Visit Silves & Explore the Arade River | Eco-Friendly Solar Boat
Enjoy a relaxing cruise aboard an eco-friendly solar boat and travel up and down Portugal’s Arade River, from Portimão to Silves. The solar boat is noiseless and quiet, perfect for sightseeing and appreciating nature. Hop off in Silves and spend over an hour visiting historical attractions in this medieval city. Plus, enjoy unobstructed views of Portimão as you sail through the Arade River Mouth.
Highlights
- ✓Cruise along Portugal’s Arade River aboard an eco-friendly solar boat
- ✓Unobstructed views of Portimão and the Algarve from the water
- ✓Explore the medieval town of Silves
- ✓Enjoy a personalized experience in a capped-group
What you'll see & do
- ✓We will departure from the Pier A, at Marina de Portimão.
- ✓In Ferragudo, located in a strategic location on the bank of the River Arade, is the fort of São João, whose origin dates back to the 17th century. This fort cooperated with the Fort of Santa Catarina, which was in front of it in Portimão, in defense of the river estuary. Rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, this military construction continued to be used until the end of the 19th century, when it was sold at public auction, and acquired by the poet Coelho Carvalho who transformed it into a private residence. The fort is well maintained and in addition to a wall that connects Angrinha beach to Praia Grande, it also has several guardhouses and a garden.
- ✓The Convent of São Francisco is an architectural complex from the 16th century, developed from a set of houses that were donated by Simão Correia, captain of Azamor, who had also built a small Chapel in honor of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, as a thank you for protection of God in wars. The buildings are harmoniously interconnected. The convent was built later, in 1541. Currently, in Portimão it is a property of public interest, but it is owned by private individuals, with no access to visits and in an advanced state of degradation.
- ✓Portimão Museum is located in the century-old fish canning factory Feu Hermanos, located on the city's riverside area.
- ✓This is the oldest bridge of Portimão that establishes the road connection between Portimão and Parchal (municipality of Lagoa). In the last quarter of the 19th century, the riverside area saw its landscape transformed with the construction of a river embankment started in 1863, with a view to the introduction of the road bridge, built by the French company Five Lille, under the direction of engineer Bonnet. Started in January 1875 and completed in April 1876, its construction together with the neighboring railway bridge is a good example of iron architecture in the Algarve.
- ✓The metallic railway bridge was built between 1915 and 1919, by the Empresa Industrial Portuguesa, measuring 300 m in length and consisting of 6 spans with iron arch beams, based on stonework pillars. Its inauguration on July 30, 1922, allowed the extension of the railway line, from Tunes to Lagos.
- ✓It is one of the structures that crosses the Arade River, located between Calvário and Companheira. It was completed in 1999 and is the main point of connection for the Portimão and Lagoa councils, forming part of the EN 125.
What's included
- ✓All taxes, fees and handling charges
- ✓Driver/guide
- ✓Live commentary on board
What's not included
- ✓The listed price does not include the car parking price, on the high season.
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
Good to know
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Not suitable for small children
Dogs or other pets are not allowed
Suitable for pregnant women
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please check in 15 minutes before departure time
Only water and food intended for young children are allowed on board
Smoking not allowed
ATTENTION: Our kiosk is not the check-in or boarding point. The Boarding Pier M is on the North Side of Portimão Marina, with car access via Rua Simão Correia.
Not recommended for travelers with reduced mobility
Not recommended for pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies or in advanced stages of pregnancy
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Visit Silves & Explore the Arade River | Eco-Friendly Solar Boat
Enjoy a relaxing cruise aboard an eco-friendly solar boat and travel up and down Portugal’s Arade River, from Portimão to Silves. The solar boat is noiseless and quiet, perfect for sightseeing and appreciating nature. Hop off in Silves and spend over an hour visiting historical attractions in this medieval city. Plus, enjoy unobstructed views of Portimão as you sail through the Arade River Mouth.
Highlights
- ✓Cruise along Portugal’s Arade River aboard an eco-friendly solar boat
- ✓Unobstructed views of Portimão and the Algarve from the water
- ✓Explore the medieval town of Silves
- ✓Enjoy a personalized experience in a capped-group
What you'll see & do
- ✓We will departure from the Pier A, at Marina de Portimão.
- ✓In Ferragudo, located in a strategic location on the bank of the River Arade, is the fort of São João, whose origin dates back to the 17th century. This fort cooperated with the Fort of Santa Catarina, which was in front of it in Portimão, in defense of the river estuary. Rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, this military construction continued to be used until the end of the 19th century, when it was sold at public auction, and acquired by the poet Coelho Carvalho who transformed it into a private residence. The fort is well maintained and in addition to a wall that connects Angrinha beach to Praia Grande, it also has several guardhouses and a garden.
- ✓The Convent of São Francisco is an architectural complex from the 16th century, developed from a set of houses that were donated by Simão Correia, captain of Azamor, who had also built a small Chapel in honor of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, as a thank you for protection of God in wars. The buildings are harmoniously interconnected. The convent was built later, in 1541. Currently, in Portimão it is a property of public interest, but it is owned by private individuals, with no access to visits and in an advanced state of degradation.
- ✓Portimão Museum is located in the century-old fish canning factory Feu Hermanos, located on the city's riverside area.
- ✓This is the oldest bridge of Portimão that establishes the road connection between Portimão and Parchal (municipality of Lagoa). In the last quarter of the 19th century, the riverside area saw its landscape transformed with the construction of a river embankment started in 1863, with a view to the introduction of the road bridge, built by the French company Five Lille, under the direction of engineer Bonnet. Started in January 1875 and completed in April 1876, its construction together with the neighboring railway bridge is a good example of iron architecture in the Algarve.
- ✓The metallic railway bridge was built between 1915 and 1919, by the Empresa Industrial Portuguesa, measuring 300 m in length and consisting of 6 spans with iron arch beams, based on stonework pillars. Its inauguration on July 30, 1922, allowed the extension of the railway line, from Tunes to Lagos.
- ✓It is one of the structures that crosses the Arade River, located between Calvário and Companheira. It was completed in 1999 and is the main point of connection for the Portimão and Lagoa councils, forming part of the EN 125.
What's included
- ✓All taxes, fees and handling charges
- ✓Driver/guide
- ✓Live commentary on board
What's not included
- ✓The listed price does not include the car parking price, on the high season.
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
Good to know
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Not suitable for small children
Dogs or other pets are not allowed
Suitable for pregnant women
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please check in 15 minutes before departure time
Only water and food intended for young children are allowed on board
Smoking not allowed
ATTENTION: Our kiosk is not the check-in or boarding point. The Boarding Pier M is on the North Side of Portimão Marina, with car access via Rua Simão Correia.
Not recommended for travelers with reduced mobility
Not recommended for pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies or in advanced stages of pregnancy
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.