Pink walls, blue-and-white tiles and palm trees in a garden spread over three levels: the Palácio de Estoi is the last thing you’d expect in a sleepy village in the Algarve’s hinterland. Yet here it is, right among the white houses and cobbled lanes of Estoi, just fifteen minutes’ drive from Faro.
Most visitors drive straight past Estoi on their way to the coast, and that’s a shame. Between the palace, its gardens and the Roman ruins of Milreu just outside the village, you can easily fill a morning or an afternoon here. In this guide you’ll find the best things to do in Estoi, how to get there and where to stay.
Practical Tips for Visiting Estoi
Where Is Estoi?
Estoi lies in the eastern Algarve, a few kilometres inland. Faro and its airport, where most international flights land, are a fifteen-minute drive away. That makes the village an easy stop on your first or last day in the Algarve.
How Do You Get to Estoi?
With a rental car from Discover Cars you’re there in no time, and it’s easy to pair with a visit to Faro or the Ria Formosa. No car? A direct bus runs from Faro bus station to Estoi, though there are only a few services on Sundays.
→ Discover Faro’s old town and 5 day trips from Faro
→ Discover the 3 best walks in Ria Formosa
How Much Time Do You Need in Estoi?
Estoi is small. Half a day is enough to see the palace, the village and the Milreu ruins at a relaxed pace. Just don’t plan your visit for a Monday, when the ruins are closed.
Where to Stay in Estoi
Fancy spending the night? You can choose between a night in the palace itself or a quiet spot on the edge of the village.
#1 Pousada Palácio de Estoi is the most special place to stay in Estoi: you sleep in the pink palace itself, with its gardens, tea pavilions and both an indoor and an outdoor pool. The rooms have a modern look, while the salons are still full of original wall paintings and antiques.
#2 Vila Milreu Guest House is a B&B within walking distance of both the palace and the Milreu ruins, with an outdoor pool, a garden and a breakfast buffet that includes vegetarian options. Some rooms come with their own kitchen.
#3 Quinta do Mocho is a rural quinta in the hills around Estoi, with mountain views, a pool, a barbecue and family rooms. Ideal if you’re out exploring all day and want peace and quiet in the evening.
Best Things to Do in Estoi
#1 The Historic Centre: White Houses and an Ornate Church
You’ll have seen Estoi’s old centre in no time, but that’s no hardship. You stroll past white houses, old-fashioned lanterns and cobbled lanes. On the main square, a staircase leads up to the Igreja Matriz de Estoi, the village’s main church. It was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and has a richly decorated interior. Is the door open? Then pop inside.
Beyond that, there aren’t any big sights. Estoi’s charm lies in its calm, so wander the lanes at your own pace. They all lead back to the square eventually, where you can grab a drink on a terrace overlooking the church.
#2 Palácio de Estoi: The Pink Palace with Azulejo Gardens
The highlight of Estoi, and really the reason to come here, is the pink palace. From the street you barely see a thing: only the pink walls hint that this is something other than a whitewashed village house. So head straight for the gardens, because that’s where the façade really shows off.
The Palácio de Estoi was built in the 19th century as a summer residence for a wealthy family, in a mix of neo-baroque and rococo you won’t find anywhere else in the Algarve. Left unfinished, the palace fell into decay until José Francisco da Silva, a local from Estoi, bought and restored it in the late 19th century. As the story goes, the Portuguese king was so impressed that he made Da Silva a viscount. Hence its official name: Palácio do Visconde de Estoi.
Today the palace is a pousada, a luxury hotel in a historic monument. That means the ornate salons are mainly for hotel guests, but non-guests can come for a meal in the restaurant and get a peek inside that way.
The gardens are open to visitors, and they’re the main draw. You wander across three levels past palm trees, statues and fountains, with blue-and-white azulejos lining the stairs. The gardens also give you the best view of that pink façade.
#3 Milreu Ruins: Roman Mosaics Just Outside the Village
Into history? Then drive or walk about a kilometre further to the Milreu ruins, just outside the village. In Roman times a large villa stood here, complete with a bathhouse, a temple and a mausoleum. There’s a small entrance fee, and the site is open Tuesday to Sunday.
Mostly the foundations remain, but they show just how big the complex once was. The real stars are the mosaics. In the bathhouse they fit the theme perfectly, with fish, dolphins and octopuses covering the floor. Travelling with kids? Turn it into a game: who can spot the most sea creatures?
More tips for your trip to Estoi
Our pickStaying in Estoi? Browse all hotels in Estoi on Booking.com
Exploring more of the Algarve after Faro? Rent a car at Faro airport with Discover Cars and compare the big rental companies in one go.
Prefer everything arranged? Browse Algarve tours on TourRadar.
No flight yet? Compare flights to Faro. The airport is right on the edge of town.
We explored the Ria Formosa on foot. Want to see the lagoon islands too? Book a boat tour from Faro with GetYourGuide.
Discover all our blogs about the Algarve
