A Local’s 7 Day Algarve Itinerary

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A wide sand beach in Sagres, Portugal with cliffs stretching all down the coastline and surfers and swimmers in the blue-green water.

Most people seem to come to the Algarve just thinking of sunny weather and golden, sandy beaches. And don’t get me wrong, we have those things in abundance. But there’s so much more to the Algarve than just our beaches and it’s a real shame that people don’t get to discover it.

Away from the coast, visitors are always surprised by the charming villages in the countryside, the magnificent mountains in the north, and the really interesting history and culture, dating back to prehistoric times, found everywhere.

Although you can visit the whole of the Algarve in 7-day trip, you’ll only get to see the biggest towns and cities and the most over-crowded beaches. You’d leave out the most authentic places, which I think are the best. For that reason, I’ve prepared this 7-day itinerary to focus only on the Western Algarve, providing you with a mix of must-visit towns, great beaches, lovely countryside, and hidden gems.

While you could do the itinerary using public transport, you’d lose a lot of time and it wouldn’t be ideal. To make this and any other Algarve itinerary work as well as possible, I really recommend that you rent a car.

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Table of Contents

What to know when planning your trip

  • How long to spend

  • When to visit

  • Where to stay

  • How to get around

Itinerary overview

One week Algarve itinerary

  • Day 1 - Ferragudo and Benagil Cave

  • Day 2 - Portimão and Praia da Rocha

  • Day 3 - Lagos and Ponta da Piedade

  • Day 4 - Sagres and Cape St. Vincent

  • Day 5 - Costa Vicentina Natural Park

  • Day 6 - Monchique village and mountains

  • Day 7 - Silves


Get local help with your planning

For some personalized help planning your trip to the Algarve, schedule a Portugal travel consultation with our Algarve-based Local Expert, Inês!

These are one-hour Zoom calls where you’ll get to chat with Inês about the trip you’re planning and she’ll share her tips and advice, answer your travel questions, and help you perfect your itinerary.


What to know when planning your trip

Before looking at my suggested itinerary, I want to cover some of the basic questions I imagine you have. So, I’ve given quick answers below to the main things I think you should consider as you start planning your trip.

For more detailed information on all these topics, have a look at my Algarve travel guide.

How long should you spend in the Algarve

For most visitors, 5-7 days is the right amount of time for a first visit to the Algarve. A week gives you enough time to explore some of our pretty seaside towns and cities, relax on the beach, and partake in some outdoors activities like hiking, kayaking, surfing, and cycling.

More recently it has become increasingly common for visitors to come for short stays of 2-5 days, either on “city breaks” or as part of longer itineraries around Portugal. I don’t think it makes sense to do this.

While you can visit the Algarve quickly, it sort of defeats the purpose of coming. The pace of life here is slow (and that’s part of the pleasure), and you come here to relax, to enjoy sun, sand, and sea, and to leisurely spend time in pleasant little towns drinking good wine and eating good food. Coming all the way here and then just rushing through a few places means that you’ll miss out on what the region offers.

When to visit

The best time to visit the Algarve is in late spring (mid-April to early June) or early fall (mid-September to early November). My favorite months are probably May and October.

The spring and the fall are both shoulder seasons, which means you get fewer crowds and more affordable prices. The weather is still excellent, almost always warm enough to go to the beach, so you’ll be able to enjoy everything the region offers. Even if you come and find that it’s slightly too chilly to swim, you’ll still be able to enjoy walks on the beach, great hiking, lovely bike rides, plenty of golf (if that’s your thing), and the perfect weather for sightseeing. Both periods are the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors.

Summer is high season, and since the Algarve has become world-famous as a beach destination, you can expect huge crowds, sold out hotels, and very steep prices. Hotel rates in the summer months can be double or triple what they are at other times of year. It also gets extremely hot, so while you may enjoy being on the beach, you’ll be roasting while hiking or sightseeing. It’s a nice time to come if you want to swim and party and can put up with always being surrounded by other tourists.

