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The interior of the 13th-century cathedral reveals a fusion of the Gothic, Renaissance and the Baroque: the Capela de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres, especially, is a jewel of Baroque art, with splendid gilded and lacquered woodcarvings, inlaid marble and a surround of polishedazulejos .

Gargoyles in the shape of animals embellish the delightfully secluded Renaissance cloisters of this former convent which imaginatively incorporates the museum. Highlights include a huge Roman floor mosaic, a collection of Moorish oil lamps and an exquisite 16th-century eucharistic safe. See Museums

Stunningazulejos panels depicting the life of St Francis adorn the walls of this 17th-century church. The vault contains an outstanding polychrome panel showing the coronation of the Virgin.

The original building was plundered and damaged by the Earl of Essex in 1596. Rebuilt again after the 1755 earthquake, it’s still in use today, but closed to the public.

The grandiose arch was inaugurated in 1812. Tucked inside the arch is an 11th-century horseshoe gate, which is believed to have been built by the Moors and is the only one of its kind in the Algarve.

Overlooking a pretty square, this 17th-century chapel is home to a lovely configuration of gilded wood carvings and a series of whimsical oil panels depicting scenes from the Old Testament. At the rear is a chapel with an 18th-centuryazulejos crucifix.

Set into a niche in the castle walls, this small chapel lies in the shadow of the medieval Gate of Rest. Popular legend has it that Afonso III, fresh from his victory over the Moors, rested here.

Perched on top of the city walls, the Arco art gallery is worth a visit if only for its superb view of the Ria Formosa. Art buffs will also appreciate the exhibitions which reflect the very best in contemporary Portuguese art.

Housed off the main square and part of a former military barracks, the Trem art gallery shares floorspace with an excavated Roman arch built on Moorish foundations. The venue is a favourite among modern artists, both home-grown and visiting from abroad.

The original castle walls were Roman, vestiges of which can still be seen today. The rest of the fortifications are the result of 16th-century labour. The exception is the Byzantine towers, added soon after the collapse of the Roman Empire and incongruous in their pentagonal design.