Hi. Whilst out in September we're planning on a day out at Silves castle. Is there a car park and does it get full on certain days (in September)? Thanks for any advice.

There isn't a car park for the castle but there is plenty of other parking in Silves. There is very little to see at the castle unless they have something special on so it does not get crowded and I would not expect you to take very long to go around - certainly not a day.

Be careful what exhibitions they have - I took my young teenage daughters there a few years ago to see what was advertised as a Medieval witchcraft exhibition only to find it was full of medieval dildos and other associated devices particularly dolls of witches with strangely shaped noses - most embarassing

I have placed the Castle and the nearest carpark on the forum FAQ: CLICK HERE and then click on 'Places to see East to West'.

The castle might not take the whole day, but there's more to Silves than the castle. Have walk around and explore, have lunch and chill out.

cereza wrote:Be careful what exhibitions they have - I took my young teenage daughters there a few years ago to see what was advertised as a Medieval witchcraft exhibition only to find it was full of medieval dildos and other associated devices particularly dolls of witches with strangely shaped noses - most embarassing

You told me you enjoyed that exhibition!!!!

There is a big carpark at the Lidl supermarket....and its easy to walk from there.

One thing you could try......

There is a boat trip up the Arade from the main quay at Portimao, that takes you through some nice countryside, to Silves. You get just over 2 hours in Silves, then return to Portimao.

You can get tickets either from the quayside, or in the pottery shop that sits between the in and out roads at Carvoeiro.

It may have changed since I was there two years ago, but I paid a €5.00 admission to this massive and very impressive piece of Portuguese architecture but it was entrance to the roof only. There is also a museum nearby and that is worth the visit.

One side of caution is that the walking paths leading to it are very steep not ideal for walking if a person had any physical ailments.

Saying that, the castle from the outside is magnificent.

cereza wrote:Be careful what exhibitions they have - I took my young teenage daughters there a few years ago to see what was advertised as a Medieval witchcraft exhibition only to find it was full of medieval dildos and other associated devices particularly dolls of witches with strangely shaped noses - most embarassing

We had a Portuguese barman in an hotel in Jersey some time ago and he used to put miniature 'phallic' symbols in the ladies drinks, apparently it's a Portuguese tradition, or was.
I thought someone had been measuring me up !!

Simplest place to park is the large free car park alongside the river. The tourist information office is there also. It's a short (but steep) walk to the castle from here. Admission is about 3 euros for seniors. I'm not sure that outdoor events are held there anymore. I don't think they have the room since they did all the archaeological excavations and redesigned the public areas. They have laid out new gardens and water features with the water running along various channels below and alongside the footpaths which are illuminated at night. Or at least that's the plan. No sign of water flowing in May, nor in May and September, 2010. I think they had it operating for the official opening ceremony when it was completed, but then it was turned off again! They have built a modernistic restaurant building, but it has looked deserted on our last three visits. Perhaps it comes alive at weekends. They have got a small exhibition in the cistern (which is where the water was stored in ancient times). There are some excellent views over the surrounding area, but not much to keep you there for more than an hour. However, there is also the cathedral next door and another church facing it. The museum is on the way back down as well as lots of places to explore around the riverside.
There are plenty of places to grab a meal, but if you just want a snack and a drink there is a small cafe with outside tables in the square near the museum.
As suggested, the boat trip from Portimao quayside is worth doing on a sunny day and it doesn't cost the earth - and you get a few glasses of plonk on the way!

Thanks for all the replies. The boat trip up the Arade sounds good. Does anyone know if these trips are daily or on certain days and approximate times?

They depend on the tide I believe.

When we lived in Lagoa we often went to Silves castle...and one particular day when son & wife came out on hols we went there....
Did you know that one of the underground caverns is haunted? On St John's Eve, you can hear the wailing of a princess that was trapped underground in her golden boat...she cries to her lover to rescue her...spooky!

Ellie wrote:When we lived in Lagoa we often went to Silves castle...and one particular day when son & wife came out on hols we went there....
Did you know that one of the underground caverns is haunted? On St John's Eve, you can hear the wailing of a princess that was trapped underground in her golden boat...she cries to her lover to rescue her...spooky!

Well, I wouldn't hang around at night to find out!

If we are going to the castle, we drive along the river towards Monchique and then take a right as you leave the town and it takes you up a steep narrow hill. There's usually street parking there and no hill to climb. Not done it since the roadworks, so it might have changed.

I usually park opposite the steps to Cafe de Ingles or the Cathedral. The hills are not only very steep but the calcada becomes very slippery in the heat, my Mother in law had worn leather soled shoes when I took her there & I had trouble keeping her on her feet.

Pretty sure that boat trips from Portimao are daily. There are a number of operators providing the Silves trips (and also to the caves). The one we used in May 2010 departed at 11-00 a.m. and cost €15 each (return). One of the two Portuguese guys (Adriano and Paulo) who operated our boat pointed out items of interest and provide a bit of historical info as well.
As laserblazer says, the times vary with the tides. It could be morning or afternoon, but they will tell you in advance what times they will be leaving during a given week. You can take a trip to Portimao for a look around and then go to the quayside where you can pay for a trip there and then if they have room, or you can buy an advance ticket for whatever day and time suits you.
I still have a leaflet from May 2010 (I'm a hopeless hoarder!) which has the phone number for Adriano (+351) 914 983 967 and a e-mail address ivoadriano@sapo.pt and a check on the web reveals that these details are still correct. You may be able to get sailing times there. We were also given a mobile number for Paulo on (00351) 967474791) to check that the trip was still going ahead at our chosen time, because on (very) rare occasions, bad weather can cause postponement.