Visit Silves & Explore the Arade River | Eco-Friendly Solar Boat
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will departure from the Pier A, at Marina de Portimão.
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.
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.
Portimão Museum is located in the century-old fish canning factory Feu Hermanos, located on the city's riverside area.
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.
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.
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.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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.
- Not recommended for travelers with reduced mobility
- Not recommended for pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies or in advanced stages of pregnancy
Reviews(198)
I have never had an experience when a tour operator worked so hard to make our experience great. We realized too late that we would not be able to get back to our cruise ship on time. Operators worked hard to still give us a pleasant experience—although shortened.
Thank you for your kind words! 😊 We're glad we could still give you an enjoyable experience despite the unexpected time constraints. Sometimes plans change, but we always do our best to help guests make the most of their day. We hope your cruise and the rest of your travels were just as memorable! ⛵🌿☀️
A wonderful 5 hour trip from Portimao marina along the Arade river to Silves. A super lunch on board sitting at a table. with wine and drinks there and back in great company. The crew were so friendly and jolly. There was a 2 hour stop at Silves for sight seeing and to explore the castle. I would recommend “ Alvor Boat Trips” such a professional and friendly family run business. They do transfers from your hotel. Thank you 😊 You can ring or email them or book online.
This was a holiday within a holiday. Just a lazy ride up the river. Captain Pedro superb felt like a friend. So knowledgeable about the river and surrounding areas. He loves the place and being on the water. A great trip and was ready for some local seafood afterwards. First class.
hank you for your wonderful review! 😊 We love your description of it as “a holiday within a holiday”. You really understood Pedro — he loves what he does, loves connecting with people, and has a deep passion for the Arade River and the Algarve. And we agree: after a relaxing trip on the river, local seafood is the perfect next stop! 😄 We hope to welcome you aboard again someday. ⛵🌿☀️
We had a lovely trip on the Arade River. The sea was wild, so this was a great alternative. It was a lovely warm and sunny day and there was enough shade under the roof with the solar panels. So peaceful to sail on the river, without noise due to the electric engine. Pedro was a nice guide who told us all about the history and nature of the area. The 1.5 hour stop in historic Silves was pleasant, we had a nice lunch, but a bit short to see the castle and the other historic sites. The Arade river is a tidal river, so it's not possible to do this trip every day.
Thank you for your lovely review! 😊 We're glad the Arade River was a peaceful escape from the wild sea that day. Sunshine, solar-panel shade and quiet electric navigation make a pretty good river recipe. 😄 Silves always leaves you wanting a little more — a good excuse to come back! ⛵🌿☀️
We have done this trip several times in the past and this one did not disappoint. You need to have a sharp eye to see all the natural sights! This time we saw a group of turtles - apparently they had been “missing “ for a long time due to a drought, but following a wet winter, they are now thriving.
Thank you, Susan! 😊 Pedro says some people clearly don’t learn from “bad experiences”… they just keep coming back! 😄 We’re delighted this trip still didn’t disappoint, and very happy the turtles decided to make their comeback too. Hope to see you again on the Arade soon! ⛵🐢🌿
We enjoyed a very nice experience, sailing in a solar boat that is very respectful of the environment. The scenery was spectacular, and our guide and boat captain, Pedro, was very pleasant and friendly. We loved the Arade River and Silves. We highly recommend this attractive navigation and will undoubtedly repeat it when we return to Portimao.
¡Muchas gracias por vuestra recomendación! 😊 Nos alegra saber que disfrutasteis del río Arade, de Silves y de la experiencia a bordo de nuestro barco solar. Pedro estará encantado de saber que contribuyó a hacer el viaje aún más agradable. Estaremos encantados de recibiros de nuevo cuando regreséis a Portimão. ¡Hasta la próxima! ⛵☀️🌿
We started late because some of the passengers got lost! But once started, it was a great experience. It’s not the first time we’ve taken a boat trip to Silves - it never disappoints. Lots of wildlife to be seen and a lovely town to explore for a while.
Thank you, Susan! 😊 We’re glad everyone eventually made it aboard — we always do our best not to leave anyone behind! 😄 It’s always a pleasure to welcome returning guests, and we love that the river, the wildlife and Silves keep giving you reasons to come back. See you again on the Arade soon! ⛵🌿☀️
The program for the trip was a perfect “great day out” on the SunBoat! The Captain was great sharing all the local information and painted a picture of the life along the Arade River, past and present. He truly wanted us to have a great experience not just during the tour, also our entire experience in Portugal. We learned so much while we enjoyed a relaxing, entertaining and quiet boat tour. It was just enough time to spend in Silves before returning to the boat. MUST DO EXPERIENCE in the ALGARVES!!!!
Thank you, Rachel! 😊 We’re so glad the trip felt like a proper “great day out”. Pedro doesn’t just want guests to enjoy the river — he wants them to leave liking the Algarve and Portugal even more than before! 😄 Delighted you enjoyed the quiet solar boat, Silves and the stories along the Arade. Hope to welcome you aboard again someday. ⛵🌿☀️
Our guide was very attentive, knowledgeable and entertaining, and made sure he answered everyone’s questions.
Thank you, Louis! 😊 We're delighted you enjoyed the ride. Pedro loves questions and always tries to answer them all — although occasionally he has to make something up along the way... only joking! 😄 Hope to welcome you aboard again soon. ⛵🌿☀️
We pre-booked the boat trip as a group of 4. Parked at Portimao marina, but found it difficult to find Pier M to meet the boat. We initially followed a sign "boat trips" on the way to the piers, which eventually took us to the booths at the other end of the marina, where people book the boat trips. It was a hot day and 2 of our party had some mobility issues. I eventually phoned for help and got through to Pedro, who was our guide. By this time we were late for being picked up, but Pedro calmly asked us to stay at the nearest pier we were situated and arranged to collect us, which was a great help. We could then enjoy the trip, with an interesting commentary from Pedro, interspersed with funny anecdotes. On the way back, he asked if any one of us wanted to drive the boat, with his guidance, A couple of people took up the offer, whilst Pedro organised for all of us to have some free wine. Overall, an interesting and very enjoyable trip, which was great value for money.
Thank you, Nigel! 😊 We’re sorry the meeting point sent you on an unexpected marina expedition, but we’re glad Pedro could make the rescue and get you aboard. Once on the river, it sounds like the Arade did its job: stories, a few laughs, a little boat-driving and some wine on the way back. Not a bad recovery! Hope to welcome you aboard again someday. ⛵🍷🌿
