Paderne Castle
Paderne Castle
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
152 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
45
Average
43
Poor
22
Terrible
7
scousemouse
Liverpool, UK8,800 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
Just south of the village of Paderne lies the remains of a Moorish fortress constructed entirely of taipa (rammed earth), a technique for building walls using the raw materials of earth, chalk, lime and gravel. Built during the last phase of Muslim occupation, high above a loop of the Quarteira River on a rocky promontory, it played a major role in defending the passage between Barrocal region and the coastline. In parts these walls are 1.8 metres wide.
A big earthquake in 1755 aggravated the state of ruin that the castle already suffered at the hands of various invaders. The houses inside the castle were inhabited until they were badly damaged by the earthquake, the occupants relocated to the village of Paderne about a kilometre to the north. Along the south wall are the ruins of the former Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Assunção dating from the 14th century, but abandoned in 1506 when the new church was constructed in the village.
Although there is little to see in the castle itself the views of the surrounding countryside (if you can ignore the motorway viaduct) are well worth the short climb and there is a footpath alongside the river to a Roman bridge and mill where you can cross the river and access footpaths on the far bank and the hills beyond.
A big earthquake in 1755 aggravated the state of ruin that the castle already suffered at the hands of various invaders. The houses inside the castle were inhabited until they were badly damaged by the earthquake, the occupants relocated to the village of Paderne about a kilometre to the north. Along the south wall are the ruins of the former Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Assunção dating from the 14th century, but abandoned in 1506 when the new church was constructed in the village.
Although there is little to see in the castle itself the views of the surrounding countryside (if you can ignore the motorway viaduct) are well worth the short climb and there is a footpath alongside the river to a Roman bridge and mill where you can cross the river and access footpaths on the far bank and the hills beyond.
Written March 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
31August39
3 contributions
Feb 2019
We have driven along the A22 many times and when driving west have seen Paderne Castle off to the left near the junction with A2 Lisbon motorway. We were told it was the last Moorish stronghold to fall to the Christians, That's wrong - it was only one of the last. The final km of the road to the castle is a bit rough but there are places to park outside the castle walls. The restoration work, which has been continuing for ages, has now finished and entrance is free. There are notice boards explaining the ruins and good views with a lone handsome tree at the apex of the hill. Pity about the A22 but in the other direction there is a graceful mediaeval bridge. Make sure you bring your binos to look down on the ancient mill, now a farm, below.
Written February 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
goncalvesfrank
Paderne, Portugal3 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
Take the trail that goes along the river to the Roman bridge . Have something to eat and
drink by the old mill and bridge than continue along the trail to the castle and enjoy
the view.
drink by the old mill and bridge than continue along the trail to the castle and enjoy
the view.
Written May 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesterbeach
Winnipeg, Canada4,501 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
The castle is now well marked as you cross the narrow bridge before entering Paderne. Turn right and follow the signs, passed the fonte and then through the fields of olive trees until you come to the gravel road heading up the hill. This year the road was quite rough but it will probably be graded soon. There is lots of parking at the top. The castle is not open to visitors often but sometimes there are special events or school tours and the gates ate open. Walk around the castle and enjoy the view. Carob and olive trees surround the parking area and the field is full of wild thyme- great to add in your cooking.
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesterbeach
Winnipeg, Canada4,501 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
Paderne Castle is about 10 km north of Albufeira. On your drive there stop at the padaria on the west side of the road just before you get to Purgatorio. Turn right at Paderne and follow the sign to the castle. When you reach the parking under the freeway turn up the gravel road all the way to the top of the hill where you will find the castle ruins. Check in Paderne to see when it is open but you can see most of it if you walk around the castle. The path has been improved since last year and some of the brush has been cleared away so you can now see the Roman bridge. The fields around the castle are covered in wild thyme. A restauration project is underway to repair the tower at a cost of 500,000 euros. Should be interesting.
Written February 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marsh-land
Burnham-on-Crouch, UK141 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
We were attracted to visit Paderne Castle by an entry in our guidebook supplemented by it looking impressive from the A22 motorway.
Paderne is a small town, typical of the area with the Castle it's claim to fame.
The castle is reached by a small road which loops to the west of the village accessed at each end of the village then by a rough track/ footpath for about a mile which takes the best part of an hour to walk.
The castle itself, when reached is in quite a ruinous state with little information about it.There is a nice view but once you go into the hills in this area there are many such nice views.
We later visited Silves Castle which has been restored and allows you to fully appreciate the Moors castle construction.
If you like walking then it is a nice walk but otherwise this is a visit that you can miss without any great loss considering the other sites in this area of the Algarve.
Paderne is a small town, typical of the area with the Castle it's claim to fame.
The castle is reached by a small road which loops to the west of the village accessed at each end of the village then by a rough track/ footpath for about a mile which takes the best part of an hour to walk.
The castle itself, when reached is in quite a ruinous state with little information about it.There is a nice view but once you go into the hills in this area there are many such nice views.
We later visited Silves Castle which has been restored and allows you to fully appreciate the Moors castle construction.
If you like walking then it is a nice walk but otherwise this is a visit that you can miss without any great loss considering the other sites in this area of the Algarve.
Written October 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesterbeach
Winnipeg, Canada4,501 contributions
Depending on what you like to see, I found this one of the more interesting places we visited in the Algarve. True, like some reviews state, there is not a lot to see in some ways, but the drive up is interesting and the views are gorgeous. We like to visit sites off the beaten track and this would certainly be one. The drive up the hillside is quite steep and the road is quite rutted, more suited to a jeep or four wheel drive but we did fine in our small rental car. Those in our group with a fear of heights definitely stayed away from the side of the car towards the view. Wild flowers, thyme and rosemary bushes cover the hillside interspersed with olive trees. Once reaching the top there is enough space for several cars to park You can walk around the castle ruins but the castle itself is closed to the public. The views are very beautiful and there are many trails to walk along. Great place for a picnic.
Written March 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeremy099
Brighton, UK56 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
Ruins surrounded by scrub. Decent view but, unless you are captivated by Moorish ruins, give this a swerve.
Written September 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sirmoosealot
Louth, UK27 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We visited whilst on our way elsewhere. It is off the beaten track but the road was fine in a standard vehicle vehicle if not a little dusty. The road takes you right to the castle. The castle it’s self is basically a ruin with no access when we visited. It only takes a few minutes to walk around it but there are some nice views. Given that there is no charge I would suggest visiting if you are in the area but don’t make a special journey.
Written August 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve_Lynda2017
Tonbridge, UK5 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Open Wednesdays and a good historical site in the Algarve. Here you can learn the history of Portugal in the archeological digs in the Castle grounds.
Written July 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
if i am staying in Albufeira and im unable to hire a car, how can i possibly travel to Paderne?
Written August 30, 2016
If you go to Albufeira Bus Station (up the hill near ALDI), you can get an EVA bus straight to Paderne. These run around every half hour, takes about 20-25 minutes and costs about 2.5 euros. One you get to Paderne, it will take a very long time to walk to the castle, as it is right out on the outskirts, with no amenities, not even anywhere to stop for a drink. It will be a long, hard slog, but the views are lovely once you get there. At the foot of the castle hill, follow the conservation route along the river to find the Medieval Bridge.
Written September 1, 2016
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