Today, the capital of the region is Faro, and before that the most important city of the Algarve was Silves. It is still considered one of the oldest cities in Portugal.
You can get to Silves by car, bus, train and even by boat from the nearby city of Portimao. Silves is a city where everyone lives and breathes history: the walls of a medieval castle, a Gothic cathedral, an ancient Roman bridge over the Arade River. Each of these historical attractions keeps the memory of the civilizations that have left their mark on Silves.
Silves Castle is the brightest attraction in the city. It was built during the Moorish rule of the Algarve. Today it is believed that this castle has been preserved better than all other castles in the region. The dark red stone walls of the castle rise above the city on a hill and immediately attract the eyes of tourists. The architecture of the castle contrasts with the labyrinth of whitewashed houses and cobbled streets leading to the river.
From Silves Castle, the road leads to Silves Cathedral, one of the few ancient monuments of Gothic architecture in the Algarve. If you go down the hill, you will see a number of cafes and restaurants with an outdoor terrace, where you can enjoy the view of the river and admire the Silves Roman Bridge. Silves has many other interesting attractions, including the Archaeological Museum, Cruz de Portugal, and the municipal market, which is open daily from 7:00 to 14:00.
The beaches of Armação de Pêra are just a 20-minute drive from the city, so you can easily combine your visit with a pleasant swim in the waves of the Atlantic.
In the north, Silves is surrounded by mountain valleys that border the Alentejo region. In these valleys there are two charming villages worth visiting - San Marcos da Serra and San Bartolomeu de Messin. Wine lovers can also visit the Silves vineyards and taste some of the best wines produced in the Algarve.
In August, Silves will organize a medieval fair. The street procession with jugglers, dancers, acrobats and snake charmers dressed in medieval clothes recreates the era of the Christian Reconquista and is one of the largest summer festivals in the Algarve, attracting tourists from all over the world to Silvesch.