Golf won’t be the only sport attracting people to Portugal this autumn, after confirmation the country will host its first Grand Prix for 24 years at its circuit near Portimão. Here’s why you should consider this corner of the Algarve…

–  The revival of the Portuguese Grand Prix, taking place at the Autódromo circuit between Friday 23rd October and Sunday 25th October 2020, will be a shot in the arm for the Portimão area. The hotly anticipated Formula 1 event is expected to generate at least €30million for the local economy, potentially up to €100million, when the world’s top racing teams along with thousands of spectators decamp there.

Second homeowners should benefit from a spike in demand for rental accommodation during race weekend. Many visitors are expected to combine watching the race with a few days of golf. Have no doubts, this is a big occasion for Portugal’s sporting calendar – the last time it hosted an F1 race was in 1996 at Estoril.

–  Located in the estuary of the Arade river, Portimão is a charming old town in the western Algarve. Founded on shipbuilding and sardine fishing (celebrated by its famous annual festival), today its historic centre, lively waterfront and nightlife, large leisure marina, and nearby beaches make it a busy tourist hub and increasingly popular with foreign homeowners.

Portimão might not have the international cachet of Vilamoura and the Golden Triangle in the central Algarve, but its combination of traditional and modern lifestyle with its diversity of activities make it no less appealing. Drive time there from Faro Airport is around 45 minutes.

– Portimão’s world-class marina is one of the best protected in the Algarve and is held in high regard in international sailing circles. Offering more than 600 berths, including spaces for superyachts of up to 50 meters, it occupies a 25-hectare site one kilometre from the town-centre, but still just inside the estuary.

It has its own selection of restaurants, shops, bars and luxury hotels, as well as a swimming pool and Nikki Beach Resort. All of this makes it a popular training base for sailing teams from the around the world, as well as a host for major sailing events throughout the year. If you don’t own a boat, you can enjoy cruises, either up-river towards the old Moorish town of Silves, or out along the coast.

– The Portimão area is home to some fabulous beaches. Praia da Rocha is the closest, running westward just around the headland, three kilometres from the town-centre. It’s a lively 1.5-kilometre stretch of sand fringed with al fresco restaurants, round-the-clock bars, water sports and everything you could want from a family beach resort. A little further towards Lagos is the pretty fishing village of Alvor with its long, fine sandy beach, again dotted with fish restaurants, not to mention fantastic views of the unspoilt Alvor river estuary.

On the eastern side of the estuary reached via the pretty fishing village of Ferragudo, are the sandy beaches of Praia Grande and Praia Angrinha, while eastwards along the coast are a string of small sandy coves tucked between unspoilt cliffs – typical picture postcard beaches of the Algarve. A highlight there is the beach and old fishing town at Carvoeiro.

– Wherever you are in the Algarve, you’re never far from a fairway and Portimão is no exception. Notable golf courses and resorts there include Penina Hotel & Golf Resort, with its three courses, including the Algarve’s first ever 18-hole championship course, and offering its new The Links condominium development. Pestana golf courses and developments in the area include Gramacho, Alto and Vale da Pinta.