Estoi

The little village of Estoi, north of Faro on the N2, has two places of interest to visit. As you approach Estoi from the N2 you will find the ruined Roman villa of Milreu on the left. It doesn’t look like much from the road, but the site is worth a visit just to look at the mosaics, located in the bathhouse.

Milreu Ruins - Estoi

However, the main point of attraction is the hidden (and sadly decaying) gem of the Palácio de Estoi. The intention is to turn it into a pousada (one of the state-run luxury hotels, similar to the Spanish parador – the only one in the Algarve at the moment is at São Bras de Alportel), but not much progress appears to have been made over the years! This little Rococo palace was started in the 1840s but not completed until 1909. Visitors are not allowed to enter the palace itself or the gardens adjoining it but can admire the building from the grounds and peek at the grotto.

Estoi Palace

Tavira

Tavira is one of the main tourist attractions of the East Algarve. It is an ancient town, once belonging to the Moors, which lies on both sides of the River Gilão and is, amongst others, linked by what is known as the Roman bridge (though this pedestrian bridge is somewhat more modern than that now!). Wander through the riverside gardens and investigate the shops located in the old market building at their end, or walk through the pedestrianised main square and climb the hill up to the ruins of the Moorish castle, where the sweeping views over Tavira and the salt pans are magnificent. There is even a camera obscura, if you wish to take a look. The town has many winding streets with shops tucked in among the houses and the restaurants still serve fresh tuna steaks, for Tavira was, for a long time, a tuna fishing port. As with Olhão, Tavira has its own island and beaches made accessible by ferry – take the bus through the marshes and salt pans to As Quatro Águas (the Four Waters) and cross to the island of Tavira and enjoy the sandy beach.

Rooftop View of Tavira

Vila Real de Santo António

This border town, sitting on the banks of the River Guadiana, was rebuilt in 1774 by the famous Marquês de Pombal (architect of Lisbon’s restoration following the 1755 earthquake) on the same grid pattern. Wander around the main square, streets and gardens and buy towels and linen from any of the many shops, or catch the ferry across the river to Ayamonte in Spain.

Bridge to Spain

Castro Marim

Situated just north of Vila Real de Santo António, the sleepy village of Castro Marim is watched over by its originally Moorish castle, augmented in the thirteenth century. This castle was the seat of the Knights of Christ in the 1320s, an order similar to that of the Knights Templar, and played a role in the Age of Discovery at the time of Henry the Navigator. Enjoy the 360° views of the surrounding countryside, (including the saltpan wildlife reserve of Reserva Natural do Sapal) and across the river to Spain.

Castro Marim