General Description of Praia da Rocha
The second-largest resort in the Algarve, originally developed by wealthy Portuguese who settled here in the early 1900s. The 1-ml-long promenade runs along the top of the cliff and is lined with hotels, apartment blocks, bars and restaurants etc. The town itself lacks any real traditional charm owing to the huge amount of modern development. Inland is the town of Portimao with its port and harbour. To the east of Portimao is Ferragudo, a commercial fishing village.

Market/Suitability
For anyone not looking for an isolated or secluded holiday. Not suited to those with walking difficulties. Limited golf in the area.

Location/Contact
Location: On Portugal's south coast, 1 ml south of Portimao, 15 mls west of Albufeira, 190 mls south of Lisbon. 40 mls west of Faro and its international airport.
Position: On a cliff top overlooking famous rock formations on the beach and in the ocean. Hilly area north of the resort.
Postcode: 8500

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Accommodation
A varied mix of modern hotels and Portuguese villas of all categories along the promenade, with self-catering accommodation at the rear of the resort.

Beach
Huge, weirdly shaped rocks punctuate the large, wide, gently shelving, sandy Praia da Rocha Beach. It is well maintained and has lifeguards. The smaller, coved beach of Tres Castelos is separated from Praia da Rocha by cliffs. The whole area of beaches along this part of the coast is backed by cliffs.

Shopping
A vast number of souvenir shops in the town itself, with a hypermarket on the outskirts of town. Nearby Portimao offers a plethora of shoe shops, boutiques, and souvenirs such as lace, ceramics, copperware, leather goods and linen etc. There is also a market in Portimao on the first Monday of every month.

Entertainment
Daytime: a sports and health club (open to the public); horse riding at Torralta and Belmont; boat trips to neighbouring beaches; water park 6 mls distant; golf at "Alto Golf" (priority to residents), Hotel Penina (priority to residents) and Palmares golf (approximately 11 mls away); various clifftop walks; water sports; day trips into Portimao.
Nightlife: abundance of bars, most with some form of entertainment; casino in Hotel Algarve; nightclubs and regular entertainment in the various hotels.

Eating Out
Anything from a steak to a pizza. Portimao for sardines and shellfish.

Public Transport
Bus service every ½hr to Portimao, from where connections can be made to all of the Algarve and other Portuguese cities; a tourist bus pass is available for the majority of the trips. Taxis and car hire are easily booked.

Local Excursions
Half day: Cape St Vincent; Lagos with its chapel, former slave market, clifftop vantage points and historic fortress; Monchique Mountains; visit to Silves castle and 12th-century cathedral plus high mountain passes; boat trips from harbour. Full day: Loule with its market and souvenir shops; driving through mountain villages; jeep safari. Lisbon (1 or 2 days).

Serving Airports
Faro International (FAO)
Flight time from the UK: 2 hrs 45 mins