Silves, Algarve - steeped in history and dominated by its castle
Silves Accommodation
Your guide to Silves, AlgarveSilves is somewhat different to most holiday resorts, in the fact that it is not by the sea. The nearest beach is about 8 km away. But you don’t come here for sleepy days, sunbathing on the beach followed by raucous nights in the bars and nightclubs. Silves is a place to come to get away from all that. It is a quiet town but an interesting place to visit. You feel as though you are stepping back in time and somehow this is what an Algarve town is meant to be. And it does a have a lot of history, with battles here against the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors.The town is dominated by Silves Castle, a very large sandstone building which looks down on the red roofed town. From the ramparts there are fantastic views over the surrounding countryside with it’s carpet of orange groves. Silves lies on the banks of the River Arade, which travels to the Atlantic Ocean via Portimao, Ferragudo and Praia da Rocha. Silves is a quiet town, with some good restaurants and bars, but not much in the way of nightlife apart from that. If you want a livelier atmosphere, then you’ll do better in one of the coastal resorts such as Carvoeiro, Praia da Rocha or Albufeira. Things to do in Silves, AlgarveThere are plenty of things to do and see in Silves, particularly if you have a sense of history. It is a great place just to wander around the narrow steeply-winding cobbled streets and immerse yourself in the feeling of this historic old town.The main square is very pretty, with a fountain in the middle. This is always a good place to have a rest and a drink after a morning exploring the town, and watch the world go by. There's a daily market in the mornings every day, apart from Sunday, near the Ponta Romana and another market on Market day on the 3rd Monday of the month. For a more historical perspective, you should visit Silves Castle is a Moorish castle dating back to the 8th Century and is probably built on the site of a 4th Century Roman or Visigothic fortress. Built on a hill, with its 11 towers, it presides majestically over the town. However, it looks a lot better from the outside than it does from the inside. 
If you do want to go in, there is a small entrance fee, but it’s probably worth it, if only for the great views from its ramparts over the surrounding countryside. Inside there is nothing much to see apart from the partially excavated foundations and the water cisterns which used to serve the town. At the entrance top the castle is the large statue of Sancho I, who captured Silves Castle in the 12th Century.Silves Castle Opening Hours: daily from 9am-6pm (later in the summer) The Cruz de Portugal (cross of Portugal) is worth seeing. It is an intricately carved white cross which stands at the foot of the hill on which Silves castle lies. It is quite impressive at over 3 m tall. The Silves Cathedral (Sé Velha) is a 13th century cathedral built on the site of an earlier mosque. Inside this Gothic cathedral is a large nave inside and several tombs on the floor. The main entrance is located on the southern side of the cathedral In the Archaeological museum near the cathedral is interesting to visit. The main attraction is large stone water cistern. Apart from that there are displays of artefacts from Silves history. Museu Arqueologia Rua das Portas de Loulé Opening hours: 9am–6pm daily (closed Sundays). Small entrance fee Fábrica do Inglês (English Factory) was originally a cork factory, located near the riverfront, a few minutes walk from the road bridge.Nowadays, it’s a bit of everything. It’s has a museum of the history of cork (Museu da Cortiças), which is open daily and charges a small admission fee. There’s an entertainments area exhibitions of various sorts. There’s also a restaurant to take a break from it all. At night, they put on shows and music and have to round things off, there’s the Aquavision show, a light show illuminating the fountains. It sounds a bit strange but is quite a spectacle and quite entertaining. It is also host to the Silves beer festival held each July. Fábrica do Inglés opening hours and contact details: Rua Gregório Mascarenhas Open 12.30–3pm & 7–10.30pm daily (apart from Mondays) Entrance is free, but special events are charged for Contact Telephone: 242 440 480 On the EN 124 road on the way to Messines, is the Arade Dam( Barragem do Arade) which contains a huge reservoir. This is a great place to go walking, fishing or hiring boat. In the middle of the reservoir is Paradise Island. The island