Winter can be a good time visit if you’re not interested in swimming. The Algarve has very mild weather between November and April, and it doesn’t rain often. This means that, while you can’t lounge on the beach, you can still spend lots of time comfortably outdoors. You’ll also find the lowest hotel rates and totally empty beach towns. If you want to explore our natural areas and sightsee in towns and cities, a winter visit is great.

Where to stay for this itinerary

For your base, I’ve assumed that you’ll stay all 6 nights in the town of Portimão.

None of the locations on this itinerary are ever more than 1 hour away by car, so this way you can still see much of the Algarve without needing to repeatedly pack and unpack your bags. Plus, Portimão is a really pleasant town so it’s a nice place to return to each night.

Given that you’ll be spending almost a week in one place, you’ll want to pick your accommodation wisely. You can choose to stay right in town or somewhere along the coast.

Here are some of my favorite hotels in and around town:

Bela Vista Hotel & Spa - Set in an early-20th-century estate, this was the first hotel in Portimão. It has three distinct buildings with rooms for guests, each of them exceedingly elegant: the Palace, the Blue House, and the Garden House. It has a fabulous in-house spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Rooms start at 450€ per night during the high season.

NH Marina Portimão Resort - Located in Marina de Portimão, the colorful buildings of NH Marina Portimão Resort stand out even from afar. This hotel is perfect for travelers who want all the facilities and the beach within walking distance. Nightly rates vary between 100€ and 300€ depending on the season.

Hotel da Rocha - Located on the busy Avenida Tomás Cabreira in Praia da Rocha, this is a beachfront hotel with spacious suites and stunning ocean views. The location is fantastic, and the rates very reasonable. Rates range from 100€ to 200€ per night for a standard double suite.

How to get around

The Algarve is a small region and getting around it is fairly easy.

Buses connect most major towns with fairly frequent service, and from spring to fall, additional bus routes are added to connect towns and cities with nearby beaches and natural areas.

If relying on public transport, know that you won’t be able to get everywhere though, and you should expect to have to use taxis/transfers at least occasionally, especially if you have limited time.

That said, having your own car is still the best way to get around. Roads in the Algarve are excellent, traffic is pretty minimal, and you’ll usually have parking at beaches, parks, and towns you want to visit. Driving here is a pretty stress-free experience.

For this itinerary, you should rent a car.

Renting a car

Renting a car is always my biggest recommendation to anyone traveling to the Algarve.

When renting a car in the Algarve, you’ll find big international chains as well as smaller, local car rental businesses. They all have pretty good reputations and are mostly reliable. The easiest place to get your rental car is Faro Airport, but you’ll also find agencies in major touristic hotspots such as Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira, Faro, Tavira, and Vila Real de Santo António. 

The cost of a rental varies significantly throughout the year, with summer being by far the most expensive period. In shoulder season or off season, you can often find decent cars for as little as 15 euros per day. In high season, this can go up to 100 per day.

If you’re planning on renting a car, I always recommend checking prices on DiscoverCars. It’s an online aggregator that includes offerings from all the major international rental companies as well as lots of smaller local agencies, which often have much better pricing.

Traveling by bus

While there are lots of companies that run longer distance and interregional bus routes in Portugal, for travel between cities and towns within the Algarve the bus company you’ll want to know is called “Vamus”. On their website, you’ll find ticket prices, timetables, and maps to help you locate the different routes as well as the names of all the bus stops.

For getting around within a given city or town in the Algarve, there are local city buses. Each city has its own bus company. In Lagos, it’s called “Onda Azul”, in Portimão there’s “Vai e Vem”, in Albufeira it’s “Giro”, and in Faro, it’s called “Próximo”.

Most buses are only available during the daytime, so if you need transport at night, taxis and Uber are your best best.

