Our suggested highlights for your pleasure at Praia da Rocha and nearby!
Note: this is only a sample of the many activities likely to be found each month. Visit and subscribe this blog for confirmation & more event details!
February
Sky surfing and sky diving at Portimão’s airfield in Montes de Alvor with spectacular parachute jumps and air displays that can be observed from the Marina and gorgeous beach at Praia da Rocha! (6 & 7 + 20 & 21 + 27 & 28 February 2010)
Celebrate Valentines Day at Praia da Rocha! Take your loved one on a Romantic trip and wow them with fantastic views of the wonderful beach from restaurants overlooking the sea or from the balcony at Jardins da Rocha ! (14 & 16 February 2010)
Portimão Tivoli Ladies Open at Portimão’s municipal tennis club (20 – 28 February 2010)
The Tour de Algarve is on! A five stage 800 KM bicycle competition & a true spectacle of colour and muscle power! Enjoy it at Potimão’s Riverside and Praia da Rocha! (17 – 21 February 2010)
Dressing up and street parades are part of Algarve Carnival celebrations creating a fun and colourful atmosphere - enjoy Carnival week (13 – 21 February 2010)!
ALGARVE Women’s Football Cup with Germany, USA, Portugal, Republic Ireland, Poland, Italy, China, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Iceland. Matches take place at different venues throughout the Algarve (24 February - 3 March 2010)
March
Monchique’s weekend of traditional gastronomy with the Traditional Sausages Fair is well worth a visit. In addition to meat products there are exhibits of honey & jams, local brews such as Medronho and Melosa, and handicrafts made of cloth, wood and porcelain. Local restaurants serve traditional dishes such as meat Assadura (grilled meat) and Couve á Monchique (Cabbage Monchique style: a pork based dish with cabbage, sausage and potatoes, including sweet potato!) (6-7 March 2010; To be confirmed)
4 day rhythmic gymnastics competitions in Portimão: International Tournament of Rhythmic Gymnastics and Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique World Cup Series (Seniors Individuals and Groups) Portimão (11 - 14 March 2010)
SBK World Superbike Championship at Algarve Motor Park, Portimão (26, 27 & 28 March 2010).
April
Enjoy the golf lessons at Pestana Alto Golf, Alvor, Algarve
Portimão Bowling Marathon, Alvor Bowling centre, Algarve
Portimão Air Festival Extravaganza: 3 days of entertainment in the air and on land with acrobatic jet planes, military helicopters, parachute jumpers, sky divers, flight simulators and radio-controlled planes.
Taekwondo Portuguese Cup Competition at Portimão’s Arena.
Portimão celebrates Freedom Day (Dia da Liberdade) & the Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974 with musical events.
Portimão Formula Windsurfing Grand Prix at Praia de Alvor
May
Festival of Sand Sculpture (FIESA) in Pêra opens until October. Some 50 sculptors from all over the world work to turn 35 thousand tons of sand into authentic works of art! The sculptures can reach 15 m in height. Spectacular. Well worth a visit, day or night!
Portuguese Touring Car Championship at the Algarve Motor Park (14 – 16 May 2010)
F1 Powerboat racing in the Arade river. F1 racing uses tunnel hull catamarans that are capable of both high speed and exceptional maneuverability. Watch them fly in the Arade River!
Motorbike Meeting, Portimão Arena, Algarve
June
Canoeing up the Arade River from Portimão to Síto das Fontes, Estômbar. Watch the canoeists depart from the Yacht Club of Portimão (Clube Naval de Portimão; Portimão’s Riverside; Zona Ribeirinha; near Largo do Dique) or take part during International Children’s Day
As Marchas Populares (Popular Marches) and Festas dos Santos Populares (Popular Saints Festivities) are one of the most popular of Portuguese traditions celebrated throughout Portugal and the Algarve during June. Colour and folk music!
Photographic competition with a difference! All photos must be taken on the day at specific locations. Rules from Museu Municipal de Portimão, museu@cm-portimão.pt 282417979
International Fitness Convention, Portimão Arena, Algarve
Superstars, International Ferrari Challenge & Formula 3000 car racing at Algarve Motor Park (21 – 23 May 2010)
July
Algarve is invaded by Jazz & Cool Music during the Summer. Starting this month with Jazz, Rock, Pop, Metal, Brazilian, Portuguese, Fado and more! Part of Allgarve music and culture activities.
Sun, Sea, Sand & Football: Algarve Challenge Cup at the Algarve Stadium near Faro and Loulé.
Portimão’s Wine Festival. Discover Portuguese wines from the Algarve region and beyond.
European and World Beach Football Championship, Praia da Rocha, Portimão
Dance Weekend with Jazz, Hip Hop & African dance in Lagos
WTCC - World Touring Car Championship at the Algarve Motor Park (2 – 4 July 2010)
Algarve 1000Km – Le Mans Series at Algarve Motor Park Park (16 – 18 July 2010)
August
Sardine Festival in Portimão – sample typical dishes and enjoy the entertainment! Very Portuguese! Must not be missed!
FATACIL in Lagoa is the Algarve’s most spectacular Fair covering handicraft’s, tourism, agriculture and Industry. Also, with a comprehensive line up of cultural and musical events!
Cycling Tour of Portugal, Portimão
Breitling Med Cup Portuguese Trophy Sailing Regatta, Praia da Rocha, Portimão, Algarve
September
GT Championship & British Formula 3 at the Algarve Motor Park (17 – 19 September 2010)
‘Banho 29’ at Praia do Vau. A traditional visit to the beach from Monchique with people dressed in old costumes enjoying their late packed meals and cooked chouriço before a quick dip in the sea!
International Horse Jumping Competition in Portimão at Centro Hípico de Belmonte
October
Historic Formula One Championship at Algarve Motor Park (16-18 October 2010)
Classic Operas in Portimão. Different opera’s throughout October.
November
Portimão's International Film Festival
Portuguese Touring Car Championship at Algarve Motor Park (13 - 14 November 2010)
St. Martin’s Fair in Portimão: An exceptional Fair that dates back to 1662! Enjoy roasted chestnuts and other delicacies in a popular event!
World Aids Day in Portimão with solidarity concert and dance party
December
Elaborate Christmas lights ushers in the Festive Season in Portimão
Portimão’s Amateur Fado Competition takes place and concludes revealing the latest talent.
11th December: Portimão’s municipal holiday musical celebrations & more
XMAS classical music concerts take place at various venues including, Igreja do Colégio in the centre of Portimão
At Praia da Rocha enjoy the most spectacular New Year’s Eve! Enjoy the fireworks and then dance to the early hours !
Visit and subscribe to our blog for confirmation of all our suggestions!
Enjoy the Algarve! There is more to it than ‘Sun, Sea & Sand’!
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Algarve Holiday Studio: http://cli.gs/pMLBHX
For a memorable stay at Praia da Rocha, Algarve
