If you are looking for a day out from Carvoeiro , then the beaches at Vau and Praia da Rocha offer very different experiences whilst sitting side-by-side just across the Rio Arade in Portimao. Portimao is a small “city” (unless you come from a real City!) and some of the buildings here are a little utilitarian. That said, Portimao itself is host to a massive golden sand beach (Praia da Rocha) that has a resto-bar filled boardwalk along its length. There is an active marina offering all manner of boat trips and water sports. There are nice restaurants and public spaces along the “Zona ribeirinho” (riverside area) bordering the Rio Arade and this zone often hosts fairs and events. Portimao hosts the massive, annual music events of Rolling Loud and Afro Nations along with many DJ´s and the famous New Year’s Eve fireworks-
Adjoining Praia da Rocha to the east, is Praia do Vau. Vau is a series of smaller “cove” style beaches with laid-back restaurants and bars and a very family friendly vibe
Where is Praia da Rocha and Vau?
Almost in the center of the Algarve just a few kilometers east of Carvoeiro. Both of these beaches merge together at the western end of Portimao. The GPS given here represent the centers of both beaches but you can arrive directly in the middle of the beaches if you park near the “fountains” roundabout at the end of Av. Sao Lourenco de Barrosa where it meets Av. das communidades Lusiadas
GPS for Praia da Rocha is 37.11667, -8.53529
GPS for Praia do Vau is 37.11993, -8.55905
Who goes to Rocha / Vau?
Rocha and Vau are linked by beaches but there is a very different vibe between the two. Praia do Vau is a generally more relaxed and family friendly area. Rocha on the other had, whilst still catering for families, has much more of a party feel to it and the “strip” will be busy at night time with younger people out to enjoy the bars and clubs. That said, Rocha isn’t defined by bars and clubs. There are many restaurants along the “strip” and the boardwalk where you will find families, teens and old folk alike.
What´s the demographic like?
Rocha and Vau has a wide range of visitors, domestic visitors from Lisbon and the North, Europeans, Canadians escaping the winter, Americans and Scandinavians discovering the value, visitors from the Far East and Middle East. At nighttime and weekends you will find plenty of locals out in Rocha.
The majority of visitors are Europeans with Brits, Irish, French, German and Dutch making up the core. Many Scandinavians come here to escape the winter and enjoy the great value for money that Silves offers. Our Spanish neighbours are also here in number, enjoying the difference that a short cross-border trip makes.
Just a quick note here… we are Portugal we speak Portuguese it is NOT Spanish!
Increasingly a winter destination for Canadians escaping the snow-blower and also North Americans enjoying the value of a break here.
A smaller, but still significant, group is made up of curios travelers from Asia and middle eastern nations along with a growing number from Russia.
Whatever the mix, Rocha and Vau have a genuinely inclusive feel and all visitors are made welcome here.
So why visit?
Rocha and Vau have great beaches with many beach resto-bras and everything you need to enjoy a day on the beach or in the ocean. Rocha has Portimao Marina at the eastern end of the beach where you can book any kind of water activity from speedboat or Seadoo hire to kayaking or sailing. There are many organised trips available from the marina. You could see dolphins, take a trip up the coast on the Santa Bernada “pirate” ship or even take the salt barge inland to Medieval Silves At nighttime, Rocha comes alive with music bars and our very own club Katedral.
What is there to do in Rocha & Vau? (plenty!)
Drinking and dining
Rocha and Vau have many great bars and restaurants where you can enjoy anything from a simple pint and a Bifanha to specialty cocktails, fine wines from across the country, simple, wholesome traditional food or Michelin Stared dining.
Bars range from simple straightforward no frills beer, wine and spirits in simple surroundings to upmarket cocktail bars offering superior drinks and service without the international price tag. All are family friendly and welcoming.
Restaurants here are all good or better, if you ever do manage to find a bad one, you can be assured that it won´t be there for long! Many places serve traditional Portuguese dishes like fresh fish, sardines and cataplanas alongside meat dishes of pork, lamb, beef and our Piri-Piri Chicken.
You will also find a number of restaurants here offering a “prato da dia” (plate of the day) which often turns out to be an inclusive menu rather than just one dish. You can eat a nice three-course lunch with wine or beer in many of these places for around €15 The “strip” is lined with lively bars, many of which have ocean views above the beach.
Down on the beach, the boardwalk offers a good choice of restaurants and bars.
In the daytime
Go to the beach!, get out on the Ocean, stroll the strip from the Marina all the way up to Vau. Have lunch on the boardwalk or chill in one of the many chill-out bars.
Night owls
Night Time enjoy “prinks” at one of the many lovely bars. Move on to dinner at any one of the great restaurants in town. Later enjoy late drinks and live music at one of the many lively bars along the strip. If you really want to party on, visit Katedral nightclub
Getting Home Taxis are usually reliable to at least 2AM and often later in peak season. Uber or Bolt can be booked easily and are plentiful in high season.