Monchique, Portugal: Best Things to Do, Map & 1-Day Itinerary

Monchique is a charming little town nestled in the hills of the Algarve in southern Portugal. Just a short drive from the coast, it feels worlds apart from the bustling seaside resorts.

Surrounded by the rolling hills covered in forests of cork oak and eucalyptus, Monchique offers a refreshing contrast from the Algarve beaches and captivates with stunning scenery and traditional Portuguese charm.

With its hilly landscapes, charming villages, and therapeutic springs, the area around Monchique is often mentioned as a must-visit destination for those seeking tranquility and authentic experiences in rural Algarve. However, it’s one of those low-key destinations where it’s not always clear where exactly to go, what you can see there, and whether it’s even worth it…

So if you are wondering what to see and do in Monchique, this article should help you get a realistic idea of what to expect and understand where precisely to go and what you will find there. That way, you can experience the best that this area has to offer.

We recently visited Monchique and in this guide, we share our favorite spots that we found were worth our time the most. To help you plan your visit, we also include a recommended 1-day itinerary and a map indicating all the places mentioned in this article. At the bottom of this guide, you can also find some practical tips for visiting Monchique. Take a look!

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Here are some of the very best things to do in Monchique and surroundings:

Monchique Old Town

The old town of Monchique is a charming destination with narrow, cobbled streets, and white-washed houses with their typical “skirt-shaped” chimneys.

As you walk around the town center, you will also see some beautiful colored houses and lots of interesting artworks such as tiled murals and various sculptures.

Monchique is also famous for its handicraft stores, and you will also find lots of little shops selling souvenirs and all kinds of local delicacies (more info about what to buy and what to taste further below).

The must-sees in Monchique town include the main square, the church, and the viewpoint. We also recommend checking out the little pedestrian street Rua do Porto Fundo that connects the main square to the church and the upper part of town.

We indicated all these places on our map. Further below, you can also find some more details about each place and some photos to get a better idea of what to expect.

Good to know: Some guides also mention an old Convent of Nossa Senhora do Desterro as a recommended place to see in Monchique. However, the convent has been abandoned for a very long time and is in ruins. Furthermore, it’s located high on the hill outside the town center and you may also run into some locals who will try to trick you into paying money for a visit… It can be nice to see if you like abandoned places with rich history, but it’s definitely not a must. You can also see the building from the town center without going up there.

 

Monchique Town Square

The main square of Monchique, between the main road (N266) and Largo dos Chorões, is a lively place with several restaurants, cafes, and little shops.

In the center of the square, you can see an interesting water feature/ fountain with some interesting sculptures of various animals.

Across the road, you can also find a small park; it’s located lower than the main street and isn’t very well visible from the square.

 

Monchique Parochial Church

The Parochial Church (Igreja Paroquial de Monchique), just a few minutes walk from the square, is the main church of Monchique.

It dates back to the early 16th century and has beautiful wooden floors and ceilings; well worth a quick peak inside.

 

Monchique Viewpoint

Miradouro de Monchique is a viewpoint at a belvedere on Saint Sebastian Square, where the visitor’s information center is located. From here, you can enjoy a nice elevated view of the village (see also the featured image at the top of this article).

Since you will likely pass here anyway, check it out. However, the town is located somewhat lower than the surrounding hills, so the best views can be found outside of the village and not in the center (more about it further).

Also, when we visited, there was construction going on in this square and the visitor center was closed. It seems that they are building a larger car park, so maybe the entire place will get a facelift soon.

Oh, and since Monchique is home to so many water springs, you can find several water taps here where you can taste some mountain water if you like. However, it was warm when we tried it and didn’t taste nearly as good as the water from other springs in the area…

 

Miradouro da Fóia

Monte Fóia is the highest mountain peak of Algarve, at 902 meters (2.952 ft) altitude. It’s located in the Serra de Monchique range, about 8 km/15 minutes drive west of Monchique.

From the viewpoint of Miradouro da Fóia, you can enjoy stunning views of the Algarve or do some hiking. There is also a tiny chapel here, Capela de Santo António.

In recent years, Mount Foia has become a mecca for cycling enthusiasts. As you arrive at the top, you will be greeted by a sculpture of cyclist Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) celebrating his victory in the Volta ao Algarve race’s toughest ascent in 2020. The sculpture demonstrates that the climb to Mount Foia is an inspiring achievement and proof of overcoming obstacles. Nowadays, bicyclists stop here to celebrate reaching the Top of the Algarve.

If you want to do some hiking, you will be glad to know that there are lots of hiking trails in the area. Foia Viewpoint is the starting point of the PR 3 MCQ – Trilho da Fóia hike, which is one of the best options if you are looking for a short hike in Monchique. It’s a circular route of 6.5km and takes about 2 hours and it’s best to hike anticlockwise. The hike can be done year-round but is most beautiful in the spring when you can see all kinds of flowers along the trail.

