Monchique and Silves: Mountains, Spa Village and Moorish Castle

Just inland from the Algarve’s beaches lie two very different escapes: the cool, green mountains of Monchique, with the region’s highest viewpoint and an old spa village, and Silves, the former Moorish capital with its red sandstone castle. They make a perfect day out from the coast, especially on a cloudy day or in the heat of summer.

Quick answer: drive up to Fóia (902m) for views to the coast, stop at the spa village of Caldas de Monchique, try medronho, then visit Silves castle (about €2.80) and cathedral. Both are about 30 minutes from Portimão. In summer, you can arrive in Silves by boat up the Arade river.

Why go

The Algarve coast gets very hot and very busy in July and August. Head 25km inland and the air is cooler, the hills are covered in cork oak, chestnut and eucalyptus, and the villages run at a slower pace. Silves sits halfway between the coast and the mountains, so you can see both in one easy loop.

Monchique

Fóia

The highest point in the Algarve, at 902m. On a clear day you can see from Sagres to Portimão and far out to sea. The road up is winding but easy, and there’s parking near the top, beside the radio masts. Allow 30 to 45 minutes to look around. Go early in the day, as cloud often builds over the summit by the afternoon, and bring a layer: it can be several degrees cooler than the coast.

Caldas de Monchique

A tiny 19th-century spa village in a wooded valley, with thermal springs used since Roman times. The Villa Termal spa resort offers thermal-water spa access (about €15 to €20; book ahead), and the shady square is lovely for a coffee. Walk up the short stream path behind the square and taste the spring water from the fountain. Stay here: Villa Termal Spa Resort.

Monchique village

A hilltop town with steep lanes, craft shops selling folding “scissor” chairs and wooden goods, and the ruins of a convent above town. The walk up to the convent is short but steep, and you get good views back over the rooftops. Places to stay in Monchique.

Medronho

A fiery local spirit distilled from the fruit of the strawberry tree. Try it in the village, or with honey as melosa. Small family distilleries in the hills still make it in copper stills over the winter. Don’t drink it if you’re driving the mountain roads.

The landscape and wildfire recovery

A huge wildfire burned around 27,000 hectares here in August 2018, spreading to Silves and Portimão. The hills have greened again, with replanting of native chestnut, cork oak and other trees. Smaller fires still break out most summers: in July 2026 one near Marmelete was brought under control within a few hours. Check fire-risk warnings before you hike, and never light a fire or drop a cigarette.

Jeep tours

Off-road safaris from the coast visit Monchique’s hills, villages and a medronho distillery. See Monchique tours.

Silves

Silves Castle

The best-preserved castle in the Algarve, built of red sandstone by the Moors, with walls to walk and views over orange groves. When it was the capital of the Moorish Algarve, called Xelb, Silves was a rich city of poets and scholars. Inside the walls you’ll find a large old water cistern and excavated foundations. About €2.80 for adults, with half-price tickets (about €1.40) for children, students and over-65s, or about €3.90 with the archaeology museum. It’s usually open daily from 9am, closing at about 5pm to 5:30pm in winter and into the evening in summer, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Allow an hour.

Silves Cathedral

A Gothic cathedral built on the site of the old mosque, just below the castle (a small fee, about €1.50 to €2). Look for the old tombs of knights and bishops in the floor. Allow 20 minutes. Its roofs and facades have been under restoration in 2025 and 2026, so you may find scaffolding.

The old town and river

Steep lanes, an old stone bridge over the Arade and cafes by the water. Silves is surrounded by orange groves, so try the fresh juice. The Municipal Archaeology Museum, near the cathedral, is built around a deep Moorish well and is worth half an hour.

The Medieval Fair

Every August, Silves hosts one of Portugal’s best medieval fairs, with costumes, jousting, food and music. In 2026 it ran for nine days, from 7 to 15 August. Expect crowds and road closures in the old town.

Food to try

• Monchique: cured sausages such as chouriço, morcela and farinheira, mountain honey and hearty pork stews. The village holds a sausage fair (Feira dos Enchidos), usually over a weekend in early March, so check this year’s dates.
• Silves: oranges in every form, from juice to cakes, plus grilled meat and fish in the cafes by the river.
• Medronho: as a shot, or in local liqueurs and sweets.

A one-day route

• Morning: drive up to Fóia while the sky is clear, then stop in Monchique village for a coffee and a wander.
• Late morning: head down to Caldas de Monchique for the square, the springs and perhaps the spa.
• Afternoon: drive about 30 minutes to Silves for lunch, then the castle, cathedral and museum.
• Evening: in summer the castle usually stays open into the evening, so you can see the walls in the softer light before heading back to the coast.

Getting there

• Car: about 30 minutes from Portimão to either. Combine both in a day. The A22 motorway is toll-free, and parking is usually easy except during the medieval fair.
• Boat to Silves: river trips run up the Arade from Portimão (about 2–4 hours, depending on the tide), with time ashore in Silves. See Arade river cruises.
• Train: Silves has a station on the Algarve line, about 2km from town. Take a taxi or a local bus into the centre, or walk if it isn’t too hot. Check times before you go.
• Bus: local buses link Portimão with Monchique, but services are limited, so a car makes life much easier. See getting around the Algarve.

When to go

Spring is lovely, with wildflowers and green hills, and good weather for walking. Summer is when the hills give the most relief from the heat, but keep to the shade at midday in Silves. Autumn and winter are quiet, though Fóia is often in cloud. For walks in the hills, see hiking in the Algarve.

FAQ

Can you visit Monchique and Silves in one day?

Yes. By car, Fóia, Caldas de Monchique and Silves fit easily into one day, with about 30 minutes’ drive between the hills and Silves.

How much does Silves Castle cost?

About €2.80 for adults, or about €3.90 with the archaeology museum, with half-price tickets for children, students and over-65s.

Is it safe to visit Monchique in summer?

Yes, but the hills carry a wildfire risk in hot, dry weather. Check fire warnings, stick to marked roads and trails, and follow any closures.

Places to stay in Silves. More: the best day trips from the Algarve and the best Algarve villages.

See also: Caldas de Monchique.

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