Praia da Rocha Sports Area Brings Summer to Life with Free Activities for All Ages
Starting next Monday, July 21, the Praia da Rocha Sports Area will once again become the go-to spot for those looking to stay active this summer. As part of the municipal project “Summer Sports Animation – Stay Fit at the Beach,” promoted by the Portimão City Council, the venue will offer a wide range of free activities for residents and tourists alike.
Until September 13, participants can join fitness sessions, aqua aerobics, yoga, pilates, zumba, beach soccer, volleyball, footvolley, frisbee, and beach tennis. Certified instructors lead all activities and take place Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on weekends, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.. No registration is required—participants simply need to show up.
In addition to group classes, sports equipment is available for informal practice of beach soccer, volleyball, footvolley, beach tennis, and frisbee.
Summer Packed with Beach Sports Events
Building on last year’s success—with over 23,000 participants—the sports area will also host several high-profile competitions over the coming weeks:
- July 25 – 9th Praia da Rocha Surf Meeting (organised by Portimão City Council, supported by local surf schools)
- August 2 – 34th Praia da Rocha Sea Swim (organised by Portinado, supported by Portimão City Council)
- August 8-10 – National Beach Volleyball Championship (organised by the Portuguese Volleyball Federation, supported by Portimão City Council)
- August 9-10 – Praia Water Polo Challenge (organised by Associação Académica de Coimbra, supported by Portimão City Council)
- August 16 – Beach Soccer Tournament (organised by Gejupce, supported by Portimão City Council)
- August 16-17 – National Footvolley Championship (organised by the National Footvolley Federation, supported by Portimão City Council)
In September, highlights include the Social Beach Volleyball Tournament (organised by HeliSands Academy) and, from September 6 to 13, the prestigious IQ Foil U-23 World Championship (organised by Clube Naval de Portimão).
This competitive calendar—developed in collaboration with several federations and clubs—reinforces Praia da Rocha’s reputation as a national benchmark for both recreational and professional sports in a beachside setting.
The “Summer Sports Animation – Stay Fit at the Beach” initiative is organised by the Portimão City Council, with support from Outsport, Navibordo, Marina de Portimão, and the Portimão Port Authority, sponsorship by Comida Fresca – Pingo Doce, and in partnership with the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth. It is part of the network of Sports-Friendly Municipalities.
A Premier Sports Hub
Since its inauguration in 2008, the Praia da Rocha Sports Area has offered a wide array of sports activities throughout most of the year, with a strong focus on the summer months. It serves as a key venue for events and activities organised in collaboration with clubs, schools, and other organisations.
Every year, the sports area welcomes over 30,000 participants, ranging from casual sports enthusiasts to athletes competing in national and international tournaments.
This dynamic approach has earned Praia da Rocha multiple accolades, including the Five-Star Regions Award in the Algarve beach resorts category, reaffirming its status as one of the region’s top seaside destinations.
