“If the Romans had been obliged to learn Latin, they would never have found time to conquer the world” Heinrich Heine

Introduction

Travel along a peaceful, windy and beautiful road from Portimão (N266), passing through several quiet and unspoilt villages – many with small ‘prato do dia’ local restaurants at the roadside – and admire the cork trees and open countryside that will lead you to Monchique.

Monchique lies in the saddle created by the two high hills in the Monchique mountain range, Foia (902 metres) and Picota (773 metres). Foia is the highest point in the Algarve region and on a clear day you can see Cape St. Vincent in the west, Faro in the east and the Serra da Arrabida, near Lisbon, to the north. It is often a lot cooler up here than down at the coast – and you can even witness snow on the peaks sometimes! 

83% of the area has been declared a Natural Protected Reserve – and it is a wonderful place to enjoy fantastic views, flowers and trees, and wildlife, especially birds.

As you drive up to Monchique you will go past the spa of Caldas de Monchique – more about that later – for now just watch out for the slightly hidden left turn to the village (just past the new posh spa hotel Longevity Wellness Resort on a newly built roundabout!) as you drive up to Monchique.

Monchique

The ‘city’ – it feels so much more like a village that I am struggling to call it a city! – is unspoilt and untouched by either time or 21^st century progress. It is a place to wander, explore, sit and watch the world go by slowly; and take a deep breath of fresh mountain air.

Monchique’s central square has a small paved area with benches, trees, statues and tiles, a few cafés and shops, sculptures, and a pretty water feature with a Moorish-style water wheel. Most attractions lead off from the square and this is a good base to work from. Be warned – there are some steep cobbled streets and hills to overcome if you want to fully explore this lovely place!

There are even three swimming pools – one indoor and two outdoor – which you can see from the square and are apparently free to use in the summer. They are next to a large secondary school for the region.

History

The name Monchique comes from the Romans who named it ‘Mons Cicus’ and the Romans also built the spa at Caldas de Monchique; however Stone Age prehistoric tools have been found in the region proving ancient settlements were in this area of Portugal.

It is believed that Monchique helped defend its then capital of the region, Silves, during the Moorish occupation of the Algarve, and there are reports from the crusaders of a fort in Monchique called the Castelo de Nave (location unknown)

There’s a big gap in history then until King José II elevated the town of Monchique to the rank of city in 1773; and like so many other places in the Algarve, it suffered heavily from the 1755 earthquake.

Art

One of the charming things to see in Monchique are the many statues and sculptures dotted around the main square:

There is also a nice courtyard art studio off the main square (up some very pretty steps) which has mainly pottery for sale.

A local artist Liz Allen also has her studio nearby, painting modern, almost abstract colourful landscapes of the local area – check out her website for details of her studio and work.

Produce and things to buy

Historically the area was known for its weaving of wool and linen; it now relies more heavily on a wider set of crafts and produce for its tourism, including its famous ‘scissor chairs’ – which are reputed to originate from Roman times, and are a peculiar folding X shape made of wood.

There are small craft shops selling knitwear, cork, cane and tiled products – we love these painted butterflies that come from this lovely little family-run business just off the main square:

You can also buy local honey and there are many cakes and biscuits baked with honey which will tempt you – and which taste wonderful with a coffee!

There is also a monthly market on the 2^nd Friday of each month; and the annual Feira de Monchique runs from October 26^th to 28^th (please check local websites to confirm the dates for this year) The annual fair has been described as a fair where you can buy “anything at a bargain from a tablecloth to a donkey” (!)

They also have an annual Traditional Sausage Festival – this year it is on the 3^rd and 4^th March – a chance to promote and sell the traditional sausages of the Monchique region.

Places to eat

Monchique itself is not the best place to have lunch in my opinion – there are just lots of snack bars selling toasted sandwiches and burgers.

We found a little local restaurant that did a very good Bacalhau with chickpeas – ‘prato do dia’ all-in for 6.50 Euros – but you may want to stop off in one of the villages on the way up to Monchique if you want to be more adventurous, or spoil yourself at the lovely restaurant at Caldas de Monchique.

Churches

Igreja Matriz de Monchique

This is the main parish church of Monchique – climb up the hill with its wide stone steps off the main square and it suddenly comes into view on your right, down a small side street. It is dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Our Lady of Conception, and was built in the 16th century.

It has an elaborately decorated Manueline front door, featuring stone columns that resemble a knotted rope – a theme repeated inside the church. The three-nave interior has thick granite columns which support the magnificent wide arches.

The Capela do Santissimo (Chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament) has wonderful 17^th century tiles and a domed ceiling; and the altarpiece of the Capela da Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Chapel of Our Lady of Carmel) is believed to have come from the Convent nearby.

Igreja de São Sebastião (Church of St Sebastian)

This is a small 16^th century church – that we have never been able to visit (it’s always closed!) – so please let me know if you ever manage to see inside it!

Convento Nossa Senhora de Desterro – our Lady of Exile Convent

Please see our separate post ‘Convent in Exile‘ for lots more information and pictures of this ruined and abandoned convent.

Caldas de Monchique

This is a charming 19^th century village retreat, famed for its restorative sulphur hot spring waters and gentle charm.

There is a central square, shaded by trees, a few small craft shops, a café/bar, one very nice restaurant and some fascinating 19^th century houses with distinctive and unique roofs. There is also a small chapel, the Santa Teresa; and picnic benches within a woodland walk.

Although the village is mainly known for its posh spa hotel – there is nothing to stop you visiting and wandering around the village and enjoying the peace and quiet of the area.

The restaurant (1692) is delightful – it’s not cheap – but it is a real treat! You can also sample the soft and pleasant water with your meal, and it really does taste very nice. You can also watch the staff fire up the giant barbeque to grill the fish for you – the smells wafting over are very tempting!

Spring waters

The sulphur hot spring waters are purported to be both medicinal and healing – and it is reported that centuries ago both the King of Portugal and the King of Italy visited the springs.

According the hotel’s web-site the Monchique water was first analysed in 1789 by Dr. Dimas Tadeu, and in 1899 Professor Charles Lepiérre dedicated himself to a more complete study, concluding that “the Caldas de Monchique water belong to a clearly characterised hydromineral type … similar to the precious treasure of the Portuguese medicinal waters”

The Villa Termal das Caldas de Monchique offers a year round variety of well-being programs, thermal treatments and Golf & SPA programmes; all situated in beautifully restored historical buildings. There are also small rooms open to the public which often have wonderful art and craft stalls with local goods and crafts for sale – I have bought some beautiful jewellery there.

So there it is – the Monchique in all its glory – why not step off the beach one day and explore this wonderful unspoilt region of the Algarve?