Vestiges of continuous occupation going back as far as the Neolithic Age have been found in the area of the freguesia.

A menhir, found in this area and dated to sometime between 5000 and 4000 BC, is now in the entrance garden of the Convent of Saint Joseph in Lagoa.

Porches Velho had been occupied during the Roman period, and in 1253 it was already a sizeable town, seat of a judicial district and with a strong medieval castle.

With the increase in tourism the prosperity of the Porches pottery industry has returned, and both traditional designs and new artistic styles are produced.

Also noteworthy is the chimney of the Leão de Porches restaurant, installed in an impressive restored 18th century building.