Silves: The Ultimate Guide to Silves [2024]

Silves is the historic capital of the Algarve and retains much of its grand history. It has one of the best examples of a 13th century castle and its town has many of its historic features from its long past. This history and culture is balanced with the usual features of Portuguese life, a lively market, café culture and booming restaurant scene resulting in some of the best food you can find in the Algarve. If you’re nearby it’s well worth a visit, or perhaps even worth basing yourself in Silves to visit the rest of the Algarve from. Alternatively, it makes a great stopping point when crossing the Algarve!

When to visit Silves?

As with lots of towns in the Algarve, there’s a lively farmers market on Saturday mornings. So visiting on a Saturday can be a good experience to see some local life. Really though, anytime of the week will be good. Most of the attractions (the Castle and the museum) are open on Sundays and Mondays unlike in many of the smaller towns in the Algarve. Any day of the week is worth it!

Cafe in Silves

How to get to Silves?

Silves is 45 minutes from Faro Airport if taking the A22 (toll roads). Or approximately 1 hour if you take the scenic route avoiding those toll roads by car. Buses are available from Albufeira (#17 line) and cost 4.50 single/9.00 return. Alternatively, bus connections are available from Portimão (#113 line) and cost similarly. You can find full time tables and prices on Vamus Algarve. To arrive from other destinations like Faro or Lagos using public buses you’ll have to connect in either of those places first. The town is also served by train and has its own station. Although its approximately 2km from the town so factor in a walk, a taxi, or local bus service.

A Brief Introduction to Silves and its History

Silves saw its rise to prominence in the Moorish Algarve, where its place alongside the Arade river saw it become the economic center of the Kingdom. As a result of its status, it changed hands multiple times between the Crusaders and the Moorish before being fully retained in 1243.

The 13th century saw the town experience a steep decline, the Arade river which the town depended on for its vital trade silted up. With large boats no longer able to sail up the river and cut off from North African ports, its wealth dried up. With the economic and cultural capitals moving elsewhere to nearby Faro. Silves experienced a steady decline that lasted long until the 20th century. Perhaps though, this decline is what kept expansion at bay and its historical features so well preserved which makes it the glorious town it is today.

View From Silves Castle

What to See and Do in Silves

Silve’s often narrow and winding streets hide many pretty corners, several small public squares, and lots of historic buildings. It’s a small enough town that you can simply wonder around and not have to worry about losing your bearings. Just be weary of the many steep cobbled streets – it is based on a large hill!

Within these streets is plenty of history and culture and there are many small art galleries, craft shops and cafés to explore. Keep an eye out for the painted municipal electricity boxes. A wonderful feature of this part of the Algarve. They are decorated with many traditional features of Algarvean life!

Painted houses and electric boxes Silves

Torreão da Porta da Cidade – Tower of the City Gate

One of the first attractions many people come across is the historic gate and tower (Torreão da Porta da Cidade). It’s an impressive fortification and marks one of the entrances of the town’s former walls. A lively square is adjacent to the gate with several cafés situated around a fountain. It makes a nice stop to appreciate the impressive fortifications and to try and spot some storks from.

Gate silves

Silve’s Cathedral – Catedral de Silves

Walking through the gate and continuing up the hill you’ll soon come across Silves Gothic cathedral. The cathedral was built in the 13th century on the site of a former mosque. Striking to many people is the contrast between typical Algarve white washing and the red sandstone from the Silves region.  

The earthquake of 1755 catastrophically damaged it, which resulted in the loss of its nave and many of its former Gothic features. It was rebuilt in the following century which added Baroque features and a bell tower to its mismatched design. Nowadays, the cathedral is considered by many to be the most important Gothic building in the Algarve. It costs €1.50 to enter the cathedral and is well worth it to see all its contrasting features from the inside.

Silves Cathedral

Silves’ Castle – Castelo de Silves

A short walk from the cathedral will lead you to the famous castle. Fortifications in Silves have Roman origins, but the castle we see today was built by the Moors between the 8th and 13th centuries. It costs €2.80 to enter and you can walk along the entirety of its walls and look out from its battlements and towers.

