Focus on Estói

Estói is a small peaceful village situated between São Brás de Alportel and Faro. Estói does not have any beach to offer its visitors. However, it does have astonishing architecture and cultural heritage. The streets and houses of this ancient village, with their whitewashed walls, squat chimneys and small gardens full of trees and flowers, retain much of the traditional character of the Algarve. One of Estói’s most notable sights is its Palace, in a Rococo style, with beautiful gardens, it really is worth a visit. Also not to be missed are the Roman Ruins of Milréu. The renovation and the re-building of the palace in Estoi are close to completion. The objective of the project was to establish a historical Pousada within a modern hotel complex. The Pousada is set in the old 19th century Estoi Palace, which used to belong to a wealthy pharmacist, the Viscount of Estoi. The palace is a huge building, its exterior partially covered with tiles bearing floral decoration and depicting a variety of scenes. Inside, the decoration on the plaster ceilings – the finest in the Algarve -is stunning, as is the furniture, chapel, dining rooms, and the two tea pavilions. The gardens are in the late romantic style, set out on different levels, with flights of steps, lakes and statues of marble and pottery. After the Viscount’s death, the palace remained in the family until 1987, at which time it was acquired by Faro Municipal Council. Besides the main building, the tea pavilions and Versailles-style gardens are still being renovated, a project signed by Gonçalo Byrne, a famous Portuguese architect. The Palace is open to the public and beverages or light lunches are available.

Built in the 16th century on the site of a medieval chapel, the church was rebuilt in the 18th/19th centuries. With an interesting bell-tower, the interior consists of three naves and the altars have 19th century retables. There are statues from the 17th/18th centuries. The pulpit is made of local marble and you can also see the tombstone of the couple who founded the chapel.