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Silves And Caldas De Monchique Day Trip From The Algarve
Start your excursion with a hotel pickup, and then travel north to the ancient town of Silves, your first stop of the day. Home to a magnificent Moorish castle surrounded by terracotta-roofed houses, the town has history and pretty scenery in equal measures. Set out to see its sights on a walking tour and learn all about the town’s history from your guide.
With its lofty hill-top location, the town was a strategically important stronghold for the Moors after their invasion in the 8th century. Wealth flowed into Silves during its Moorish Middle Age heyday only to be wiped out after a century of power struggles and a devastating earthquake. Much of today’s stately architecture originates from the 19th century when Silves came back into prominence.
Admire the architecture and sights such as Silves Cathedral as you wander through the streets that lead to Silves Castle. Pay your entrance fee direct, and then head inside the impressive ruins to explore. Restored in the 1940s, the castle is thought to date as far back as the 11th century and features such as its central vaults have been beautifully preserved. Admire views over the town and the Algarve from the castle walls, and then return to your coach with your guide.
Travel north to Caldas de Monchique, a spa town with candy-colored houses surrounded by densely forested hills. Enjoy some free time to explore independently and perhaps shop for local handicrafts to take home. Then, meet back up with your guide to see to see the town’s pretty church and sample some of the local pão com chouriço (bread with chorizo) while admiring the views.
Before leaving the area, stop to admire the views from Fóia, the 2,959-foot (902-meter) mountain that towers over the whole Algarve. Soak up the vistas, and then return to your coach for the journey back to your Algarve hotel.
