Monchique

The quiet highland town of Monchique, dozing on the wooded slopes of the Serra de Monchique, offers a good alternative to the hurly-burly of beach life. Apart from its beautiful setting, the town’s other attraction is the Igreja Matriz church, which boasts an amazing portal - about the closest you’ll get to seeing stone tied in knots.

Of interest just outside the town is the sleepy spa of Caldas de Monchique, and it’s worth driving or hiking through thick forest to Fóia, the ‘rooftop’ of the Algarve. The panoramic views from the top are terrific.