Silves – Gastronomy and Surroundings
Shopping and Gastronomy
Located in downtown Silves near the river’s edge and the Roman Bridge is the Municipal Market (Mercado municipal), where you can buy regional agricultural produce, fish and seafood. It is well worth a visit, especially on Saturdays; the vibrant scene gives visitors an excellent opportunity to discover more about the country and its people.
The picturesque streets of the upper part of Silves offer visitors the opportunity to shop regional handicraft products.
Near the municipal market is Marisqueira Rui, the most famous restaurant in town. The seafood here is recommended in all tourist guides, and is often referred to as the best fish restaurant in the Algarve. The cuisine is traditional and is not just confined to fish dishes and seafood. When we had lunch there with friends, we found the popular restaurant full of locals.
Surroundings of Silves
Silves is an ideal starting point for hiking and biking tours. Recommended paths lead along the Arade river and to the dams of Funcho and Arade up in the hills.
The nearest golf courses are the Pestana Silves Golf Resort and the Amendoeira Golf Resort with the Oceânico Faldo and O’Connor courses near Alcantarilha. A large number of other magnificent golf courses are within a thirty minute drive.
The municipality of Silves, which stretches as far as the Atlantic coast, includes the beautiful beaches in the Armação de Pêra area.
The outskirts of Algoz are a well-known wine-growing area. In many good restaurants and quality shops you can find the exquisite wines of Quinta do Barranco Longo, a winery that works with the latest winemaking technology.
We recommend a visit to Alcantarilha on the EN125. This attractive parish has a well conserved centre in the old village and an impressive chapel of bones.