is open during the summer months but you’ll have to buy a ticket if you want to go there. These can be purchased while you have lunch in the garden at the Restaurante Coutada (Contact Tel: 282 332 292), the only restaurant here. If you head north from Silves, you’ll come across Caldas de Monchique, high up in the Serra de Monchique mountains. It is an old village blessed with natural spa waters. This has been capitalised on and the luxury resort spa is open for treatments, with its mineral waters being used to treat the respiratory problems and muscle and skeletal disorders, such as arthritis. Beer festival in Silves, AlgarveThe Silves Beer festival is held each July. It used to be held in Silves Castle, but has now moved to the Fábrica do Inglés. It is held over a number of days, and apart from the obvious beer, there are other drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic on offer as well as food from the many food stalls. There are also bands and singers laid on to complete the entertainment package.Horse riding centres in Silves, AlgarveThere are a number of horse riding centres in the Silves area.Country Riding Centre Quinta da Palmeira Norinha 8300 Silves Contact Tel: 917 976 995 Centro Hípico de Silves Sitío da Cruz de Portugal Apt.231 - 8300 Silves Contact Tel: 282 444 120 and in São Bartolomeu de Messines there is the Quinta da Bica Riding Centre CP 380 P Pedreiras 8375–052 Sao Bartolomeu de Messines near Silves Hotels in Silves, AlgarveThe main lodging here is the Hotel Colina dos Mouros Silves. It is on the outskirts of town, but a pleasant walk into the town centre. It is a fairly basic hotel with 57 rooms with an outdoor pool and good views of the town across the river. It gets good reports from people who have stayed there, who comment that, its clean and tidy and good value for money. If you want more information, reviews, prices or availability then here. (opens in a new window).Hotel Colina dos Mouros Silves 8300, Portugal There are a couple of Guest houses: Casa das Oliveiras, Silves – this is a 5 bedroom guest house in a rural setting between Silves and Lagoa Casa das Oliveiras Montes da Vala Silves 8300-044 Duas Quintas, Silves - this is 6 bedroom guest house, set in 15 acres of orange groves, with 12m x 6m private pool. Duas Quintas Santo Estevao c.p. 607 Silves 8300 047 Click here for more information on these properties. Restaurants in Silves, AlgarveThere are plenty of good restaurants in and around Silves. Most are Portuguese in style. There was a Thai restaurant, but I am told that that has closed down now. Here is a selection for you:Ponte Romana - On the Roman bridge - good food and atmosphere. Sometimes have live music Contact Tel: 282 443 275 Bistro O Cais - opposite the Roman Bridge, friendly with good food. Contact Tel: 282 448 098 Casa Velha - Great fish and seafood restaurant, near the castle. It is very popular, and as you might expect not cheap. Rua 25 de Abril, 13 8300 Silves, Algarve Contact Tel: 282 445 491 Recanto Dos Mouros - A little out of town, but with good views of the castle. Traditional Portuguese restaurant with a beamed interior. Some interesting speciality dishes. Monte Branco 8300-034 Silves, Algarve Contact Tel: 282 44 32 40 Cafe Ingles - If you want a change from Portuguese fare, then try a pizza or pasta here, sitting out on the roof terrace. Often have live music. Rua do Castelo Silves, Algarve Contact Tel: 282 44 25 85 Rui Marisqueira Restaurant - this is probably the best restaurant in Silves. It is a Portuguese fish and seafood restaurant with an excellent reputation. It is quite expensive as you would expect and can get very busy in the summer months, when you really need to book a table in advance, else you’ll end up waiting outside with plenty of others. It doesn’t have the best décor in the world being very functional, but it does have bags of atmosphere. It is closed on Tuesdays. Rua do Comendador Vilarinho, 27 Silves, Algarve Contact Tel: 282 442 682 Pizzaria Kazy - the best place to go if you hanker after a pizza or some fantastic Chicken piri piri. Rua Mouzinho de Albuquerque,2 8300 Silves, Algarve Other Useful informationSilves Tourist Office:Rua 25 de Abril 8300-184 Silves, Algarve Contact Tel: 282 442 255 Getting here - If you’re not driving then you can get the train from Faro. The train station is a couple of kilometres outside town. It’s a nice walk (without luggage) else there is a connecting bus service. Distances to Silves, Algarve: Distance from Carvoeiro to Silves: 13km Distance from Faro to Silves: 55km
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