Silves Castle, Algarve

Explore Silves Castle, one of the best conserved castles in all of Algarve.

Silves Castle © CM Silves

The Silves Castle is located on the highest point of a hill on which lies the village of Silves, in the Algarve. This monumental, red-colored castle was edified by the Arabs in the 11th century and is presently one of the most well-preserved castles of the whole Algarve region. Its interior offers fantastic panoramic views over the town.

Castle of Silves © Celestino Manuel

The castle is visitable, and one can walk past its wide sandstone walls. It has a deep moat and a pink sink with five meters of depth that reminds [people] of Moorish occupation, and a statue of King Sancho I, made of bronze which represents the capture of the first fortress. Inside, the four vaults of the sink rest on ten columns.

On the north wall, one can see the Porta da Traição [Door of Betrayal], an escape route by which the traitors allowed their enemies to escape.

From the three lines of walls that stretched from the Castle embracing the village, many canvases are preserved; and the Porta da Cidade [Door of the City] (12th century).

More information:

Location:

Castelo de Silves, Algarve.

Entrance fee:

Individual ticket: 2,80€.
Groups of more than 20 people: 2,20€.
Children, students and those older than 65: 1,40€
Joint ticket (Castle + Municipal Museum of Archaeology): 3,90€.

Schedule:

Open every day (except for Christmas Day and New Year's).
Winter Schedule (09/16 to 07/14): 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Summer Schedule (07/15-09/15): 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Telephone:

(+351) 282 445 624.

Recommended Excursions:

Mapa Interactivo:

Other worth-visiting nearby towns and cities:

Why "Portugal Travel"?

Portugal Travel is an organization of Portuguese agencies whose objectives are:

✓ To make Portugal, its culture and its heritage known.
✓ To promote sustainable tourism.

In collaboration with:

Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril

Turismo de Portugal