Half Day Historical Tour to Silves and Monchique
Description
Discover the Moorish influences by visiting the city of Silves and Monchique in a comfortable minivan. We embark to Silves, the old capital of the Algarve, accompanied POR experienced guides who will share with you all your knowledge about the region, from traditions, history, culture and beautiful landscapes to its castle, from the century. XI, one of the Moor fortifications of the Algarve. It will be possible at the visit its interior and still at the stop in silves its Cathedral built in the mid-15th century. One of the ex-libris of the tour ON we will begin the climbing the mountain DE Monchique, visit its Caldas de Monchique, famous POR its waters and green vegetation. The climb to the highest point of the Algarve, the Foia DE Monchique with its 902 m DE altitude and a complete view of the Algarve ON DE can be stunned by its landscape which is ideal for a good photograph of memory. Excursion also counts with local trade visit, on DE we can taste the local medronho aguardente.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visit the city of Silves, the former Moorish capital. Al-Shilb was the city of Silves during Muslim rule. After several attempts to win back the city from the Muslims, only in 1242, D. Paio Peres Correia finally won it back to the Portuguese. In Silves we will have the opportunity to visit the Castle and its Cathedral.
Castelo de Silves most beautiful example of Islamic military architecture in the country. The first fortifications built at the Castle of Silves may have originated in the Roman period.
Visit the former cathedral site, this may have been built on the site of an ancient mosque. Mostly built in the 15th century and classified as a national monument in 1922. Magnificent place where we can enjoy history.
Visiting the Monchique thermal springs are located in the interior of the western Algarve. The place is recognized since the time of the Roman Empire. The Monchique hot springs are fed by sources, providing super alkaline water, with a pH of 9.5.
In the same place we can see the Chapel of Santa Teresa, better known as Chapel or Chapel of Caldas de Monchique, was built in 1940.
Visit to Serra de Monchique is a mountain range in the west of the Algarve, whose highest point, Foia, with 902 m altitude is the highest in the Algarve. Where we can see the magnificent panoramic landscape of the mountains. Great place for photos and enjoy nature.
Visit to Vila de Monchique, in the center of two great mountains. Monchique enters history with the presence of the Romans in Caldas de Monchique. Traditional Algarvian village since 1773, where we can see its regional architecture.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(27)
Driver/guide was very friendly and provided lots of information on the history of the area, the industries and the agriculture. Only my wife and I on the tour. Highly recommended.
We did this tour and we were the only ones on it. It was great. We saw some gems of Portugal. So I know some reviews said don’t waste money and drive yourself but honestly you could not enjoy the landscape and views. It was actually one of the better tours I have taken since in Portugal. Sergio was very knowledgeable and friendly. Since it was just us he told us to take our time. We even had a glass of wine and enjoyed the view
The guide was very nice, kind, and with a strong knowlege. Always with the smiling, we spent a nice day with sergio. Stay as u are.
We took jeep tour into the Monchique Sierra using the side and logging roads [Nature Tours ?]. Fabulous. Pristine forest, isolated farmhouses and homes, olive and cork orchards, yellow and white [Esteva] flowered bushes everywhere. Steep winding roads up to Monchique and then to the top [3000 feet] where there is a NATO com centre and a 360 degree panorama to the coast and the sierra.
We had a great tour with Sergio .. he made the tour so interesting . He was so friendly , funny and informative . The villages were pretty and set high in the mountains . Unfortunately the view was spoiled by the cloudy weather . I loved seeing the storks and their large nests high on the telegraph poles .
Thi is a very interesting trip. Wonderful views. Available and nice guide. Punctuality. Tour really to recommend.
Absolutely horrendous trip. Its was all going fine until the drive home. Our driver fell asleep at the wheel and crossed the road into on coming traffic. We had to wake him in a panic to get onto our own side avoiding an accident. We asked him was he ok, was he falling asleep. He said he was fine. He continued to veer to the left for the whole trip back on the motorway crossing the line and then pulling back into his own lane. He also pulled out in front of car. We got out once we were within walking distance of our hotel. The tour company issued a full refund when we contacted them, which we appreciate but have not contacted us since offering any explanation for what happened. To say we were traumatised is an understatement.
Breath taking views of Slives Castle, Storks nesting and tending their young. Friendly knowledgable tour guide who made you feel comfortable.
It was a cloudy day so an ideal day for a trip. Definitely worth it. It lasted just over four hours, totally beautiful.
Very nice trip. Sergio was very knowledgeable and easy to understand. We definitely recommend it. We had just the right time at every stop to enjoy it.
