Tavira Portugal: Suberb Mix of Tradition & Nature

November 28, 2023

Written by Joelle & Ryan from Wanderers Compass

“Any Portuguese town looks like bride’s finery – something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.”
Mary Mccarthy

What is Tavira, Portugal, known for, and is it worth a visit?

Tavira, Algarve is a seaside town that straddles the Gilão River via an old Roman bridge. From our first steps into the town, we were intrigued by the sense of community and authenticity. We were charmed by Tavira’s winding cobblestone streets, hilltop castle, and many churches. So many of the town’s residents were gathered in the main square chatting while children played. Oddly, we felt like we were intruding into their little perfect world, but at no time did we feel unwelcome. This town heavily relies on tourism in the summer, so our presence was normal for them even in the off-season.

Tavira is a great place to experience authentic Portuguese culture. It is one of the few cities in Europe that uniquely combines tradition and nature. In other words, it has everything you need for a fantastic vacation. This location is ideal for families and couples.

It has lovely streets, traditionally tiled houses, a variety of local restaurants, and beautiful sandy beaches. Tavira’s surrounding towns are in themselves worth a visit. They are located in the countryside and provide a peaceful and beautiful setting.

You don’t need a car to explore once you arrive in Tavira; it is a relatively tiny town full of charm. We arrived by car, parked on the outskirts, and explored the town on foot. Having a car provides convenience, but if you have a few days, we recommend exploring this place on foot. This is the best way to understand the town’s heart and soul.

History of Tavira, Portugal

Tavira’s origins date back to the late Bronze Age (1,000-800 BC). In the 8th century BC, it became one of the first Phoenician settlements in the Iberian West. Those Phoenicians were everywhere!

The Phoenicians created a provincial urban center with massive walls, urban structures, temples, and two harbors, which survived for about 200 years when it was destroyed by conflict.

The Moorish occupation of Tavira between the 8th and 13th centuries impacted the area’s agriculture, architecture, and culture, which remain today. Tavira is known for its whitewashed buildings and Moorish-style doors, remnants of that time. The Moors built the Tavira Castle, palaces, and mosques. During that time, Tavira was “put on the map” as it established itself as an important port for sailors and fishermen. Moorish Tavira blossomed rapidly, becoming one of the important towns of the west, which is today’s Algarve. In 1242, Dom Paio Peres Correia took Tavira back from the Moors in a bloody conflict of retaliation after seven of his Knights were killed during a period of truce.

1755 Earthquake

In the 18th century, the port was an important shipping location for exporting salt, dried fish, and wine. Sadly, the area was hit late in the century by a massive earthquake known as the Lisbon earthquake. In reality, the epicenter was in the Algarve region. The town buildings were destroyed for all practical purposes.

Tavira was rebuilt with many 18th-century buildings and its 37 churches. A bridge links the two parts of the town across the River Gilão. The lovely white church of Santa Maria do Castelo, built on the ruins of a mosque, holds the tombs of Dom Paio Peres Correia and his knights. The church dates back to the 13th century.

Fishing was the area’s primary industry, but it has declined due to the changing migration patterns of tuna and advancing silt in the river Gilão. Tourism has become a substantial part of their economy in the summer, as is the case for the region.

Where is Tavira, Portugal?

Tavira is a Portuguese town and municipality situated east of the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal. It is 17 miles east of Faro and 47 miles west of Huelva across the river Guadiana into Spain. The slow-flowing Gilão River meets the Atlantic Ocean in Tavira. It is 104 miles from Seville, Spain.

Map of Tavira, Portugal

Tavira

How to get to Tavira

The easiest way to get to Tavira is to fly into the Faro airport, which serves the Algarve region and is about a 30-minute drive by car. There are direct flights to Faro from Lisbon and many other European cities. From Faro, you can rent a car or take a taxi or public transportation to Tavira.

Most visitors, though, fly to the capital city of Lisbon and rent a car or take a bus to Tavira. Using toll roads, Tavira is about a 3-hour drive from Lisbon. From Seville, Spain, it’s only two hours where we drove from that day. There are lots of sights along that route.

A car isn’t necessary once you get to Tavira, but we would suggest it. If you want to explore the area, having a car gives you more flexibility. Driving in the Algarve and all of Portugal was easy, with excellent modern roads throughout the country.

Top 14 Things to Do in Tavira, Portugal

1. Tavira has a partially ruined castle with a Moorish influence. But inside the castle walls, there is a lovely garden. You can climb the ramparts and octagonal towers for fantastic coastal views.

2. Stroll Tavira’s winding cobblestone streets. Near the Castle, you’ll find several churches. The Gothic-design Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo has a tall clock tower remodeled from a former minaret, while the Igreja de Santiago dates to the 13th century.

3. Archeological evidence has determined that the bridge with seven arches, the city’s symbol, is from the Romans. Based on archaeological discoveries, it is believed that it likely replaced a bridge built during the Moorish occupation. It was rebuilt in 1667, then again after a 1989 flood. Today, it’s accessible only to foot traffic.

