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Monchique is a spa town in the Algarve. Monchique is the main town of the Serra de Monchique, the mountain range that separates the Algarve from Alentejo and the rest of Portugal to the north. Unspoiled by mass tourism, the area still has the yesteryear charm. It is a magnet however on weekends for the many Portuguese that live on the coast, they visit to eat traditional food in first class restaurants, fill bottles with water from the many roadside springs and take in the air and views.
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highest mountain in Algarve and Picota the 2nd highest. The views from both peaks are spectacular, one can drive to the viewpoint on Foia, there is a short and easy walk to the top of Picota from a car park a short distance away.
where the Romans built baths using the natural spring waters, is still in use and open to the public. In 1495 King João II visited the spa seeking treatments.
A 17-th century monastery/convent, nowadays (2022) a ruin/squat hardly worth a visit - even though signposts throughout the city highlight it. Perhaps the only reason for the visit is the outlooks on the city, from the access road.
Enjoy walking through the nice city center, with many narrow streets, craft shops, restaurants and bars
Lovely tea house serving a great range of gourmet teas, along with an imaginative menu of sandwiches, cakes, salads and more. Works by local artists on the walls and a relaxing jazzy soundtrack. Excellent value too!.
This is a first class restaurant serving typical Portuguese food. It has an extensive menu but dishes of note are the wild boar with chestnuts or plums and various wood fired oven roasts. The restaurant has a terrace with spectacular views to the coast.
A restaurant with stunning coastal views from its terrace. It is famous for its piri piri chicken and rated as one of the best in the Algarve.
A lovely restaurant that also has a local handicrafts (artesanato) shop attached which has an extensive range of locally made crafts. The restaurants signature dish has to be the pork and prawn cataplana for two.
Perhaps one of the oldest and most famous restaurants in the Algarve. Particularly a destination for visitors from the North of Portugal. The menu is traditional Monchique fair with wild boar, kid and black pork as its main dishes. It has a nice cottage feel with two log fires which is very cosy in the winter time. The ruined convent can be seen from the garden.
Another restaurant with awesome views with an interesting menu. Chicken with cherries and the kid stew are to die for!.
Under new ownership since February 2018. Excellent dishes, great prices, awesome views from the terrace.
This is by far Monchique's best hotel complex. It's in the small historic village of Caldas de Monchique, famous for its thermal spas. It has several different hotels and apartments in the complex, a restaurant and bar.
A small guest house with restaurant in the village of Caldas de Monchique.
An upmarket guesthouse/hotel in a quiet rural location just outside the town of Monchique. Within walking distance of the town and restaurants.
An upmarket luxury villa for weekly rental in a quiet rural location just outside the town of Monchique. Within walking distance of the town and restaurants.
A small hotel with restaurant on the Foia Road a few km out of Monchique.
Leonel Telo Ceramics
Artisan ceramicist, selling his own handmade goods for the home and garden. Beautiful hand-painted tiles and pots. Surprisingly inexpensive. Worth a visit just to marvel at his talent in the gallery.
From the southern Algarve coastal strip, Monchique is a 20- to 30-minute drive from Portimao, following the EN266 road which winds its way up into the hills. This road is served by a regular bus service.
Read in the guideWalking is a great way to get around the narrow, cobbled streets of Monchique and see all it has to offer. Visit the Turismo for a free street plan.
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Portimão · Regional · PRM
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