"The village of Alte" Top 5 Page for this destination Silves by scottishvisitor

Silves Travel Guide: 120 reviews and 308 photos

Why change from Portugal to Silves?

Please note this page is not new.
VT did not have a location for tiny Alte so I chose Portugal when I first wrote tips here. After a renewed interest in this page from fellow Vt'r I re-scanned my pictures all taken pre VT and started a fresh. I decided to move all the tips and intro to Silves as it is the nearest town to tiny Alte and seems more fitting to be here than lost in Portugal.

Alte far from the maddening crowd

Spring water

The village of Alte is very quiet & sleepy. We visited here by default...........an offer of free accommondation from a work collegue proved irresistable..........description.......villa with pool, garden with stream running through.........orchard with fruit trees (so tempting)........ all mod cons............... Well in reality...........dark......... musky.......no stream (well it was a hot summer must have dried up) no fruit trees....ah well doesn't matter, local market was very good.........very early in the morning but worth getting up...........couldn't sleep anyway .......no AC..........well not strictley true.........the house had no glass in the back windows.....but there is always a plus side ............ no one ever stole anything..........very safe place. Oh & by the way (whisper) we couldn't find the bathroom..........silly us of course it was in the garden beside all the rest of the staff of life!!

A change in accommodation

Down on the street where we lived!!

We found the Alte hotel within a few days, it was just outside the village and had a swimming pool which we used....ah bliss.........escape the heat. We checked to see if they had accommodation........YES!!! .......room with lounge & ensuite.......MAGIC!!!!!!!

Last visit to Silves: Jul 1995
Intro Updated Jul 7, 2007
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Reviews (13)

The Cockeral who told the truth Local Customs (3)

Or did he? Where ever you go in Portugal you will encounter this Cockeral - he will show up in beer mats - tea towels -... more travel advice

Buy your snacks at the supermarket - Silves

Buy your snacks at the supermarket Shopping (2)

The little supermarket in Alte has a wealth of everyday essentials stacked on its many shelves. We popped in often... more travel advice

Eat Alfresco Restaurants (1)

The villages in this area have no restaurants just some little bars and cafes. However, if a tour bus is visiting as it... more travel advice

Water from the Well Local Customs (3)

While walking in the village just past the little streets and near a pleasant little stream - we came across this very... more travel advice

Things to Do (4)
See All Take in the pretty little streets
Warnings Or Dangers (2)
See All If you hire a car -

Hotels (1)
Alte's best & one & only!!
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Comments (26)

JLBG Jun 6, 2010 at 9:26 AM Report Abuse

A nice little place and it must be very pleasant to stay there !
HORSCHECK Apr 26, 2010 at 2:28 PM Report Abuse

Joan, lovely little page about this gem of the Algarve. Although I have been to many places in Portugal, I only made it to Faro for one night in this part of the country.
MalenaN Jan 15, 2010 at 11:53 PM Report Abuse

What a charming little village (even if your first accommodation wasn't)!
jumpingnorman Aug 27, 2009 at 3:14 PM Report Abuse

I found a jumping picture here at your Alte Hotel tip! Can I use it for the jumpinggalleries? Is he your son? The little streets at Silves look so nice to walk around in...Norman :)
lynnehamman Apr 8, 2009 at 6:06 AM Report Abuse

This seems to be a pleasant little place for a quiet break. Very pretty. The flat rooftop idea is popular in India too, where people sleep ouside in summer to escape the heat that has built up indoors. Nice photos
barbskie Feb 13, 2009 at 3:55 AM Report Abuse

i will attend the european meeting in portugal.you may sign up now and see you in May. i enjoyed reading your page. yes, the roofdeck is a multi purpose idea which is similar to spain :) cheers!
Mikebb Feb 12, 2009 at 2:17 PM Report Abuse

Hi, Enjoyed your page. Thinking of returning to Portugal after 10 days in Sept'08. Stayed 7 days Cascais where the Euromeet'09 is scheduled. Visited Fonseca Winery on our drive south to Saville, Spain.
magor65 Nov 7, 2008 at 10:31 AM Report Abuse

With grey autumn outside the window, the thought of sunny Portugal, lying on the beach and sipping porto is something that I desperately need.
starship Jun 10, 2008 at 8:26 AM Report Abuse

Interesting page! Quiet & lovely little town. I'm glad you were able to indulge your love for postcards here. They look beautiful!
Paul2001 Mar 18, 2008 at 5:33 PM Report Abuse

portugal seems so lovely. I hope to visit. I hope to visit someday. Great tips.