Praia da Rocha holidays

You’ll find the best Portuguese fare along a busy street filled with bars and restaurants, which runs along the top of the beach. Serving everything from international options to local dishes and gourmet plates – let your taste buds run wild. F Restaurante is a fantastic option when you’re looking for coastal views with a terrace facing the ocean, while its fish offerings prove extremely popular whether you order octopus tacos, crispy sea bass or grilled tuna. Elsewhere, region classics such as pastel de natas and piri piri chicken take pride of place on the resort’s authentic menus. When you fancy a tipple, Portugal also has a few speciality beverages up its sleeve, especially Vinho Verde, its distinct green wine.

The main beach is one of the Algarve’s best with its stunning red rock formations and long, wide stretch of sand. Its natural beauty is one of its biggest draws with a couple of well-known viewpoints ideal for capturing panoramic shots of its vast coastline. And with a boardwalk running alongside the beach you’ve got everything you need close by from light bites to refreshing drinks. When you want to use up your energy you can also take advantage of the many watersports on offer whether you’re looking for gentle pedalo rides with the whole family or thrilling paragliding trips with your other half.

As much as the beach is the main lure, Praia da Rocha and its surrounding area is a hive of activity. From underwater expeditions with a handy diving school, a long list of bars staying open well past midnight and 18 golf courses nearby – you won’t be stuck for things to do when you’re not soaking up the sun. The Fort of Santa Catarina can be seen from the eastern side of the beach and dates back to the 17th century. Sitting at the entrance of the Bay of Portimão, this is a great opportunity to visit the Algarve’s famous port city.

Splash-filled fun at Zoomarine: Sitting a convenient 30 minutes down the road, Zoomarine is the ultimate day out. This park offers so much more than slides and splashes from an aquarium filled with astonishing marine life including sharks, a 4D cinema and animals shows. Not to mention the opportunity to interact with dolphins. When the sun is at its hottest the wave pool won’t go a miss, or you can always take on the river rapids from a rubber dingy. Those travelling with small children are also in luck with areas especially designed for mini paddlers.

Portimão on your doorstep: As the region’s second largest city, Portimão is a must-visit during your time in Praia da Rocha. The waterfront is the main attraction here with tasty seafood restaurants serving up the freshest fish. If you fancy a shopping trip during your time in the Algarve, this resort has ample purchasing options with a choice of shopping malls, a retail park and markets to work your way through. In terms of history, you have Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Conceição which dates back to 14th century, one of the few buildings to survive the 1755 earthquake.