Located in Algarve's second largest city, its stadium, the Estádio Municipal de Portimão, has a capacity of 4,961 spectators after undergoing renovation in early 2011.

Portimonense's zenith was in the 1980s, a decade in which the club only played its football in the top division, also competing in the UEFA Cup in 1985–86.

Portimonense was a regular presence in the Portuguese first division, even finishing fifth in 1984–85 – highlights included 0–0 home draws against Benfica and Sporting CP – which led to participation in the UEFA Cup in the 1985–86 season.

In 2009–10, Portimonense started with Angolan Lito Vidigal at the helm, but when he left for União de Leiria, former Sporting midfielder Litos took charge, and led the team to a final second place, behind S.C. Beira-Mar, thus returning it to the top flight after exactly 20 years of absence; substitute Wilson Eduardo scored the only goal away to U.D.

[2] Midway through the 2010–11 campaign, Litos was fired due to bad results,[3] as Portimonense eventually ranked second from bottom and was relegated back.

[4] The team met the same fate in the following season, even managing to rank in a worse position; however, after Varzim S.C. was not allowed to promote from division three due to financial irregularities, Portimonense was reinstated.