A new motorhome service area has been inaugurated in Marmelete, in the municipality of Monchique.
The ‘Asa de Marmelete’ is the eighth facility in the Algarve’s Mountain Route for Motorhomes (Rota Serrana de Autocaravanismo do Algarve), a regional project financed by European Union funds under the CRESC ALGARVE 2020 programme. The investment, led by the Marmelete parish council with support from Monchique municipal council, totalled €361,300, of which €252,910 was co-financed. The project also received complementary funding from national tourism board Turismo de Portugal.
The Mountain Route now connects eight inland locations across the Algarve – Alcoutim, São Brás de Alportel, Ameixial, Salir, São Bartolomeu de Messines, São Marcos da Serra, Alferce and Marmelete. Together, they form a coordinated network designed to support motorhome tourism, promote sustainable mobility, and encourage visitors to explore the Algarve’s inland natural and cultural heritage.
The Marmelete facility provides modern infrastructure to accommodate motorhome users and aims to attract more visitors to the Monchique mountains. As the Algarve’s regional development commission (CCDR Algarve) puts it, the new facility acts as an “invitation to discover the Algarve’s authentic inland region”.
In addition to physical facilities, the Mountain Route is supported by an online platform developed by Associação In Loco, in collaboration with AMAL, CCDR Algarve, and Turismo do Algarve. The platform allows travellers to plan itineraries and discover local products, crafts, gastronomy, accommodation, and events across the participating towns.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Algarve Motorhome Association and local representatives.
José Apolinário, President of CCDR Algarve and the Algarve 2030 Managing Authority, described the Mountain Route as “an example of how European funds can strengthen the resilience of inland territories, making them more attractive to visitors interested in sustainable tourism.” He also stressed the importance of promoting cultural and natural assets along national roads like the EN124 (Porto de Lagos to Alcoutim) and EN267 (Aljezur–Monchique–São Marcos da Serra).
The project is expected to continue expanding. Under the new PADRE II programme, applications are already open for initiatives that” enhance local resources” and “support sustainable development in low-density areas”, including further additions to the Mountain Route.
