Silves

About This Place

The Algarve's former Moorish capital — a massive red sandstone castle, medieval cathedral, and the charming Arade riverside. A fascinating inland day trip from the coast.

Silves was the capital of the Algarve long before Faro claimed the title. Under Moorish rule from the 8th to 12th centuries, it was known as Xelb — a wealthy city of 30,000 people, renowned for its poets, philosophers, and traders. That history is written into every street.

Silves Castle

The red sandstone castle is the Algarve's largest and best-preserved ancient monument. Built by the Moors in the 10th century and expanded by the Christians until the 1500s, it dominates the town from its hilltop position. Inside, you can walk the ramparts, explore the excavated remains of the Moorish settlement, and visit the enormous underground cistern that supplied the city's water until the 1990s. Entry is around €3.

Silves Cathedral

The Sé Cathedral is the Algarve's most important Gothic building, raised on the site of the city's former Great Mosque after the Christian reconquest of 1249. The interior blends Gothic vaulting and medieval tombs with Baroque additions made after the devastating 1755 earthquake.

Walking the Town

The cobbled lanes around the castle lead through whitewashed houses with geometric azulejo tiles, rooftop terraces, and hidden gardens — all echoes of the Moorish influence that still shapes the town. The small archaeological museum near the castle is worth a visit, and the riverside restaurants along the Arade are a good spot for lunch.

Medieval Fair

If you're in the Algarve in August, Silves hosts a week-long Medieval Fair around the castle grounds. The town dresses in period costume, with reenactments, a medieval market, street performers, and traditional food. It's one of the most popular events in the region.

Practical Info

Silves is about 15 minutes inland from Lagoa and Portimão. It's easily combined with a visit to the coast. The castle and cathedral are the main draws and can be covered in a couple of hours, or stay longer for lunch by the river.