Silves enchanted us so much during our trips to Portugal that we stayed there for a whole month. It’s a beautiful Portuguese medieval town, whose main landmark is a 12th-century Moorish castle. In this guide, “Silves, Portugal: 25 Best Things to Do and See”, I’ll share what kept us coming back and why we decided to stay longer.
As we found out during our stay, it’s also a cat city; you can practically see these four-legged furballs resting on every corner. If you’re heading to the Algarve, this article will tell you what to see and do in Silves, where to find a pretty good coffee, and where to eat.
Where to Stay: Best Hotels in Silves
One of the best places to stay is Mosaiko 5 Suites. These apartments are located in the center, near the main sights. The rooms are very spacious, and the shared kitchen even has a coffee machine, which is ideal for those who also need their morning dose of caffeine. The breakfasts are amazing, especially the omelets!
History of Silves: What You should Know
Silves, a historic city in Portugal, was once the ancient capital of the Algarve region. During the Moorish era, which lasted from the 9th to the 12th century, the city served as a major stronghold and an important trading center.
Remains from the Iron Age were discovered in the city, along with a well, the governor’s palace, and the Cisterna Grande, a large 13th-century water reservoir that served the entire city. This reservoir, ten meters high and supported by six columns, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a Moorish maiden. 😁
In addition to the Moorish era, the city has a history dating back to Roman times. The Middle Ages were a particularly significant period for Silves, as evidenced by the construction of Castelo de Silves. This castle, situated at the highest point of the city, is considered the best example of Arab military architecture in Portugal.
Sights and Attractions in Silves: What to See and Do Here
If you’re coming here for the first time and don’t have much time, simply walking through the town and soaking in its medieval atmosphere is enough. Here are the most important things you shouldn’t miss in Silves.
Silves Castle
Silves Castle is the dominant feature of the entire city, and I won’t lie to you, it’s what kept drawing us back here every time we visited the Algarve, until we decided we had to move here for a longer period. We ended up staying for a month and walked past this amazing castle every day, dating back to the time when the Moors lived here. The castle has a beautiful reddish-brown color, and from it, there’s a magnificent view of the entire city and the surrounding hills.
Silves Cathedral (Sé)
The local cathedral is magnificent, and you can’t miss it when you go to the castle, as it’s right next door. It was also built in 1189 on the site of an old mosque. You can go inside; it’s usually open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Outside of the season, hours may vary.
Igreja Da Misericórdia De Silves Church Doors
This church is directly opposite the cathedral and features very interesting 16th-century Manueline-style doors, while its interior boasts a stunning 17th-century altar.
Ermida Da Nossa Senhora Dos Mártires
Ermida da Nossa Senhora dos Mártires was built in 1189 by King Sancho I as a final resting place for the brave soldiers who lost their lives during the conquest of the city. The original building is no longer visible here; today, you’ll find a charming blend of Gothic, Baroque, and Mannerist architectural styles.
Archaeological Museum – Museu Municipal De Arqueologia
If you love history, visit the Archaeological Museum in Silves. You’ll find artifacts from various periods – from the Roman era, through the Islamic occupation, to the Christian Reconquista.
Interestingly, the museum is built around a 12th-century well, discovered back in the 18th century.
In the museum, you’ll also learn interesting facts about the city’s history, especially about the period under Muslim rule, and how the Arade River helped the city flourish in trade.
They are open from 10 AM to 6 PM, and admission is only €2.10 per entry. Additionally, you can buy a combined ticket for the castle and museum for €3.90.
Ponte Romana Bridge
The local bridge isn’t a beauty 😁, that’s for sure, but we have to mention it because it was an important historical site for the residents of Silves. It was reportedly built during Roman times, which is likely why it’s called Ponte Romana – the Roman Bridge. The Rio Arade river flows beneath the bridge.
Silves Old Town
As I mentioned at the beginning, simply strolling through the romantic winding streets is practically enough for a tour.