The panoramic views are incredible and if you have to visit one thing in Silves this should be it! Not much remains of its original interior, on the western side are some excavations showing some of the original architecture and there is also a café and a visitor center where you can learn more about the castle. The original cistern houses an exhibition – at the time we visited dedicated to the conservation of the Iberian Lynx.

Inside the Castle of Silves

Archaeological Museum – Museu Municipal de Arqueologia

If you’ve not yet had your fill of history in Silves, then located on Rua Find the Name Out is the rather good Archaeological museum. It’s an excellently curated museum covering the origins of Silves from the Palaeolithic period, through its Roman and Moorish history. The focal point is a preserved 18m deep Moorish well that can be viewed from the top, or from the bottom of a recently unearthed staircase. A combined ticket for €3.90 allows entrance to both the castle so if you’re planning to visit both make sure to purchase one save some money! Normal entry is €2.10 and you can check the most up to date opening times on its website here.

Car Silves Castle

Roman Bridge – Ponte de Silves

Despite being locally known as the ‘Roman Bridge’, it is actually much younger and dates sometime around 1439. Recent studies have suggested a Roman crossing existed somewhere in the area and its believed that this is how the bridge gets its colloquial name. Interestingly though, none of the available medieval descriptions of Silves mention a bridge. The bridge is built from local stone and comprises of five equal arches spanning the Arade river. At one stage the bridge was much longer, an arch was removed to create space for the modern road you see today. Although its an interesting focal point, and a lovely way to see some nature, don’t get too caught up in its ‘Roman’ naming.

Silves view of the Roman Bridge

Storks in Silves

Synonymous with Silves is the images of Storks soaring gracefully over its town and castle. These magnificent birds can be over 1m tall and with a wingspan double that, they’re impressive to watch flying. Their nests are impressive feats of engineering and are seemingly built on any tall place or object.

It’s against the law to disturb a nest so often the locals will work around or leave in place features with a nest on! In Silves, make sure to keep an eye out for the nests on top of chimneys, spires, pylons and trees. The Storks have a lifespan of up to 35 years, and at around 3-5 years old the chicks will usually return home or somewhere close by to build their own nests. This results in generational groupings of nests of which some can be found in Silves alongside the river.

Stork Nest Algarve

Cruz de Portugal

If you’ve read more than one guide you’ll see that everyone mentions this. However, many guides leave out what it actually is and why you might want to visit. To the non history buffs, this is just a Christian cross in a rather utalitarian carpark on the outskirts of town. It’s a 3m tall limestone cross of uncertain origin.

Current research suggests the cross was gifted to the town in the 15th century by King Manuel I. Unfortunately, little else is known about its origins. It incorporates Gothic features although there is some debate if these are Manueline or older. It’s a notable feature for people interested in Portuguese history but not necessarily worth the trip for everyone. 

Cobbled Streets in Silves

Best Restaurants in Silves

Away from the touristy coast of the Algarve is the opportunity to get some incredible Portuguese food at a more reasonable price. Writing this small list could have been an article itself (and maybe it will be one day!).

Churrasqueira Valdemar – N 124, Mercado Municipal de Silves, loja 21 e 22

You’ll find many places that people will refer to as a local dining experience, but this is one of those that we really felt it to be true. You’ll be swiftly taken to a table and asked three questions, (mixed salad? Plain or piri-piri chicken? What are you drinking?). If you want extras like bread and olives you’ll have to ask for it! When we last visited we had bread, olives, Algarve carrots and cheese, mixed salad, fries, one piri-piri chicken, two beers, two coffees and it all came to exactly €20. With possibly some rounding from the staff we thought it was very reasonable! 

