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

177 Reviews 4.99 out of 5 stars Based on 177 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Portimao, Portugal
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.

4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 1 more
Portuguese
Instant confirmation

Overview

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.

What's Included

  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Live commentary on board
  • Driver/guide
  • The listed price does not include the car parking price, on the high season.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Marina de Portimão
Praia da Rocha, 8501-911 Portimão, Portugal

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Algarve Sunboat (pass by)

We will departure from the Pier A, at Marina de Portimão.
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R. Dr. Coelho de Carvalho 8 (pass 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.
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San Francisco Convent Ruins (pass 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.
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Museu de Portimao (pass by)

Portimão Museum is located in the century-old fish canning factory Feu Hermanos, located on the city's riverside area.
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Ponte Velha (pass 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.
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Portimão Railway Bridge (pass 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.
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Ponte Velha de Portimão (pass 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.
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Dogs or other pets are not allowed
  • Suitable for pregnant women
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult

Frequently Asked Questions (9)

Q: Will I get seasick on Visit Silves & Explore the Arade River | Eco-Friendly Solar Boat?

A: If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy. Read more Feb 2023

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-64488P4

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.99
177 reviews

Average 4.99 out of 5 stars based on 177 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
175
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Live commentary on board
  • Driver/guide
  • The listed price does not include the car parking price, on the high season.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with reduced mobility
  • Not recommended for pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies or in advanced stages of pregnancy
  • 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.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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