It’s not just David Cameron who enjoys the gentle delights of the Monchique area – we love popping up there for an afternoon stroll – and now one of our favourite haunts has just got better as we discovered a quaint little tea shop that sells amazing home-made cakes – more about that later!
First stop for us is always the viewing platform area near the top of town – the views across the town and countryside are spectacular – as you can see from the shot below:
Then it’s off to wander the streets and take in the sights – we rarely have a ‘plan’ when we arrive, we just like to amble round and explore the back streets
We always stop off in the square to admire the statues which sit so majestically:
The whole structure is a tribute to one man – Dr Humberto Messias, a local from Monchique and noted surgeon in Lisbon. He stated that he did not want a statue on a pedestal, so they have cast him interacting with local people sat in the square. The statues are bronze cast and stunning:
There are so many old grand buildings in Monchique that are just fantastic to photograph – I love this old door with its carvings and ornate detail – what a story I am sure it could tell:
There is even a key hanging up in a side window of the house – long fallen into disrepair – I wonder if it would open the front door?!
An old carriage wheel lies forlorn nearby – there is so much history to be found in this one town:
And even the more modern forms of transport go back to the 1960’s!
Next stop is a trek up the ‘Monkey steps’ – they are quite a daunting climb – but well worth the effort!
Half way up is a quick stop – not to catch our breath (!) but to stop to marvel at one of our favourite little streets, with its faded buildings and charming history – the building half way up on the right is still a shoe shop – selling the most fantastic array of old style shoes in boxes. I would love to know how long the old boy has been working there!
And so to the top – and our hidden treasure – the fantastic ÓCháLá tea room which is a haven amongst the old buildings and faded charms of Monchique.
The menu outside hints at the treats to be found inside:
From the outside it seems to be another faded and dilapidated building – but inside it is light, bright and airy – and even has free wi-fi!
We were delighted to find ‘afternoon tea’ on the menu, with a vast array of teas to choose from – we chose Earl Grey and it came with its own egg timer and tea strainer so that we could have the perfectly brewed tea:
But the real delights were the home-made scones which were warm from the oven and delicious. We were not surprised to find that the cream and jam were not really ‘English’ – we’ve never found ‘proper’ cream out here – much less clotted cream for my Devon boy (!) and the jam was a bit thin and runny – but oh so yummy!!
We have returned there since then and tried their home made lemonade and it was fab! The place has a very relaxed and homely feel, with comfy chairs and a nice big display of home-made cakes – the perfect spot to while away an hour or so in the afternoon!
Then of course it’s time for a spot of shopping – the little shops in Monchique certainly have an interesting range of goods for sale – and most of them are locally made:
One last stop for another ‘faded grandeur’ shot of an old rusting window frame:
And a final shot which just seemed to sum up our afternoon in the Monchique – I do hope the Bombeiros are not called out on a shout in a hurry as this dear old thing was fast asleep on their forecourt:
It was then off to Foia for a great photo shoot as the sun set and a walk amongst the stunning scenery – but that’s a post for another day:
If you have enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy our other posts about Monchique too:
Algarve Blog 
Hmmmmm
Cream tea without the Devonshire clotted??
Criminal!!
Looks lovely though. I do love Monchique and Foia (despite being able to count on o̶n̶e̶ ̶h̶a̶n̶d̶ two fingers the number of times I have been there!)
oh you should definitely go back again – especially now the tea room is there to entice you back!!! don’t get Dave started on the ‘Devon’ way to ‘do’ your scone though …. jam first then cream – always!!!!! 😉
Ahhh yes. The old cream first vs jam first debate.
My (Devonshire born and bred) mother and I have that discussion also!
well I do hope you don’t do it the Cornish way!!
“And even the more modern forms of transport go back to the 1960’s?” *rolleyes* Really?!
Maybe, oh I don’t know, just a tad exaggerated? 😉
ooh yes – maybe just a tad ?!??!?! (winks!!!)
I have been in Monchique previously, but usually just out for a drive and never stopped long enough to take in all it’s delights. I will be there at the beginning of October so will check out those tea rooms then. ❤
you’ll enjoy them I’m sure!
From the Twinings website “…Earl Grey and Lady Grey need five minutes,” titter ye not, this is the brewing time for the perfect cup, silly. This essential information is for those of you that were wondering what to do with the egg timer…
You can get clotted cream in the Algarve so it is shame the ‘cream’ in Monchique is not the correct type, and as for the jam, oh darling, that will never do! If it was clotted cream then many more would visit, me for one, and the publicity could be/would be massive. Import the cream and the jam if iot can not be sourced locally, there are plenty of UK supermarkets that will send goods here, or the tea room could go direct to one of the West Country suppliers.
It all sounds fab though and this sort of blog will help Monchique along its road to recovery, well done!
oh Paul thank you for your comments – you made me laugh so much!!! perhaps that’s our next business venture then – importing clotted cream?!???!! 😉
Oh my goodness, yes!
No, wait a minute.
*looks at waistline*
Maybe not!
ooh no it’s fine – clotted cream is completely calorie free ….. (winks!!!) – anyway if you combine it with a walk around Foia you can eat as much as you like …. they cancel each other out!! 😉
PS …. “you can get clotted cream in the Algarve” ……….stop teasing me and tell me where!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xx
Any remaining independent ‘English’ shops like LettheMagicIn (sadly closed), Apolonia, Iceland or online from the UK shipped by local transport companies. I can confirm that clotted cream is calorie free, according to the Devonian Clotted Cream Information Board, and my gran.
thanks Paul! see I knew it was a good thing knowing you! 😉 …
I love old doors and windows so these were my favorites, but the shot of the town, just beautiful. Don’t mistake me though, I loved the entire posting today! The steps, wonderful.
ah thank you so much! hope you enjoyed your ‘virtual tour’ with us – sorry you couldn’t taste the scones!
I must be an odd duck, scones aren’t a favorite of mine (neither is tea) so I loved the tour but with coffee.
oh we do great coffee out here!!!!!!!
What a great place to visit!
yes – we’re planning a return trip soon!
Looks a truly charming place.
thanks yes it is lovely!
Hi, I plan to visit Monchique on the 17th of December, 2013 or thereafter in December, any idea if the tea shop will be open? Interesting that OCHALA translated to Hindi/ Punjabi is “hey bring the tea!”
Also, could you suggest where to park cheaply (or for free) in Monchique, with the address that I could feed into the GPRs.
hello – I’m not sure if they are open all year – but here’s the link to their site – I’m sure if you contacted them they’d be able to let you know!
http://www.mythankyoupage.com/holidays-and-travel/monchique-algarve-portugal/ochala-tea-house-in-monchique-the-algarve/
and I’m pretty sure that parking in and around Monchique is free – especially at this time of year!
Thanks. We will be in Alvor for Christmas, we have never been in Europe for Christmas before, any suggestions on what to do?
well there are lots of empty beaches to enjoy – and Alvor has a lovely wooden walkway to wander along – you might find some more Christmas ideas in this post too … https://algarveblog.net/2011/12/23/the-12-days-of-christmas-portuguese-style/ and our Places to Go page might give you some ideas of places to visit too https://algarveblog.net/places-to-go/
Enjoy your holiday – and Feliz Natal!