Are you looking for the best things to do in Silves in Portugal ? This village located in the Algarve countryside contrasts with the seaside resorts along the coast. With its calm and authentic atmosphere and its landmark monuments such as the castle and the cathedral, Silves is an excellent stop on an Algarve road trip or a day trip.
So what are the must-see sights ? Where to stay in Silves ? I share all my tips in this blog article.
What to do in Silves : the old town
All the sights presented in this travel guide for visiting Silves are located in the old town. Since it is quite small, everything can easily be explored on foot. You can also take a break in Largo do Município square where there is a lovely pastry shop decorated with azulejos. This is also where a visit to Silves usually begins when arriving from the parking area located south of the historic center along the river.
Medieval gate
On Largo do Município square stands the former medieval gate of Silves. This opening in the city walls was where movement took place between the inside and outside of the medieval city. During archaeological excavations, a pavement made of large sandstone blocks was discovered about 1 meter underground, forming a street associated with the city gate. Seven coins minted during the first dynasty made it possible to date the entire construction to the 14th century.
Silves cathedral
Silves Cathedral was built in the 12th century on the site of the former great mosque. From an architectural point of view, it is considered the most remarkable cathedral in the Algarve. The stone used is Silves red sandstone (similar to the sandstone found in the Vosges), which can also be seen on many buildings in the city, including the castle. The cathedral consists of three unvaulted naves in a rather sober style typical of the period of the King of Portugal D. Alfonso V. The main portal of the building is in Late Gothic style. The cathedral was modified during the 17th and 18th centuries in Baroque style, as evidenced by the façade and the bell tower. The southern side door (1781), through which visitors enter the cathedral, features Rococo-style decoration.
Price : €1.50
Opening hours : 9 am–1 pm and 2 pm–5 pm Monday to Friday
Streets of the medieval city of Silves
As in all medieval towns, wandering through the streets is the best way to discover the architecture and soul of the city. A walk through the mostly pedestrian cobbled streets of Silves reveals beautiful whitewashed houses along with a few more colorful ones. The whole setting is very photogenic. There are a few small shops in the upper part when walking up toward the cathedral, but most of the buildings are homes. The village has preserved its authentic character.
Silves castle
The imposing Silves Castle, located at the highest point of the hill overlooking the city, was built by the Moors between the 8th and 10th centuries. The fortifications built with Silves red sandstone cover an area of 12 hectares. They consist of defensive towers, turrets, and crenellated walls. It is possible to walk all around the ramparts along the wall, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding area. Inside the castle there is not much to see apart from a 12th-century water cistern and a few remains of a palace from the Almohad period.
To enjoy the best viewpoint of the castle (the first photo below), stop at this mirador located on the road coming from Albufeira.
Price : €2.80 (€1.40 for ages 13–18 and 65+). Free for children under 12
Opening hours : 9 am–10 pm in July and August (closing at 8 pm from March to June and September–October)
Archaeological museum
The Museu Municipal de Arqueologia de Silves is located on the small Porta de Loulé street just behind the medieval gate. Its location is no coincidence, as it was at this exact spot that an Almohad cistern from the 12th and 13th centuries was discovered during archaeological excavations in the 1980s. It is also the centerpiece of the museum’s collection. The other exhibits range from the Paleolithic to the medieval period, including the Roman and Muslim eras. The collection also includes an important set of objects from the modern period (15th to 17th centuries), which reflects the influence of trade routes and exchanges between the city and other regions of the world.
Price : €2.10 (€1.05 for children, students, and people over 65)
Opening hours : daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Day trip for visiting Silves
Don’t worry if you don’t have transportation during your stay in the Algarve. Several excursions are organized to visit Silves with pickup at your hotel or nearby. You can also take part in activities on site to discover the surrounding area, especially the vineyards of the Algarve. Cancellations are possible up to 24 hours before the activity, so don’t hesitate to book, especially if you are visiting during the high season (July and August).
Here are a few excursion ideas in Silves :
- From Albufeira: Wine Tasting & Historic Silves Tour
- From Albufeira: Half-Day Silves & Monchique Highlights Tour
- From Faro, Quarteira, Vilamoura, Armação de Pera, Carvoeiro or Portimão : Full-day excursion to Silves and Caldas de Monchique
- From Silves: Algarvian Winery Tour and Tasting Experience
Visiting Silves : what to do in the surroundings ?
