Portimão is getting ready to welcome more cruise passengers than ever before. As part of Portugal’s ambitious “Portos 5+” strategy which predicts a passenger growth of around 30% at national ports, APS – the Ports Authority for Sines and the Algarve – has announced a set of major upgrades that will expand the capacity of Portimão Port.
The works begin in early 2026, when the port will launch a round of dredging to ensure safe access for cruise ships up to 220 metres long. This step alone will raise the port’s capacity and make it easier for larger ships to dock safely.
But that’s just the start. The RO-RO quay – used for ferries and the tenders that shuttle passengers from cruise ships anchored offshore – will undergo important structural repairs and improvements. Once complete, it will allow two tenders to operate at the same time, speeding up passenger transfers and improving the experience for visitors arriving on bigger, busier ships.
Access on land is also set for an upgrade. APS plans to improve the road links between the port and the town, making it quicker and easier for travellers to move in and out of the terminal.
The expansion works come at a time when Portimão Port is registering its best numbers ever. According to APS, the port is on track to finish 2025 as one of its best years ever, with 58 cruise ship visits and about 23,000 passengers – a year-on-year rise of 45% in ship calls and 63% in passenger numbers.
Sitting between Atlantic crossings and popular Mediterranean routes, Portimão is already drawing strong interest from cruise lines for the next few years – around 100 cruise calls are expected in 2026, jumping to 117 in 2027, APS adds.
