Protected Landscape Considered a geomonument of rare natural beauty, this remarkable rocky outcrop in the Barrocal Algarvio is shaped like a steep cornice of very hard limestone, whose plateau is approximately 2 km long, reaching a maximum altitude of 479 metres, with steep cliffs of around 50 metres high on its southern slope.

One of the greatest assets of this protected area is the high diversity of flora it houses, with over 500 species having been identified (in herbarium), including rare species or species of scientific and conservation interest, such as the species Doronicum tournefortii, a Lusitanian endemic with few known populations in the country, with the largest known population in the Algarve being found in the holm oak forests that are distributed along the Rocha da Pena.

On the slopes to the south of the limestone massif, we find mixed forests of carob trees (Ceratonia síliqua), wild olive trees (Olea europaea var. sylvestris) and holm oaks (Quercus rotundifolia), and also Portuguese oak (Quercus faginea subsp. broteroi) on the northern slope. The limestone plateau is dominated by thickets of juniper (Juniperus turbinata) and kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), where rare and endemic species such as the narcissus (Narcissus calcicola) and the blue hyacinth (Bellevalia hackelli) grow. One of the most abundant and typical species of these Mediterranean shrubs is the dwarf fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) or broom palm, the only wild palm in Europe, used in the manufacture of handicrafts. Along the paths and, especially in the clearings, aromatic plants grow such as lavender (Lavandula stoechas subsp. stoechas), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), teucrium and various thymes.

The mosaic of vegetation and the topography of Rocha da Pena allow for the existence of a wide variety of animals. Of the approximately 120 birds already inventoried, the forest birds and birds of prey stand out. Species such as the Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata), the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo), the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) are birds of prey that nest here or are regular visitors. During migration season, it is possible to see other birds of prey, such as the Booted Eagle (Aquila pennata), the Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), the Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and even the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) that can appear in large flocks. In the rocky areas, if you are lucky, you may see the shy Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius), which nests on the rocky slopes. You may occasionally see rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) living here, but as for others, such as wild boar (Sus scrofa) or the carnivorous genet (Genetta genetta) and fox (Vulpes vulpes), the most common way to see them is by looking at their footprints or droppings, as they are more active at night.

Among flying mammals, there are several species of bats, including a large colony of the lesser mouse-eared bat (Myotis blythii), one of the rarest bats in Portugal.

Also noteworthy are some species of amphibians such as the ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl), the green frog (Pelophylax perezi) or the Iberian toad (Bufo spinosus) and reptiles: the horseshoe snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis), the screech owl (Timon lepidus) and the Iberian wall lizard (Psammodromus hispanicus).

It is also possible to observe insects of rare beauty such as the carnival butterfly (Zerynthia rumina), the zebra butterfly (Iphiclides feisthamelii) or the swallowtail (Papilio machaon) and damselflies and dragonflies such as the purple dragonfly (Trithemis annulata) and the blue emperor (Anax imperator).