The Palácio de Estoi, also known as Casa de Estói or Quinta de Estói, is a historic building located near the town of Estói, in the municipality of Faro, in the Algarve region of Portugal.
This palace is considered one of the Algarve’s main monuments and stands out for its architectural and decorative richness, which combines elements of the Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical and Romantic styles. It was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1977.
Construction of the Estoi Palace began in the 18th century and it was inaugurated in May 1909. The complex consists of an old manor house and extensive gardens, organized on three levels. The manor house has a U-shaped structure, with the Jardim do Carrascal in the center. The palace’s architecture is predominantly Italian Baroque, but incorporates elements from other styles, resulting in a combination that is sometimes considered kitsch.
The interior of the palace is richly ornamented, with several rooms decorated in the 18th century French style. One of the highlights is the chapel, which features a bell tower and a Louis XV-style interior with tiles and a painted ceiling.
The Palácio de Estoi is currently home to a hotel unit, known as the Pousada Palácio de Estoi, which was reopened to the public in April 2009 after a rehabilitation process. The Pestana Group, which manages the pousada, announced in 2015 that the palace would be one of three Portuguese pousadas to join the Small Luxury Hotels of the World chain.
In 2020, the pousada underwent extensive restoration work, which included restoring French-style halls and introducing antique decorative elements.
The gardens of Estoi Palace are remarkable for their beauty and diversity, featuring a variety of exotic trees, sculptures and tiles, all following the Baroque aesthetic. In addition to its function as a guesthouse, the palace and its gardens are open to the public, allowing visitors to appreciate both the architecture and the surrounding landscape.
Palácio de Estoi is not only a place to stay, but also an important tourist attraction that reflects the history and culture of the Algarve region.
Visitor’s guide to the rococo palace in Estoi and its gardens