Things to do in Monchique, Algarve

Areas of interest in and around Monchique

• Foia
  
  The highest point in the Algarve. It is 902 metres high and the view is fantastic - you can see from Cape St. Vincent in the west, to Faro in the east and to the Serra da Arrabida, near Lisbon, to the north! You also get an up-close view of the wind turbines! A word of caution - go prepared with something warm to put on! On the day we went it was 19°C in Portimão and just 9°C when we reached Foia.
  
  

•  Caldas de Monchique:
  
  

• Ceramic exhibtion in Monchique
  
  

 

Churches in the Monchique area

• Monchique church:
  
  Built  in the 15th/16th centuries and has a manueline door. Some of the decoration inside is in the baroque gilded woodwork known as 'talha dourada' that was popular in the 18th century. There are also some items from the convent of Nossa Senhora do Desterro from the 17th century.
  
   

• Santa Teresa chapel in Caldas de Monchique: 
  
  Just near to the chapel there are steps leading through the trees into a very tranquil, wooded park winding it's way up the hillside. There are stone benches and tables beside the stream that runs down the hillside - ideal for taking a break with a picnic. It really is quite enchanting and well worth a visit.
  
   

• Igreja do Senhor dos Passos: A small church in Largo da Portela, was until about 1800, the old hermitage of S. João.

• Igreja da Misericórdia in Monchique: 18th century

• Capela do Pé da Cruz: 1 km south of the town next to the main road is a chapel dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Pé da Cruz, constructed in 1680, next to which on the 3rd May is celebrated the festival of Nossa Senhora do Pé da Cruz.

• The hermitage of S. Sebastião just to the south of Monchique: 16th century

• The hermitage of S. António in Marmelete: 18th century

• Igreja Matriz in Marmelete (Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Encarnação): From the early 17th century, but much restored after being badly damaged in the 1755 earthquake.

• Igreja Matriz of S. Romão in  Alferce: From the end of 15th beginning of the 16th century and built in the manueline style.

 

Galleries and Museums in the Monchique area

• Galeria St° António
  
  On  Calçada de St. António -for temporary exhibitions and small concerts

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Centre of Sacred Art: Attached to the Igreja Matriz in Monchique

• Galeria da Porca Preta: On the road from Monchique to Alferce

 

Historical remains in the Monchique area

• Nossa Senhora de Desterro:
  
  On the hillside above Monchique is the ruin of a 17th century convent (Nossa Senhora de Desterro - our Lady of Exile)...there is a magnolia tree in the gardens, supposedly the largest in Europe and a fountain (Fonte dos Passarinhos) decorated with tiles showing birds in various poses.
  
  

• Castelo de Alferce: Thought to have been constructed in the 10th or 11th century. Today little remains except some of the walls and a cistern. There are signs of Roman occupation at the site.

Leisure activities in the Monchique area

• Parque da Mina: An old farm with an 18th century furnished house; a now disused ore mine, a Medronho distillery and wood coal production.

• Mountain biking: Monchique is an excellent area for mountain biking. 'Outdoor tours ' arrange bike trips and walking tours in and around Monchique, Tel: 916 736 226.

• Slide and Splash: Near Lagoa, Slide and Splash is the nearest water park.

• Golf: 'Morgada', 'Silves', 'Penina' and 'Palmares' are the nearest courses

• Monchique municipal swimming pools:
   
  The inside pool is open October to June and can be used for 'free swimming' (not classes or schools)
  Monday: 2pm-6.30pm, Tuesday: 2pm -8pm, Wednesday: 2pm to 7.15pm, Thursday: 2pm - 8pm, Friday: 2pm to 6.45pm, Saturday: 9am to 12.30pm Open October to June. You will need a swimming cap and flipflops for poolside use.
  
  The outside pool is open during the summer (June to September), entrance is free.
  Opening hours: Monday: 14h00 to 19h00
  Tuesday to Sunday: 10h00 to 19h00

• Please note that Omega park is now closed (July 2007)