The 10 Best Things to do in Porches, Algarve

December 20, 2021 Darwin Bolte

Discover the best top things to do in Porches, Portugal including Olaria Pequena, Solid Rocks Algarve Horse Trail Adventures, Porches Pottery, Capela da Nossa Senhora da Rocha, Praia de Albandeira, Casa Grade, Albandeira Beach, Beach of Our Lady of the Rock, Praia da Senhora da Rocha, Praia do Vale do Olival.
Restaurants in Porches

1. Olaria Pequena

Estrada Nacional 125, Porches 8400-489 Portugal +351 282 381 213 http://www.olariapequena.com
Excellent
81%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

Olaria Pequena

In a typical old farmhouse, we produce functional pottery, tiles and prints with local themes such as olives, lemons and sardines. Although using traditional craft techniques, the design of the work is fresh and contemporary. The studio shop is open to the public all year round.

2. Solid Rocks Algarve Horse Trail Adventures

Rua Vale de Engenho, Porches 8400-000 Portugal +351 967 191 023 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/SOLID-ROCKS-Algarve-Horse-Trail-Adventures-135460140407934/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

Solid Rocks Algarve Horse Trail Adventures

Reviewed By Paulinertravels

What a great and unique experience! I enjoyed so much all aspects of my visit. The hosts were super friendly and made sure I had everything I needed to enjoy the horse ride, the scenic route was beautiful and the horses were extremely well kept. It is so nice to visit a place in such a warm, positive atmosphere where people really enjoy what they're doing, look after their horses and make your experience so special. Very recommended! ????

3. Porches Pottery

En 125, Porches 8400-451 Portugal +351 282 352 858 [email protected] http://www.porchespottery.com/en
Excellent
61%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 147 reviews

Porches Pottery

Porches Pottery creates the original and most distinctive handpainted ceramics of the Algarve. This working pottery is a family-run, local business that was founded over 50 years ago by two famous artists; Patrick Swift and Lima de Freitas. It was their dream to show that old crafts and artistic traditions did not have to die in our modern, plastic age. Porches Pottery is now world-famous for its colourful pots and tiles, all made by a small team of talented local artists, many of them trained by the founders. Together they continue a tradition that is thousands of years in the making. All year-round, on any weekday visit, you will see highly skilled artisans at work. Visit Porches Pottery to discover unique, hand made ceramics and take home a truly unique souvenir of Algarve. After your visit, stay and relax, and enjoy a light, refreshing lunch in the beautiful gardens of our Bar Bacchus café.

Reviewed By Bluesman2009 - Mijas, Spain

Porches and its pottery can be found about a kilometre and a half from Lagoa along the N125. Historically, the Algarve has been the focus of attention by a number of civilisations for many hundreds of years, situated as it is on a key trading route for Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans and Moors. Between them they have left behind a comprehensive and artistic deposit of artefacts. Potters were quick to adopt the designs utilised by the many trading visitors and expand their designs accordingly. In the nearby town of Lagoa local skilled artisans continued these traditions of hand thrown and decorated clay pots. However, little by little, the industry declined and by the 1960s there were but two potters in Lagoa. In 1968 two artists, Patrick Swift and Lima de Freitas, united to share a dream of preserving the skills of creating the handcrafted clay ware and the Olaria Algarve - Porches Pottery was established. Patrick Swift created the initial designs based on medieval, or older designs, gradually broadening the range to include contemporary forms. The kilns were replaced with more modern units to improve the quality of the clay ware and new glazes were formed to enhance the pottery. The next generation of Patrick Swift’s family, his daughters Estella and Juliet, continued the development of Porches Pottery, both on the creative and management sides. Now, there are new artisans helping to maintain the traditions of this unique family business. WE were tempted to join one of the classes, or, workshops that the Pottery offers to visitors on a Saturday, but for us, there just was not enough time to fit everything into a very short visit to Portugal. In a delightful location adjoining the Pottery is the Baccus Café offering a primarily vegetarian menu that enables you to have enjoyable food in a peaceful setting, along with a glass of wine and/or a cup of coffee. There is plentiful parking on site and the Pottery is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm and on Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Unfortunately, the access to Porches Pottery is not really suitable for wheelchair users as there are many steps and changes in level. Thanks for reading this and if you've found it helpful I'd appreciate a ‘thumbs up’ below.