 

The Fóia Viewpoint has quite some facilities including several shops where you can buy all kinds of handicrafts from local artists, Portuguese wines, and local delicacies from the Monchique region.

At the main car parking area, you can also find a snack bar. However, we recommend heading to the Alecrim Food Truck instead.

The food truck is not visible at first, but if you walk to the viewpoint, you will see it tucked away just a bit down the hill. They have all kinds of drinks, cocktails, ice cream, and some light meals. It’s a great place to enjoy the spectacular views and the food is surprisingly good. Try their cheesy bread!

 

Miradouro da Fonte Santa

Miradouro da Fonte Santa is another nice viewpoint in the Serra de Monchique mountain range. It’s located just next to the main road between Monchique town and the Fóia Viewpoint.

This viewpoint is a bit lower than the one at Fóia, but the views also stretch across the landscape all the way to the ocean. In addition, there is a natural spring here which is very popular among locals who come to fill up their water bottles. The water is said to have all kinds of healing powers.

When we first stopped at Fonte Santa, there were two families filling up dozens of huge water bottles here. So we couldn’t even taste some of that water without waiting at least 15-20 minutes. But if you are luckier and there is nobody around, give it a try. Otherwise, you can stop here again after visiting Fóia.

 

Barranco do Demo Boardwalk

Passadiços Barranco do Demo is one of the more recent attractions in the Monchique area. This is a boardwalk and a hanging bridge that connects two parts of a valley south of the village of Alferce.

There are quite a few hiking trails here including the 19.4 km-long PR10 MCQ hike. But you can also just simply do the boardwalk and the suspension bridge and get back to where you started. If you just walk from the parking to the suspension bridge and back, you can visit here in 10-15 minutes. We did the entire boardwalk both ways and spent about half an hour.

Good to know: There are two places from where you can access the Barranco do Demo Boardwalk. We indicated both of them on our map. The easiest one to get to is the parking area behind the cemetery of Alferce. The southern part of the valley also has a small car park area and even picnic tables, but you will have to drive 1.5km on a very narrow gravel road in order to get there.

We followed Google Maps and ended up on this mountain road. We were extremely lucky not to meet another car in the opposite direction when driving here, but at moments, there was literally just enough place for one car, with rocks at one side and deep drops on the other. We found that the view was nicer from this side than hiking from Alferce, but driving on this narrow road was quite stressful, not to mention that our car got covered in dust completely.

My recommendation is to park next to the cemetery of Alferce, hike the entire boardwalk, potentially have a picnic on the other side, and then get back the same way you came. It’s not a long hike at all and is one of the nicest hikes in Monchique. If you have more time, you can also do a longer circular trail, but for that, you will want to wear good hiking shoes and pack plenty of water.

 

Traditional Crafts & Regional Delicacies

No visit to Monchique would be complete without discovering traditional crafts and sampling regional delicacies. There are many nice local artisan shops in Monchique town and also at Foia Viewpoint.

In Monchique town, we stumbled upon a local bakery Pastelaria Doce & Arte that sells Bolo de Tacho, a traditional Monchique cake. It’s a dark and very dense cake that is made with cornflour, coffee, yellow sugar, cinnamon, fennel, honey, cacao, and some secret ingredients. It’s quite good and also easy to take home with you. In addition, the bakery has dozens of other cakes and regional sweets – you won’t know what to choose…

Monchique is also known for the famous Algarve firewater Aguardente de Medronho, or simply Medronho. This strong spirit is made from the fruit of the arbutus tree (aka strawberry tree) that grows in this region. You can find it in many local stores.

TIP: Some guided tours to Monchique include a visit to a local distillery where you can try this famous drink without having to worry about driving on winding mountain roads afterward.

You will also notice that many stores sell unique foldable wooden chairs, also referred to as the ‘scissor chairs’ or ‘X chairs’. Apparently, their origins can be traced back to ancient Egypt and they were later introduced to Europe by Romans. These chairs are surprisingly comfortable and were loved by emperors and European monarchs.

In Monchique, local artisans have managed to keep this ancient tradition alive to this day. Locals will proudly tell you that these are traditional Monchique chairs that you won’t find anywhere else. And indeed, we have only seen them in this region.

 

More Places to See in Monchique

There is more to see and do in Monchique than the main highlights listed above. However, I’m not sure whether they are worth a visit if you are only passing the region shortly and have limited time. Nevertheless, I want to mention a few of the main sites, just in case you have plenty of time and/or are looking for some additional things to do nearby.

Caldas de Monchique

The Monchique region is renowned for its natural springs and thermal waters which are said to have healing powers. When you read some travel guides, you get a feeling that this is a world-famous spa town with waterfalls and hot springs. But when you try to find any of them to visit, you realize that publicly accessible springs are underwhelming and no swimming is allowed at most places (for that, check out Alte village instead!).

