This fully furnished and equipped 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home of ~115 m2 / 1230 square feet (including 2 terraces, a courtyard and a veranda!) is a delightful and eclectic mix of modern styling and authentic Portuguese elements.
THE AREA: Located in Portugal's western Algarve, in Portimão’s vibrant and historic Zona Ribeirinha neighbourhood, less than 2 minutes’ walk from the expansive cobblestoned riverfront promenade of the Rio Arade, this 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom "moradia em banda" style home is conveniently located near iconic restaurants, cafés, banks, a pharmacy, and grocery stores in the home of some of Algarve’s most famous beaches – Praia da Rocha, Praia dos Três Castelos, and the accessible Praia do Vau. Portimão is an outstanding place to vacation and live, as it has all the amenities of a small city and thriving beach destination year-round.
THE HOME: "Casa da Amizade" is optimally suited to 2-4 adult guests. (Max occupancy: 4. No pets allowed). It boasts excellent MEO FiberGateway wifi throughout the three levels while providing plenty of space to separate the main living areas from the bedrooms and remote working space. Kitchen, dining and living room plus a full bathroom and courtyard comprise the ground floor. Two bedrooms separated by the broad marble staircase, along with another full bathroom featuring double sinks and a walk-in shower are situated on the first floor (aka second floor if you’re from North America). The designated office space and laundry room are situated on the airy uppermost floor, adjacent to the south and north-facing terraces. The home feels bright and spacious with lots of natural light, and its layout allows for enjoyment of the various spaces at the same time if you want to find a spot to retreat.
Both bedrooms feature queen size (160cm x 200 cm) beds with comfortable mattress toppers, air conditioning/heating units, clothing storage as well as plenty of natural light, sliding windows and blackout blinds.
Outdoor relaxation spaces abound at Casa da Amizade! The two upper terraces, one facing north for afternoon shade and one facing south for sunny warmth and hammock time, enjoy views of the Rio Arade, the Ponte Velha, the Algarve mountains, and the Portimão Shipyard Marina with its graceful masts. The north-facing terrace includes an outdoor dining area and charcoal barbeque, nighttime mood lighting, and zero-gravity chairs to put you in full relaxation mode. The upper south-facing terrace off the laundry room is the place for hammock time or a peaceful swing in the suspension chair. This terrace also includes a clothesline for drying your beach towels, wetsuits, and regular laundry. On the middle floor, the veranda off the green bedroom is just a little extra something to make that room special. On the main floor, a patio door opens from the kitchen to a cozy open-air courtyard - a lovely, sheltered spot where you can savour your morning coffee or afternoon tea and a delicious pastry from one of the nearby pastelarias.
WHY PORTIMÃO IS A GREAT CHOICE: Portimão is a thriving destination year-round and has everything you need for a short, medium, or long-term stay. It is a perfect location for remote workers, those on sabbatical, sailors, golfers, retirees, families, and beach-lovers alike. With its easy walkability, public transit system, and train station, Portimão provides the connectedness needed for those travelling within Portimão and across Algarve without a vehicle. In addition, for those needing transit to or from Faro, the train from Portimão reaches Faro station in ~ 1.5 hours and private airport transfers are available.
Portimão is home to the Portimonense Futebol (Soccer) Club, a Yacht Club (Clube Naval) and sailing school, a cruise ship terminal, the Centro Hospitalar e Universitário do Algarve (a public hospital), cool co-working spaces, the University of Algarve Hotel and Tourism Management school, the PgO UCAM Post-Graduate school of Odontology/Advanced Dentistry, and several other smaller colleges. The city is also known for its motorsports autodrome (cars and motorcycles), marina, concerts, theatre, beach soccer and beach volleyball tournaments and the annual Sardine Festival.
SUSTAINABILITY: At Casa da Amizade, we care about environmental sustainability and are proud to offer fossil-fuel-free cooking and heating systems, a recycling station, dual-flush toilets, LED lighting, and water-conserving appliances. All appliances and heating/cooling systems are electric and run on standard European 220V.
OPTIONAL CLEANING AND LINEN SERVICE: Weekly house cleaning and bed linen changes can be arranged.
Please note - the marble staircase is a beautiful feature of the home but may not be suitable for those with serious mobility challenges.
