Surroundings
During your stay in Talurdo, you will have the time to discover and explore our wonderful surrounding area. To give you a little inspiration, we have listed some highlights in the following section.
Beaches
We are 40 minutes from the world-class beaches of Albufeira, Carvoeiro and Portimao.
Reservoir Lake
A 30min walk from the hamlet of Talurdo, through the hills, you will arrive at the Barragem de Funcho.
An ideal place for kayaking or stand-up paddling (SUP). You can book your experience directly at the Talurdo Retreat. We bring you to the reservoir and equip you with everything you need. Happy paddling.
Cities
Castle Town Silves
Silves is a beautiful castle town with pedestrian-only streets, restaurants museums and beautiful public parks. Just turn left onto the M502 (Old Silves Road) as you exit the village of Talurdo. Follow the road for 25 minutes.
With three supermarkets, a Castle and Cathedral, Silves is also full of restaurants and a beautiful new Municipal market. There are beautiful parks and a large typical cemetery to visit. Silves has many museums.
The views along the Old Silves Road are amazing but please exercise caution driving this road! Ocean views may occur.
Sao Marcos da Serra
An important supplier of Cork and a producer of wheat, barley and oats. Beekeeping is common in the hills surrounding the village, producing wax and high quality honey. Fruits and vegetables are abundant locally and are available for purchase in the village markets. The cemetery is a beautiful example of a typical Portuguese village cemetery.
The charming village of Sao Marcos da Serra is only ten minutes away from the Talurdo Retreat. There are three restaurants, three mini markets and two spring water fontes with alkali water from the hills (fill your water bottles). Locally produced medronho and Cormel is available for purchase. We shop at the Minimarket Nelinha.
Monchique
Thirty minutes away is Monchique, water fontes with alkali water and a supermarket. The town is worth visiting for points of interests, restaurants and quaint walking streets. Visit the Convent of Our Lady of Desterro, Leonel Telo Cerâmica (Ceramics). Drive up to Mt Foia.
Walking Trails
There are five walking trails available to you emanating from our little hamlet.
1. Exit our gates and turn right. Just ahead take the left path that goes uphill. 20 minutes to a lake then a solar powered house and then the amazing views over the Vale Grande.
2. Exit our gates and turn right. Take the downhill road and follow until you reach the sign for Pego Escuro. Turn left and continue down the unpaved road until you reach the edge of the reservoir. 35 minutes to the reservoir.
3. Take the unpaved road out of the village back to the paved road (M502). Turn left as you exit. 50 meters ahead take the path on your right.
4. Take the unpaved road out of the village back to the paved road (M502). Turn left as you exit. 200 meters ahead take the second path on your right.
5. Take the unpaved road out of the village back to the paved road (M502). Turn left as you exit. Stay on the left side of the road. You will see an unpaved road on your left. This road traverses the large hill overlooking Talurdo. Follow the road for a while.
When the path ends look back to the left for the steep path down the hill. At the bottom, cross onto the reservoir road. Turn left from there to return to Talurdo five minutes away. Total time one hour.
