The Algarve is renowned for its wonderful beaches, nature reserves, golf course and picturesque towns and villages, one of the jewels of which is Silves. The Townhouse offers a stylish base in which to explore the region away from the many tourist resorts and yet close to beaches and the surrounding countryside of the Algarve.
Silves is an enchanting and historic town lying inland from the coast, set in lush valleys of orange groves with the River Arade (Rio Arade) flowing towards the port town of Portimao. Silves is dominated by a red sandstone castle that is part of the Moorish military fortifications built between the 8th and 13th centuries when the town was the capital of the Algarve, in an area that has been inhabited since palaeolithic times. As well as the castle and its city walls there is a 14th/15th century Cathedral with its huge Gothic doorway. Throughout the town with its steep cobbled streets, you’ll find evidence of its extensive history at every turn. But in its shaded streets there are plenty of bars and restaurants allowing you to take a break from sightseeing. The food market is always worth a visit to stock up on local produce and on Saturdays farmers from the surrounding areas set up in the streets around the market selling their produce.
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Restaurants.
Ocean, central Algarve
One of only two restaurants in Portugal to hold two Michelin stars, Ocean delivers attentive service, knowledgeable wine pairing and elegant dishes rooted in the region, set in sophisticated surroundings with a sea view. It’s part of the hotel Vila Vita Parc which is also home to a luxury spa.
Address: Rua Anneliese Pohl, Alporchinhos, 8400-450 Porches
Contact: 282 310 161; www.restauranteocean.com
Prices: Four courses €135 per person (add €55 for matching wine)
Opening times: dinner only; open daily Thursdays to Monday;
Reservations: essential
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Rei das Praias, central Algarve
This restaurant is in a spectacular location on a small and lovely beach, with a terrace with sea views and ultra-friendly staff to help you have a memorable eveing. Excellent wines and range of fresh fish and traditional dishes cooked to an exceptional standard.
Address: Praia dos Caneiros, Ferragudo
Contact: 282 461 006; restaurantereidaspraias.com
Price: approx €50 without wine
Opening times: daily, 9am to midnight
Reservations: recommended
Payment type: credit cards accepted
Rui Marisqueira
Address: Rua Comendador Vilarinho No 27,
Silves 8300-128, Portugal
Phone Number: 351 282 442 682
Just down the road from The Townhouse, this restaurant specialises in seafood and is one of the best in the Algarve with a variety of shellfish and fish dishes available. Don’t miss the garlic mayonaisse with hot buttered rolls.
Sueste Restaurant
Rua Infante Santo, 91
8400 to 256 Ferragudo
http://www.restaurantesueste.com
A harbourside restaurant in Ferragudo, a traditional fishing village just outside Portimao. It specialises in grilled fish expertly cooked to order on large braziers, but with a variety of other traditional dishes available.
Café Ingles
Rua do Castelo, 11
8300-144 Silves
http://www.cafeingles.com.pt/en.html
Literally a stones throw from The Townhouse, this lovely café and restaurant sits in the shadow of the Castle and the Cathedral, this café and restaurant is perfect for everything from coffee and cake to evening meals.
Café Imperio
Largo dos Choroes, Monchique 8550-204 , Portugal
With the rise of Nando’s people think they know what chicken piri piri should taste like. But for a true taste of Portuguese piri piri chicken head to Café Imperio in Monchique, just past the historic spa town of Caldas de Monchique – itself worth a visit. The café is run by Dona Idalina and her family and overlooks a wonderful valley. Along with fantastic chicken you’ll be served local presunto ham (a cured ham) with fresh local bread, fresh tomato salads and local young red wine. You’ll never want a Nando’s again.
Joao Das Bifanas
Bifanas are marinated fried pork served in a bun with piri piri sauce that are popular throughout Portugal and widely available. However, the best in the region – in our humble opinion – is from Joao das Bifanas, a tiny and unremarkable looking café next to the food market in Lagoa, a small town close to Silves.
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Beaches
The Algarve is famous for its wonderful sandy beaches along the coastline and the clear and clean Atlantic. There are a number of excellent beaches close to Silves, many of which are small coves surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs. Praia da Marinha is an excellent beach with calm waters, rock outcrops and a popular beach bar, although be warned, the beach is reached by a number of steps. Benagil is another popular small beach but in peak season can get very crowded with difficult parking. Larger beaches are to be found in Ferragudo & Portimao with lifeguards and cafes in peak season. For excellent surfing head to Lagos and the west coast of the Algarve which can be reached in around 40 minutes thanks to the new roads.
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Nature
For those looking for something other than beaches, there are a surprising number of nature reserves in the Algarve, from peaceful river valleys, soaring woodlands and mountains and wetlands providing a home to a host of birds and wildlife. Below are just two suggestions from a wealth of choices.
Ria Formosa Nature Park
On the Eastern Algarve coastline is 18,000 hectares of lagoon systems and wetlands, home to flamingos, buzzards, woodcocks and kingfishers, with the symbol of the park being the extremely rare purple swamphen, facing extinction throughout Europe, that’s only breeding grounds in Portugal are in the park. Visitors hoping to explore this ever changing and shifting landscape should head to the headquarters of the park at Quinta de Marim, close to Olhão.
Serras de Monchique, Espinhaço de Cão and Caldeirão.
Monchique is the highest point in the Algarve and in the hot summer months can feel like a cool haven from the heat. Acting as a gigantic ampitheatre, the low lying mountain ranges for a protective barrier for the lowlands of the coastal region, shielding it from the northerly winds. The fetile landscape is dotted with oaks, pines, chestnuts and eucalyptus trees, among many other species, with small towns and villages dotted throughout the area, including Caldas da Monchique, a Victorian era spa town with an eclectic selection of charming buildings and a newly developed hydro-spa, where the tradition of ‘taking the waters’ has been updated for the 21st century. At the highest point of this range is Foia, where on a clear day there are views along the whole of the Algarve.
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Tourist Information
For other attractions and activities the Portuguese tourist board is an excellent source of information.