Silves
It’s worth scaling the ramparts of this red sandstone castle for the views of Silves and the surrounding countryside alone.
Built in the 8th century when the town was the Moorish HQ of the Algarve, it’s the grandest Islamic building in the region. Have a photo taken next to the huge stone soldier who stands guard, and check out the wells, said to be haunted by a Moorish maiden.
Cover photo by Saskia Bosch van Rosenthal | Photo by Timo Newton-Syms