This is the location of the well-known ‘Pink Palace’ or Estoi Palace as it is officially known, as well as for its nearby Roman ruins.

The ruins used to be an agricultural settlement during the 1^st and 2^nd centuries AD, but then were transformed into a luxurious house with a large bathing complex in the 3^rd century, to then serve as a sanctuary up until de 6^th century.

Visiting the centre of Estoi you’ll see an impressive church built in a mixture of styles: Corinthian columns on the main door entrance, Roman influences on the façade and a Moorish style bell tower. The bottom of the stone steps feature a running spring that comes out of three stone pipes into a solid stone trough with a tiled information plaque.

Off the small square you’ll find a bunch of bars and restaurants which lead to a cobbled street which goes on to rather impressive arched gateway that is part of the Palace.

Estoi features many fine merchant houses with carved stone adorning their doorways and window surrounds. Many have fancy cast iron Juliet balconies which you can see from other small squares where Moorish influences can still be seen.

The town is also host to many huge events just off a side road from the main church. During the months of May and August there are large equestrian shows that can go on well into the night but the town can also take on a medieval feel during these fairs.

The Estoi Palace was built at the end of the 18^th century and is a great example of Neo-Classical architecture featuring a French and Italian feel coupled with furniture from the Louis XVI style.

One of the best ways of visiting the place is by employing some Algarve car hire services.

Getting into the village from the west will have you pass a large car park where you should actually park your car – in case you have a rental vehicle – and then proceed on foot uphill into the village. Employing some form of Algarve car hire service is actually suggested if you wish to explore these lesser  known and smaller locations in the region, but you should be aware that the main road more or less circles this small village.

Despite its size, as we mentioned earlier, the place is quite popular with a variety of travelers and one thing to visit is surely the rather imposing main church which is located on the steep cobbled incline which looks over the village. Near the rather impressive doorway of the church you’ll find a plaque that outlines the church’s history.

The river that crosses through the city is popular with both locals and tourists because it is home to wild ducks and geese. In the area of the bridge you’ll find the fresh running spring water coming out of two clay pipes, make sure to join the locals in filling your bottles of water.

The village has quite a few bars, cafes, restaurants and several shops as well as a supermarket, so it’s quite a great destination for self-catering holidaymakers.

There are also jeep safaris going through the village, but it’s actually a shame to drive through the place since you can only truly enjoy it by going on foot and spending a few days exploring its riches.