Taxis and Uber/Bolt

In every city and small town, there are taxis available with drivers ready to take you anywhere. You won’t always see them driving around on the street, but you can always call one or ask a hotel or restaurant to do it for you. You will also find taxis parked in certain locations, so if you don’t see one just ask a local where you should go.

As with the bus, most drivers don’t take credit cards so you should always have cash when hailing a taxi.

There is also Uber or their European competitor, Bolt. This is probably the easiest option if you’re in a city or decent-sized town on the coast. However, if you’re deep in the countryside, inside a natural park, or in a very small town, you may not be able to find a ride.


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Itinerary overview

The wide beach of Arrifana, Portual with white and red roofed buildings on the cliff at its edge and surfers in the water on a cloudy day.

For this one week Algarve itinerary, I focused on the Western part of the region so that you can explore the area in-depth and won’t lose time driving back and forth.

The itinerary will take you along the south coastline, into the Costa Vicentina Natural park, then off to Monchique in the mountains before finishing up in the historic city of Silves.

I’ve tried to have each day include sightseeing and exploring in the morning with usually some sort of a beach or outdoor activity in the afternoon so you can kick back and relax. Sometimes the order is the opposite (i.e. beach then sightseeing). I’ve included my favorite places to eat and get a drink in each town/city/beach too.

I’m a local, so this list includes lots of of my personal favorite places to visit, many of which will be less crowded than more obvious locations. I hope you enjoy them!

Here’s a quick breakdown of the week:

Day 1: Morning boat tour to Benagil Cave and afternoon exploring the town of Ferragudo and relaxing on its good city beach.

Day 2: Spend the morning wandering around Portimão and then the afternoon doing a coastal/cliffside hike near Praia da Rocha.

Day 3: Explore charming Lagos in the morning and take a kayaking tour of the Ponta da Piedade cliffs in the afternoon. Enjoy some beach time.

Day 4: Take a coastal drive to the pretty town of Sagres and nearby Cape St. Vincent, both of which afford amazing views.

Day 5: Enjoy an entire day hiking, swimming, and visiting small fishing villages in the spectacular Costa Vicentina Natural Park.

Day 6: Sightsee in Monchique, drive to a mountaintop, and relax in some great thermal baths.

Day 7: Visit Silves town to explore its terrific castle and Islamic architecture.


Day 1: Ferragudo and the Benagil Cave

Welcome to Ferragudo, my hometown! This stunning 500-year-old fishing village marvels to anyone who visits. Locals nicknamed it “Algarve’s Venice” since the Arade River waters would flood the village now and then. Not too long ago, some people would use their fishing boats to get across the water. Nowadays, you can simply cross a bridge.

Ferragudo is also known for its coastline. And since you’re here, you must go on a tour of the world-famous Benagil Cave.

The town of Ferragudo, seen from the beach across from the town's harbor, which is filled with moored boats.

The charming fishing town of Ferragudo. Photo: Joseolgon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Common

Morning

Start the day with a two-hour boat tour to explore Ferragudo’s coastline and get into Benagil Cave. An experienced local skipper will show you well-known beaches and others you can only access them by boat. Your destination will be the renowned dome-shaped cave.

While visiting Benagil Cave, there are a few things you must know:

  • Entering the cave depends on the sea conditions. The most reputable boat companies will cancel any trips over safety concerns;

  • Never swim into the cave! Even if you’re an experienced swimmer, ocean currents can pull you closer to the cliffs and leave you in a dangerous situation.

    Also, there’s too much boat traffic in and out of the cave, and you could easily get injured;

  • Lower your expectations! Online you find pictures of this stunning empty cave, but the reality is much different. You’ll find so many visitors, it’ll be hard to take pictures without anyone in it. 

Once you return to Ferragudo, it’ll be lunchtime. Enjoy the river view with fresh grilled fish and a nice bottle of white wine at “O Sueste”, one of my favorite restaurants in the village.

