Location: Monchique
Top Things to do in Monchique
Countries
Things to do in Monchique, Algarve: The Best Tours
Monchique (Portuguese pronunciation: [mõˈʃik(ɨ)]) is a municipality of southern Portugal, in Faro District (province of Algarve). The population in 2011 was 6,045, in an area of 395.30 km.
Restaurants in Monchique
1. The Bread Making Challenge!
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
FOODIE TOURS Portuguese cuisine is amongst the best in the world, and it’s in the heart of the Monchique mountains that you will find some of the finest local products from local farmers. With this in mind, we welcome you to take one of our Gastronomic Tours, during which you will meet with local producers, learning about their products and how they are made. The main products in Monchique are Honey, Medronho (local firewater made from the arbutus berry), Mushrooms, Chestnuts, Chouriço and a wide variety of Pork products. Our Serra also hosts a wide variety of wildlife and flora, perfect for nature lovers. So, what better than to combine all these qualities to present you with a selection of Tours, that show you all we have to offer! Please note: Foodie tours must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
Inclusions: Lunch, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions:
Reviewed By volkers380
Three generations of our family recently enjoyed the Medronho experience in Monchique. The two hour trip provided us with some spectacular views of the Algarve from the Picota range and a facinating insight into the Medronho cottage industry. The demonstration of how the local firewater is distilled was given by a lovely local couple and in English. Although no liquid was currently in production, as many of the Strawberry trees were lost in the big fire in 2018, we still spent a good hour in a building over 100 years old where we saw all the equipment used and heard how the spirit is produced. We were able to sample a few delicious glasses from two different vintages of Medronho, as well as local food specialities. The tasting was generous and so it was a good job that we had a driver to take us back home. Great experience of rural life in the Algarve.
2. Super Day- Jeep Tour + Arade River Cruise
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Spend half day exploring the unknown Algarve in our jeeps and the rest of the day enjoying a relaxing cruise along the River Arade! Let us take you off the beaten track and into the heart of the Algarve! In a convoy of jeeps we travel up hills and down dales, crossing streams and traversing meadows. Learn about the different flora and fauna and see some of the old customs still in practice - the traditional way of making of honey and distilling of medronho - a very potent local drink which you will have the chance to sample. A tasty lunch is provided in a pleasant and typical restaurant. After lunch it’s time to enjoy a relaxing cruise along the River Arade. The Arade reaches the sea at the town of Portimão - in ancient times and still today, an important commercial port. As you cruise along the river you can enjoy the lush scenery, the soothing sound of birdsong, the river wildlife and the hypnotic lapping of the water against the boat.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Lunch
Exclusions: Bottled water
Reviewed By Astrit B
Seeing the coastline from the sea is an adventure in itself. The caves are strange but beautiful. The boat and crew are in good shape, and everybody tries is best to help you. I need some help getting in and out the small boat, and that was fine. You have to take the music on the boat as it is, I could have done without it. I could have stayed on the Ophelia all day!
3. Algarve a la Carte
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
This is a day of discovery and history where you visit some of the most interesting and scenic areas of the Algarve. Steeped in tradition, encompassing the mountains and the sea it’s the perfect way to acquaint yourself with the Algarve. Our route follows lesser travelled paths, giving you a discerning view of Portugal’s past and present.
Inclusions: Lunch
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Astrit B
Seeing the coastline from the sea is an adventure in itself. The caves are strange but beautiful. The boat and crew are in good shape, and everybody tries is best to help you. I need some help getting in and out the small boat, and that was fine. You have to take the music on the boat as it is, I could have done without it. I could have stayed on the Ophelia all day!
4. Monchique Hills & Flavors
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Walk through Monchique cork and medronho forest, delve into its gastronomy and learn how local farmers create the best cured meat in Algarve. Start early in the morning on a hike to the most panoramic point in Monchique, through cork and medronho trees. Visit a black pigs factory, where producing Portugal’s most flavoursome meat is done by methods that have been passed on from generations. Learn how the sausages and the famous chouriços are produced at the farm. Taste the best chouriço and raw hams in Monchique paired with a fine glass of red wine. Visit a Medronho distillery, where local producers will show you the process of distillation and explain step by step how it is made
Inclusions: Lunch, Coffee and/or Tea, A glass of wine and a liquor tasting session, Bottled water
Exclusions: Private transportation
Reviewed By lauragoma2021
Thank you Matteo and Gloria for an absolutely wonderful day! I learned so much, laughed a lot, and I loved our beautiful lunch at the colourful garden with amazing food. Thanks for showing me around, explaining so much, and making me feel so welcome! Hope to see you again soon! Laura
5. Algarve Wine Tour and Mountain Trip With Lunch or Sunset Dinner at Mountain Top
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Join a private wine tour of two local vineyards/farms and their cellars, guided by a wine expert and learn about all the process of winemaking, from the vineyard to the bootle. Enjoy tasting three types of wine at each vineyard, while you learn more about wine flavours and how to better degustate. Then ascend to the highest peak in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Feast on a lunch or dinnner with view to the coastline sunset in a mountain top restaurant with some of the best Portuguese cuisine specialties and a panoramic view over Algarve.
