The 2012 edition of the festival was judged to be unsuccessful on several levels with the overall feedback from exhibitors indicating a lower than expected number of visitors and even the organizer, Portimao Urbis, admitted having lost money even considering, or maybe due to, it charging an entrance fee and attracting big name groups to the event.

Instead of trying again with the same setup and expecting different results, the festival’s management has decided to move the festival back to the people and just have one big party along the waterfront so that the local restaurants can heat up their grills and so that the entire local economy can benefit.

Historically speaking the sardine catch used to be unloaded at the quayside, so having the festival in this location is a fitting tribute. There are three famous outdoor restaurants here that have always served the freshest catch of the day possible, and after recent renovation the entire area is a pleasure to walk along.

Instead of the more limiting setup from last year, the 2013 Portimao Sardine Festival will see the people being invited to eat sardines in the local restaurants and the organizers will also make sure to add in a daily program of entertainment option along the waterfront.

Discussion are under way between the organizers and the restaurants to create a variety of suitable menus which will do the noble sardine full justice, as well as make them palatable to foreign tourists.

We should mention that the Portimao council is currently embroiled in the Portimao urbis scandal over funding and missing money so reducing the expenditure on this year’s festival shows some flexibility and sensible management in tune with local needs as well as maybe the requirements of the auditors.

Those who will be heading here will notice how easy it is to get around the town thanks to it having been built on a grid system, which is something that not many other Algarve settlements can boast. With the help of our small Vila Real de Santo Antonio guide you should get a better idea of what it is that the town can offer you and whether or not you should seriously consider vacationing here.

The town’s grid system was designed by the Marques de Pombal who was rather keen on testing this new type of town planning after all the original settlements in the area were eroded by the beginning of the 17^th century. The Royal charter founding the town was signed on the 30^th of December 1773 and by August 6^th of next year, the Town Hall, Customs House and the barracks were already completed.

Towards the end of the 19^th century, the town was a major player in the canning industry, especially for sardines and tuna, and the port was constantly busy with the ships that sailed the river. As a sign of this very industrial focus of the town, Vila Real de Santo Antonio was the first town in the Algarve to be lit with gas, back in 1886. Nowadays the town thrives on a combination of fishing, agriculture and of course, tourism.

The main road of the town and of the region pretty much, runs straight from Monte Gordo to Vila Real and the Avenida da Republica runs along the front of the town, parallel with the Guadiana River. The river-front is very well developed featuring well laid out trees and water features as well as a marina which is great for watching boats.

The town’s grid system was designed to feature a large town square and the Praca marques de Pombal is truly a sight to see, being surrounded by orange trees and populated with low buildings, shops, cafes and outdoor restaurants. Behind the square you will find the Centro Cultural Antonio Aleixo – this used to be the old market, but the space is now used for temporary exhibits and various events. Nearby there’s a museum dedicated to Manuel Cabanas a local painter and wood engraver.

What it all comes down to is that Vila Real de Santo Antonio is a very relaxed and quiet town, an ideal holiday destination for those looking for a relaxing and peaceful type of vacation. Just like Monte Gordo the town is very flat, and this makes it idea for walking and cycling around it, however getting here can be arranged with the help of some Vila Real de Santo Antonio transfer from Faro Airport if you’re planning to spend your entire holiday around these parts. Otherwise you may want to consider some Vila Real de Santo Antonio car hire services.

The town features an absolutely lovely open sandy beach which is a couple of kilometers long, actually stretching close to Tavira.

Vila Real de Santo Antonio is part of a larger region, the Baixo Guadiana region, a place characterized by wonderful environment where the sun, sea, river, mountains and friendly inhabitants create a wonderful atmosphere to live and thrive in.

Related to this very laid-back approach to life, you can enjoy a boat trip along the Guadiana to Alcoutim for a special way of seeing the surroundings because it passes through some beautiful countryside and you’ll get to see the change in geography from very flat plains to rolling hills and lush vegetation.

Obviously this has been just a very short description of only some of the characteristics of Vila Real de Santo Antonio and its surroundings, rest assured that simple words and images can’t really do it any justice, once you’re there you’ll know that you’ll never be bored while on your trip here so you might as well focus on taking in as much of the place as possible.