Óchálá

Monchique


Light and bright, with red-and-white tiled floors, a timber bar and local art for sale on the walls, this cafe is a great weekday stop for soups, quiches and sandwiches. It also serves traditional cakes and pastries such as malassadas (deep-fried dough balls rolled in sugar and cinnamon) and a bolo xadrez (chessboard chocolate-and-vanilla sponge iced in chocolate).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Monchique attractions

1. Igreja Matriz

0.07 MILES

Dating from the 15th century and extensively restored after the 1755 earthquake, Monchique's church has an extraordinary, star-shaped Manueline porch…

2. Fóia

2.24 MILES

The 902m Fóia peak, 5.5km west of Monchique, is the Algarve’s highest. The road to the summit climbs through eucalyptus and pine trees and opens up views…

4. Castelo

11.02 MILES

This russet-coloured, Lego-like castle – originally occupied in the Visigothic period – has great views over the town and surrounding countryside. What…

5. Igreja da Misericórdia

11.04 MILES

The exterior of the 16th-century Igreja da Misericórdia is plain apart from its distinctive, fanciful Manueline doorway hanging well above street level …

6.

11.04 MILES

Just below the castle is the sé, built in 1189 on the site of an earlier mosque, then rebuilt after the 1249 Reconquista and subsequently restored several…

8. Museu Municipal de Arqueologia

11.09 MILES

Built tight against the defensive walls, this archaeological museum has a mix of interesting finds from the town and around. The modern building was…