Free walking tours in Silves and what to see

Must-sees

Silves lies in the Algarve's interior, by the Arade river, and in Moorish times it was the capital of the region, then known as Xelb. The first thing you see on arrival is its red sandstone castle, crowning the hill with walls and towers visible from afar. Inside you can walk the ramparts and look out over the orange groves and the river valley.

Below the castle is the Sé, the former cathedral, a Gothic church built after the Christian conquest. Very close by, the Municipal Archaeology Museum was built around a large Islamic-era cistern well and traces the history of the town. On the way out towards São Bartolomeu de Messines stands the Cross of Portugal, a carved Manueline stone cross. A walk along the Arade and the old bridge rounds off the visit nicely.

Free tours and guided visits

There is no regular free walking tour of the old town in Silves, so most people explore it on their own, as the castle, the Sé and the museum are a few minutes' walk from each other. What you can book is entry to a water park in the municipality, in the Alcantarilha area, a good plan for a hot day with children. Many Algarve day trips from the coast include a stop in Silves.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the castle, the Sé, the archaeology museum and a stroll through the sloping streets of the centre. If you want a relaxed lunch by the river and a visit to the Cross of Portugal, allow the whole day. With two or three days you can combine Silves with the beach at Armação de Pêra, also in the municipality, or with a trip to the Monchique hills.

Where to stay

Sleeping in Silves itself lets you see the castle lit up and walk the centre once the day trips have gone. The choice is small, with guesthouses and rural quintas among orange trees in the surroundings. If you prefer the sea, Armação de Pêra is about twenty minutes away by car and has many more hotels and apartments. Portimão and Lagoa are other nearby options with more services.