Silves Tours

Into the Silves hills in an old jeep

Private jeep safaris and walks from Silves, Algarve, with Thyl: your guide, driver and a painter. You have the whole jeep to yourselves.

Silves Hills Safari: 2.5 hours, up to 6 guests, from 115 € for the whole jeep. English, Français, Nederlands, Português.

Thyl's white open-top jeep splashing through a shallow stream on a stony track in the green hills near Silves
Thyl at the wheel of the open jeep, a guest pointing out over the hills

Hello, I am Thyl. Say “Teel”.

I am the creator of Silvestours and your guide and driver. I enjoy small groups and guiding on a personal scale. I go off the beaten track and research original itineraries, looking for beautiful and interesting landscapes that are hard to find.

I love to meet new people and share local insight. I am a painter as well as a nature and history enthusiast. I am of mixed origin and speak English, French, Dutch and Portuguese.

  • Small one-man business, private tours only
  • Fully licensed and insured: RNAAT 376/2019
  • English, Français, Nederlands, Português

Five tours, one jeep, one guide

Every tour is private: no individual tickets, no strangers in your jeep. The total price depends on how many of you there are. All tours start outside Restaurant Ponte Romana in Silves.

Guests in the back of the open jeep, parked on a ridge with green hills rolling away behind

Silves Hills Jeep Safari

We go up into the hills in a classic old Portuguese jeep, exploring the little paths and enjoying the views. Often the way is steep, so the experience will be adventurous as well as beautiful, from arid open terrain to dense green vegetation.

The return is gentler, with panoramic views of the Monchique hills and coastline. We pause at a few secret spots. If you are lucky you may see partridges, deer or boar. In the hotter months we often ride in the morning or evening, when the light is beautiful and the air is cool.

Duration
2.5 hours
Group
Max 6 guests, private
Bring
Comfortable clothes, walking shoes, sun and rain protection, an extra warm layer: the hills can cool quickly, even on summer evenings.
Meeting point
Outside Restaurant Ponte Romana, Silves
Languages
English, Français, Nederlands, Português

100 € for the jeep plus 15 € a person (8 € for kids)

Total group price
1 guest115 €
2 guests130 €
3 guests145 €
4 guests160 €
5 guests175 €
6 guests190 €
Book on WhatsApp Email
A hidden sandy cove between golden sandstone cliffs on the Algarve coast A natural rock arch standing in the sea off the cliffs

Coast Safari

We drive through fields and orchards to a lesser known part of the southern coast: sand roads, pine trees, cliffs and unspoilt views. Here we discover the secrets of the coast that I knew as a child.

Sometimes we leave the jeep for a few minutes to explore on foot. We will see a series of hidden beaches and beautiful rock formations, with time to relax and enjoy the surroundings (or maybe buy a drink).

Duration
3 hours
Group
Max 6 guests, private
Bring
Comfortable clothes, walking shoes, sun and rain protection.
Meeting point
Outside Restaurant Ponte Romana, Silves
Languages
English, Français, Nederlands, Português

120 € for the jeep plus 15 € a person (8 € for kids)

Total group price
1 guest135 €
2 guests150 €
3 guests165 €
4 guests180 €
5 guests195 €
6 guests210 €
Book on WhatsApp Email
Drone view of the white jeep on a red earth track high above folded hills and a river valley

Monchique Adventure

A half day away from the coast, exploring the empty spaces of the interior. We cross a series of streams and follow a deep valley to “Picota”, the second highest and most untouched of the Monchique summits, with views over the whole Algarve.

Two optional hikes at no extra cost: a half-hour walk over the hanging pedestrian bridge of Alferce, or a steeper hour up to the Picota summit and back. Stop for a snack or meal at a place I can propose, or bring a picnic.