Cruz De Portugal Cross
Don’t miss the Cruz de Portugal, a significant religious monument that embodies Silves’ Christian history. Carved from white limestone and adorned with intricate carvings, its exact origin remains unknown, with dating estimates ranging from the late 14th to the late 15th century. It is generally believed to have been gifted to Silves by King Manuel I in 1499.
This cross, 3 meters high and depicting the crucified Christ and a poignant Virgin Mary, is a breathtaking example of the Flamboyant Gothic style. Its name, “Cruz de Portugal,” and the origin of the limestone suggest it comes from outside the Algarve, possibly Lisbon.
Over the years, the cross moved around the city until it reached its current location in 1957, where it is surrounded by a peaceful garden.
Torreão Da Porta Da Cidade Tower
Don’t forget to make time to visit Torreão da Porta da Cidade when you’re in Silves! This defensive tower, also known as the City Gate, is a magnificent historical piece with a wonderful blend of Gothic and Baroque architecture.
Relax at a Cafe in Praça Da Município Square
Praça da Município Square is an ideal place to relax and refresh yourself during your city tour. It’s also home to one of our favorite cafes, where you can grab a bite to eat.
Al Mouhatamid Ibn Abbad Park
Al Mouhatamid Ibn Abbad Park pays tribute to an 11th-century Arab leader known for his remarkable Arabic poetry. You can sit and relax here for a while; we enjoyed examining the local statues in detail; they look slightly comical.
Mercado Municipal
If you find yourself in Silves, be sure to visit the Mercado Municipal, especially if you’re craving fresh fruits and vegetables or want to buy a nice souvenir.
Don’t miss the opportunity to taste local wines and juice from juicy oranges. There’s also a restaurant on the market’s rooftop, but it’s closed outside of the season.
Ceramic and Pottery Workshop
If you have a weakness for unique, hand-painted ceramic products, be sure to visit the charming Al-Tannur Ceramic Art Shop near the cathedral. Everyone says how lovely the couple who own it are, but Mrs. Teresa was quite unpleasant to us just because we wanted to take a photo there. However, it’s definitely a nice experience to see how she paints the ceramics.
Cork Shopping
If you’re going to Portugal, you won’t miss cork products; they’re everywhere. Cork holds a special place in Silves’ history as a key export that significantly contributed to the city’s economy. Even when the Arade River began to silt up, affecting the city’s prosperity, cork remained a valuable commodity. Later, cork and dried fruit played an important role in Silves’ economic revival.
Today, you can explore local shops throughout the city that offer an amazing range of cork products. Don’t forget to check out the shop on Rua de Abril, where you’ll find quality products at reasonable prices.
Boat Trips
A boat trip on the Arade River is a must when visiting Silves, given the significant role the river played in the city’s history.
A historic cruise on the Arade River offers a unique experience with a solar-powered boat – where else can you ride a boat powered by the sun?
If you want to book it, the easiest way is to use GetYourGuide.
Best Day Trips around Silves
Since we know the Algarve quite well – given that we spend one to two months a year here – we’ll give you a few tips on where to go for a day trip from Silves.
Visit Portimão – Especially the Beaches
Just a 20-minute drive from Silves lies Portimão, where you’ll find our favorite beach for evening strolls – Praia da Rocha. There are also many restaurants along the promenade; we usually went to an Indian one, but we won’t force that on you.
Zoomarine Algarve
Zoomarine Algarve is located in Guia, a short distance from Silves. It’s a marine theme park with dolphins, aquariums, and various water attractions, making it ideal fun with kids. Don’t forget to buy your ticket in advance, especially during peak season. As always, you can use the GetYourGuide portal; it works across Europe and is reliable.
Praia Da Marinha
You probably know this beach from photos. Praia da Marinha, just a 30-minute drive from Silves, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. During peak season, it will likely be terribly crowded, so head there for sunrise.
