Silves

The ancient capital of the Algarve

Silves was once the ancient capital of the Algarve. Today it has a calm and peaceful atmosphere, but during the Moorish occupation it was a major defensive stronghold and important trading town. Remnants of this illustrious past still stand, from the huge red brick castle, the impregnable town walls, through to the gothic cathedral which was built on the site of a grand mosque.

Silves is an inland town set amidst the rolling hills of the Algarve countryside and lining the banks of the Rio Arade river. You can find everything you need here, there is a Lidl and Modelo supermarket and lots of local shops, cafés and restaurants. In the summer the line of restaurants and bars along the side of the river tempt you in with their array of BBQ’d chicken, meats and sardines.

With the coast within a 20 minute drive and the mountains of Monchique about half an hour away Silves offers the best of both worlds.

Properties in the centre of Silves are not ones we generally offer, however on the outskirts of the town you will find beautiful traditional villas with large plots, private pools and fantastic views. As Silves is further back from the coast expect the summers to be hot and ensure that any gardens or large plots are well irrigated as summer fires around Silves are becoming more common.

Many choose Silves as their permanent home, however rentals here are good as well – market your property for rent to those wishing to get away from it all, or maybe as an artist or writers retreat.