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Benafim Grande in Eastern Algarve Portugal, Benafim Grande comes under the district of Loule located on the EN124 road which runs from Alcoutim on the Spanish border down to Silves in Central Algarve, being over 200 mtrs above sea level set in the Serra de Caldeirao hills the Town enjoys coastal views from the top at the Church with it small clock tower and hand painted tiles of Christ on the cross situated on the outside rear of the church dating from the 18th century, the whole feel of Benifim is a true encounter how the Portuguese live from the grander merchant houses to the humble stone built house that are just six feet wide with a small doorway and one window yet they were built with pride with many having large fancy chimneys that the Algarve if famous for.
As Benafim comes under the district of Loule one of the richest parishes in the Algarve the Town has been well restored yet has kept all its charm, the many narrow cobblestone street have not change for decades yet the main Street is wide with benches ever fifty metres along with old style street lamps,
Not only does the town have a friendly atmosphere you can feel it, toward the rear of the town, is the local tiled water font that has been fully restored and boasts scenes of the past in the hand painted blue/white tiles, the font has now been updated and fitted with brass taps rather than the stone gully that used to flow constantly, the water is suitable for drinking and used by the locals, Just a short distance away is the fully restored and working public open air Laundry also housing public toilets the main wall has beautiful hand painted scene of a Arab with a young girl painted in 1996, the Arab is part of the moorish history.
Across the road is a picnic area with an old water Nora, the area has wooden tables and benches as well as a stone built barbeque there is also a good information stand showing areas of interest within the town, it even has its own mini museum, the area is very popular with walking groups and routes can be seen on Google earth and runs through Rocha da Pena, you will see signs that kindly ask you not to make too much noise due to the high wildlife population that breed in the area. The walk is about 3 hours depending on your pace and covers just under 5 km. you will often see Sheppard’s as the area is known for grazing of goats and sheep, due to the lime stone soil the area is also known for the growing of Almonds and Figs
Benifim Town has all you could want if staying nearby with a large supermarket on the entrance on the EN124, there is also a petrol station; chemist and medical centre, and sports club there are plenty of small bars and a few Restaurants that serve traditional Portuguese dishes, as well as the (dish of the day) (Prata da Dia). The Town holds an annual event normally on the 3rd of October with runs until the 5th which is Republic day for Portugal. With the locals pulling out the stoppers with family and friends meeting at the local picnic Bbq area.
The walk that can be taken is well sign posted and is just under 5 km you will see signs telling you are in a wildlife protected area, so some care should be taken if walking with dogs, it might seem tempting to pick the wild flowers but please remember it is a protected area.
Main Church/clock Tower
Public open air Laundry/toilets
Public BBQ, Picnic area
Restored Drinking Fonte