beach
Praia da Marinha
A stunning Algarve beach framed by golden limestone cliffs, sea arches, and crystal-clear Atlantic waters.
11 km · about 20 min drive
EuropePortugalFaro
Silves
Faro, Portugal · Europe
About Silves
Silves works well as a base: 10 minutes from Lagoa, 11km from Benagil Sea Cave.
Silves is in Faro, Portugal, with about 11,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Lagoa, about 6 km away.
The Silves Cathedral (Portuguese: Sé Catedral de Silves) is a former cathedral in the city of Silves, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. A mosque, built during the Moorish rule of the Iberian Peninsula, was originally located in its current place, and was later mostly restructured and converted into aRead more
Catholic cathedral after the Reconquista. Although having some Baroque characteristics, it is mostly Gothic in nature and it is considered to be the main Gothic monument in the Algarve and one of the most important landmarks in southern Portugal. It was classified as a national monument on June 29, 1922.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Silves?
Within an hour or so of Silves: Praia da Marinha (11 km), Benagil Sea Cave (11 km), Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (17 km), Fóia (Serra de Monchique) (20 km).
Are there any good drives near Silves?
The nearest famous roads are EN125 Coastal Road.
Where is Silves?
Silves is in Faro, Portugal, about 6 km from Lagoa.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 10,917
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Portugal
- Region
- Faro
- Timezone
- Europe/Lisbon
- Coordinates
- 37.1892, -8.4382
Tags
Worth the detour from Silves
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Benagil Sea Cave
A cathedral-like sea cave with a massive natural skylight opening in its domed ceiling, accessible only by water along the Algarve coast.
11 km · about 20 min drive
racetrack
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
Roller-coaster Portuguese circuit with dramatic elevation changes
17 km · about 20 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Fóia (Serra de Monchique)
The Algarve's highest peak, reached by a twisting road with sweeping views over coast and hills.
20 km · about 25 min drive
beach
Praia do Camilo
A small, secluded Algarve cove reached by a steep wooden staircase, nestled between ochre cliffs and azure waters.
23 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Ponta da Piedade
A spectacular headland of golden sandstone arches, grottoes, and sea stacks rising from turquoise waters near Lagos.
24 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Alte
One of the Algarve's prettiest inland villages, with whitewashed houses, springs and gentle waterfalls.
24 km · about 30 min drive
beach
Praia da Falésia
A near-endless beach backed by striped ochre and red cliffs running for kilometres near Albufeira.
26 km · about 30 min drive
Driving roads near Silves
- 20 kmFóia (Serra de Monchique)The Algarve's highest peak, reached by a twisting road with sweeping views over coast and hills.
- 40 kmEN125 Coastal RoadThe classic east-west Algarve artery linking the region's beach towns, villages and clifftop detours.
- 53 kmCabo de São VicenteThe southwesternmost cape of mainland Europe, with a working lighthouse on 75m cliffs at the end of the N268.
- 56 kmCabo SardãoWild Alentejo headland by the Cavaleiro lighthouse where white storks nest on sea stacks and cliff ledges above the surf: claimed to be the only place in the world they breed on coastal rocks. Short walk from the lighthouse car park.
Driving in Portugal
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€9.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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