Afternoon

Wandering up the narrow cobbled streets will take you to Ferragudo’s church, built on the cliff top to bless fishermen going into the sea. From up there, you can see Praia da Rocha and Portimão, the Arade River, and the Monchique mountains in the distance.

You’ll also see São João do Arade Fortress, a medieval fortification. Since it’s private property, no one is allowed inside. Nevertheless, its beauty makes the best photos.

Finish the afternoon relaxing at the beach. If you’re traveling with small children, I recommend staying at Praia Grande. The shallow waters are safe, there’s a playground and a few restaurants close by.

Otherwise, head to Praia dos Caneiros. This beach is cornered by tall cliffs and has weak cellphone reception. For me, it’s the best place to disconnect and relax!

Evening

Enjoy the sunset over a cocktail at “Rei das Praias”. This restaurant in Praia dos Caneiros offers a striking ocean view and exquisite local cuisine. Try the seafood “cataplana”. It is to die for!


Day 2: Portimão & Praia da Rocha

Portimão is the largest city in the Western Algarve. Although it has now become a tourist hotspot, up until a few decades ago it was primarily known for its canned fish industries.

A few kilometers away, there’s Praia da Rocha beach which is a favorite for travelers due to its calm waters and great nightlife.

An aerial view of the lovely town of Portimão and it's beaches and rocky coast at dusk in the Algarve.

Morning

Start today with a visit to Portimao’s main museum. The museum is housed in an old fish canning factory which was converted in 2008.

Inside, you’ll find ancient artifacts from megalithic monuments and medieval boat cannons retrieved from a nearby river bed. There’s also a dedicated area showing how canned fish was made.

After learning about the city’s history, walk along the riverside into the city center. You’ll find outdoor cafes, gardens & parks, and the city theater. Walk a bit further along “Rua Direita”, a busy cobbled street lined with local shops.

If you’re looking for traditional Algarvian sweets, you must go to “Casa da Isabel”. Inside this traditional pastry shop, your biggest challenge will be deciding which sweets to try (I know - I’ve “struggled” here many times). If you’re not sure what to go for, try the “Dom Rodrigo” or the “Doce Fino”. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

For lunch, go to “Ú Venâncio”. It’s one of the oldest restaurants in town and their sardines are exquisite. 

A quick heads up about fish: the best sardines are available in the summer. For the freshest, have them at lunch time between Tuesday and Saturday. This is when fishing boats return from overnight outings and therefore when you’ll find the freshest fish. This advice also works for other fish, any time of the year.

Afternoon

Head down to Praia da Rocha to enjoy the low tide with a nice walk from the marina to Torralta Beach in the town of Alvor, about 5 kilometers away. It’s a lovely walk and all along the way, you’ll find small beaches surrounded by sandstone cliffs.

You’ll walk past Praia do Vau and Praia do Alemão, as well as a stunning cliff formation called João D’Arens. After the cliff formation you can continue along a trail that runs through the cliffs and takes you to Alvor’s beaches.

For the walk, remember to wear hiking shoes or tennis shoes with good traction. Although most of it is on paved roads or sidewalks, in João D’Arens there are some steep dirt pathways where it’s dangerous to walk on flip-flops or casual shoes.

To get back to Praia da Rocha you can either retrace the route or hail an inexpensive taxi or uber as well as take a local city bus.

Evening

In the evening, enjoy the sunset back at Praia da Rocha at Restaurant F, my favorite spot in town. The idea here is high end cuisine with traditional local ingredients. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend what you should order as the menu changes every season, using only the freshest produce.

After dinner, grab a drink at No Solo Água. This lounge bar/nightclub has a great drink selection, good music, and a pleasant ambiance for a relaxing night out.


Day 3: Lagos and Ponta da Piedade

Lagos is a historical city, deeply connected to the 15th century Portuguese Discoveries. In its city center, you’ll find traditional Portuguese architecture, medieval buildings, and countless bars and restaurants.

