I love walking through the historic centre of Silves; it feels really calm, and I always find a new local shop or a cafe with homemade pastries. The Silves Castle, one of the best-preserved castles in Portugal, sits above the town. The streets are quite narrow and a bit steep in places, but that’s part of the charm. There are small cafés and a few shops along the way, but it never feels too busy.

Interestingly, even in peak summer, Silves is usually quieter than other towns in the Algarve. Because of the heat, most people head straight to the coast, which leaves the town feeling more relaxed. At the end of July, though, everything changes during the Silves Medieval Fair, when the streets fill with music, food, and a completely different atmosphere.