This is a beautiful day trip to get away from the coast and the resorts. High in the hills around an hours drive is the charming town of Monchique.

Rolling green hills may have exclusive villas but the village keeps its traditional character. The peaks of Picota and Foia look over a great view of the Western Algarve. This is the highest part of the region a full 773m high.

Getting there

Drive via main IP1, take the Monchique turn off. You can stop off at Caldas de Monchique (natural spa) on the way. Past Monchique, you can drive up to Foia, for the view.

Eating and drinking

On the way the restaurant Jardim Das Oliveras is good for lunch, has outside terrace.

Silves castle is a short drive and the cafe Ingles is by the castle entrance and is a good stopoff point for coffee.

Click here for the Wikipedia page on Monchique.