Within walking distance, you can explore the breathtaking views of Lagos’ Bay and the Ponta da Piedade cliff formations.

The Ponta de Piedade rock formation near to Lagos, Portugal, with its stunning towers jutting up out of the sea

Ponta da Piedade. Photo: Jose A., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Morning

Start your day wandering through Lagos’ Old Town. The local market is a good starting point. There, you can find fresh local fish, fruit, vegetables, and local delicacies such as gourmet canned sardines, honey, and homemade jams.

Follow the Rua da Porta de Portugal street into the city center. The cobbled streets are lined with renovated century-old houses, historical buildings, and loads of local shops and restaurants.  

If you’re into history and architecture, you must visit the Igreja de Santo António and its gilded wood altar. Also check out the city’s museum and and the remains of Lagos’ medieval city walls. You’ll be surprised to learn how rich the history here is.

Enjoy lunch at “O Escondidinho” restaurant. It’s my favorite restaurant in Lagos and they offer an all-you-can-eat menu of the super fresh grilled fish.

Afternoon

Time for some adventure! To explore Lagos’ coastline, join a kayak tour to the Ponta da Piedade cliffs. This impressive rock formation forms an astonishing seascape of rugged cliffs, sea caves, and hidden beaches.

On the kayaking tour your guide will show you unique caves that you can only access from the water, and with a small craft like a kayak. And once at Ponta da Piedade, you’ll see how perfect nature is. On the way back, you always have a short break to take a swim at one of the hidden beaches.

Although kayak tour companies provide a waterproof bag, remember to take only what’s essential. You’re going to get wet and inevitably so will anything you bring with you, no matter how well you try to protect it.

Once you’re back, spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the beaches of Praia do Camilo or Praia Dona Ana.

Evening

Enjoy a pre-dinner drink at “The Garden” which has a lovely rooftop. I’d also recommend having an unforgettable dinner. Once you finish eating, you’ll see how the city comes alive in the evening with all sorts of bars and clubs.

Some of the most sought-after spots for a little party are “Bon Vivant” and “Sky Bar Lagos”, both of which are perfect for chilling and a night out with friends.

Ditch the tourist traps and discover hidden gems and local secrets!

Connect with Inês, our Algarve-based local expert, for help perfecting your itinerary, answers to all your travel questions, and fabulous local tips!


Day 4: Sagres and Cape St. Vincent

Sagres is a small village of historical importance. In fact, here you can find one of the most visited landmarks in the country. The beaches are also fantastic, with excellent waves. Nowadays, both history enthusiasts and surfers jostle for space in town!

Right nearby you also have Cape St. Vincent, the most southwestern point in Europe. Before the Portuguese Discoveries, sailors nicknamed it “the end of the world”. Until then, and as far as they knew, nothing else existed beyond this stretch of land.

The lighthouse of Cabo de Sao Vicente seen from the surrounding cliffs, which drop straight into the blue ocean below

Cabo de São Vicente and its lighthouse. Matthias Süßen , CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Morning

Once you arrive to Sagres start off with a visit to the town’s fort, Fortaleza de Sagres. This military structure and monument was built to protect Sagres and to mark the spot from where the caravels departed for their explorations in the 15th century.

In the fort make sure to visit the chapel, the cistern/well, the old warehouse and stables, and also see the cannon batteries. And, of course, take time to enjoy the astounding view.

After exploring the fort, make your way to Cape St. Vincent lighthouse. Originally built in 1515 as a convent, it was converted to a lighthouse in the 19th century and has been continually refurbished over the years. Today, you can visit the lighthouse, learn how it works, and check out the on-site museum.

For lunch, feast on local seafood and fish at “A Sereia” restaurant. Here you get terrific quality at really affordable prices.

Afternoon

Recharge in the afternoon with some relax time at the beach. If it were me, I’d head to Praia do Martinhal and Praia da Mareta. Although it gets windy in Sagres, these beaches are protected from the sea winds.

