In the hinterland of the Algarve, the Serra Monchique offers summer visitors to the coast the coolness of its wooded heights of eucalyptus, cork oaks, chestnuts and pine trees, as well as beautiful views over the region. The volcanic activity explains the presence of hot springs that, are used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin diseases at Caldas Monchique.

In calm sea the trip takes you past sandstone cliffs and rocks that have been sculpted into strange shapes by the water. You will see 18 of the Algarve's most beautiful marine grottoes (Pontal, Mesquita, Ruazes).

The interior of this church, built in the 16C, is decorated with a frieze of multi-coloured 18C azulejos. One of the chapels is covered from top to bottom in panels of blue and white azulejos, whilst the chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament is covered with gilt woodwork.

This museum is set up in a modern building built along the old town wall around a large reservoir tank from the 12C and 13C. The collections retrace the history of this region from the Paleolithic age. Worthy of note are the menhirs and the funerary steles from the Iron Age.