Visit Silves & Explore the Arade River | Eco-Friendly Solar Boat

5.0 (215 reviews) 4 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

215 reviews

5.0

Visit Silves & Explore the Arade River | Eco-Friendly Solar Boat — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Visit Silves & Explore the Arade River | Eco-Friendly Solar Boat, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover this wonderful river & the medieval city of Silves, full of history, with a very rich nature and unforgettable landscapes.

Enjoy a relaxing trip from Portimão to Silves aboard our sustainable eco-friendly boat on the full of history waters of the Arade River, where the future meets the past.

Our ecological boat is quiet and perfect for those who look for a peacefull and quiet boat trip. It has comfortable cushioned seats, shades and tables for placing glasses of drink and personal items.

During the trip, the captain will share with you curiosities about the river and its history. At Silves you'll have about 1,5 hour to visit the historical places , monuments, castle, museum or try it's delicious local cuisine.

On our return to Portimão, enjoy a different perspective of the city and the Arade River's mouth.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Sustainable Tours Water Tours Culture Small Group Excellent Quality Low Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 4 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 10 people
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: Portuguese, English
Operated by: Algarve SUN BOAT Trips

Ages: Children (4–10 years) · Adults (11–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: All taxes, fees and handling charges
Included: Driver/guide
Included: Live commentary on board

Not included

Not included: The listed price does not include the car parking price, on the high season.
Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

Algarve Sunboat

Passing by

We will departure from the Pier A, at Marina de Portimão.
Stop 2

Passing by

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.
Stop 3

Passing by

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.
Museu de Portimao

Passing by

Portimão Museum is located in the century-old fish canning factory Feu Hermanos, located on the city's riverside area.
Stop 5

Passing by

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.
Stop 6

Passing by

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.
Stop 7

Passing by

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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Check-in is 15 min before departure. Boarding is on the north side of Portimão Marina, by the administrative building (Rua Simão Correia).

Don’t enter just “Marina de Portimão” in Uber/taxi or you may be dropped on the south side, a 15-min walk away. We can’t wait for late arrivals.

End point

Check-in is 15 min before departure. Boarding is on the north side of Portimão Marina, by the administrative building (Rua Simão Correia).

Don’t enter just “Marina de Portimão” in Uber/taxi or you may be dropped on the south side, a 15-min walk away. We can’t wait for late arrivals.

Using your ticket

Please go to the entrance of Pier M, at the end of Rua Simão Correia, near Marina de Portimão Administrative Building, 15 minutes before the start time of your tour. The captain will meet you there in person.

It's a glass gate that says M, in a pedestrian area with a yellow pavement behind the parking lot.

This tour is carried out according to the tide schedule and it is essential that the boat departs at the scheduled time and we cannot wait in case of delays. We appreciate you arriving at the meeting point on time.

If you have any difficulties, do not hesitate to contact us by phone: +351919919450

There's no need to print this ticket. We'll just need to know the booking name.

See you soon, for an ecological boat trip to Silves, along the historic waters of the Arade River.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

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