Evening

Enjoy generous portions of traditional Portuguese food at “Retiro do Pescador”, where the food is always homemade with the best ingredients. Once finished, enjoy a drink at “Pau de Pita”.


Day 5: Costa Vicentina Natural Park

The Costa Vicentina Natural Park is a protected area covering over 800 kilometers of coastline with fabulous beaches and countless hiking trails. As you can imagine, it would be impossible to visit the entire park in just one day.

To help you plan, I’ve recommended my favorite places that I think you should focus on.

A long wooden walkway leads down to the empty, wide sandy Praia da Bordeira beach, near Carrapateira, Portugal.

Praia da Bordeira. Photo: Paulo Valdivieso, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Morning

Get in the car and head to the town of Carrapateira, a tiny village known for its delicious seafood and staggering seascapes. Surfers worldwide come here for some of the best surfing conditions in Portugal.

Hiking is the perfect way to visit the park’s most beautiful beaches and enjoy the dramatic landscapes up close. So that’s what I have in store for you!

My suggestion is that you do the Pontal da Carrapateira Trail. It’s a 10-kilometer circular route that starts in the village center. On the hike, you’ll discover Praia da Bordeira, Pontal da Carrapateira, and Praia do Amado. During inland parts of the walk, you’ll meander along gentle hills and through lovely valleys. With so many landscape photography opportunities, remember to carry your camera.

Know before going that there’s barely any shade along the trail. So, regardless of the season, always wear a hat and sunscreen.

When you finish the hike, as reward for your hard work you should have a meal of “Perceves” (goose-barnacles in English), a local delicacy, at the restaurant “O Cabrita”. I’ve been visiting this family restaurant since I was a little girl and I have yet to be disappointed!

Afternoon

In the afternoon, it’s off to the town of Arrifana. This is a tiny fishing village that becomes packed with beachgoers and surfers over the summer.

Here, go for a swim at Arrifana Beach or join a surf lesson. If you choose the latter, you have ample choice among surf schools, so just look for one with good reviews, a decent price point, and that is geared towards your level. If you’re an experienced surfer, you can skip the lesson and just rent any equipment you need.

Finish the day at the Arrifana Fortress ruins for an absolutely most mind-blowing sunset. Right beside it there’s the restaurant “O Paulo”, perfect for grilled fish, seafood rice, or a “cataplana”.

Evening

The beachfront town of Aljezur a few kilometers away should be your last stop of the day. Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and sweeping views at the restaurant “Pont’a Pé” and have a drink or two.

Could life get any better?!


Day 6: Monchique

While traveling through the Western Algarve, at some point you’re sure to notice the mountains off in the distance.

Now, you’re finally headed to them. Welcome to Monchique!

This mountain range holds a unique microclimate, century-old forests, and the most authentic village in the region (with the same name). Its traditional food and drink are something out of this world.

The town of Monchique and its picturesque white and red buildings, nestled amongst green, forested hills.

Monchique town. Photo: muffinn, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Morning

The little village of Monchique is our first destination of the day.

The best way to explore the town is on foot. Start on Largo dos Chorões street and walk up to the Igreja Matriz church. This church is usually open to visitors (and free!). There are two other churches worth a quick looks - Igreja da Misericórdia and Igreja do Senhor dos Passos.

The old town is full of traditional Portuguese houses, restaurants, and local shops. There’s also a sort of ancient fountain called “Fonte Velha” which is where townspeople would get potable water before in-house plumbing became the norm.

From pretty anywhere in town, if you look up you’ll see the Convent, a landmark surrounded by a forest of cork trees. Unfortunately, the building is closed due to safety concerns. The municipality is now looking for private investors interested in restoring this beautiful old building. If you’ve got a few million bucks you’re looking to burn…

Enjoy lunch at “O Luar da Fóia”, a local restaurant with the best view in town. Try the “Secretos de Porco com Migas” which is my go-to meal anytime I’m there. I’m sure you’ll like it too! Finish your lunch with the traditional Medronho Firewater. It’s a special treat!

