Silves Castle (Castelo de Silves)

First built in the 8th century, when the Moors ruled over the Iberian Peninsula, and then rebuilt in the 13th century, Silves Castle dominates the landscape for miles around. In those days, before the Arade River silted up, blocking the town’s access to the ocean, the town was the most important in the Algarve region, with boats transferring goods between Portugal and North Africa.

Nowadays, a tour of the huge castle and its attractive gardens will give you a sense of the importance the town once enjoyed—and visiting with a knowledgeable guide will unlock the secrets of the castle that might otherwise go undiscovered. Head to the nearby archaeological museum to learn more about the legacy of the Romans, Visigoths, and Moors.

• Sections of the castle and gardens are wheelchair accessible.
• There is a café and restrooms on-site.
• Remember your camera—the castle walls offer panoramic views over the town and river.
• Combined tickets are available for the castle and archaeological museum.

The castle is located on the outskirts of the town of Silves, about 50 minutes by car from the Faro airport. In the region, you can book a guided tour that includes round-trip transportation from your hotel. You can connect by train and bus with nearby Albufeira and Portimão, although note that the train is 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) outside of the town.

The Algarve region has pleasant weather all year round, with warm sunny days possible even in winter. You’ll find Silves is busiest in the summer months, as the population swells with tourists heading for the beaches.

Head inland from Silves up into the hills of the Serra de Monchique to find the mountain village of the same name. With winding cobbled streets and spa hotels, Monchique invites you to take life at a slower pace, and the weather is often cooler up in the hills than on the coast, a bonus on sweltering summer days.