HOME DETAILS AND AMENITIES:
River views of the Rio Arade, Ponte Velha, Ponte Nova, Ferragudo, and the Algarve mountains from the uppermost floor terraces
Year-round liveability with air conditioning / heating units permanently installed on the ground floor and in both bedrooms
Wifi throughout the home: MEO FiberGateway installed with 500 Mbps download speed
Smart TV with MEO Full HD DVR, Chromecast, and more than 150 TV and movie channels, including programming in several languages.
Fully equipped kitchen: dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer, cooktop, oven, coffee machine, French press, coffee percolator, electric kettle, toaster, juicer, handheld blender, and a host of utensils, pots, pans and frypans for cooking and baking
Office space: a dedicated desk and office chair for those who want to work remotely. The home is equipped with MEO FiberGateway that reaches all levels of the home. The remote work space is located on the uppermost floor in a bright location adjacent to the north and south terraces, where one can enjoy the seabreeze, abundant sunshine, and a quick work break in the hammock😉
Outdoor Relaxation: The home boasts 2 terraces, a courtyard, and a veranda so you’ll have multiple spots for relaxation in the sun or shade. Enjoy the hammock, swinging chair, zero-gravity chairs, charcoal BBQ, or a beverage at the table for 4 with a view of the river.
Serenity & Exercise: There is a yoga mat and plenty of areas large enough to use it, both inside or outside!
Rest: queen-size beds (160 cm x 200 cm) in both bedrooms, one with a 5 cm memory foam topper and the other with a 14 cm semi-firm foam topper for your choice of a soft or firm sleep surface. Both bedrooms are located upstairs, away from the main floor living area. The Green Room has a more tranquil feel and plush sleep surface. It is complete with a 6-drawer dresser, multiple hooks for hanging clothes or towels, and has a patio door that opens to a small veranda at the front of the home. The Yellow Room has a more upbeat boho vibe and is fitted with a large window opening into the courtyard, a built-in closet with drawers and plenty of room for hanging clothes and storing suitcases. Although the home benefits from excellent air circulation, both bedrooms are outfitted with heat exchange units for air-conditioning in summer and heating in winter. Duvets are also supplied to keep you cozy and warm during the fall and winter season. Both bedrooms are equipped with blackout privacy shutters.
Laundry facilities: We are pleased to offer weekly linen service for towels and sheets. For day-to-day use, the full-size laundry room located on the uppermost floor is outfitted with a washing machine, iron and ironing board and drying rack, and opens onto the south-facing terrace where there is an outdoor clothesline suitable for hanging bedsheets, beach towels, wetsuits, and all regular laundry.
Parking: Free parking on our street (where it's wide enough!), most other side streets, or in the Co-Create parking lot at Largo de São José (3-minute walk). Parking is also available across the street from the Farmácia Do Rio and along Rua Serpa Pinto (~2-3 min walk; free on weekends and public holidays during the fall/winter but PAID parking most of the time – check the signs carefully!)
Recycling: We recycle! In the courtyard off the kitchen you will find bins for plastic, aluminum, paper and glass for later deposit at the public recycling/garbage depot, a 1-minute walk down the street
Security entrance door with triple deadbolt, keyless/contactless smart lock, and locks on windows and terrace doors in addition to the metal privacy blinds
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS AND AMENITIES:
Nearest Grocery Stores:
Pingo Doce Portimão Recomar – supermarket
Lidl Parchal – supermarket
Continente Portimão – supermarket and mall services
Local grocery: next to fishing supply store, across from the recycling depot on Largo F. Mauricio
Mercearia Bio – organic grocery, south down the river promenade behind the Capitania do Porto
Mercado Municipal de Portimão – well worth the visit for a wide variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and much more. Open Monday to Friday 0700-1400 and 1700-2000; Saturdays 0700-1400; Closed Sundays.
Major Telecommunications Providers:
MEO, Vodafone, Nos
Local Beaches:
Praia da Rocha – one of Algarve’s most famous and lively beaches, Praia da Rocha is a broad expanse of sand stretching over 1 km in length, backed by a promenade and numerous beach restaurants. The beach is also home to a Sports Centre and many activities including beach volleyball and beach futebol tournaments and camps, surfing, kayaking, and basketball to name a few. Further back from the beach you will find Avenida Tomás Cabreira, a hub of shopping and nightlife, lined with hotels, restaurants, bars and small shops.
