MONCHIQUE / SILVES

Drive north to the hills of Monchique, which provide a pleasant and refreshing contrast to the heat of the coastline during the summer months. The small village of Caldas de Monchique is one of the oldest spas in Portugal and some of its 17th century buildings have been restored to their original elegance. Tour proceeds to Foia, the Algarve’s highest point where you can witness superb panoramic views.

Tour continues to the beautiful city of Silves, which was only recaptured from the moors in the 13th century. You will then visit the impressive and well-preserved Moorish castle and the gothic cathedral, which was built by King Alphonse X of Castile. Nearby is the 16th century “Cross of Portugal”, an impressive sculpture engraved on both sides.

 

Monchique

Monchique is a small market town in a scenic range of rounded hills of the same name. Its steep, cobbled streets and its parish church, featuring a Mainline doorway, are overlooked by a derelict 17th century Franciscan convent, Nossa Senhora do Desterro. The shops are full of local produce, including baskets, rough woolen sweaters, soft leather slippers and gloves, honey, and medronho firewater.

The slopes around about are terraced for farming or forested with cork, oak, pine and eucalytus. Six kilometres south and 300m below Monchique is the spa village of Caldas de Monchique nestling in a wooded ravine. Eight kilometres up from Monchique, the rocky summit of Fóia is the Algarve's highest point at just under 900m. The winding road to Foia is lined by restaurants famous for their barbecued chicken piri-piri.

Silves

Silves, once a city of glittering minaret and bustling bazaars, was the Moorish capital of the Algarve. Its imposing red sandstone castle was the scene of horrific medieval battles between Islamic Moors and Christians.

Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land played an important role in the recon quest of the Algarve in the 13th century. A few of those who fell in the battle are entombed in the cathedral next to the castle. Both the castle and cathedral are open to visitors. Nearby is a small archaeological museum. The tumultuous city of yesteryears is today a quiet market town in the midst of the Algarve´s main citrus-growing area. Cork is processed locally. The town hosts two annual festivals, one celebrating oranges, the other beer. On the third Monday of each month there is a particularly lively open-air market.

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