Estoi is a pretty tiny town located less than 10 kilometres from Faro and the coast. It’s well worth a visit if you’re staying on the coast, however, it’s unlikely to qualify as a day trip in of itself.
The town is characterised by cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, and terracotta roofs, as is typical of the Algarve. However, living only a few kilometres inland creates a world that is markedly different and considerably more easygoing than the neighbouring seaside. As charming as the village is, the majority of people travel to Estoi to see the village’s two major attractions: the Palácio de Estoi and the Roman Villa of Milreu.
The Palácio do Visconde de Estoi is located in the village’s main square, just a short walk away. This recently rebuilt nineteenth-century palace, with its exquisite pink Rococo front, has been transformed into an exclusive pousada. It had previously been abandoned and allowed to fall into disrepair and near ruin. The gardens of the palace are where guests spend the majority of their time, strolling among the palm trees and fountains.
The ruins of the ancient Roman complex of Milreu are nearby (about a 15-minute walk). The site is centred on the well-preserved ruins of a second-century AD Roman villa. Here you’ll find weathered columns, a huge temple, and many mosaics from a former bathhouse.
While you’re here, be sure to check out Estoi’s main church, the Igreja Matriz. Within the neoclassical church is an alter reputedly fashioned from wood salvaged from boats.