Praia dos Três Castelos – a strikingly beautiful beach backed by high sandstone cliffs and giant rock formations that stand like castles in the water. It is reached by stairs near the Miradouro dos Três Castelos or at various spots along Rua da Falésia. Depending on the tide, you can walk along the beach all the way from the Miradouro to Praia do Vau and experience the wonder of being inside one of the giant rock formations. Please do not ignore the “Perigo” signs or fences if you are walking atop the cliffs as tourists have made a very unpleasant end to their holiday by doing so.
Praia do Vau – an excellent family beach that is easily accessible for those who prefer not to climb stairs with their beach chairs and umbrellas. Parking is found near the western end of Estrada do Vau.
Praia da Marina de Portimão – a small beach where the Rio Arade meets the ocean, close to multiple watersport rental kiosks and marina shops and restaurants.
Restaurants nearby:
Avô Casimiro – one of Portimão’s top-rated restaurants, specializing in Portuguese “petiscos” (small tapas-like dishes) - just a 2-minute walk away. Go early or make a reservation!
Peixarada – Fresh charcoal-grilled fish and seafood, just a 2-minute walk away
NoSoloItália – pizza and gelato on the river promenade at Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes
Casa Inglesa - at Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes for more than 100 years – great for lounging at the plaza with a coffee and pastry, or a inexpensive glass of Vinho Verde on a hot day
Faina – wine bar and restaurant with a nice patio alongside the river, by the Museum and Marina
Peer Restaurant – upper floor restaurant at the Clube Naval de Portimão – enjoy very pleasant dining and a beautiful view over the water at the south end of the river promenade. Try the cataplana!
Caniço – Mediterranean cuisine by the sea
NoSoloÁgua – Live music nights and great atmosphere by the Marina beach, highly rated
Masala House – Indian cuisine
Kame Sushi Bar – Japanese cuisine
Club Nau (Ferragudo) – live music nights and cozy atmosphere. Closed Tuesdays.
Vista – Portimão’s Michelin Star
Boat trips:
Benagil Cave tours – numerous kiosks located along the Passeio Ribeirinho near the Casa Inglesa café offer trips to the famous caves
Santa Bernarda Pirate Ship coastal /caves tour – aboard the two-masted wood-clad caravelle
Dolphin Watching Tours – several outfits offer dolphin watching tours from their kiosks or shops near the Marina Beach.
Yacht, catamaran and power boat charters, kayak tours, paddle board tours and fishing charters are also available. There are many operators in the Portimão area so please consult the internet for one that suits your interests and preferences.
Activities and Fun nearby:
From golf and watersports to theatre and car racing, Portimão has it all!
A range of local activities can be found at https://www.vivaportimao.pt and https://www.cm-portimao.pt
Teatro Municipal event schedule: https://www.teatromunicipaldeportimao.pt/programacao
Algarve International Autodrome events: https://autodromodoalgarve.com/
The area around Portimão has too many activities to mention. Visit https://www.visitalgarve.pt/ and check the interactive map for golf courses, waterparks, watersports adventure, hiking trails, vineyard and wine-tasting tours and much, much more!