That said, you can find some amazing spa experiences at some hotels in Caldas de Monchique. So if you are looking for a place to stay when exploring the region, you could consider spending a few nights here and enjoying the healing properties of the region’s spring waters. TIP: Monchique Resort & Spa is the best place to be.

Mina Park

Parque da Mina is a sort of living museum, where you can visit an old family house and see all kinds of artifacts the family has used for many generations, feed farm animals, etc. There is also a kids’ play area, an outdoor BBQ, but also some walking trails with several viewpoints, a short suspension bridge, etc.

It’s a low-key experience that could be nice if you are looking to fill a few hours with kids, but otherwise, I’m not sure if it’s worth your time or the entrance fee.

Odelouca Reservoir Park

Barragem de Odelouca is a big water reservoir that is sometimes mentioned as one of the best places to see in the Monchique area. It’s a tranquil place with some walking trails, and you can get some nice photos here (especially if you have a drone). Keep in mind that swimming is not allowed here.

Odelouca Reservoir is quite out of the way from the main sights of Monchique. Just like most other sites in this area, it’s nice to see if you have lots and plenty of time, but definitely not a must. From the ground, you also don’t get the same views as from above.

 

Map & 1-Day Itinerary

As promised, below you can find a map indicating all the places mentioned in this article. And here is our itinerary for the best of Monchique in a day (or a good half a day without hiking):

• Start at Alferce village and hike to Barranco do Demo Boardwalk. If you have an hour or two extra, you can do a longer circular hike here.
• Drive to Monchique (9km/15 minutes drive). Explore the town, have some cake at a bakery, and check out some local stores.
• Drive to Miradouro da Fonte Santa (6km/10 minutes drive), enjoy the views, and try some water from the springs.
• Drive to Miradouro da Fóia (2km/5 minutes drive) for the best views in the area. If interested, you could do some hiking here. Don’t miss the Alecrim Food Truck, which is also a great spot for sunset.
• If you can stay in the region for at least one night, head to Caldas de Monchique. Monchique Resort & Spa is a great place to unwind after a busy day. It could also be a good base for exploring western Algarve.

How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

 

Practical Info & Tips

Below, you can find some practical information and useful things to know when planning a visit to Monchique:

Monchique is located at a higher elevation, so the weather can be quite different here than by the coast. In the summer, it’s usually a few degrees cooler and it can be a pleasant escape from the heat. On the other hand, it’s often too hot for hiking or biking, especially in July and August. In the winter months, it can be much colder and cloudy/foggy in Monchique even if it’s warm and sunny at the coast. Needless to say, you will be able to enjoy better views on a clear sunny day, so if you can, adjust your visit accordingly.

Monchique is located in a rural area and is best reached by car. You can get to the village by public transport and there are lots of hiking and biking possibilities as well. But if you want to see the best of the area in a limited time, you’ll need a car.

If you are driving an electric car, you may want to know that there are two spots with EV chargers at the car park right on the main square in Monchique. However, they were both in use when we arrived, so it’s best to charge your car in advance so that you don’t have to rely on them.

If you don’t have a car, it’s best to book a guided tour. There are many nice tours starting from various coastal towns. Itineraries vary greatly, from sightseeing-focused tours that visit Silves and Monchique to easy-going tours that include winery or distillery visits, etc. So you can always find a tour to suit your interests.

Keep in mind that the area is hilly and the roads around Monchique are winding and often quite narrow. The main roads are in good condition, but if you want to get a bit off the beaten path, you might quickly find yourself on steep and narrow gravel roads. Oh, and if you are driving, you may want to tune your car radio to Foia station. It plays some local music which adds to the charm of exploring the region ;).

Bring some cash. While most places take cards, some local businesses are still cash-only!

Because of its rather central location, Monchique can be a good rural base for exploring the western Algarve. It’s just about 35 minutes drive from Portimao in the south or Aljezur on the west coast, less than an hour from Lagos or Albufeira and many of Algarve’s best water parks. Sagres is a bit over 1 hour drive and Faro Airport – less than 1.5 hours.

Here you can find more info about some of the best towns of Algarve:

• Best Towns to Visit in Algarve
• Best Things to Do in Sagres
• Best Things to Do in Faro
• Best Things to Do in Albufeira
• Best Things to Do in Lagos

 

So, this is our guide to Monchique and its surroundings. I hope that it gives you a good idea of what to expect and helps you plan your visit.

It’s a simple rural destination, but there is something about Monchique and its unique allure that makes it well worth a visit. It’s also a great opportunity to discover a different side of Algarve and get a glimpse of rural Portugal which is so very different from the most popular cities and coastal resorts.

TIP: Check out our Portugal travel guide for an overview of all our articles about a wide variety of destinations all over Portugal and the Algarve region. We come here very often and have tons of guides to help you plan some amazing trips!

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