Praia da Marinha
If you would like to leave the Algarve countryside to discover some of the most beautiful beaches along the coast, I recommend going to Praia da Marinha. This beach is considered one of the 100 most beautiful in the world. It is located 13 km south of Silves (barely 20 minutes by car). A vehicle is essential to get there because there is no bus service. On site, the small parking area fills up quickly, so I recommend arriving early to find a spot.
With its golden fine sand and the cliffs that surround it, Praia da Marinha beach offers a dreamlike setting. On the beach there is a bar-restaurant as well as kayaks for rent to explore the different caves hidden in the cliffs.
Albufeira
A world away from the calm and authentic atmosphere of the village of Silves, the seaside resort of Albufeira will appeal to travelers looking for a festive atmosphere and evenings in bars. The town located by the sea 30 km from Silves attracts many British tourists staying in all-inclusive resorts. On site there are many pubs and restaurants serving international cuisine. It is one of the best places to party in the Algarve, especially on the “strip” where music from the bars echoes throughout the street. Albufeira also has a beautiful beach, though less wild than Praia da Marinha.
To discover everything there is to see in the city, I invite you to read my article on what to do in Albufeira.
Lagos
Don’t miss the prettiest town in western Algarve, located 40 km from Silves. The historic center of Lagos, surrounded by 16th-century walls, is perfect for a pleasant walk through its pedestrian cobbled streets. Several buildings and monuments can be visited in the old town, and pleasant terraces of bars and restaurants make it easy to spend an entire day there. The surroundings of Lagos also offer beautiful beaches, always framed by high karst cliffs.
Find all my tips on things to do and see in the article what to do in Lagos.
Where to stay in Silves ?
If you prefer accommodation in the countryside away from the hustle and bustle of the coastal seaside resorts, then I recommend staying in Silves or the surrounding area. You will never be far from the beach or towns where you can go out for dinner anyway. This is what we did by choosing accommodation in a quinta between Albufeira and Silves (see the address). This type of accommodation in former 17th-century estates is very common in the Algarve countryside.
- 50 € : Horta Grande, this is the cheapest place to stay in Silves and it is located just 300 meters from the city gates. At this price you will need to accept sharing a communal bathroom. For backpackers, dorm beds are also available (€20).
- 60 € : Casa à Porta do Torreão, this 66 m² house located 200 meters from the castle offers good value for money for a stay of several days in Silves. It includes a kitchen for preparing meals and a large bedroom.
- 100 € : Silves Historical House, if you dream of staying in a historic house in the old town of Silves, this accommodation should appeal to you. Its main asset is the rooftop terrace with views, ideal for breakfast or dinner.
- 100 € : Quinta das Piteiras Turismo Rural, this accommodation located 1 km from the historic center offers rooms with modern bathrooms. The quinta has a swimming pool and breakfast is included in the price.
- 102 € : Quintal do Castelo, this quinta located right in the heart of the old town (500 m from the castle) is superb. There are three houses in total for 2 or 3 people. You will enjoy a terrace with a private garden and an outdoor pool in addition to all the other amenities such as a barbecue.
Tips and travel guide for visiting Silves
How to get to Silves ?
The most convenient way to get to Silves is by car. If you are not traveling on a road trip, the best option is to rent a car for the day to explore the Algarve countryside. To find the best prices, I always use this price comparison site, which offers rates much more attractive than booking directly with rental agencies.
For those who want to reach Silves by public transport, there is a direct bus from Albufeira and Portimão. By train you can reach Faro and Lagos, but the Silves railway station is located 2 km south of the city (bus shuttle available).
Parking in Silves
Silves has several free parking areas, but they are used by residents, so we did not easily find a space despite the small number of tourists during our stay in Silves in May. There is a parking area between the river and the old town (coordinates) where you can park for free. For our part, we parked our car along the street Cel. Figueiredo. If you are willing to walk a little, there is another parking area (coordinates) a bit farther away.
How long to spend in Silves ?
The historic center is not very large and the number of monuments to see is limited. You can reasonably plan half a day to visit Silves. This will give you time to stroll through the small streets and visit the cathedral and the castle. Take the opportunity to have lunch or dinner in one of the town’s restaurants. There are also several good farmhouse inns in the surrounding area.
You know now the best things to do in Silves in Portugal. If you still have questions about things to do and see, feel free to leave a comment on the blog.