The SILVES MEDIEVAL FAIR returns this summer and will take place between 09th and the 17th of August 2023, starting at 6pm and ending at 01am.

The theme for this year will be “Xilb, city of Loves and Disloves”, a fun moment for family & friends where everybody can take part of the history from centuries ago, recreating activities as they may have happened  under the Moorish and Christian traditions when Silves was the capital of the Kingdom of the Algarve.

There will be 9 days of historical and participants fully dressed in medieval according to the theme, on a journey through time that invites you to experience "A Day in History".

Visitors are able to experience and view throughout the surroundings, in and out of the castle and also the historical centre of Silves, veiled dancers, snake charmers, jugglers, acrobats, fire displays, noblemen and ladies exhibiting in their finest costumes. Also, during the fair, there is several exhibitors, artisans, traditional and regional food and beverage concessions, pottery, so never a dull moment.

Below, you can check some of the programme.

6 pm- Opening of the Medieval Fair Procession through the streets of the Medina and the Arrabaldes - Start: Al-Mut'amid Square

6.30pm - Welcome by the Vizier of Madinat Xilb - City Gates

6.50pm - Call to prayer for Al-Muezzin - Cathedral Sé (former mosque)

7pm - Cooking in Arabic (Showcooking) - Al-Mut'amid Square

8pm and 10.30pm - Duels of Honor and Passion - Al-Mut'amid Square

10.30pm - Nights of the East at Xaraîb - Castle - Animation with Music | Dance | Fire

PRICES: Daily ticket cost around €2.00€ and also you can rent costumes according to the theme for €3.00 (adults)/€2.00(children) and other activities that can be participated.

For parking: Best to come early to find space on the edge of town and walk into the town, as streets will be closed to traffic.

For more information visit the official website (unfortunately only in Portuguese)