Restaurante Marisqueira Rui – Rua Comendador Vilarinho No 27

Strangely enough, you might find one of the most highly regarded Seafood restaurants in the Algarve away from the coast and inland in Silves. We haven’t been yet, but everyone we’ve spoken to has recommended this place, so it’s definitely on our list! Grilled fish starts around €15 and goes up from there, the menu can be found online here.

Taberna Almedina – Rua Mouzinho de Albuquerque 2

Not far from both of the above options is Taberna Almedina, it’s another casual offering that’s popular with both locals and tourists. With starters and petiscos (tapas) from €7, and mains from €12, it’s reasonably priced too. It also has a small but great vegetarian menu and one of the few restaurants in Silves that offers this, the menu can be found here.

O Barradas – Venda Nova, Silves

If you want Portuguese and you’re looking for a little more than the Churrasquiera experience, then O Barradas might be the best option for you. It’s more fine dining than any of the restaurants listed here and is approximately 5km outside of town. It offers traditional Portuguese food, with local ingredients and a modern twist. (It’s currently the No.2 restaurant in Silves on Tripadvisor). Some of its most popular dishes are the meat kebabs or lamb stew. Starters from around €8 and mains from around €15, its menu can be found here.

Peri Peri Chicken
It might not look like much, but this piri-piri chicken from Churrasqueira Valdemar might be the best in the Algarve!

The Best Day trips from Silves

Trips from Silves to Armacao de Pera, Carveiro, Benagil Caves and Ferragudo will all give you a strong dose of the famous Algarve coast if you decide to stay in the city! A similar town, with a slightly less historical focus and more commerce is Loule about 40km east. If you liked Silves you’ll love Loule and if you can’t decide then read our guide and visit both! 

Alternatively, if you’d like to find tours that depart from elsewhere in the Algarve that include Silves, here’s our pick of the best. Many of these combine Silves with other sights like Monchique.

Events in Silves

Like many towns in the Algarve, Silves has a lively events calendar, with some events attracting visitors from the whole region. If you’re nearby when one of these is happening we really recommend visiting!

Medieval Festival

At the beginning of each August Silves holds its famous Medieval Festival. Each night between 6pm and 1am, visitors will have the opportunity to experience unique adventures that will take them back in time and give them an insight into the town of Silves during the Medieval period. Some of its most popular events are the medieval jousting and war games. It’s a truly unique festival because of the historical setting. It’s a must do if you’re in the Algarve for any of the ten days the festival lasts.

Beer Festival

Like many of the larger towns in the Algarve, Silves also has its own annual beer festival. Local and national breweries are represented with ample opportunity to drink both. As well as the beer, there is a wide range of arts and crafts, street food, workshops, and live music to keep you entertained. If celebrating all things medieval doesn’t sound for you, perhaps a more modern celebration is.

Night Market (Mercado Fora d’Horas)

Every year during Summer, usually on the first Thursday of each month Silves opens its market to visitors at night. “Mercado Fora d’Horas” which simply means “Market outside opening hours”. As well as the late-night farmers market you’ll find local street food, arts and crafts, and entertainment.

How long to spend in Silves?

Realistically, if you’re just sightseeing, the main sites in Silves can be completed in a few hours. We recommend allowing at least half a day to get the full experience without rushing. This allows plenty of time to wonder the streets, and explore many of the craft shops, and sample some local food!

Shopping in Silves

Should you Visit Silves?

Silve’s is a lovely town to visit, and even base yourself in to explore the quieter and more rural side of the Algarve. Surrounded by authentic sites, and the incredible local food, Silves can be part of a great daytrip, or a great stopping point for longer trips across the Algarve. Silves can easily be combined with the nearby beach village of Carvoeiro or Ferragudo if you want to add in some beach time! Let us know in the comments if you’re planning on visiting Silves, or if you’ve been!

Written by

Ana Veiga is the co-founder of We Travel Portugal. Ana’s a travel writer currently studying Language and Literature at the University of Lisbon. When not writing or studying she’s steadily on her way to visiting, photographing, and writing about every town and village in Portugal.

You can contact Ana by email, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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