Question for Jack H or anyone based in Tivoli....

Nigelpickin

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www.cornishcottageholidays.co.uk
Hi
Currently on route to Portimao, (hiking down the Rota Vicentiana would you believe?). Planning on visiting the marina on Monday to look at securing a berth for next October, (Probably for six months but perhaps a full season).

So:
Anyone in particular to ask for at the marina?
Any Tips on the best positions, (50' motor boat)
Any general info that might be relevant, ie, is it a good choice!?

Any advice welcome along with a recommendation for a Peri Chicken restaurant...

Regards
 
Hi Nigel,

Sorry, I've only just spotted this thread.

I imagine you are already there by now but I can't recommend anyone to ask for at the marina in particular anyway, all of the staff are generally very helpful and will point you in the right direction.

If I were you I would request a berth in the north basin as it is more peaceful. You may be further away from the marina's restaurants but the longer walk is a small price to pay to be in the quieter basin and you are directly opposite Ferragudo, a little town to die for accessible by tender or the very handy pontoon boat that will pick you up from your berth for a resonable fee.

As for the marina in general we have been really happy with it and the service provided. I would definitely invest in some folding bikes if you don't have them already as the marina is large and getting to the facilities is far quicker on two wheels. The facilities aren't the most plush but they do the job and are never busy.

If you are in need of someone to keep an eye on the boat and look after general repairs then we have a reliable chap who does the same for us. Don't have his details on me but I can pass them on if you need them but we have found work to be completed professionally and for a fair price.

Nearly every restaurant in Portimao does some piri-piri but, in my eyes, it's the seafood that is the real knockout in this area. Get over to Ferragudo and go to one of the restaurants on the front where the town's fishing fleet dump heaps of sardines on to the quayside and then onto the grill they go. Chuck in some potatoes and a bottle of Vihno Verde and you can't go wrong; all for about €10 per head!

There are also two excellent beach bars on Praia Grande, directly opposite the marina. No better spot for sundowners with your feet in the sand.

Any more questions, feel free to get in touch.

Best of luck with the move!

Jack
 
Last edited:
W
Hi Nigel,

Sorry, I've only just spotted this thread.

I imagine you are already there by now but I can't recommend anyone to ask for at the marina in particular anyway, all of the staff are generally very helpful and will point you in the right direction.

If I were you I would request a berth in the north basin as it is more peaceful. You may be further away from the marina's restaurants but the longer walk is a small price to pay to be in the quieter basin and you are directly opposite Ferragudo, a little town to die for accessible by tender or the very handy pontoon boat that will pick you up from your berth for a resonable fee.

As for the marina in general we have been really happy with it and the service provided. I would definitely invest in some folding bikes if you don't have them already as the marina is large and getting to the facilities is far quicker on two wheels. The facilities aren't the most plush but they do the job and are never busy.

If you are in need of someone to keep a eye on the boat and look after general repairs then we have a reliable chap who does the same for us. Don't have his details on me but I can pass them on if you need them but we have found work to be completed professionally and for a fair price.

Nearly every restaurant in Portimao does some piri-piri but, in my eyes, it's the seafood that is the real knockout in this area. Get over to Ferragudo and go to one of the restaurants on the front where the town's fishing fleet dump heaps of sardines on to the quayside and then onto the grill they go. Chuck in some potatoes and a bottle of Vihno Verde and you can't go wrong; all for about €10 per head!

There are also two excellent beach bars on Praia Grande, directly opposite the marina. No better spot for sundowners with your feet in the sand.

Any more questions, feel free to get in touch.

Best of luck with the move!

Jack

Great timing, JUST parked the car and looking for the office :) many thanks
 
Great tips as we are on our way to Algarve by car and always looking for new places to visit!
Are you still in the area?
 
Great tips as we are on our way to Algarve by car and always looking for new places to visit!
Are you still in the area?

Home now, we had a terrific trip. Hiked 100 km over 5 days and then a bit of pampering in a great hotel. Portimao marina seems too good to be true, we will be booking our berth asap based on what we saw. The facilities and location are perfect for us and we are really excited at the prospect of exploring more of the region. Marina fees will be half what we pay in the uk and it's good for reach into Spain a but also extended visits to say the Douro.

The roads from Santander to the Algarge are some of the best we have driven on, (perfect as we don't fly), and Portugal seems to be around two thirds of the cost in terms of everyday living versus the uk.

We will set off from Falmouth next May and hope to arrive in Porimao in September. hashtag excited :) Are you thinking of rehousing you MC?
 
Sounds like you had a great trip.
We moved the MC to Sant Carles in June and are very happy there, in fact we have just decided to stay for at least 3 years.
Each November we visit Portugal by car driving through Spain either one way or the other.
 
Have you dismissed Lagos as an option? Much closer to town and facilities, but a bit more expensive, (in 2009 :) )

Thanks Richard,

We did a reccy on Lagos, Albufurier and Portimao; we preferred the latter for a few reasons. We will have a car down there and bikes for access and we have some freinds who live near by so it will be good to be near them.

We were amazed by how British the the marina in Lagos was, full English breakfasts in every restaurant, it was like being in the uk!

It's going to be a long winter while we wait to set off :(
 
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