Built on a hill on the right bank of the Arade river, Silves was once the Moorish capital of the Algarve. With its colourful Arabic architecture and cobbled streets, the old part of town takes you back centuries to when the Moors were in power.
Crowning the hill on which the town was built is Silves’s famous castle, where every year during summer, the town hosts a famous medieval festival. At this time, the streets around the castle turn into a medieval marketplace, people dress in costumes of the time, and there is entertainment and food and drinks inspired by the Middle Ages.
The castle was built between the 8th and 13th centuries and was restored in the 20th century. It is the best-preserved castle in the Algarve and is situated on the highest part of the town as it was used to defend Silves in wartime. From the castle, one can enjoy the beautiful panoramic views over Silves and its surroundings.
The Gothic cathedral, called Sé de Silves, was built in the 13th century on the site of a mosque. It was heavily damaged by the earthquake of 1755 but has since been rebuilt. Today, this cathedral is considered by many to be the most important Gothic building in the Algarve.
Close to the castle and the Silves Cathedral is an archaeological museum. It exhibits Roman, Phoenician, Moorish and prehistoric materials. The museum’s centrepiece is a beautifully preserved Arabian well (15 metres deep) with a staircase, which was only found a few decades ago.
The river played an essential role in the town’s development in the Middle Ages. The old bridge over the Arade river is also a notable monument. Although many refer to it as the Roman bridge, it dates from the 15th century. It is for pedestrians only.
Our favourite place to stay in Silves is Morgado do Quintão, a beautiful estate that produces wine and olive oil. This boutique family-run bed and breakfast is a welcoming haven located in the middle of a fig and olive grove surrounded by vines. There are several cottages dotted across the property, each with a private pool and the main house with several bedrooms and a larger pool. On top of breakfast, meals can be organised, and a visit to the vineyard followed by wine tasting is a must.
https://www.morgadodoquintao.pt/
Our favourite places to eat in and around Silves are Marisqueira Rui, located on a cobbled walking street. One of the Algarve’s top seafood restaurants, this bustling haunt fills up every day with locals and tourists looking for the freshest seafood. Every mollusc is available on the menu, from shrimps to goose barnacles, lobster and clams. If you ask for beer, tell the waiter when you’ve had enough. Otherwise, they will keep bringing more to the table. http://www.marisqueirarui.pt/; And O Barradas, a restaurant located just off the road from Silves to Lagoa. Serving locally sourced traditional Portuguese dishes, their meat and fish are equally delicious. On a warm summer night, you can sit under a large tree and taste some of the excellent house wine produced by the owner. https://obarradas.com/
