|
Hotels (2) |
Inns (3) |
Pensions and Boarding Houses (1) |
Resorts and Apartments (1) |
Monchique lies in the
Serra de Monchique mountains, full of forests of chestnut trees and fields of wild flowers which are particularly beautiful in early Spring with the yellow bloom of the mimosa bushes.
A walk up to Picota, the second highest peak (773 metres), affords spectacular views of wild valleys, precipices and meadows with an enormous variety of vegetation, from chesnut to mimosa, pine and cork oaks, and terraced fertile fields.
Monchique in itself is a small market town known for its altitude (458 metres) and for the products grown or made in the region, which include wooden handicrafts, basket work, leather goods, woollen sweaters, cork, smoked ham, honey and the famous spirit of Algarve,
aguardente de medronho.
A cascade of white houses separated by narrow cobbled streets leads to the main square, where the population gathers on days of feast.
Nearby, the 16th- century Mother Church exhibits a fine Manueline doorway with knotted columns ending in pinnacles.
At only six kilometres from the town, Caldas de Monchique is a small and delightful spa, known from Roman times and surrounded by peaceful woods.
Its curative hot waters are used to treat a number of things, from rheumatism to respiratory and muscular problems as well as skin and digestive complaints.
A small and shady main square with cafés and esplanades completes the old-fashioned charm of Caldas de Monchique.
|
Hotels (2) |
Inns (3) |
Pensions and Boarding Houses (1) |
Resorts and Apartments (1) |