The Castle of Silves in Portugal

If you have been following me you have figured out we have fallen in love with castles during our May 2024 trip to Portugal and the Castle of Silves was no exception. The Castelo de Silves is considered one of the best preserved castles in Portugal and is also the largest in the Algarve. This was another of our last minute additions to the trip and a very good choice.

Location

The Castle of Silves is about 25 minutes from where we were staying in Carvoeiro. It was a nice easy drive.

History of the Castle of Silves

It is thought that in 201 BC the Romans erected the first castle in Silves. Prior to this, Greeks, Phoenicians, and Cartagians inhabited the area. The current red sandstone castle sits majestically on a hill overlooking the town and countryside. It was built between the 8th and 13th century during the Moors occupation. This was the largest castle in the Algarve area and quite important, therefore many battles took place between the Moors and the Christians. In 1242 the castle and kingdom was taken back by Christians who did extensive changes and modifications to the castle over the 14th and 15th centuries.

Walking Around the Castle

Once again we found ourselves walking around the castle walls. What is really nice about the Silves Castle is it is one of the Portugal Castles that has a complete wall walk around the entire perimeter.

Entrance

Around the Castle Wall Walk

Views From the Castle

Break Time

It was quite hot so after wandering the castle we took a quick break. There is a small shop that advertises the best orange juice so we sat in the shade outside and while I enjoyed a glass of orange juice Steve had a coffee. I must agree, this orange juice is the best I have had. As a matter of fact, Portugal in general has the best tasting orange juice.

The Town of Silves

After our break we walked through the town, ambling in and out some of the shops. Many were either not open yet for the day or for the season. It was a lovely medieval town and it would be fun to explore when more of the shops are open.

Where We Ate

We decided to drive down to the coast to dine at a restaurant recommended to us by our guest housel. Although it was a 25 minute drive, It was an excellent choice. The name of the restaurant is O Molhe and it is located just above Praia do Molhe beach which made for nice views. It was a perfect day for dining al fresco. The food was very good and the service was friendly and prompt.

After lunch we walked down to the beach which was a nice sandy beach surrounded by large rocks. There is a good view from the beach of the lighthouse, Farol da Ponta do Altar.

Where We Stayed

We stayed at O Castelo Guest House on the coastal town of Carvoeiro. We had a lovely view and our room was clean and spacious. Breakfast was served to our room each morning which we ate on the balcony overlooking the sea. The staff was friendly and also very helpful. I would definitely stay here again!

Conclusion

The Castle of Silves was another fun spot in Portugal and a nice little side trip from the Algarve. Lunch was one of the best meals we enjoyed on our trip and I highly recommend both the restaurant and the beach.

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Check out my other Portugal Posts!

Cromlech of Almendres, Portugal May 2024

Evora Portugal and the Chapel of Bones, May 2024

Arraiolos Castle, Portugal May 2024

Knights of Templar, Portugal May 2024

Exploring Obidos, Portugal, May 2024

A Moliceiro Ride in Aveiro, Portugal, May 2024

Planning

I do a lot of research before a trip and below are some of the items I use to help plan. I also use these items throughout my trip and they have all been a good resource.

My favorite travel guides are the DK Eyewitness guides. These books are smaller and fit nicely in your bag, come with a removable map, are durable, sort the information in a logical way, and easy to read. While they just give a brief synopsis of each area, I find areas I like and then google or search for more information.

I also like a map when I travel because you never know when you will loose GPS. We have many times had to rely on the old fashion method of pulling out a map. I have found the National Geographic Maps to be very useful. The ones I have used have been accurate, durable, and easy to follow. You can click on an Amazon link to a map here https://amzn.to/4dRJNqQ

The Gen-X Travels recommendations for hotels, restaurants, activities or tour companies are based on our own experiences. We do not receive compensation for recommending any hotels or restaurants. Nor are we sponsored by any business or company and all trips are at our expense. All photos are by myself or my husband unless otherwise noted. We are affiliates of some companies such as Amazon and Viator which we do receive a small commission from if you buy or book through one of our links.