Algarve Castles Guide

History & Heritage

The Algarve's castles tell the story of a region fought over for centuries, from the Moorish period through the Christian reconquest to the border conflicts and pirate raids of later centuries. Though the 1755 earthquake damaged many of them, several have been restored and are open to visitors, offering historical insights and superb panoramic views.

Silves Castle is the largest and most impressive castle in the Algarve. Built by the Moors on a hilltop above the Arade river, its massive red sandstone walls, eleven towers and two great cisterns survive largely intact. Excavations have revealed Moorish-era structures and a large cistern of remarkable engineering.

Tavira Castle occupies a hilltop in the centre of the town. Originally Moorish, it was captured by the knights of the Order of Santiago in 1242. The castle walls provide arguably the finest urban viewpoint in the Algarve, looking across Tavira's rooftops, the Gilao river and the Ria Formosa.

Loule Castle retains its Moorish walls and three towers, one of which houses the Museu Municipal. Castro Marim Castle, overlooking the Guadiana river and Spain, served as headquarters of the Order of Christ from 1319 to 1356. The views across the marshes to Spain are spectacular.

Alcoutim Castle, on the banks of the Guadiana opposite the Spanish town of Sanlucar de Guadiana, houses an archaeological museum. Aljezur Castle, perched on a crag above the town, is a ruined Moorish fortress with outstanding views across the Costa Vicentina.

Paderne Castle, in the countryside between Albufeira and Loule, is one of the most atmospheric ruins in the Algarve. This small Moorish castle, built of taipa (rammed earth), sits on a promontory above a river valley and is reached by a walking trail.

The Fortress of Sagres, rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake on the site of Prince Henry the Navigator's stronghold, occupies one of the most dramatic positions of any fortification in Europe, on a headland surrounded by sheer cliffs and the Atlantic.

Lagos's town walls are among the best-preserved urban fortifications in the Algarve, incorporating sections dating from the Moorish period through to the 16th century.