4. Capela da Nossa Senhora da Rocha

Alporchinhos, Porches 8400-458 Portugal +351 965 041 785 http://www.carvoeirocaves.com
Excellent
54%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 655 reviews

Capela da Nossa Senhora da Rocha

Zona numa falésia, que entra pelo mar dentro, com a Capela da Nossa Senhora da Rocha do séc. XVI, a praia da Senhora da Rocha de um lado e a Praia Nova do Outro lado. Com uma vista panorâmica única. Neste lugar já existiu um forte militar que protegia a costa de ataques militares e piratas. Na capela podem-se acender velas a pedir a protecção de Nossa Senhora da Rocha.

Reviewed By TylerS30 - Toronto, Canada

This little chapel atop the cliff is a gorgeous little spot. It was super quiet in November with just myself and my partner up there for most of our visit. The church wasn’t open but we walked the grounds and looked peered through the chapel gate. Beautiful stop to check out. Great views. Great photo opportunities.

5. Praia de Albandeira

Estr. de Albandeira, Porches 6120-313 Portugal
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 117 reviews

Praia de Albandeira

6. Casa Grade

En 125 Sitio dos Cabecos, Porches 8400-453 Portugal +351 282 352 397 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/Casa-Grade-Artesanato-Handicraft-Handwerk-1411300129162710/
Excellent
67%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 21 reviews

Casa Grade

Experience since 1974 Portuguese Handicraft,decorative ceramic, Hand painted Tiles, Earthenware Pots and Chimneys, Carpets, wall lights, Cork, Customized hand painted ceramic and Tiles.

Reviewed By dlmoore305 - Mount Vernon, United States

This store has a huge outdoor selection of pottery and statues will having a large pottery selection and souvenirs inside.

7. Albandeira Beach

Porches Portugal
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

Albandeira Beach

Reviewed By kyredhead16 - Pera, Portugal

The beach is not actually very big but at low tide you can move through a low cave onto another beach where you can view the famous arch. There were 3 lifeguards there the day that we went. it was a beautiful day and there were plenty of people. The snack bar should have closed an hour earlier but they were still open, Very nice people, a bunch of pic nic tables at the snack bar and then again off to the side of the parking lot was another group of pic nic tables and a place for a cook fire. We saw a couple of people with small charcoal grills. After you park walk towards the snack bar/ beach then up the hill on your right. You will be able to see the arch from the cliffs. If you continue to walk around to the right, You can walk for miles down the coast. Or you can walk left when you get to the top and actually walk out ON the arch. But Please, Please, take your pictures & move along. There are probably people across from you on the cliffs waiting to get a picture of the arch without you standing there. Be polite. If you are on the cliffs across from the arch, this is a great place to watch the sunset. The arch is far enough out in the ocean that the setting sun shines on the striated rocks and lights up the colors.

8. Beach of Our Lady of the Rock

Porches 8400-343 Portugal
Excellent
41%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 37 reviews

Beach of Our Lady of the Rock

Reviewed By Lesterbeach - Winnipeg, Canada

I have never heard anyone use the translation of Senhora Da Rocha to name this beautiful beach with the chapel on the cliff. Look at Praia Senhora Da Rocha for better descriptions of this beach. A new parking lot has added lots of spaces but there are still 100 steps down to the beach.

9. Praia da Senhora da Rocha

Quinta das Palmeiras, Lagoa, Vila Lara, Porches Portugal +351 961 966 302
Excellent
55%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 82 reviews

Praia da Senhora da Rocha

Reviewed By KatarzynaS2772 - Coventry, United Kingdom

Beautiful beach with secret pass through the cliff to get to the other beach, lovely place and you can find shells as big as your palm.

10. Praia do Vale do Olival

Avenida Beira Mar 66, Porches Portugal
Excellent
48%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Praia do Vale do Olival

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