Silves is thought to have been founded by the Phoenicians who established a port and trading centre on the banks of the River Arade. Following the Moorish invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in 713, Silves became the capital of the Al-Gharb and was called Xelb. Christian armies led by King Sancho I finally wrestled the town from the Arabs in 1249 after a period of the town switching hands. From then until 1580 it was the see of a bishop before it was transferred to Faro.

The old town descends down from the castle. Here there remains plenty of narrow cobbled streets to explore where you'll discover several artisan and handicraft shops, artist’s studios, bars and restaurants. The small beautiful square of the Praça do Município is where you'll find the town's pillory (Pelourinho) and an old gatehouse, the Portas da Cidade de Silves. There is also a café here with seating on the square that makes an ideal spot to rest tired feet and watch the world go by.

Archeology Museum (Museu Municipal de Arqueologia)

Located near the Praça do Município is the Municipal Museum of Archeology, which has on display artefacts dating back from the Paleolithic era until the 17th century. The most prominent element of the museum is a well preserved Arabic well over 15 metres deep. Around the perimeter of the well, a spiral staircase descends to the water level. This Moorish well is now a National Monument.
Daily: 10h00 – 18h00
Adult: €2.10, Concessionary: €1.05, Castle/Museum Combined Ticket: €3.90

Largo do Município 8300-117 Silves, Portugal. | 37° 11' 20.5" N | 08° 26' 20.0" W
+351 282 440 800 | expediente@cm-silves.pt | Website

Medieval Festival (Feira Medieval de Silves)

Probably the best time to visit Silves is in August when the nine-day long Medieval Festival takes place. Important events and characters from Portugal's history are reenacted. Things get lively with plenty of dancing, banqueting, traditional cuisine, period costumes, market stalls and handicrafts - all within a 12th-century atmosphere. Dates vary from year to year. [ More About ► ]

The most distinctive feature of Silves and the most visited landmark is the castle which has stood on its advantage point since the eighth century. The characteristic red sandstone walls are well preserved and retain their rectangular defensive towers. Although Iron Age artefacts have been unearthed on this sight it was the Moors who built the first castle here to protect their capital. Later works were carried out following the Christian reconquest of Silves and most recently in the 20th Century when the castle enjoyed extensive restoration.

The ramparts are walkable and if you climb to the top of one of the towers you will be well rewarded by amazing vistas over the beautiful landscape beyond. In the middle of the structure are the remains of the governor's palace and the more impressive water cistern that once served the whole town. The Cisterna stands ten meters tall, is supported by six columns and is rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of a Moorish maiden. A Moorish-style garden has recently been re-created and is open daily to visitors. There's a pleasant café with amenities to restore your energies after exploring the whole site.
High Season: 09h00 – 20h00, Low Season: 09h00 – 17h30
Adult: €2.10, Concessionary: €1.05, Castle/Museum Combined Ticket: €3.90

Largo do Castelo 8300-117 Silves, Portugal. | 37° 11' 27.0" | N 08° 26' 16.8" W
+351 282 440 837 | castelo@cm-silves.pt | Website

Downhill from the Castle, you can find the gothic Cathedral of Silves (Sé Velha) which dates back to the 13th Century. It was constructed over the remains of a mosque. It had to be greatly restored following the devastating earthquake of 1755. Behind the baroque facade, enough original features have survived, however, for it to be still considered the most important Gothic building in the Algarve. Inside there are tombs of local bishops and dignitaries, as well as tombs of Crusaders who helped to liberate Silves from the Moors. The apse and the transept have gothic ogival vaults and the side altars feature baroque carvings. In the centre of the main altar is the tombstone of King John II, buried here in 1495 and whose remains were later transferred to the Monastery of Batalha in 1499.
Daily: 09h00 – 17h30
FREE

Rua da Sé, 8300-140 Silves, Portugal. | 37° 11' 24.3" N | 08° 26' 19.8" W
+351 282 442 472

The name of Silves' Roman Bridge is quite deceptive as it dates from around 1439. More than likely the bridge replaces a Roman original. Five equally sized arches span the river Arade river and are constructed from the distinctive red sandstone that dominates the landscape in this part of the Algarve. Today it is open for pedestrian use only, motorised traffic uses a much newer bridge further upstream. In times past it was much longer it was shortened to make space for a new road at the river's edge. The area around the bridge is where you'll find several eateries and where local buses stop.