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The town
of
Monchique is
situated high in the Pico da Fóia mountains, which form
a natural boundary between the
Algarve
and
Alentejo
regions of
Portugal.
Monchique is a
busy market town, famous for it's smoked hams and
locally crafted furniture and is a pretty place to visit
if you want to get away from the hurly burly of the
Algarve's tourist resorts. Located on the highest peak
of the Serra de Monchique, the town provides excellent
views. |
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The
slopes around
Monchique
provide ample walks through the woodland,
where you can enjoy the relatively cool mountain air and
the views down to the coast.
Monchique
is only 24 kilometres from
Portimão,
though if you have not got your own transport the
journey may take a lot longer than you expect. There is
a bus service running from
Portimão
to
Monchique
though these are irregular and do not
necessarily run daily.
There is
however a train service running from both
Faro and
Lagos to
Monchique
daily, but you will be limited to the
time you can spend meandering through the woodland.
Parking at
Monchique
can be difficult to find, even in the low tourist
seasons and on Fridays, when the town hosts it's weekly
market. |
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Fact
File
Fóia, above Monchique, is
the highest peak in the Algarve at 902 metres
above sea level. |
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Traditional Scissor Chair |
Smoked Ham (Presunto) |
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Although
Monchique
has survived over development due to it's
lofty and somewhat difficult construction location,
there are one or two new developments near to the centre
of town. Perhaps the most evocative site to visit in the
town is the ruined 17th century monastery. The shell of
the building is overgrown with shrubs and wildlife and
gives it a fairytale feel and provides a good vantage
point to look out over the town itself.
On your
way back down the mountain it is worth stopping in at
the
Caldas de Monchique
(Hot Springs), which is cut into a ravine and used since
Roman times. The waters, which bubble from the hillside,
are said to have healing qualities. |
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Monchique, Algarve, Portugal |
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View Monchique, Algarve, Portugal in a larger map |
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