If you are looking for a day out from Carvoeiro , then Medival Silves is a great option. This small town built on the hillside at the gateway to the Monchique Mountains and Caldas de Monchique is dominated by the medieval castle and the Gothic cathedral ( Se) . The old town offers quaint cobbled streets lined with restaurants and bars. Down by the river there is plenty of parking and this is a great place to park up and enjoy a circular walk of this small town
Where is Silves?
Almost in the center of the Algarve just a few kilometers inland towards the Monchique mountains. An ancient town with Roman ruins, Silves was a stronghold of the Moors in this region and has been faught over by Moor and Christian for centuries. The central location of Silves and the short distance inland make it both accessible and a pleasant change from the beach. The central location means that Silves is just a 45 minute transfer from Faro airport (FAO/LPFR) Silves sits at 37.18744 degrees North, -8.44010, West. The old town has many bars, Cafes, Restaurants and shops. Silves is around 15 minutes drive from Carvoeiro.
Who goes to Silves?
A mixture of families with younger children, families with teens, young adults, older couples and golfers make up the main demographic of visitors. Many people are repeat visitors, hooked on the charm of Silves or older teens having a first holiday alone that have visited as children. A large number of visitors also own holiday homes here and visit for a few weeks or months at a time. The vast majority of people who visit Silves come back again and again.
What´s the demographic like?
Silves has a wide range of visitors, domestic visitors from Lisbon and the North, Europeans, Canadians escaping the winter, Americans and Scandinavians discovering the value, visitors from the Far East and Middle East.
The majority of visitors are Europeans with Brits, Irish, French, German and Dutch making up the core. Many Scandinavians come here to escape the winter and enjoy the great value for money that Silves offers. Our Spanish neighbours are also here in number, enjoying the difference that a short cross-border trip makes.
Just a quick note here… we are Portugal we speak Portuguese it is NOT Spanish!
Increasingly a winter destination for Canadians escaping the snow-blower and also North Americans enjoying the value of a break here.
A smaller, but still significant, group is made up of curios travelers from Asia and middle eastern nations along with a growing number from Russia.
Whatever the mix, Silves has a genuinely inclusive feel and all visitors are made welcome here.
So why visit?
Silves is surrounded by, and famous for Oranges. You will see many roadside stalls offering “Laranja de Silves” (Silves Oranges) in 5KG bags. Usually delicious, well worth purchasing. The big attraction for the town is the magnificent Medieval castle and the beautifully dilapidated Gothic Cathedral (Se) which sit side-by-side above the town and dominate the skyline.
In August, the town is closed to traffic for the Silves Medieval Fair. The fair takes the town back to the 11th century with Moorish royalty, musicians, knights, armourers and authentic food and souvenir stalls. You can even change your Euros for Xelbs to spend in the bazzar! A great evening for anyone and especially good for children.
The Castle and Se certainly make their mark on this town but Silves offers so much moor with the charming streets of the old town, the Roman Bridge (ponte romana) and the riverside. The river is tidal but on certain days you can arrive from Portimao by boat on an old salt barge.
The old town is charming with cobbled streets and travessas lined with shops, bars and restaurants. Perfect for a leisurely lunch and a browse
What is there to do in Silves? (plenty!)
Drinking and dining
Silves has many great bars and restaurants where you can enjoy anything from a simple pint and a Bifanha to specialty cocktails, fine wines from across the country, simple, wholesome traditional food or Michelin Stared dining.
Bars range from simple straightforward no frills beer, wine and spirits in simple surroundings to upmarket cocktail bars offering superior drinks and service without the international price tag. All are family friendly and welcoming.
Restaurants here are all good or better, if you ever do manage to find a bad one, you can be assured that it won´t be there for long! Many places serve traditional Portuguese dishes like fresh fish, sardines and cataplanas alongside meat dishes of pork, lamb, beef and our Piri-Piri Chicken.
By the refurbished market hall you will find the local institution that is Churrasqueira Valdemar (37.18669551393821, -8.439462578299954) where you can have a meal with wine for just €12 at lunchtime IF you can get a table! Known affectionately a “Chicken in the Gutter” this place is popular with locals and visitors alike,
Located between the Castle and the Se you will find the ever popular Cafe Inglese where you can drink, dine and often enjoy live music
In the daytime
Stroll the old town and visit the Castle and Se, Enjoy lunch or a drink in one of the many restaurants or relax by the river
Night owls
Night Time enjoy “prinks” at one of the many lovely bars. Move on to dinner at any one of the great restaurants in town. Later enjoy a quiet cocktail or three with friends.
Getting Home Taxis are usually reliable to at least 2AM and often later in peak season. Uber or Bolt can be booked easily and are plentiful in high season.