Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
this place serves reliably good cuisine amid country rustic charm. A few favourites in-
clude cabbage with spicy sausages and an award-winning honey flan for dessert.
Restaurante O Parque
(mains €7-13; lunch & dinner)
Directly opposite the Monchique tourist office, this cosy local
haunt serves good, honest, down- to-earth dishes. Many workers head here for lunch.
PORTUGUESE
€€
BAR
Barlefante
(Travessa das Guerreiras; mains €3-5; noon-2am Mon-Thu, 1pm-4am Fri-Sun)
Monchique's coolest
haunt, this fun place has a touch of the burlesque, with hot-pink walls, red-velvet alcoves,
ornate mirrors and chandeliers.
Shopping
Distinctive, locally made 'scissor chairs' (wooden folding stools) are a good buy here
(smaller children's versions start at around €25). Try shops along Rua Estrada Velha and
Rua Calouste Gulbenkian.
Information
Turismo
( 282 911 189; Largo da São Sebastião; 9.30am-1pm & 2-5.30pm Mon-Fri)
A useful spot for
picking up maps, but frustratingly, limited (or no) information on walks. It's uphill from
the bus stop, up Rua Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco.
Getting There & Away
Frota-Azul
(
www.frotazul-algarve.pt
) buses run to/from Portimão (€4.25, 45 minutes,
five to eight daily).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Monchique
Fóia
The 902m Fóia peak, 8km west of Monchique, is the Algarve's highest point. The road to
the summit climbs through eucalyptus and pine trees and opens up vast views over the
rolling hills. On the way are numerous piri-piri pit stops offering spicy chicken. Telecom-