Praia De Benagil
Anyone heading to the Algarve must take a trip to the Praia de Benagil caves at least once. We’ve been several times; just book a trip through GetYourGuide, and you can go either just to the caves or also for dolphin watching.
Albufeira
Albufeira isn’t exactly one of our favorite beach destinations, but I don’t know why, there’s a popular beach there, Falésia, which is ideal for families with children. We usually go to Albufeira mainly for food. It’s about 30 minutes from Silves.
Lagos
Lagos is our second favorite town in the Algarve after Carvoeiro; besides having our favorite pizzeria, it has a beautiful small historic center, and most importantly, some of the most beautiful beaches are nearby. Definitely head to the Ponta da Piedade viewpoint as well.
Ria Formosa Natural Park
Ria Formosa Natural Park is about an hour’s drive from Silves; you’ll find lagoons, sandy islets, and most importantly, you can observe birds there – the main attraction being flamingos. You can go on a catamaran trip via GetYourGuide. Which I consider probably the best way to explore this natural park.
Loulé
We largely overlooked this city and only visited it on our fourth or fifth trip to the Algarve. Yet, it’s absolutely charming. Tiny, but charming.
The city of Loulé is about a 45-minute drive from Silves; you’ll find a beautiful castle, a great market, and pleasant establishments there. It’s a half-day trip.
Faro
The complete opposite of Loulé, we visit Faro every time we come to the Algarve. Faro is the capital of the Algarve region and is about an hour from Silves.
Here you can explore the well-preserved Old Town, visit the breathtaking cathedral, or stroll along the picturesque harbor.
Monchique
Everyone recommended a trip to Monchique, so I’ll write about it here too, but in my opinion, it doesn’t make that much sense.
It’s a mountain town in Serra de Monchique; you’ll find beautiful trails there, even thermal baths, and there’s a view of the Algarve from there. But we prefer walking along the cliffs… if you’re in the Algarve for a very long time, then go check it out, otherwise there are many more beautiful places in this region of Portugal.
Best Restaurants and Cafes in Silves
In Silves, you’ll find great restaurants, but cafes are a bit trickier if you’re like us and want a bit of a hipster coffee.
The most popular restaurant is Café Ingles, it has existed since 1983, and they have live music performances every Friday and Saturday. I’d say the food in town is better, but the atmosphere makes it worthwhile.
If you want to enjoy the local music, it’s important to book your spot in advance.
One of the best restaurants for vegans is Parsley & Thyme, which, in addition to excellent vegan food, also has great service. Just be warned, don’t try the coffee here. It’s truly awful.
Among the best cafes in Silves is Café DaRosa, where you can try their special cappuccino. For those who want to taste the best ice cream in the Algarve, we recommend visiting Castelo dos Sabores.
Visiting the local market is also an unforgettable experience. You definitely shouldn’t miss the Mercado Municipal de Silves, as well as the seafood you can taste there.
Seasonal Events and Festivals
Since we spend a lot of time in Portugal, we’ve also explored some festivals that are worth it.
Algarve International Jazz Festival
During the summer months, Silves comes alive with a series of music festivals and concerts that attract both local and international talent. The city hosts the renowned Algarve International Jazz Festival, featuring famous jazz musicians from around the world.
In addition to music, you can look forward to live street performances, art exhibitions, and stalls with a diverse selection of culinary delights.
Silves Medieval Fair
If you find yourself in Silves in August, a magical Silves Medieval Fair awaits you. The Al-Muthamid Gardens transform into a bustling center of historical merriment that cannot be missed.
Every evening, a lively procession passes through the city, winding through the streets and ending right in front of the cathedral. You practically can’t miss them when you’re in town. It’s not that big of a city.
Algarve Orange Festival
Yep, there’s also an orange festival in Portugal (they even have a peanut festival, haha). If you like quirky events and food, you can visit it.
Google “Festa da Laranja” before your trip; it’s held every spring, in March or April. Maybe your stay will coincide with the dates.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
