Ruinas de Milreu, Estói
The quaint village of Estói just 10 km north of Faro in the Algarve is home to a set of 1st century AD Roman ruins known as the Ruinas de Milreu, situated just off the N2 Highway.
The ruins were excavated in 1877 and are thought to be the remains of a Roman villa and bath complex, in some way connected to the main Roman settlement of Ossonoba (modern day Faro).
The Ruinas de Milreu take less than an hour to wander and include a number of well-preserved mosaics featuring fish in the bathing area, a nymphaerium or water sanctuary that was later converted into a church by the Visigoths in the 3rd century and a small museum with interesting panel displays explaining the history of the site and a number of objects that were discovered on site.
The bathing area contains, besides the friezes, ruins of the changing room (apodyterium), the frigidarium or cold plunge and evidence of the sophisticated, brick under-floor heating system.
The marble sculptures from the site are now on display in the museums of Faro and Lagos.
The whole site is set in lovely countryside complete with orange trees and a visit to the Ruinas de Milreu can be combined with seeing the Palácio do Visconde de Estói, now a restored Pousada, but formerly a late 18th century Rococo palace, built on the design of the palace in Queluz, near Lisbon, by the Duke of Estói. The parish church in the main square in Estói, São Martinho, is also worth a peek if it is open.
Access - Getting to the Ruinas de Milreu
Infrequent buses run out the 10 km to Estói and continue to São Bras de Alportel. The buses stop outside Ruinas de Milreu. Alternatively take a taxi from Faro and have a cafe call for a cab for your return. Ruinas de Milreu is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9.30 am-12.30 pm; 2.30 pm-6 pm from April-September and 9.30 am-12.30 pm; 2.30 pm-5 pm from October-March.
Accommodation
The obvious place to stay would be, of course, the 5-star, luxury Palácio do Visconde de Estói. The hotel features contemporary style rooms housed in a restored 18th-19th century palace complete with lavish gardens, tea pavilions, wall paintings and antique furniture from its days as the seat of the Duke of Estói. The hotel features indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna and a recommended restaurant serving local dishes from the Algarve.
Palácio do Visconde de Estói
Rua São José - Estoi, 8005-465 Estói