Silves is a city in the Algarve hills on the River Arade, with 37 766 inhabitants across 680 km², known for its traditional character, natural surroundings and built heritage.
Under Muslim rule, Silves was the capital of al-Gharb al-Andalus. The municipality reaches the sea at Armação de Pêra.
Monuments in Silves
- Castelo de Silves: castle of Islamic origin above the city, with square towers and battlements in red sandstone.
- Sé de Silves: Gothic cathedral built on the site of a mosque.
- Igreja da Misericórdia: 16th-century church near the cathedral.
- Cruz de Portugal: carved limestone cross from the late 15th or early 16th century, west of the city, with Manueline and Gothic features.
- Capela dos Ossos de Alcantarilha: bone chapel attached to the parish church of Alcantarilha, decorated with more than 1,500 human bones.
Museums and culture in Silves
- Museu Municipal de Arqueologia de Silves: ancient history of the region and its former peoples.
Markets in Silves
- Mercado Municipal de Silves: Estado Novo market beside the river, about 600 metres from the castle, with an armillary sphere next to the city's coat of arms.
Nature in Silves
- Barragem do Funcho and Barragem do Arade: reservoirs among green hills north of the city.
Golf in Silves
- Silves Golf: course in the municipality.
- Amendoeira Golf Resort: three courses in Alcantarilha, Faldo, O'Connor Jnr and Academy.
Leisure in Silves
- Aqualand Algarve: family water park in Alcantarilha.
Parishes of Silves
- Armação de Pêra (6 003 inhabitants · 8 km²): the coastal parish.
- Alcantarilha (2 986 inhabitants · 25 km²), Pêra (2 009 inhabitants · 22 km²), Algoz (4 035 inhabitants · 33 km²) and Tunes (2 802 inhabitants · 12 km²): parishes of the barrocal.
- São Bartolomeu de Messines (8 157 inhabitants · 240 km²) and São Marcos da Serra (1 113 inhabitants · 166 km²): parishes of the serra.
