The staple Portimão festival kicks off this Tuesday, August 5
– August 4, 2025
One of the Algarve’s biggest summer events is back – the highly anticipated Sardine Festival will take place on the city’s riverfront between August 5 and 10, combining grilled sardines and live music.
Now in its 29th edition, the festival is expected to welcome around 130,000 visitors. Over the six-day event, organisers estimate that 2.5 tonnes of sardines will be consumed.
Once again, the Ribeirinha riverside area will be filled with sardine grills and local food stalls. The popular “Prato Festival” – featuring five grilled sardines, bread, boiled potatoes and Algarve-style salad – will be available for €11 (drinks not included).
For those looking to enjoy the local sardine in a more relaxed setting, six restaurants will be serving special dishes with prices set by each venue. These include Dona Barca, Forte e Feio, Retiro do Peixe Assado, Peixarada, Ú Venâncio and Zizá.
As always, live music will be a key part of the festivities. Three stages will host performances each day, with headline acts taking the main stage daily at 10pm, with Rui Veloso (August 5), Pedro Abrunhosa (August 6), Diogo Piçarra (August 7), Nena (August 8), Para Sempre Marco (August 9) and Resistência (August 10).
Beyond food and music, there’ll be something for everyone – from historical recreations and live cooking demonstrations, to jazz by the Algarve de Jazz Orchestra and performances in the riverside gardens.
Article originally published by Alexandra Stilwell on Portugal Resident.
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