Duration
4 hours (+ options)
Group
Max 5 guests, private
Bring
Comfortable clothes, walking shoes, sun and rain protection, an extra warm layer: the hills can cool quickly, even on summer evenings.
Meeting point
Outside Restaurant Ponte Romana, Silves
Languages
English, Français, Nederlands, Português

180 € for the jeep plus 20 € a person (10 € for kids)

Total group price
1 guest200 €
2 guests220 €
3 guests240 €
4 guests260 €
5 guests280 €
Book on WhatsApp Email
Guests in the barrel cellar of the winery during the wine tour Panorama from the Silves hills over rolling ridges to the coast

Jeep Safari & Wine Tour

Our Silves Hills jeep tour with a visit to a wine estate. Steep little paths first, then a few minutes after crossing a river bed we stop at the “Quinta do Francês” winery, known for its picturesque vineyards and award-winning wines.

We join a tour of the building and vineyards and learn about the wine-making process. Afterwards you taste 3 of their wines, or choose to add some tapas.

Duration
4 hours
Group
Max 6 guests, private
Included
Wine tour and tasting of 3 wines. Tapas are a supplement, paid directly to the winery.
Bring
Comfortable clothes, walking shoes and sun protection.
Meeting point
Outside Restaurant Ponte Romana, Silves

120 € for the jeep plus 30 € a person

Total group price
1 guest150 €
2 guests180 €
3 guests210 €
4 guests240 €
5 guests270 €
6 guests300 €
Book on WhatsApp Email

Or leave the jeep: the Silves Walk

A friendly visit of the medieval town where I live. We meet at the river and go up to the castle, past the Roman bridge, the docks, the market, the town square, the town hall and the city walls. We enter the cathedral for a brief visit and I show you some hidden secrets in the back streets.

The walk ends at the top of the town next to the castle: visit it on your own, stroll back down to the meeting point, or stay for a meal.

Duration
2 hours
Group
1 to 20 guests, private
Not included
Cathedral entrance 2 €, bought on site
Meeting point
At the river, outside Restaurant Ponte Romana

40 € for 1 guest, plus 10 € per extra person (2 to 8 guests). Larger groups: ask for a quote.

Book on WhatsApp Email

Prefer to book online? I also lead the same walk on Guru Walk, where guests pay what they want at the end (usually 3 walks a week, except in summer): reserve on Guru Walk.

The old Roman bridge of Silves reflected in the still river The Gothic nave of Silves cathedral in red sandstone

What will it cost for your group?

Pick a tour and how many of you are coming. The total uses the prices on this page; Thyl confirms it when you book.

Low sun over the hills, seen from beside the jeep
Tour
Adults 2
Kids 0

Total for your jeep 130 €
Ask Thyl for a date

A painter’s eye for the hills

“In the calmer months of the year I like to paint. I do both landscapes and abstracts. Nature is the main inspiration. I love the vibrant colours of the Algarve. There is something both romantic and earthy about the local landscapes.”

Oil painting by Thyl: green and violet hills under a pale sky
A landscape by Thyl. More at thylart.com
Evening light over a river winding through a deep green valley in the Algarve hills

And the real thing, from the jeep.

What guests wrote

“Fantastic journey on mountain roads and off-road. These places you will never find without Thyl. Very beautiful, breathtaking and must-visit.”

Evgeny, July 2020 (Hill Safari)

On Airbnb Experiences, where only paid bookings can be reviewed, as of 16 August 2023: Jeep Safari 4.99 out of 5 from 108 reviews; Silves Walk 5 out of 5 from 13 reviews; Monchique Safari 5 out of 5 from 5 reviews.

“The trip shows a bare and wild country side just on the outskirts of Silves, the naked mountains, and it´s amazing how it starts just outside town. The 4 wheel drive is an old UMM model, bringing a sense of returning to a more true feel experience of roaming into the hills. The views are great and Thyl is a great host, very interested on making sure we enjoy the trip experience, and a very nice guy. It’s a small trip of about 2 hours, that goes in a blink of an eye. Highly recommended. Great value for money.”

Camilo, July 2019 (Hill Safari)

“It was a wonderful experience and a beautiful evening driving through the mountains. We even spotted a wild boar! Thyl is very knowledgeable about the area and a warm and friendly guide.”

