Silves Medieval Fair

The Silves Medieval Fair (in Portuguese: Feira Medieval de Silves) in the castle of Silves is a festival that makes you feel like you are right back into the middle ages. Back in those days, Silves was the capital of the Algarve. The Silves Medieval Fair exists since 2004 and has grown to one of the biggest events in the area. If you love the combination of entertainment and history, don’t miss this event.

What to expect

The atmosphere of the event is such that you feel like you stepped into a time machine and went back a couple of hundred years. People are dressed in medieval costumes and there are horse tournaments and medieval battle re-enactments. There is entertainment, music, dancers and other surprises. For example, there are snake charmers, acrobats and jugglers. There is also a medieval market, where you can try local specialties from hundreds of years ago. A variety of other foods and drinks are available as well. You can then sit on straw bales at a table to enjoy your dinner. If you want, you can even attend a royal banquet, where you can eat an Arab-influenced medieval meal.

Furthermore, you can find merchants and craftsmen selling a variety of goods, mostly influenced by the Arabs. For example, you can buy handmade bags and knifes, but also food, like nuts and dried fruit. During the event there is a local currency, the Xilb, which is used to pay at the event. You can exchange Xilb for euros on-site. The Silves Medieval fair lasts for several days and attracts many visitors. In 2018, more than 138.000 tickets were sold.

Video

If you want to experience the Silves Medieval Fair, then watch the video below.

 

Where?

The event takes place in the castle of Silves, which is the perfect place for this festival. Just drive to Silves, and park your car just outside town. You can then walk to the castle.

When?

The festival is held in August and lasts for more than a week. The exact dates change every year. It begins every day at 18.00 and lasts until 01.00.

Dates for 2019: August 9-18

What is the entrance fee?

There is a small entrance fee of € 2 (without a mug) or € 3 (with a mug). Attending the royal banquet costs € 25. If you want, you can also rent a medieval costume to truly become one with the event. Renting a costume costs € 2 for children and € 3 for adults.

More information

If you want to know more about this event, check their Facebook page.