Things to do in

Silves

Start with pickup from your hotel or resort and travel by a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle through the Algarve countryside. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of cork trees, groves of orange trees, and picturesque villages throughout the journey.  Visit a family-owned winery and take a guided tour of the vineyard and wine cellar. Learn about the history of wine production in the region and the winemaking process. After the tour, enjoy tastings of red, white, and rosé wines produced onsite.  Then, travel to the charming town of Silves. Enjoy some free time in the town and take a leisurely stroll along the cobblestone streets to the impressive Moorish castle which is located at the top of the town. After some time in Silves, return to your hotel in Albufeira.

Enjoy a relaxing wine tasting experience and discover a rich diversity of high-quality wines from a local winery on a 4-hour small-group tour aboard a minivan. Discover three amazing local wines accompanied by a plate of tapas with cheese and sausages. Visit the winery's production room and wooden barrel room to see where the magic takes place. You will then return to Lagos via the region's stunning countryside, to stop and see the famous Algarve oranges, ancient Cork trees, and some of the oldest villages of the region. Enjoy some free time to visit the ancient Moorish village of Silves, and walk along its cobbled streets making your way up to its castle before you head back to your accommodation in Lagos.

Departing from Albufeira, get picked up from your hotel (or another convenient, close place) and enjoy the views as you drive towards Silves, one of the oldest cities in the Algarve. In Silves, visit the oldest cathedral in Algarve as well as its largest castle. Stop at Monchique, the tallest mountain in Algarve. Immerse yourself in the lush natural surroundings. Go to the top to see amazing views from the highest point in Algarve. Stop at a local restaurant for a nice lunch on the way down. In the afternoon, you will be taken to Lagos, another important city in Algarve. Admire the inside of the golden church of Santo António, and go to a 15th-century slave market, the old town, and the fortress. Finally, stop in Sagres, popularly known as "the end of the world", as it is the most southwestern point in continental Europe. Let the splendid views of the coast, beautiful rock formations, and the great lighthouse take your breath away. After your last stop in Sagres, return to Albufeira.

Enjoy a spectacular and relaxing boat trip up the Arade River, with no waves, during which you can observe various types of birds and animals - such as storks, herons, flamingoes, and turtles. Arriving in Silves, you can take a walk and visit the medieval town of Silves. This city is where the kings of Portugal would spend their holidays in the summer, in its imposing castle. Explore its wonderful churches and medieval streets. You can also enjoy a visit to the market and shops, or simply sit in one of the many esplanades or seafood restaurants, and have a drink or savor some food.

After being collected from your hotel, you will head towards the historic village of Silves, where you will discover in detail the Algarve village. The castle is a must-see, and you will be able to explore this fantastic monument in detail. The tour then continues with the Silves Cathedral, as well as the Archeology Museum of Silves, a unique place full of historical pieces that tell the history of the region. Following this you will stop for a wine tasting, where you will taste some of the wines local to the region. You will then go down and walk along the river Arade, before taking a break for lunch. In the afternoon you will head up to the mountains, where Monchique is waiting for you. Before reaching Monchique you will stop at the Thermal Spa of Caldas de Monchique, a very picturesque place full of history and an unparalleled natural beauty. Here you will see some of the well-known thermal spring water sources. You will then proceed onward to Fóia, the highest point in the Algarve region and one of the largest in Portugal. With 902 meters of height, you will be able to gain a breathtaking 360º view of the entire area.

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Albufeira and heads out into the rolling countryside of the Algarve. Soak up stunning views of the green landscapes that surround you as you make your way to two family-owned wineries. At each winery, learn about the wine making process from grape to glass and taste a selection of fine Portuguese wines. Afterwards, visit the charming town of Silves, boasting picturesque cobblestone streets and an impressive red brick castle. Spend some free time exploring on your own, learn about the rich-history of this Medieval town, and get a sense of Silves' culture as you mingle with the locals. At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return journey to your hotel.

Visit some of the most fascinating and picturesque locations in the Algarve on this full-day guided tour. Explore off-the-beaten-track gems giving you an in-depth view of Portugal’s past and present. Travel to the town of Silves, in Moorish times the capital of the Algarve. Here, visit the Moorish castle and admire magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Continue to the impressive cathedral and explore the narrow streets and alleys. Next, head up to the Monchique mountain and admire the scenic hillsides and eucalyptus groves. Arrive at the charming village of Caldas de Monchique, with springs famous for their healing properties. From here, follow the winding road to the highest point in the Algarve – Fóia – standing at 902m above sea level. Take in the dramatic views and capture spectacular photos. Next, make a stop in the small village of Marmelete and enjoy a traditional lunch in one of the local restaurants. After lunch, travel to Costa Vicentina and visit some beautiful beaches. Enjoy free time to relax on the shore or explore the area. Next stop: Cape St. Vincent. Immerse yourself in the wilderness and breathe the fresh Atlantic air of the most southwestern point of Europe. Marvel at the cliffside lighthouse that defies the elements and hear the fascinating history from your guide. Finally, visit Sagres, a quaint fishing village nearby, and explore its sheltered fishing port.

Following pickup from your Albufeira accommodation, begin a day out enjoying the medieval Silves Castle. As well as the castle itself, take in the statue of King D. Sancho I at the castle's entrance. This statue dates back to the time of the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the Portuguese monarch D. Sancho. Following the castle, visit the cathedral of Silves before taking the opportunity to explore the old city, making the descent through the old and tight streets. There you can admire the many local stores, small shops, and cafes, which have decades of history behind them. As you make you way back near the river in Silves, make a short stop to the Chapel of Bones in Alcantarilha. Once having arrived back in Albufeira, your friendly guide returns you to your accommodation where your tour concludes.

Vines love Portugal's southernmost region for the same reason the tourists do - it's never too hot, never too cold, and they can be sure to enjoy more than 3,000 hours of sunshine every year. Your wine experience first takes you to Lagos and on a small cultural tour of the city. Learn about this ancient place of famous seafarers and visit places like the Fish Market, the old fort, St. Anthony’s church, and more. Go off the beaten track as you walk through small hidden streets with their traditional cobblestone art. See where locals live and have your first taste of local wine as you feel the city’s vibe. After a short drive, you will arrive at a gorgeous family estate, home to one of the only fully organic wineries in the region. Here, your guide will take you on a journey of the wine, the winemaking history in the Algarve, the local grape varieties, and the estate's vision for natural wine. Then, sit at the table with a gorgeous view over the vineyards and enjoy a homemade meal and your delicious wine, plenty of it. After lunch, you will have the chance to buy some of the wine you just tasted, and then your guide will get back to the city and to where your tour started.

Start your boat tour at the pier near the ruins of the Old Convent of São Francisco. Feel the history of this beautiful river, the second largest in the Algarve, as it takes you back in time past stunning medieval towns. Sail through the calm waters of the river to the beautiful medieval city of Silves. Make your way down the river to the fishing village of Ferragudo and to the Castle of São João do Arade, passing by the famous Marina of Portimão. Then, ascend the river, passing by the Museum of Portimão, the former Canning Fish Factory. Sail along the Riverside Zone of Portimão, passing by the best and most famous sardine restaurants.