Castle of Silves
Castelo de Silves
Portugal's best-preserved Moorish castle, with red sandstone walls overlooking the inland town that was once the capital of the Moorish Algarve.
Silves lies inland in the Algarve, about 15 km from the coast. During Moorish rule from the 8th to 13th centuries, it was the capital of the Algarve (then called 'the Western Land'), and at times it surpassed Lisbon in prosperity. The hilltop castle is built of local red sandstone (Grés de Silves); its walls and eleven towers are well preserved, and climbing the ramparts offers views over the town, the orange groves, and the distant Monchique mountains. Inside the castle are remains of a Moorish-era cistern and an archaeological excavation site. Below the castle stands Silves Cathedral, built in the 13th century, which was once the cathedral of the Algarve's bishop. Each August during the Medieval Fair, the whole town dresses in Moorish style, with knight performances and market stalls. Admission costs a few euros. Silves is about 30 to 40 minutes by car from Albufeira or Lagos, making it a good half-day cultural detour from a beach itinerary.
Opening hours
About 9:00 am–5:00 pm, extended to about 7:00 pm in summer (check the official website)
Nearby sights
- Carvoeiro Beach & Algar Seco Boardwalk
- Seven Hanging Valleys Trail & Praia da Marinha
- Benagil Sea Cave
- Ferragudo
- Nossa Senhora da Rocha
- Praia da Rocha & Fortaleza de Santa Catarina
- Caldas de Monchique
- Praia dos Três Irmãos