Inclusions: Beverages, Lunch, Wine tasting, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off from Portimão, Port pickup and drop-off from Portimão, Private tour is guaranteed if your party are 4 people or more, Group of 2-3 may have to share with other 2-3 maximum. Private tour for 2-3 can go with an extra fee
Exclusions: Pickup and drop-off from other points outside of Portimão area are available for additional cost
Reviewed By Dianeonthego
Fabio was a fantastic guide. He is passionate, engaging and incredibly knowledgable about all stages of the harvest, wine production and tasting. As someone who has been on many wine tours, I still managed to learn something new and different. We had a wonderful morning and I would highly recommend booking any tour with him. Obrigada Fabio!
6. Road Bike challenging ride
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 6 reviews
This is a must do ride for all serious road bikers, the ascent of the highest mountain in the Algarve - Foia. With a challenging ride on mainly quiet roads, there is much for road bikers to enjoy, spectacular scenery, great road surfaces and very little traffic. With great chance of doing this ride in great weather you are sure to enjoy the ride and feel the sense of achievement afterward.
Inclusions: Local taxes, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Bike & Helmet hire
Exclusions:
Reviewed By gononf
We rented bikes one day and went on a guided bike tour the other day. The bikes are amazing (new material: sram eagle gear shift :) etc. ). And it was defenetly worth going on a guided tour: he showed us the countryside on gravel roads which we would never have found on our own. Thanks a lot for the great fun
7. Jeep Safari #1 in Algarve
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 9 reviews
Jeep Safari # 1 in the Algarve If it’s fun, excitement and adventure you’re looking for.....then look no further! Let us take you off the beaten track… but straight into the heart of the Algarve! Traveling in a convoy of jeeps we go up hills and down dales, crossing streams and traversing meadows. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of an area almost untouched by time. Our journey will take us along winding earthen tracks to some the most fascinating places in the Algarve. In tiny white-washed villages where time seems to have stood still you can see some of the old customs still in practice. We will visit a small local distillery where the brave can sample “medronho” - a very potent local drink and where you can see honey being made in the age old way. The day includes a full, delicious lunch served in a typical restaurant.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Lunch
Exclusions: Bottled water
Reviewed By Astrit B
Seeing the coastline from the sea is an adventure in itself. The caves are strange but beautiful. The boat and crew are in good shape, and everybody tries is best to help you. I need some help getting in and out the small boat, and that was fine. You have to take the music on the boat as it is, I could have done without it. I could have stayed on the Ophelia all day!
8. Full Day Wine Tour w / lunch
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 4 reviews
Pass through the most traditional vineyards of the Algarve to taste their wines, and stop at Fóia to enjoy the landscape and have lunch
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation
Exclusions:
Reviewed By ColleenS708
This was a difficult review to write, as we liked the driver. But if the description of this photo tour had been accurate and mentioned that the tour went off roading on very bumpy steep roads, we would have not signed up. When I asked another passenger if this is what she thought the tour was going to be like, she replied no. In the description of the tour and under the heading “what to expect” the tour operator should clearly spell out that this may be be challenging for older people and tall people - 8 passengers crammed into a Land Rover with the 4 back seats facing each other with no leg room. My husband could not sit up straight in the back. If he hadn’t moved to the front passenger seat, he would have slammed the top of his head on the roof of the vehicle during the tour. Finally, we clearly gave our address as to where to be picked up. After no one showed up, I received a curt call that I was supposed to be at the gas station in front of our building. We were never told the make, model, license plate of the vehicle (we would have been looking for it) and it was our fault that the tour started late!?! Again, if the accuracy and communication were better, this review would have been different. If you enjoy off-roading, then this tour is for you. The photo stops and sunset were beautiful. And the driver did provide interesting insights.
9. Premium Wine and Gastronomic Mountain Tour in The Algarve
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 7 reviews
Indulge in a 6-hour private gastronomic tour from Portimão. Visit a winery to sample local wine and produce as well as a medronho distillery for arbutus brandy and arbutus honeyed brandy tastings. Have lunch or dinner at sunset in mountain top restaurant with panoramic views over Algarve, and indulge in a variety of the best Portuguese specialties.
Inclusions: Beverages, Wine and food tasting, Lunch, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by private vehicle, Private tour is guaranteed if your party are 4 people or more, Group of 2-3 may have to share with other 2-3 maximum. Private tour for 2-3 can go with an extra fee
Exclusions: Pickup and drop-off from points other than Portimão area are available at additional cost
Reviewed By Dianeonthego
Fabio was a fantastic guide. He is passionate, engaging and incredibly knowledgable about all stages of the harvest, wine production and tasting. As someone who has been on many wine tours, I still managed to learn something new and different. We had a wonderful morning and I would highly recommend booking any tour with him. Obrigada Fabio!
10. Historical Algarve - Day Trip
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 7 reviews
Visit the West of the Algarve- full of History and Nature - on this full-day trip from the Algarve! • Directed by a professional multilingual Tour Guide • Visit to Silves, the old Moorish capital of the Algarve • Visit to Foia, the highest point of the Algarve • Visit to Monchique • Visit to Lagos, important city for the portuguese discoveries • Visit to Sagres, one of the most amazing and beautiful places of the Algarve
Inclusions: Hotel or nearby location pickup and drop-off, Professional Guide, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By dbrustad
We were picked up right on time from our hotel and delivered to the home base where we received a safety training and intro to the vehicles. My wife and I felt completely comfortable with the equipment and training and had a great time along the route. There were parts that got pretty bumpy along the way which was great fun- and the guide was always taking photos and videos of us which was awesome to have some memories of the trip. Can't think of a way to make it better, extremely happy with the trip.
