Beautiful views! There is a local man who lives there, who invites you in and shows you the ruins of the chapel inside. He speaks Portugees and sells fruits and aroma’s. Very friendly! If you are in the mood for a walk, here starts some trails up the hills. The trail is +-10km long with nature and waterfalls (if the season isn’t too dry)

We took the steep goat’s trails to get there, ignoring signs and getting through thick and prickly bushes uphill - following our senses. We ended up arriving at the wrong side of the building, but still ‘the dude’ let us in. We made some pictures, absolutely loving the satanistic wall piece. The journey was more important than the destination. Absolutely worth it, if you’re into weird stuff. It’s quite the experience. Don’t forget to give the dude 2 euros or some chicken food!

Most memorable place to visit in all of Monchique. However, not without risks. Upon arrival at the dirt road you will be welcomed by a man with a guitar who is guarding the holy grounds. After passing, you will arrive at the convent where a little man will be welcoming you. Confusion might be stirred as the outside walls of the holy building are screaming the exact opposite. However, your emotions and curiosity will take the upper hand and lead you into his beautiful garden full of flowers and life. At this point there is no return and you will quickly be deceived to walk into a dark hallway stocked with alcohol, medicinal drugs and onions. At the end of the hallway you will find another garden. Have a look around at what once was an oasis of religion and prayer and now smells like beer and chickens. Behind one of the walls of the garden you will find the old church. As you walk into the door opening you feel a satanic presence. The walls have been drawn up with words like “malditos” (cursed) and alcohol was sprayed around the floor to keep out any Christian spirits. Beware to watch your back and not wander around too much. By now you have seen enough and it’s time to get out of there. Throw some money at the little man on your way out to avoid being offered to the antichrist. Watch out for the heathen with the guitar on your way back to civilisation. Don’t make eye contact as his chants have now turned into devilish curses.

Beautiful ruin of a old convent. Worth the walk up the small road. The resident is willing to show you around but doesn’t speaks English. He doesn’t mind a cent or two after you’ve seen this past glory. A real shame this isn’t renovated.

We went to this lonely place during our travel through Monchique. The owner show's us the place and we gave him a small amount for his kindness. The castle has had better times and it become to get damaged but this even makes it more interesting. You will get a great overview about Monchique.

Fascinating spaces, amazing light and atmosphere. No risk assessments have been written for this place which was actually refreshing. Two guys who lived there were quirky but friendly. We were not hounded but instead they just showed us the way in. They leave you alone then. We offered a euro in case that was the done thing but it wasn't a requirement. Someone wrote about the guitar player hounding them, not for us, he was smiley and happy and playing a great little tune. Left him a euro too. An unusual aspect of the town that should be seen before it fully collapses!

Very cool place. It appears a few locals have taken up residence within and freely let people look around. It did feel strange as ou walk in past all there personal items. Still worth it.

The place worth it. The two old guys living here are really nice and friendly show you the place. The place, even if it’s ruins, you can still see stuff. It’s a bit grungy but really liked it !

Climb up if you want a great view over Monchique. The ruins are interesting and the two men living there are friendly. Make sure to give a small tip.

Fantastic building complex, seems like a undiscovered treasure just awaiting restoration and glory.. on the very big downside there is permanently a guy on the long small road going there, yelling aggressively after you and wanting money 💰 another guy is waiting for you in the building, showing you around and hoping for a coin at exit. (Seems nice enough) and also living there whit chickens all around.

Great exercise walking up through the town to the Convent. Greeted first by a guitarist who wasn't very good so we weren't tempted to pay him. He came down from the slope onto the path to demand money on our way out. He called us M... F.....s several times and if there hasn't been a couple of other people around we would have felt threatened Another man appeared and offered to open the building for us, but it looked so dilapidated we didn't trouble him.

Lovely old ruin. Vidau is an older man who lives there in the warm season. He said he's lived there 47 years (2023) since he was a boy when he moved there with his parents. He keeps chickens there and cheerfully lets everyone in to look around and doesn't ask for anything in return, but you can buy essential oils from him for €5.