During a recent stay at Alvor with family, visited Portimao  which was a 30 minute bus ride away. It is a fascinating place, especially seeing the nesting storks on the chimneys of the old Sardine canning factories. Remember to take a camera as you can get some good shots of them.

On the harbourside at Portimao there are lots of stands which offer boat trips to various places, including Silves, which is a charming walled city which is inland and connected to Portimao by a navigable river.  Silves was the ancient capital of the Algarve and is very pretty, including a very interesting castle, a cathedral and a medieval bridge. There are also lots of cafes and souvinir shops to look around. It is a photographers paradise!

Family had undertaken the boat trip to Silves from Portimao when they had previously visited the Algarve and reccomended it with the wildlife on the river and estuary which you can see. For 15 Euros apiece, a boat trip, which leaves from Portimao harbour (near Museu de Portimao) and lasted for 1 hour. There was supposed to be commentatary in English (as most is in Portuguese) but this was not provided.  but with a good pair of binoculars and a good compact camera, i managed to see quite a bit of wildlife, including wading birds, turtles and fish. It was harder to see with the naked eye and commentary would have been good! The scenery was also really picturesque as you go up river and Silves is a really pretty town.  There was 2 hours free time in Silves and then a hours cruise back to Portimao.

The lack of commentary was disappointing but the cruise was well worth 15 Euros to see the wildlife, stunning scenery and to spend time in Portimao. Watch out however, because the cruises are dependent on the tides and sometimes, they cannot navigate up river when the tides are low, and sometimes, the boat owners said. there is a great amount or little time in Silves available  so check carefully with the boat owners and look out for one with commentary to get the most out of it! 

Enjoy!!! Daniel