boliqueime

Wide ocean views from this inland village

Boliqueime is one of Algarve’s inland villages.

Set halfway between the coastline and a mountain range, at an altitude of 45 meters above the sea, this quiet village is known for its picturesque streets that overlook the ocean. The village is located 30km away from Faro’s airport and it’s a 15-minute drive from Loule.

Boliqueime has a population of around 5,000 people and although it is a small village it does have a great range of attractions for its size. Among its most remarkable features are its two churches, Igreja Matriz and Igreja de São Faustino, the museum, the water streams and the traditional windmills that were once used to supply water to the village’s residents. The chimneys in this region are also quite unique, so much so, that they are part of the village’s coat of arms. It is said that the larger the chimney the wealthier the family was.

Boliqueime has a monthly market on the last Thursday of each month and a flea market on the first Sunday of the month. The baskets made with palm leaves are a very typical craft from this region and you can find them at pretty much every shop in the village.

Throughout the year, the village hosts a series of traditional festivals, such as the festival in honour of Nossa Senhora das Dores (Our Lady of Pains) on the 4th of August and 17th of October, the festival of São Faustino on the Sunday after Christmas and more recently the festival of São João which is celebrated in the middle of June.

In the Spring many people visit Boliqueime to see the almond trees in full bloom and capture its stunning pinkish flowers.

Explore this region by following our Loule 5 day tour. Also read about Loulé, Vilamoura, Quarteira, Almancil, Alte, and Salir.