Welcome to Silves
Silves' winding backstreets of whitewashed buildings topped by terracotta roofs climb the hillside above the banks of the Rio Arade. Crowning the hill, hulking red-stone walls enclose one of the Algarve's best-preserved castles. Situated 17km northeast of Portimão, the town makes a good base if you’re after a less hectic, non-coastal Algarvian pace.
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Silves activities
Arrival Transfer Faro Airport - Carvoeiro
Carvoeiro DescriptionThis was a very small intimate fishing village that has lost any resemblance to its modest origins. In 1965 a foreign resident wrote about A 36-Hole Golf & Holiday Complex can be found to the west of the village together with a well run Tennis Centre. To the east and on the outskirts is a further 9-Hole Course. A couple of Lawn Bowling Clubs add to the choice of sport. The area has long been considered a excellent area for tourist to acquire property and also due to the variety and pleasure provided its many small beaches. High cliffs surround most of these, and some of which have eroded to create beckoning dark caves most of which are only accessible at low tide. Beaches to visit are Praia de Centianes, Praia de Carvalho, Praia de Benagil, Praia de Marinha and Praia da Albandeira.Carvoeiro Nearby LocationsTo the west and near to Carvoeiro is the village of Ferragudo, which still remains as a virtually un-spoilt small fishing village. Lagoa, the nearby area administrative town is also close to the birth place of the 11th Century renown Arab poet "Ibn Ammar". Inland is the typical inland small village of Porches. Another place that is a must to be visited is the inland historic and interesting city of Silves with its remains of its castle as a reminder of its greater past.
Alcantarilha - Silves Mountain Bike Tour
We start close to the centre of Alcantarilha, a small village of Moorish origin, set on a hill with the remains of a 17th century castle and a church with a rather gruesome chapel of bones. We are soon onto quiet dirt tracks (the more serious bikers amongst you will enjoy these, though they are perfectly fine for those less experienced), cycling past vineyards and the recently developed Amendoeira golf course. After crossing the railway line we head up and over some hills, along dirt tracks that are hidden amongst orange groves and down towards the Rio Arade amidst scenic countryside. The area north of the river is traditional algarve countryside at its unspoilt best. You will spot the traditional stone walls and the odd derelict farm along the way.We join the flat, narrow pathway along the ‘levadas’, traditional irrigation channels still very much in use, for several kms. Tricky at times, this is not a ride for novices, but is a fabulous way to cut across country before joining the main road into the picturesque town of Silves. Once the Moorish capital, Silves is steeped with history. It is an enchanting town on the banks of the Rio Arade and home to the best preserved castle in the Algarve. Serious riders may wish to tackle the hill up to the castle, but this is optional. We take a cafe stop along the riverside here in Silves.Fully refreshed, we cross the old bridge and head along the river bank, with splendid scenery and we may spot the odd river boat travelling up from Portimão, before emerging from the valley for a panoramic view of the town and castle. We continue our journey along quiet roads, where the only traffic jam we are likely to encounter is a herd of goats and sheep! After a while, we turn into an ancient dirt track that skirts one of the few rice fields in the Algarve, also home to all kinds of wildlife, including storks. Finally we pass through the sleepy village of Fontes da Matosa before arriving back to our starting point in Alcantarilha.This is a ride of approximately 41kms, which is ideal for those who want to get stuck in to some decent mountain bike riding on rough single paths and along little used dirt tracks. We can adapt the pace to suit you, but it is most suitable for reasonably fit and capable riders. It lasts for approximately 4 hours (including cafe break and water stops).
Algarve to Silves, Foia and Cape St Vincent Full-Day Tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Castelo de Silves, Silves, Faro District, AlgarveWe start at Silves, the old Moorish capital of the Algarve. In this city full of history the ancient castle, the roman bridge and its gothic cathedral (XIII) are sights that should not be missed.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Mount Foia, Monchique, Faro District, AlgarveSee the highest point Fóia that stands 902 metres above the sea line, being the highest point in the Algarve. From here you can see almost the entire cost line making it a perfect point for spectacular photos. Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Antigo Mercado de Escravos, Lagos, Faro District, AlgarveIn the afternoon visit the beautiful city of Portuguese Discoveries - Lagos. You will have free-time to discover monuments of that important age such as the first European slave market, Saint Anthony's golden church, the old town and the fort.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Cape Saint Vincent, Sagres, Faro District, AlgarveIn the south western point in Europe at Cape St. Vincent, known as "the End of the World" you will pass by the Fortaleza, home of Prince Henry's School of Navigation, and visit the strongest lighthouse in Europe, Baleeira.Duration: 45 minutes
Algarve wine tour of two wine estates and lunch at hystorical town of Silves
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Quinta do Morgado da Torre, Alvor, Portimao, Faro District, AlgarveTwo of the mentioned wineries are visited. The selection depends of their availabilityDuration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Quinta Do Frances Winery, Silves, Faro District, AlgarveTwo of the mentioned wineries are visited. The selection depends of their availabilityDuration: 1 hourStop At: Cabrita Wines - Quinta da Vinha, Silves, Faro District, AlgarveTwo of the mentioned wineries are visited. The selection depends of their availabilityDuration: 1 hourStop At: Ponte RomanaLunchDuration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Recanto Dos MourosLunchDuration: 1 hour 30 minutesStop At: Winery Convento do Paraiso, Silves, Faro District, AlgarveTwo of the mentioned wineries are visited. The selection depends of their availabilityDuration: 1 hour
Algarve Wines Route
Begin your day with pickup from your hotel (the pick-up included in the price is only for the West Algarve Area). Enjoy a visit to a wine producer in Lagoa, where you can taste their wines (red, white and rosé). The next visit will be a guided tour to an old farm in Silves with lots of tradition but with the most recent technology. The enologist will guide you trough the visit, followed by a three wine tasting from the farm production. The lunch will be in a typical restaurant in Silves, the ancient capital of the Algarve (this part is optional). Once your tour is finished, you will be dropped off back at your hotel.
Silves - the Capital of the Orange
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Mercado Municipal de Silves, Silves, Faro District, AlgarveIn this place you can breathe tradition. The visit to this place gives to those who pass the best part of the region: the base of its gastronomy and culture.In addition to the many fresh products, you can also find a wide variety of fish, meat or other delicacies.Duration: 15 minutesStop At: Mr FrutasYou will be guided through an orchard by its owner that will explain the entire production process, since the orange tree is planted until the fruits are shipped to the customer. You will be introduced to the facilities, the way they make the selection of the fruit, you will get to know the differences between the varieties, and some details such as maintenance, watering, flowering, harvesting and other subjects or issues.In the end you can stroll freely through the orchard and pick as many fruit as you like. All the fruit that you pick is offered.The visit ends with the taste of freshly squeezed orange juice, with the fruits that the visitors have gathered or the fruits that are available in the warehouse.Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes