Monchique

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Monchique is a town and mountain range approximately 50kms north of Portimao in the western half of the Algarve. Fóia (902 m) is the highest point and nestled between it and Picota (the second highest) lies the little town named Monchique. Monchique is also the name given to the municipality and the Caldas de Monchique are therapeutic thermal springs .

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The mountains are much cooler and greener than the coastal Algarve that lies to the south. Often enveloped in clouds the mountains trap rain and shelter the Algarve from northerly winds. The subtropical maritime mountain climate offers ideal conditions for a variety of exotic plants and even today the serras terraces are cultivated with vegetables and fruit trees. Seriousely damaged by plantations of pine and eucalyptus trees as well as fires in these plantations (fire in 2004) there are nevertheless still areas of oak, cork oak, chestnut and arbutusberry and an abundance of colourful wild flowers especially in springtime. There are also many Bird species that live in the mountains and valleys including goshawks, storks, water hens, wild pigeons, mottled, royal and round-winged eagles, doves, kingfishers, nightingales, cuckoos, bluecaps, wrens and owls.

Caldas de Monchique

Caldas de Monchique is a spa town on the southern slopes of the Monchique mountains. The Romans built impressive thermal baths here and it has been famous since for its waters, which are believed to have healing properties. Today the thermal facilities offer treatments for chronic respiratory illnesses, back pains, rheumatism and muscular problems.

When arriving from the south on the EN266 there is a spring water bottling factory at the entrance and further up there is a large shaded square with cafes where you can sit outside. The square is surrounded by preety buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuaries and despite a period of decline resulting from increased coastal torurism the Caldas de Monchiqe are gradually being renovated. There is a fountain where you can sample the natural sulfurous spring water and a little glazed pavilion by the chapel of Santa Teresa (St. Theresa), which contains a series of 18th century tiled panels that tell the story of her life.

Rising up the hillside is an extensive wooded park ideal for a short walk amoung the shady tress and there are stone picnic tables where you can stop for a picnic by the gurgling river.

Fóia

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From Monchique follow the sign marked Fóia that heads to the left up the 900 metre high mountain. There is a good spot to fill those large water bottles with spring water at a road side fountain. Further along there are a number of large wind turbines and views out across the hills and valleys of the Monchique region. The rocky summit has a military installation on top and is a little windy and cold and can even experience an occasional snow fall in winter. The view from Fóia takes in large swathes of the Algarve out to Cabo de São Vicente (near Sagres) and if you look north you can sometimes see as far as the Serra da Arrábida which is close to Lisbon.

Monchique Food and Cuisine

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Monchique is famous in the Algarve for it's roadside Chicken Piri Piri restaurants that serve barbequed chicken with Piri Piri hot source and other Portuguese favourites at very reasonable prices. Look out for local cars parked outside to help choose one of the best. Local specialities are made with pork, rice and beans or chestnuts, traditionally cured smoked hams and many delicious sausages and blood sausages such as "farinheiras" and "molhos". After dinner try one of the local desserts or cakes that use plenty of the wild flower honey that has been farmed here since the 16th centuary. Arbutus Brandy/ (Medronho in Portuguese) is a local symbol of friendship and is a brandy made in copper stills and aged in oak barrels, from the Arbutus fruit (Strawberry tree fruit pictured) which grow on the northern slopes of Monchique. The brandy made from the round red fruits is also mixed with honey (Melosa) or flavoured with different herbs or fruits.

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