Tavira is a small town in the eastern Algarve with a population of around 30,000, though this can increase considerably in the summer. It is 24 miles (38Km) from Faro airport and can be reached in well under an hour if you use the A22 motorway. You can also get there using the Algarve Regional Railway from central Faro with a journey time of 37 minutes. Tavira can date its origins back to over 100 years BC but much of what you see in the old town today dates back to the eighteenth century. Influences here are distinctly Moorish but the town also was a port in The Roman Empire. The town sits on either side of the River Gilão, the two sides are connected by rather modern road bridges and a a pedestrian only bridge in the centre of town. Tavira is a great base for exploring the Algarve, though to get the most out of your visit you will need a car. There are plenty of accommodation options here. We have stayed here twice recently, once at the Maria Nova Lounge Hotel and on the second occasion we rented an apartment through Airbnb for a few weeks.
This ideas for things to do in and around Tavira is by no means comprehensive but are some of the things we particularly enjoyed on our two recent visits.
Castelo
A visit to the castle is a good introduction to the town, offering some good, if not spectacular, views. There has been some sort of fortification here for centuries but what remains today dates back to the seventeenth century. The courtyard area has been developed into a small but very pleasant garden but for most visitors climbing the walls is the main attraction. As with many old fortifications in the Algarve there are not always handrails when climbing steps onto the walls so care is needed.
Camera Obscura
Constructed in what was once the town’s water tower the camera obscura gives you an unrestricted 360 degree view of the town. Unfortunately closed for renovations on both our visits it is due to reopen in January 2020 so it would be worth checking in advance.
Ponte Romana
Crossing the River Gilão and linking both sides of the town the Ponte Romana (Roman Bridge) was first built in the twelfth century and had n nothing to do with the Romans. The present stone bridge was built in the mid seventeenth century and is now pedestrian only making it a very pleasant crossing point to stop and linger for a few photographs.
Fish Market
Located in the new Municipal Market by the Avenida D Manuel bridge and well worth a visit if you are looking to buy fresh fish. The variety is amazing and you will certainly be spoilt for choice. For me one of the real pleasures of visiting Portugal is fresh fish. It never ceases to amaze me that despite the UK being an island really fresh fish is so difficult to come by these days. Here you select your fish, pay and then pass it to a close by stall where they will descale and prepare it for you any way you wish.
Ilha de Tavira
The Ilha de Tavira can be reached by a short ferry ride from either Tavira or Quatro Aguas. There are restaurants and cafe/bars on the island close to the ferry terminal but most are only open in the summer season when it can get very busy. The main attraction here is the most beautiful sandy beach facing the Atlantic Ocean and for most of its length very quiet, especially out of season. You can walk all the way to Praia do Barril at the far end of the island where you will find cafes and toilets and the anchors embedded into the sand dunes which stand as a monument to the former tuna fishing industry which was once big business in this part of the Algarve. You can leave the island here as there is a footbridge leading to the mainland just west of the small village of Santa Luzia.
Cacela Velha
This pretty and charming village just east of Tavira is regarded as one of the most beautiful on the Algarve and it is easy to see why. Here the small houses are whitewashed with brightly painted, often blue, borders around windows and doors. There is also a small fortress facing the ocean with great views over the beach and surrounding headlands. It can get very busy here so time your visit. For those who fancy the exercise there is a good cycle path to the village from Tavira.
Hire a Bike
There are two straightforward cycle routes from Tavira, both mainly on very quiet cycle paths. The first runs west from Tavira, passing through the octopus capital of Santa Luzia, with its many cafes, bars and restaurants, and onto the town of Fuzeta passing the salt flats just outside the town. Just after Santa Luzia you can take the footbridge and walk to Praia Barril but you will have to leave the bikes at the bridge as they are not allowed on the island. The ride to Fuzeta and back can easy be accomplished at a gentle pace with a few stops in four hours or so. If you time it right and you can call in for lunch at Marisqueira Os Fialos for some perfect grilled fish as you pass. A little shorter is the ride east from Tavira to Cacela Velha with a nice refreshment stop at the waterfront at Cabanas de Tavira on the way. We hired from Abilio Bikes in Tavira (R. João Vaz Corte Real Nº23) which have a range of different bikes, including ebikes, for hire by the half or full day.
Quinta dos Marim
Taking the regional road west from Tavira and just 3km outside Olhão is this delightful nature walk centred around the offices of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. It is so peaceful here as you pass through a number of very different environments ranging from native woodland, salt flats, sand dunes and salt marsh. There is an old water mill to explore and while you can not guarantee a sighting of local animal life there is still more than enough to enjoy. If you want to explore more of the Ria Formosa boat trips are available from Olhão and Faro.
Take a Tour
There are a number of companies offering tours from Tavira, most are local but it is also possible to sign up for a day trip to Seville in Spain. Tours usually have very knowledgable guides and you get to know something about the local area that many tourists miss. We took an excellent trip out into the countryside to see how cork and olive oil are produced and it even included a pick up from our hotel. See the post here.
Alcoutim
A drive of around 41 miles (65Km) to the border town of Alcoutim is well worth it if you have the time. Alcoutim stands on the western bank of the River Guadalina which forms the border with Spain. It is a delightful town with some great options for lunch or a quick snack. A visit to castle is a must as it offers great views across the river into Spain.