Carvoeiro and Silves Premium - Shared small group > VTours Algarve

Not far from Carvoeiro old town we find the hidden Algar Seco, with its naturally carved pool, opened to the Atlantic, also has a jumping area from the sandstone cliffs to the ocean, with steps carved in the rocks to get back to land. While exploring the area, if you pay attention you can spot fossil shells on the walls of the cliffs. A true wonder of nature carved for hundreds of years by the wind, rain and waves, with spectacular views.

Just on the side of Algar Seco we go thru "A Boneca" short tunnel carved on the cliff that opens and lights ups to a small room with two windows with the ocean view. This famous rock formation known as “The Doll", is a rock shaped like an inverted cone which looks like a doll when seen from the sea, where the two windows resemble the eyes. The view from this cave is absolutely spectacular and it will help you understand why Algar Seco is one of the most beautiful areas on Portugal.

The Carvoeiro boardwalk is a wonderful cliff top walk that leads to the Nossa Senhora da Encarnação fort. This ten minute short walk is along an elevated wooden pathway, which skirts the top of the cliffs and offers gorgeous views over the coastline. You can find signs along the way explaining the fauna and flora that is possible to spot in the area.

The boardwalk ends at the main entrance of the fort with the chapel, both are sitting on top of the hill, that overlooks the beach of Carvoeiro. Religious and military functions shared this space. The church already existed when, in 1675, the defensive military device was built here, in the form of an irregular polygon, possibly in the place where a watchtower would have existed.

From the fort we start descending, stopping right after at the view point which overlooks the beach and the old town. Here it is possible to admire the typical Algarve construtions and take pictures. Next we get to the old town where usually you get 30 minutes by yourselves to walk freely, you can go to the beach and also explore the old town, go shopping for souvenirs. Then it is time for lunch, at a typical Portuguese restaurant not far from the old town.

We do a quick stop at a view point that overlooks the Arade river, the farms, the city and the mighty castle on top of the hill, take a few photos. Also some explanation about the history of Silves castle. Then we go to Silves old town, to visit the castle.

Built on top of a hill, the imposing Silves Castle is Roman in origin, but it was the Arabs who built the magnificent castle we see today, between the 8th and 13th centuries. We will enter the castle and walk around the patrol route on top of the castle walls. We will visit the remains from the period of Muslim occupation on the inside of the castle, in particular a silo which was used for storing cereals and a cistern covered by a vault seated on five semi-circular arches. Silves Castle is the best example of Arab military architecture in Portugal.

In 1266, work began to build Silves Cathedral on the site of a former mosque. The cathedral is built in Gothic style and the high altar was rebuilt in Manueline style after the 1755 earthquake. We will walk by the cathedral, you can take photos.