Afternoon

In the early afternoon, leave Monchique village behind and make your way to Mount Fóia.

At 902 meters of altitude, this is the highest point in the Algarve and anywhere south of Lisbon. The views are fabulous! On a clear and sunny day, you can see the coastline between Albufeira and Cape St. Vincent, and all the way up the western coast of southern Portugal to Arrábida, over 200 kilometers away.

Depending on how active you want to be, you can drive there (about 15 minutes away) or go on a number of different hikes, all of varying degrees of difficulty. However you get there, make sure that you leave ample time to enjoy the incredible views.

Afterwards, wind down the day in true leisure back near to town at the Caldas de Monchique, the most well-known thermal baths in the Algarve. Book yourself a half-day spa experience and enjoy the restorative properties of the springs’ alkaline waters.

Evening

For dinner go to the restaurant “O Castelo” right in the center of Monchique. They serve humble, homemade dishes that are the equivalent of Portuguese soul food. Try the local “Chouriça” and “Presunto”, followed by “Cozido à Monchique”, a good local stew.


Day 7: Silves

I know… your adventure through Western Algarve has come to an end! While sad, Silves is the perfect place from which to say farewell!

This historical city was home to Romans and later the Moors, eventually becoming the capital of the Algarve region after its reconquest by the Catholic Portuguese. The town preserves remnants of this illustrious, and contentious, history in ruins all around.

The town of Silves, up on the hill, with its principal cathedral and fortified castle rising above the rest of the town

Photo: muffinn, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Morning

As in most towns and cities in Portugal, walking is the best option to explore Silves. Start the day at Al’Mutamid Square, located adjacent to the river. Look across the water and you’ll see a Roman bridge on the other side. Until a few years ago, cars could pass over it, but the city council finally decided to preserve the monument by making it pedestrian-only.

From the square walk towards the city center, passing by the municipal library. Be sure to stop and go inside! In the basement there are ancient Roman ruins from the construction of the original city walls.

Back outside, continue walking along the river, and you’ll find the farmer’s market. It’s the perfect place to try some local fruits and nuts like almonds and carob. Silves oranges are prize-winning, so be sure to try some too!

For lunch, get a table at “Marisqueira Rui”. Although Silves is inland, this seafood restaurant is still one of the best around.

Afternoon

After lunch, there’s still much to explore. At the city museum, you can see artifacts from different periods of our history, all found within the city or castle. While these are interesting, the main attraction of the museum is a 12th-century Islamic cistern/well, which was only discovered during the museum's construction. It’s a one-of-a-kind artifact.

Next stop is Portas de Silves, the city’s original main gate. Walking along the cobbled street that passes through the gate and you’ll arrive at Sé Cathedral which was built on top of an Islamic Mosque.

From the cathedral keep heading uphill until you arrive at the Silves’ Castle. It’s worth paying for the entrance so that you wander the grounds, walk along the castle walls, and enjoy some really great views.

Evening

By this point, you should have already had a number of excellent meals, so we’ll close out the trip in style at “Recanto dos Mouros”. The experienced kitchen staff has used the same recipes for years, absolutely perfecting them. I’ve made a lot of food suggestions, but everything here is great, so go wild with the menu!

After, enjoy a drink at “Café do Inglês” and reminisce on all the wonderful places you’ve seen.

Obrigada pela visita! Thanks for visiting us!

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Go Ask A Local

At Go Ask A Local we connect independent travelers with in-destination Local Experts for personalized travel planning that goes way beyond the highlights.

Whether you’re planning a DIY trip and just want some expert advice on your plan or are looking for a fully tailor-made trip, our Local Experts can help you plan better!

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A Local's Guide to Travel in the French Riviera

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Slovenia Travel Guide - How to Plan a Trip to Slovenia