Silves, 12 km north, is the historic Moorish capital of the Algarve. Its red sandstone castle and Gothic cathedral make it one of the most rewarding inland excursions in the region. Lagos, 30 km west, has some of the most dramatic clifftop scenery on the Algarve coast and a lively old town. Albufeira, 20 km east, is busier and more commercial but has water parks and the large Zoomarine ocean theme park if you have children in tow. Portimao, 25 km west, is the largest town in this stretch of the coast — useful for shops, markets, and the Praia da Rocha beach.