PROXIMITY TO ALL THE CONVENIENCES:
Food:
Pingo Doce supermarket – 10 min walk / 7 min drive
Local grocery store – 1 min walk
Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes (multiple cafés, restaurants, ice cream shops, banks) – 5 min walk / 1 min drive
Antiga Chaminé/Largo da Barca area (multiple restaurants) – 2 min walk
The Food Co. – international supermarket with British and North American products – at the Portimão Retail Centre - 23 min walk / 8 min drive
Pharmacy:
Farmácia do Rio – 2 min walk / 1 min drive
Transit:
Portimão Train Station – 11 min walk / 4 min drive
Portimão Bus Stations – 20 min walk / 11 min drive
Mail Services:
CTT Post Office – 5 min walk / 1 min drive
Banks:
Millenium BCP, Santander, Novobanco, Banco CTT, Banco BPI, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, ABANCA – 5 min walk/ 5 min drive
Beaches:
Praia da Rocha – 37 min walk / 11 minute bicycle ride / 24-30 min public transit / 12 min drive
Praia dos Três Castelos - 45 min walk / 24-30 min public transit / 11 min drive
Praia do Vau (accessible beach) - 52 min walk / 23-27 min public transit / 12 min drive
Shopping:
Aqua Portimão shopping centre (74 major retailers) – 18 min walk/ 13 min transit / 8 min drive
Rua do Comércio pedestrian shopping street: 5 min walk
Portimão Retail Centre – outlet mall - 23 min walk/ 8 min drive
Soccer/Futebol:
Municipal Stadium (Portimonense F.C.) – 13 min walk / 5 min drive
Music and Theatre:
Teatro Municipal – 5 min walk
Boating:
Portimão Cruise Ship Terminal – 22 min walk / 10 min drive
Nearest local boat dock: Dock Bartolomeu Dias – 5 min walk
Portimão Shipyard Marina – 9 min walk / 2 min drive from Rua Serpa Pinto
Benagil Cave Trip kiosks – 5 min walk / 4 min drive
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Detailed list of the home's equipment and amenities:
GROUND FLOOR:
Living room: 43” LG smart TV with Chromecast and YouTube, sofa, end tables, coat rack, fire extinguisher
Dining Room: Dining table and 4 chairs
Kitchen: fridge/freezer, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave, electric kettle, Dolce Gusto coffee machine, French press, coffee percolator, juicer, toaster, electric hand blender, grater, garlic press, corkscrew, pizza cutter, peeler, BBQ lighter, oven mitts, apron, strainer, mortar & pestle, mixing spoons, ladle, measuring cups, measuring spoons, glass storage containers, funnel set, whisk, cake pans, ice cube trays, mixing/salad bowls, frypans, pots, cutting boards, sharp knives, plates, cups, mugs, utensils, wine glasses, dish towels, scissors, fire blanket
Bathroom: 3-piece bathroom, first aid kit, broom, dustpan
Courtyard: bistro table for 2, beach supplies (in cabinet)
1ST FLOOR:
Bedrooms are equipped with queen-size beds (160 cm x 200 cm), bed linens, pillows, duvets (fall/winter), bath towels, clothes storage (drawers and hanging storage), lamps
Bathroom: 3-piece with double vanity, hairdryer
Wifi router
Fire extinguisher
2ND FLOOR:
Desk and office chair
Laundry Room: washing machine, drying rack, clothesline (on south terrace), ironing board, iron, vacuum cleaner, mop and pail, some laundry and cleaning supplies, yoga mat, hammock (if stored)
North & South Terraces: Hammock, suspension chair, zero-gravity chairs, table & chairs for 4, charcoal barbeque
HOUSE RULES:
Maximum occupancy: 4 people. All guests (children included) must provide their government-issued identification information for check-in, in compliance with Portuguese legislation and AIMA (Formerly SEF - Foreigner and Borders Service) requirements.
No parties or hosting of events. No pets. No smoking anywhere on the premises including the courtyard, terraces and balcony.
Check-out time: Normally 11:00 AM, but we will arrange a time to meet you personally on check-out day, in order to carry out Flatio's check out process together.
Keep the home clean and leave it as you found it. This is our holiday home too and we are pleased to share it with you! We try to keep the home clean and well-maintained so that you feel welcome, and we trust you as our guests to likewise treat the home with care. Please close/lock windows and doors, take out your garbage and recycling. You can deposit the garbage and recycling 1 minute away at the community collection site, where our street meets Rua Serpa Pinto (the main road along the river).
Neighbourhood: We think it is important to be good neighbours. Please respect our neighbours and do not willfully cause any disturbance or excessive noise that could interfere with their lives or the peacefulness of the area. Ensure that your vehicle is parked in areas that do not block traffic or access to any neighbour’s home or garage.
Parental Supervision of Children: Adults are responsible to supervise their children at all times while on the premises.
Neighborly (14-days)
Experienced host
The house is very well equipped and decorated beautifully. It was a real joy to stay here for our first few months in Portugal and we take with us fond memories.
Sheri is an exceptionally thoughtful landlord and always very quick to respond.
We cannot recommend this property highly enough.
Thank you for hosting us!
It is typical Portuguese with a real mix of community. The neighbours and locals are all very friendly and helpful. You do not need a car, as everything is accessible including busses and the train. You have a huge array of restaurants etc within easy walking distance.
The museum is fabulous. A boat ride to Silves if visiting. We didn't have a bad experience with dining! You really can't go wrong.