Rapidly gaining popularity, Portimão is the new Western Europe destination for luxury travellers. Portimão is the biggest town in the western Algarve and sits on the bank of the Arade River facing Ferragudo on the opposite bank. It traces its origins back to a small trading port of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians. Now a cosmopolitan city it represents a variety of beautiful golden beaches and crystal clear blue sea framed by cliffs and rocks and also offering a rich heritage of historical monuments. This is only the second time the World Match Racing Tour has been held in this Portuguese location. But it is no stranger to hosting major sailing events; The Portimão Global Ocean Race was first held in 2008 starting from Portimão.