Knight Frank Property for Sale in Monchique
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The Serra de Monchique is a green and wooded mountain range of cork, chestnut and eucalyptus trees that act as the northern boundary to the Algarve. The hills are visible from the coastline and form an attractive back drop. The town of Monchique and Caldas to Monchique are the 2 main towns.
Monchique is a breathtaking rural town, nestled between the hills of Foia and Picota, 20 minutes inland from Portimao on Portugals Algarve Coast. A green oasis of lush gardens, flowers and butterflies the old craggy rural town sits amonst steep cobbled streets in the Serra De Monchique mountain range, comanding a majestic view of the Western Algarve below.
Caldas de Monchique, set in a steep valley and surrounded by thick wood, has been a spa since roman times. A few years ago the Monchique Terma company bought virtually the entire village and began turning the run down buildings into hotels and guest houses revitalizing the cafes and shops and modernizing the spa itself, transforming it into a tourist resort.
A few degrees cooler than the coastline, with pleasant breezes.
History of the area
Caldas de Monchique was a favorite resort for the Spanish bourgeoisie in the 19th century. The waters are sid to have healing powers for skin and chest complaints and the thermal spa is therapeutic as well as a leisure facility.
Culture
Monchique has a market on the 2nd Friday of each month, famous for smoked hams and locally made furniture especially the distinctive x-shaped wooden chairs. The ruined Francisxan monastery of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is a short walk from the town of Monchqiue.
Unique points
Monchique water is bottled here. Many tourists take a days excursion to Monchique and have lunch in one of the many restaurants to taste the local chicken piri-piri a spicy chicken and fore-runner to Nandos. The more up-market restaurants also serve wild bore and chorizo sausages, which are soaked in the local spirit Medronha and set fire to in the restaurant! If you are feeling brave and don´t have to drive try Medronho or fire-water as an aperitif, brewed in the area.
Types of property available
Individual villas set into the hillsides and surrounded by cork and eucalyptus tress, some with beautiful views down to the Algarve coast.
Market comment
A specialized market as it is 30 minutes from the coast, so it is for a different type of person to those that buy on the coast. However road up to Monchique has just been re done so access has improved greatly and once up there you fell lost in time so an enchanting place to have a 2nd home. Prices are cheaper than on the coast and properties take longer to sell.
Access
Buses from Portimão or car, from A22 motorway get off at Portimão and follow signs for Monchqiue