Tavira, Portugal is a small seaside town located in the Algarve region on the south coast of Portugal. Located near the city of Faro, Tavira is a great option for travelers looking to get away from the crowds of more popular tourist destinations. With beautiful beaches, a picturesque old town, and unique accommodation options, Tavira is the perfect place for a relaxing vacation. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the best things to do in Tavira.
Tavira Castle
One of the best things to do in Tavira is to visit the Tavira Castle (Castelo de Tavira). Located in the historic center of Tavira, the castle dates back to the 12th century. After the Christian reconquest in the 13th century, the castle was refortified to protect the town against raids and pirates. Climb the ramparts and octagonal tower for amazing views all the way to the coast, and be sure to check out the pretty courtyard full of flowering trees.
Camera Obscura – Tavira Tower
For a unique view of the city, visit the Tower of Tavira. The Tower of Tavira is actually a camera obscura, an ancient optical device that uses a convex lens to project an image. Tavira’s camera obscura projects 360-degree images of the town inside the converted water tower. It’s a cool view of the city and an interesting predecessor to the invention of the camera.
Tavira City Train – Hop on Hop Off
If you want to explore the area, take a ride on the Tavira Tourist Train. This tourist “train” (on wheels rather than a track) runs between the Roman Bridge, Hotel Vila Gale, Quatro Águas (Tavira Island), the Castle, and a few other stops. The entire loop takes 45 minutes and it’s a fun way to see the sights and get around. You can buy a single trip or all-day pass from the conductor with cash.
Tavira Churches
Be sure to visit Tavira’s Old Town and Churches. Stroll Tavira’s winding cobblestone streets, and be sure to check out the many churches in the area. The most impressive is the Renaissance Igreja da Misericórdia (Church of Mercy) with beautiful azulejo tiles. You can also see Fado concerts here.
Nucleo Islamico Museum
Learn about the city’s history at the Nucleo Islamico Museum. Built around the remains of an Islamic-era structure, this small modern museum has exhibits of Islamic artifacts discovered in Tavira. One of the most important pieces on display is the Tavira vase, an elaborate ceramic work with figures and animals around the rim.
Ria Formosa and Islands
Finally, be sure to explore the Ria Formosa Nature Park. A coastal lagoon protected from the sea by barrier islands, the park is a paradise for birdwatchers, kayakers and nature-lovers. You can walk or bike through the paths, or take a boat trip to see flamingos and other aquatic birds.
Tavira Island is also part of the Ria Formosa, and is known for being one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the Algarve. It’s actually home to three long beaches: Praia da Ilha de Tavira in the east part of the island, Praia da Terra Estreita (central beach), and Praia do Barril (west). All three are rated as Blue Flag Beaches for meeting environmental and sustainability guidelines.
Cabanas de Tavira
Be sure to visit Cabanas de Tavira. This small town near Tavira dates to the 18th century, when fishermen began building temporary cabanas (fishing huts) that eventually became permanent residences. Today it’s a growing tourist destination, thanks to its barrier island and beach which are part of the Ria Formosa.
Tavira, Portugal is a great destination for travelers looking for a unique and off-the-beaten-path destination. With plenty of things to do and see, beautiful beaches, and unique accommodation options, it’s easy to see why Tavira is such a popular destination. Be sure to plan your trip soon!
Enjoy a night of Fado
In Tavira it’s possible to enjoy a night of the most traditional music in Portugal Fado. In this space you can enjoy a 35-minute live show with Portuguese Guitar, Viola and Voice covering some of the most representative Fados, chosen from our vast repertoire, and suitable for the target audience. The show consists of a video presentation that illustrates some of the most emblematic moments and images of the national song followed by a live performance of Traditional Fado accompanied by explanations in several languages about its content and ends with a wine tasting from the Port accompanied by folar and nuts from the Algarve. The total duration is 1 hour.
Dolphin Watching in Tavira
Join a boat trip from Tavira or Cabanas de Tavira to enjoy the sightseeing of dolphins. From April to September you can join one of the trips on a 2:30 hour tour and see these amazing creatures in their habitat. The boats will be very careful to not scared them and most of the time they will come close to the boat and play under it.
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