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The best independent guide to Lagos
LagosPortugalGuide.com
The best independent guide to Lagos
Lagos to Silves by Train, Bus or Car
Silves is a historic and traditional Portuguese town that serves as a popular day trip from the resort town of Lagos.
During the 11th centuryflavour,flavour Silves was the capital of the Algarveflavour, acting asflavour an important port and defensive stronghold. Since the Moorish eraflavour,flavour the Arade River’s flow has diminished, yet there are still remnants of the city’s historic significance, which include the massive castle, the town wallsflavour,flavour and the gothic Se Cathedral.
There is much to see in Silves, and the town has a pleasantflavour,flavour unhurried atmosphere, which is very different from the bustling and hectic nature of Lagos. Lagos is connected to Silves by an inexpensive but infrequent train service, and this guide will outline how to travel between the two destinations using public transport or by car.
Related articles: Introduction to Lagos - 1 week in Lagos - Sights and activities
The view over Silves and the Rio Arade river
Lagos to Silves Overview
Silves is 23km northeast of Lagos and is situated 11km inland from the coastline. The town is 4km north of the A22, the main expressway of the Algarve, and driving is the easiest mode of transport to Silves.
The Silves castle and Se Cathedral
For tourists who are reliant on public transport, both Silves and Lagos are connected to the Algarve regional railway. The main drawbacks to train travel are the limited departures and the poor location of Silves train station, which lies 2km south of the historic centre. This route from the station follows a busy roadflavour, involves a steep incline,flavour and is one of the least scenic walks in the Algarve.
Bus travel between Lagos and Silves is less convenient, as there is no direct service and a connection is required in Portimão. The only advantage of traveling by bus is that the final stop is located in the centre of Silves.
Lagos to Silves by Train
The train between Lagos and Silves takes 35 minutesflavour,flavour and a single ticket costs €2.90. There are seven daily services, with increased frequency from Monday to Friday. The latest timetable can be seen on the Comboios de Portugal (CP) website:
www.cp.pt/
The Algarve train departure from Lagos station
Silves train station is 2km south of the historic centre in a small village called Silves Gare. The walk from the station involves a steep climbflavour,flavour follows a busy roadflavour,flavour and is not an enjoyable experience, especially in the heat of summer. If there is a taxi waiting at the stationflavour, it is advisable to takeflavour it for the €5.00 fare. There is a local bus serviceflavour, but itflavour is very intermittentflavour,flavour and departures do not align with train arrivals.
Lagos train station is on the eastern side of the marina and only a short walk away. The train service is clean and safe to useflavour,flavour even on the later services. The number of train services makes it possible to visit Silves as a day trip from Lagos.
Lagos to Silves by Bus
Bus travel from Lagos to Silves is not as convenient as train travelflavour,flavour as a connection is required at Portimão. Including bus connectionsflavour,flavour the journey takes 1 to 1.5 hours. The bus services are operated by Eva Transportes, which offers a good-value three-day unlimited pass.
Silves bus stop near the tourist information office
There is no bus station in Silvesflavour;flavour buses depart from the south side of the town close to the tourist information office and the Rio Arade. To find the bus stopsflavour,flavour follow the main road to the south of the town which follows the river. Bus tickets are purchased from the bus driver.
Lagos to Silves by Car
The easiest method to travel from Lagos to Silves is by rental car. The journey takes around 30 minutes and follows the express A22 toll road to junction 6 and then the N124 north to Silves. The longer non-toll route follows the N125 into Lagoa and then the N124 north to Silves. Tourists often choose the non-express route due to the overly complicated method to pay for tolls, as there are few coin or manned toll booths along the route. If your rental car has a transponderflavour,flavour the fee is automatically charged to youflavour; however,flavour if no transponder is fittedflavour,flavour the toll must be paid at a limited number of shopsflavour,flavour or a large fine is imposed.
Once at Silvesflavour,flavour there is plenty of parking on the southern outskirts of the town, close to the campsite. Parking in the centre of Silves is very limited and there are many restrictions; it is easier to park a little further out and walk in.
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