Free Lionesses guide to Portimão

Posted on 14th February 2025

Next week the Lionesses will be heading to Portimão on the Algarve Portugal for the first of the UEFA Nations League 2025-26 games and our Free Lionesses team have pulled together a handy guide to the game for those making the trip.

Taking place on Friday 21st February Kick-off is 7.45pm at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão and will be broadcast live on ITV. In case you were wondering unlike Spain Portugal has the same local time as the UK.

Many thanks to Steve Ayre for his help on the guide.

Estádio Municipal de Portimão – getting there

By air and onwards by train/bus:

Many supporters will be flying to Faro airport on the Algarve but we will include the possibility of those flying elsewhere.

From Faro Airport there are only two to three buses a day, usually number 56 direct to Portimão in winter – these cost around €14. More information can be on the Vamus Algarve website here and there is also a Vamus Algarve app available in the Google Play and Apple app stores.

Please note – this bus will drop you off at Portimão Bus Terminal Rua Abicada about a mile north of the ground.

The Alternative route is to Faro airport to Faro city centre (Terminal) – Proximo bus route 16. The Proximo website has updates in English and again an app is available. Fares usually €2.70 you can bay onboard by card.

Destination is normally shown as Terminal or Avenida. The bus stop is outside the airport terminal departures area, to the left of the arrivals area as you exit the terminal building, under the concrete roof-like structure.

Journey time is about 20 minutes. Most buses leave Faro beach (Praia de Faro) five minutes before the time at the airport, first bus from there is at 7.25am and the last bus from Praia de Faro is at 10.30pm.

From here there are more frequent buses mainly the 57 these will drop off at Portimão Avenida Guanaré, less that half a mile east of the stadium.

There are trains from Faro near where the airport bus drops off and will take you to Portimão about three quarters of a mile north of the ground.

Transfers by taxi direct to Portimão are possible with companies such as Yellow Transfers just make sure the quoted fair includes all motorway tolls before setting off.

For those travelling from Lisbon there are fast Alfa Pendular trains to Tunes where it is possible to change to the local train to Portimão, check out the Portuguese rail site for more information.

Loca buses

A useful website for all Algarve travel is: http://www.algarvebus.info/ and they have assisted with information for this game. The website also contains information about the ground.

Within Portimão there are local buses during the day – please note they only accept cash on board with a single fare is about €1.70 however you can buy a multi-day pass online or the Vamus app mentioned above.

Time

Portugal like the UK runs on Greenwich Mean Time but, due to its westerly position, expect an extra hour or so of daylight in the evening.

Weather

The official Portuguese Met office is https://www.ipma.pt/en/ – again with an app available in the Google Play and Apply app stores.

Currency

Portugal uses the Euro with card payment common in most venues, though some smaller cafes may expect payment in cash.

Portimão Marina © Alamy

Food, drink and shopping

Portimão has many shops cafes and bars in the actual town centre along the river front and by Praia da Rocha, the large beach to the south.

There are several large supermarkets one being Continente which is part of a shopping centre just over quarter of a mile west of the ground.

Not much further north of the stadium is a market open everyday (except Sunday) from 7am to 2pm and again from 5pm to 8pm.

Things to do in Portimão

If you’re after ideas for places and activities to fill your tripe, the Visit Portimão is a good starting point.

The town’s musuem is situated in an old canning factory, and entry is €4. The Sarrea Gárfias Mansion and Praia da Rocha Beach are also popular.

For those spending several days in the area the Tour of Algarve Cycle race starts in Portimão on the 19th of February and you can check out stages on their website.

Later that week (February 22nd to 2rd) the Spanish F4 motor racing is also coming to the Algarve at the Algarve autodrome – but you’ll likely need to get a taxi or rent a car to make it out there, as it’s a two-and-a-half hour drive.

Emergencies:

The emergency services number in Portugal is 112.

Free Lionesses Pre-Match Meet Up

We’ll be having our pre-match meet-up at The Irish Rover (Av. Tomás Cabreira 1, 8500-801 Portimão, Portugal) from 1pm to 6pm.

30 minutes’ walk from the stadium, 15 minute bus, rail-hailing service Uber is available according to the venue.
Serves food, children welcome, accessible toilets
10% discount for anyone with one of our wristbands
We will have a little giveaway ready for fans. First come, first serve.

The stadium: Estádio Municipal de Portimão

The ground has a convenient central location in the town but the majority of the stands are uncovered – so check the weather and dress accodringly! England supporters will be located in blocks ZUL, ZVIS and VIS. Please refer to your match ticket for your specific entrance.

Ticket Delivery

Your tickets will be sent directly to the email address used for purchase in advance of the fixture.

Haven’t Received Your Tickets?

If you have not received your tickets by Tuesday 18th February, please complete this form from the FA.

Matchday Assistance

FA representatives will be located at the away section turnstiles on matchday to assist with any questions or issues. They will also be attending the Free Lionesses pre match meet up during the day.