Alice, July 2019 (Hill Safari)

“Thyl knew a lot about the history of the local area and it was impressive his ability to switch between languages for us and the other guests. The off roading experience was really enjoyable.”

Madeleine, September 2019 (Hill Safari)

“Très bonne expérience dans la jeep de Thyl. De magnifiques paysages, une pause boisson avec une vue sublime et des anecdotes intéressantes !”

Franck, August 2021 (Hill Safari)

“Absolutely amazing safari. Thyl was very knowledgeable on many topics, from history to geography to geology and even the mechanics of the old style jeep. Fantastic day out. Well worth it.”

Josh, November 2020 (Hill Safari)

“Experiência muito engraçado e divertida e excelente anfitrião ( que até levou roupa para o caso de sentirmos frio ). Recomendo para quem visitar o Algarve.”

Armando, July 2020 (Hill Safari)

“Een mooie kans om een stuk van de Algrave te zien op een manier die je zelf nooit zult ervaren. Het is een ontspannen rit met fantastische uitzichten, maar voelt tegelijkertijd ook avontuurlijk. Thyl is erg relaxed en vertelt heel leuk over de natuur en geschiedenis van het gebied. Hij had zelfs wat goede tips voor het vervolg van onze reis. Absolute aanrader voor wanneer je in de Algarve bent!”

Thijs, September 2019 (Hill Safari)

“We had to drive one hour to be able to attend this jeep ride, but it was totally worth it! Thylbert was very friendly and his English was spot on. He showed us places we could never access with our own car. All in all, it was a lovely experience and we would definitely recommend it to our friends and family!”

Linnea, July 2020 (Hill Safari)

Reviews are quoted as written, in the guest’s own language, from the Silves Tours guest book.

We meet by the Roman bridge

Outside the entrance of Restaurant Ponte Romana, Silves

If you come by car, this is an easy place to park. It is the last small street on the left, just before you turn to cross the river into Silves.

GPS 37.186108, -8.437531

Open in OpenStreetMap Directions

Questions guests ask

Will we share the jeep with other people?

No. Silves Tours only does private tours and does not sell individual tickets, so you have the whole jeep to yourselves.

How is the price worked out?

The total depends on the size of your group: a fixed price for the jeep plus a price per person. For the Silves Hills Safari that is 100 € plus 15 € a person (8 € for kids). Each tour above has its full group price table.

Can children come?

Yes. There is a lower price for kids on the Silves Hills Safari and Coast Safari (8 €) and the Monchique Adventure (10 €).

What should we bring?

Comfortable clothes and walking shoes, sun and rain protection. For the hills and Monchique bring an extra layer: temperatures can cool rapidly, even on some summer evenings.

Isn’t it too hot in summer?

We normally ride in an open jeep. In the hotter months the tours often go in the morning or evening, when the light is beautiful and the air is cool.

Which languages does Thyl speak?

English, French, Dutch and Portuguese.

Where do we park?

At the meeting point outside Restaurant Ponte Romana it is easy to park: the last small street on the left, just before you turn to cross the river into Silves.

Is food included on the Monchique Adventure?

Depending on the time of day you can stop for a snack or meal; Thyl knows some nice places to propose. You are also welcome to bring a picnic. The two optional hikes cost nothing extra.

Is the walk price all-in?

The walk price does not include the cathedral entrance (2 €), bought on site. Large groups can ask for a quote. There is also a pay-what-you-want version on Guru Walk.

Is Silves Tours licensed?

Yes, fully licensed and insured: RNAAT 376/2019.

How do I book?

There is no online booking: message Thyl on WhatsApp, call (+351) 928 080 653 or email info@silvestours.com with your tour, date and group size.

Pick a date, Thyl brings the jeep

Tell him the tour, the day and how many of you are coming.

WhatsApp Thyl (+351) 928 080 653 info@silvestours.com
WhatsApp Thyl Call