A trip through the rural countryside to the villages of Alte, Salir, and Querença is sure to surprise you and enrich your usual beach holiday with a glimpse into a more genuine and authentic Algarve.

Located within the municipality of Loulé, the villages of Alte, Salir, and Querença are all within the Algarvensis Geopark. These are must-visit destinations on itineraries through the inland Algarve, whether on the Via Algarviana, for those who enjoy hiking or cycling, or those biking or driving along the EN124 - a road that connects the Algarve hills between Portimão and Alcoutim.

Fonte Pequena ©Luís da Cruz / C.M. Loulé

ALTE
An ancient village that still bears traces of the Roman occupation that may have birthed it, Alte remains one of the most authentic villages in the Algarve. Stroll through its historic streets, appreciating the charming whitewashed houses, painted windows and platibands, and lace chimneys. You’ll find you are naturally drawn towards the village’s historic centre, home to the 16th-century Our Lady of the Assumption Mother Church, the interior of which is decorated in a Baroque style. Relax into the tranquillity of its surroundings.

Visit Casa da Memória de Alte (the Alte Memory House) to find out about the crafts carried out by highly skilled artisans to this day, in this village dedicated to the arts. The esparto, palm, wood, pottery and copper items produced here are well-known throughout the region.

Between Fonte Pequena (Small Spring), which is dedicated to poet Cândido Guerreiro, Fonte Grande (Big Spring), and the small Queda do Vigário waterfall, visitors are never far away from cooling water, which flows along levadas and weirs and through watermills.

The Pólo Museológico Cândido Guerreiro e Condes de Alte (Cândido Guerreiro and Counts of Alte Museum) houses the estates of poet Francisco Xavier Cândido Guerreiro and the Counts of Alte, as well as objects from the “Casa do Povo” (House of the People) and that once belonged to villagers.


Polo Museológico de Salir ©Junta de Freguesia de Salir

SALIR
Located between the coast and the hills, Salir was part of the defence system established by the Moors who settled in southern Portugal. Having been conquered by King Sancho I in 1189, who had the castle built, the town played an important role in the Christian reconquest of the Algarve, which ended during the reign of King Afonso III, in 1249. The history of the village is detailed at Salir Museum (Pólo Museológico de Salir), where visitors can view archaeological remains discovered in the town over time. Salir’s legends are well-known and live on in the local culture. Find out about the legends of the Enchanted Moorish Girl, the Moorish Girl’s Belt, and the Golden Comb.


Salir ©Arquivo RTA

From the Mother Church dedicated to São Sebastião, enjoy the view over the Caldeirão Hills and of Rocha da Pena, located about 7 km from the village - a 480-metre classified geological site and protected landscape. Nature walks are a very popular activity here, especially in spring, as it's a great place to spot wild orchids.


Querença ©David Santos

QUERENÇA
Querença is a typical Algarve village featuring traditional architecture, whitewashed houses, and traditional customs. One of the points of interest in its surroundings is Fonte Benémola, a Local Protected Area where water from various springs comes together in the Ribeira de Menalva, its banks lined with rich, abundant flora, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching. The same goes for the Ribeira de Mercês, where an old irrigation system made up of levadas and water mills can still be admired, the history of which dates back to the Arab occupation of the area.

In terms of heritage, it is worth mentioning the 16th century Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. Local popular and religious festivals are a great excuse to visit Querença, especially as they promise food aplenty, allowing visitors to sample local specialities such as chorizo, honey, and Easter folar bread. They are also a great way to explore local handicrafts, including basketry and rag dolls.


Traditional Cuisine of the inland Algarve ©Junta de Freguesia de Salir

A trip through the rural villages of Alte, Salir, and Querença is an excellent way to sample regional delicacies and products, whether medronho brandy, honey, or cheese. As for the more traditional dishes, these include chickpea and bean dishes, potato, cabbage or free-range rooster soups, and "xerém" made with cornmeal porridge.

While in the Algarve, don’t miss your chance to sample delicious fig, almond, and squash-based cakes, morgados (fig and almond “cheese”), the Dom Rodrigo (a combination of egg yolks, sugar, ground almonds, and cinnamon) and the ancestral "bolo de faca", made with bread dough, walnuts or almonds, anise seeds, lemon, and cinnamon.