Palacio de Estoi (Pousada Palacio de Estoi)

The Palacio de Estoi is a pink 18th-century rococo palace in the village of Estoi, about 11 km north of Faro in Portugal's Algarve region, and it now operates as a Pousada hotel. Visitors see a richly decorated facade in soft pink, terraced gardens descending in tiers, azulejo panels, balustrades and statues, and the contrast with the plain village around it is striking. The grounds were designed in an Italianate and rococo manner, and the terraces, fountains and stairways make a formal garden that rewards slow walking. Non-guests can usually visit the gardens and the public areas such as the cafe or restaurant, but access depends on hotel operations, so phoning the Pousada before travelling is wise. The visit lasts one to one and a half hours, including a coffee on the terrace. Morning is the best time, when the garden terraces are still in shade, light is gentle for photographs and few guests are around; the best angles look up the garden toward the pink facade from the lower terraces. Crowds are low overall, though wedding or event days can restrict access. Getting there involves a bus from Faro bus station to Estoi, taking about 20 minutes, or a taxi at roughly EUR 20. Estoi is small, and the palace is within walking distance of the Roman ruins of Milreu, so many visitors combine the two sites into one half-day trip. Entry fees for the gardens are not fixed and policy varies, so visitors should confirm whether there is a charge when they call. The village centre has a few cafes for a stop before or after the palace.