Tavira

 

The town of Tavira is one of the most charming places in the whole of the Algarve.

Tavira is perfect for couples or families looking for a quiet spot with everything you need for a holiday by the sea.

Between the 8th and 13th centuries Tavira was under Arab rule, until it was conquered by the Knights of the Order of Santiago in 1242. It was granted city status in 1520 by King Manuel I, and was the Algarve's main trading port from the 16th to the 18th century.

 

What to see in Tavira

In Tavira, handsome buildings blend beautifully with the cobbled streets, and the town still keeps its air of a traditional fishing village.

There's a lot to see in Tavira, so we'd recommend coming by car (or, if you're flying in, then hiring one) so you can explore the area properly.

Historic centre

One of the most iconic sights in Tavira is its seven-arched bridge over the River Gilão, Roman in origin and open to pedestrians only.

 

On either side of the bridge lie the streets of the historic centre, where you'll find cafés and restaurants with terraces open all day long.

The centre of Tavira is buzzing through the summer, with music festivals, food fairs, craft markets and even wine tastings for visitors.

Most of these events take place in the public square known as the Jardim do Coreto, which sits just below the municipal market.

Tavira salt pans

The Tavira salt pans are known for producing the finest table salt in the country.

Today, salt is still produced just as it was thousands of years ago: by hand, without polluting the environment or the marine life that thrives in this region in any way.

It's a particularly lovely walk at the end of the day, when you can catch the colours of the sunset over the white and pink of the salt pans.

Ria Formosa Natural Park

The estuary of the Ria Formosa, on the edge of the town, stretches across 170 km².

It's made up of a whole network of channels, islands and sandbanks.

The park and its channels are home to all sorts of migratory birds, which you can spot from the boat trips that run through these calm waters.

It's a must-do trip in Tavira.

Beaches in Tavira

Beyond the Ria Formosa lies the spectacular Ilha de Tavira, home to Praia da Ilha de Tavira, Praia do Barril, Praia da Terra Estreita and Praia do Homem Nú. We've given this island a whole page of its own, with information on how to get there, where to stay and more: Ilha de Tavira.

Praia de Cabanas, part of the village of Cabanas de Tavira, is a beautiful, peaceful beach that you can also visit in Tavira. There are no facilities, as it sits within a nature reserve, so you'll need to take a boat from the village of Cabanas to cross the lagoon, which costs less than €2.

The beaches of Tavira stand out for the calm of their waters, and they're a little warmer than those in the western Algarve (Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, Lagoa, Sagres..).

Where to stay in Tavira

We've put together a page on Hotels in Tavira where you can see recommended hotels, area by area.

We loved visiting this part of the Algarve, and since we had the chance to stay here ourselves, we wanted to pass on a couple of recommendations.

CABANAS GOLDEN CLUBE

For an "all-inclusive" stay, we think the Cabanas Golden Clube is one of the best options. Have a look at our review of the place.

Especially if you're travelling with children, Cabanas is a very practical, pretty spot where the fun never runs out.

On top of that, the resort has boats that take you across the lagoon to Cabanas beach free of charge.

 

OZADI TAVIRA HOTEL

For a quieter stay, whether as a family, as a couple or otherwise, we really can't recommend the Ozadi Tavira Hotel You can read our review here.

The pool is peaceful, the facilities are superb and it's a great place to escape the crowds, especially during the busiest months.

Is it a bit pricier? Possibly. But it's also true that somewhere of this quality would cost you a fortune in most other countries.
 

 

Tours and activities in Tavira

Hotels in Tavira

Tavira is one of the most charming towns in the Algarve. Plenty of hotels, a happy balance of traditional and modern, and calm beaches protected by their place within the Ria Formosa.

To reach the beaches you have to cross the lagoon, which means fewer people once you're there.

It's half an hour by car from Faro Airport and two hours forty-five minutes from the capital, Lisbon.

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Reasons to choose a hotel in Tavira

• Warmer waters and no great blocks of hotels spoiling the view
• Visiting the beautiful Ria Formosa and its islands
• Visiting the salt pans
• A pleasant old centre with shops and restaurants

Best area of Tavira to stay

Tavira is big. You can decide to stay in the town centre or in the small villages of Santa Luzia or Cabanas de Tavira. In those last two you'll be closer to the beaches. Another option is to stay on Tavira Island, where there's a campsite and a few local rental houses if you fancy waking up and dipping your feet straight in the water.

 

Click to see hotels laid out on the map

You can see all the hotels in Tavira here.

Recommended hotels in Tavira

Vila Gale Tavira

Vila Gale Albacora

Pedras Da Rainha

OZADI Tavira

HI Hostel Tavira

Golden Club Cabanas

Flamingo Beach House