モンチッチのおすすめランニングルート

At the top of the Monchique mountain range rises Foia, the highest point in the Algarve, at 902 meters altitude. Its antennas mark the summit where the sky seems closest and, on clear days, the view reaches the Atlantic. Up here, the wind blows freely and the view is simply unforgettable.

Founded in 1631 by Pêro (or Pedro) da Silva, nicknamed "Mole," who later became Viceroy of India, the Convent of Our Lady of Exile now rests in ruins, shrouded in legend and silence. It is said to have originated from a promise made at sea, and that its founder brought back from India a small ivory image, still kept as a relic. Even abandoned, the convent retains the charm of the place where it was built: among trees and views that seem to embrace the entire mountain range.

Monchique is a charming, small village with narrow streets, colorful houses, and a traditional Portuguese atmosphere. You'll find local shops, cafés, and restaurants, often clustered around the central square. It's the perfect place to enjoy the tranquil mountain scenery and authentic Algarve culture.

The center of Monchique is a charming, small village with narrow streets, colorful houses, and a traditional Portuguese atmosphere. You'll find local shops, cafés, and restaurants, often clustered around the central square. It's the perfect place to enjoy the tranquil mountain scenery and authentic Algarve culture.

Some chestnut trees in Monchique are hundreds of years old, with enormous trunks and a majestic appearance. They are often living testaments to the region's traditional agricultural landscape.

In the Algarve, especially around Monchique, cork oaks (Quercus suber), a tree species typical of southern Portugal, grow in abundance. These trees are important to the Portuguese economy because their bark can be harvested every nine years to make cork – Portugal is the world's largest producer. Cork oak forests also form a valuable ecosystem that contributes to biodiversity and soil conservation. You can often recognize old trees by their bare, reddish-brown trunks with a date inscribed on them.

The Convento de Nossa Senhora do Desterro, also known as the Monastery of Our Lady of Desterro, is a historic monastery in Monchique, Portugal. It was founded in 1631 by Pero da Silva, who later became Viceroy of India. The monastery complex includes a chapel, a cloister, outbuildings and a garden

The highest point of the Algarve, Foie, is a stone's throw from Monchique. From this point you have a phenomenal view of the Algarve and the ocean. On the other side you can even see Lisbon on clear days. The view is particularly beautiful. For the active ones, there are also various walks starting from this highest point through the beautiful surroundings on top of the mountain.