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Praia da Rocha or Beach Of the Rock as it translates, lies at the entrance to Portimao harbour on the western side of the Algarve coastline and has something to offer everyone, young or old alike.
Praia da Rocha in Summer
As the name depicts, the beach at
Praia da Rocha is lined by high limestone cliffs. Steps
take you down the cliffs to a huge, wide expanse of golden
sand which shelves gently into the Atlantic ocean. There
are sun beds and parasols for hire in abundance and pedaloes
are great fun for all of the family. A drink or a bite
to eat is never far away as the rear of the beach is lined
with beach cafes and restaurants. If you prefer to get
away from it all the western end of the beach divides into
small rocky coves and you can walk along to these on the
sand when the tide is out.
Shopping in Rocha is great with many local souvenir and discount stores mingling with small boutiques and specialist ceramic shops. You would be hard pushed not to find that present to take home with you. During high season the promenade comes alive with a colourful array of street sellers, artists and small stalls where you can buy that more special, individual gift. You could also get a tattoo or have your hair braided at the same time !! Real shopping enthusiasts should consider the walk into Portimao - the shopping capital of the Algarve and a 20 minute walk along the harbour quayside from Rocha.
Eating out is not a problem in this
resort as there are many different Cafes and restaurants
to choose from. You can try out the local Portuguese
delicacies or sample food from most parts of the globe
with Chinese, Indian, Thai, English and Italian all represented.
Evening entertainment in Praia da Rocha is lively and very varied with again something to suit everyone. There are many different types of bars. You could try your hand at karaoke, sample some live music, hear the latest sounds in the disco bars, enjoy the atmosphere in one of the Irish bars, which are extremely popular here, or simply enjoy a coffee in one of the promenade cafes or even in the newly built Marina, as you watch the world go by. For the serious night owls Rocha offers many nightclubs where you can dance to the latest club hits until well into the next day and with the warm climate in summer you could simply come out of the club and onto the beach to sleep it all off !!
Praia da Rocha in Winter
A little more relaxed during the
winter months Rocha still has plenty to keep you occupied.
For those who enjoy a stroll, a walk along promenade and
the jetty to the harbour entrance means you ll get to see
the locals hoping to catch the fish of the day. The cliff
top footpath to the small resort of Praia da Vau is well
recommended and with stunning views don't forget your camera.
The local shopping mall, "Modelo",
is open all year round and is easily accessible on foot
from Rocha. With a large hypermarket and lots of stores
and boutiques, combined with lots of places to eat and drink
and six cinemas, it is well worth a visit. There is a taxi
rank in the car park for those who exit laden with shopping!!
And dont forget that Portimao is but a stones throw away.
The local bus service, which runs along the Algarve coastline, is available from Rocha and you can visit many of the great sights of Portugal's southern province for a very reasonable price.
During the evening why not catch
a show and try your hand on the gambling tables at the local
Casino, open year round. Or get a group of friends together
for a visit to the local tenpin bowling alley.