There are parasols to hire for those wanting to soak up some vitamin D on the soft sand. Alternatively, grab a jet ski or pedalo and head out onto the ocean for a while!

To find a beach that’s slightly more exclusive, head west where smaller sandy coves are surrounded by the dramatic cliffs of the Algarve.

It’s well suited to sport as well, welcoming international teams to a yearly beach soccer tournament.

Things To Do

From days on the beach to boat trips up the Arade River, Praia da Rocha is a place for relaxing as well as having fun. Hop onto a dolphin-spotting excursion to see some of these beautiful animals in their natural environment.

There's also the medieval fortress of Santa Catarina which provides a great way to see into Praia da Rocha’s history, or why not spend a day on one of the many golf courses surrounding this Portuguese resort?

Heading away from the coast towards central Portimão, visitors can enjoy golf, motorsports or simply a leisurely walk along the rocky formations and quaint streets. Should you visit in the winter and get caught in a cloudburst, the town offers refuge with plenty of indoor attractions, such as its museum and bowling alley.

Food And Drink

The area keeps on meeting the demands of the tourists that visit it, demonstrated perfectly by the breadth of international cuisines that can be sampled. Everything from Middle Eastern, to traditional Portuguese, to old-fashioned British grub can be sampled here, so no palates are likely to feel put out.

Naturally, many people who take cheap Praia da Luz holidays like to take a local approach and eat the fish, meat, fruit and vegetables that flourish so well in the area. The Mediterranean diet is as healthy as it is delicious; a 2013 study linked it to longer life expectancy and better health in older years, especially among women.

An evening in Praia da Rocha is best enjoyed along the Avenue of Tomas Cabreira, the street that runs parallel to the beach. This resort isn’t a wild place but after sundown, the restaurants and bars come alive. There’s everything from traditional Portuguese food to international cuisine and for an evening tipple, why not grab a cocktail or beer to end a great day in the Portuguese sunshine?

Praia Da Rocha itself is a small place, but it does have one or two nighttime attractions of its own. Those in question tend to make the most of the interesting location by perching on the top of the cliffs that overlook the beach, offering incredible views to party people as they dance the night away.

Portimão town itself offers a broader variety though, and revellers there often start their night with a visit to some of the traditional pubs before upping their party ante with visits to beachside bars and a range of live music and DJ hotspots.