4. Spend some time in Republic Square (Praça da República). This is the central town square of Tavira, also used as an outdoor amphitheater for events and concerts. It is a good spot for a meal or a drink at one of the many cafes. The tourist office is there as well.

Check out the Best Travel Apps for the Savvy Traveler

5. The museum (Nucleo Museologico Islamico) showcases the town’s incredible historic culture. It contains 11th-century artifacts such as oil lamps, tiles, pots, etc.

6. Do you want to listen to some Portuguese music? Check out Fado com Historia. It’s a place where you can enjoy fantastic Fado performances, a complimentary glass of wine, and traditional Portuguese snacks. This location introduces you to Tavira’s rich history.

7. One of those places where you can spy on the entire town is the Camera Obscura. An ancient optical device uses a convex lens to project an image. Tavira’s camera obscura projects 360-degree images of the town inside the converted water tower. Its location is on the roof of the water tower. It features a dark room where a live image is projected onto a rotating table. This highly entertaining location costs nearly $6 to visit.

8. Without a doubt, the riverfront is one of the best tourist attractions. Thousands of tourists visit this area yearly, especially the Roman low-arched pedestrian bridge.

9. Tavira has a small tourist “train” (on wheels rather than a track) that runs between the Roman Bridge, 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 if walking is a challenge. You can buy a single trip or an all-day pass from the driver. Departure times are the stops.

Want to learn what are the best credit cards to have for travel? Click here for more info.

10. Ria Formosa Nature Park is close to Tavira. It is primarily a natural wetland area with water channels, small islands, and beaches. It is a coastal lagoon protected from the sea by barrier islands. It is a paradise for birdwatchers, kayakers, and nature lovers; it is also home to salt pans and shellfish farming. To see its beauty, you need to ride a boat. During the migration season, it attracts nearly 200 bird species.

11. The local beach lies past the salt pans and can be reached via the nearby Santa Luzia footbridge or by ferry, taking visitors to the sand bar of Tavira Island (Ilha de Tavira.) It is part of the Ria Formosa and is known for being one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the Algarve. The waters here are calm, so it’s a great family destination.

12. This town is ideal for foodies. So, treat yourself to a delicious meal. You can have a fine dining experience by booking a table at one of the most beautiful restaurants (such as Cercle.)

13. The Algarve has four wine-producing regions: Lagos, Portimao, Lagoa, and Tavira. Portugal’s southern coast is protected by mountains that temper the weather. Ask for some of the local wine when enjoying a meal in town.

Cabanas de Tavira is a must!

14. Cabanas de Tavira is a small town near Tavira that dates to the 18th century when fishermen began building temporary cabanas (fishing huts) that eventually became permanent residences. Known locally just as Cabanas, today it’s a growing tourist destination in its own right. Cabanas has a small downtown area of restaurants, shops, and cafes. The Cabanas beach is one of the least busy in the region, as it is only accessible by water taxi or walking at low tide.

Our first stop when arriving in Portugal was Obidos, north of Lisbon. Learn more about this charming town: Obidos: Portugal Perfection.

Interesting Facts About Tavira

The area has a military base, which contributes to the local economy.
This region’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism. Every year, thousands of tourists visit, particularly between June and August.
Tavira is the Portuguese representative community for the inscription of the Mediterranean Diet as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity UNESCO.
This town is also known for its fishing industry, but most people are unaware that fish migration has significantly impacted fishing. Many local fishermen have left the fishing industry to work in other small businesses. The decline in the fishing industry is primarily due to fish migration patterns.
Tavira has a population of around 28,000, with 48 percent males and 52 percent females. It also has a sizable expat community. If you are not from Portugal, you will find it relatively easy to adjust to life here. Due to the influence of British expats, English is treated as a second language here.
It’s a small town, but its infrastructure rivals any major city. It has an excellent transportation system, government buildings, highways, railroads, etc. The entire local infrastructure connects residents to the rest of the continent.
In the eighth century BC, this town was the first Phoenician settlement. However, it was abandoned around 300 BC. It has witnessed some of history’s most significant eras. There are some interesting monuments from various periods here. Its original name was Balsa (Baal Saphon), which was later changed to Tavira. This is the place to go if you want to immerse yourself in Europe’s rich history.
This location also provides farm-oriented vacations to tourists and social support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Agritourism enthusiasts will undoubtedly enjoy the farm stays. Farm-based vacations can be especially beneficial for children.

Planning a visit to Portugal? Check out our Portugal Country Guide

The Most Attractive Feature

Tavira’s most appealing feature is the Gilao River. It is also known as Rio Sequa, especially in the town center. It runs through the town, so you don’t need to go anywhere special to see it. You can enjoy its views while sipping coffee in one of the many cafés or taking a boat ride to see the stunning sunset.

The Gilao River isn’t just for scenery… Many small businesses rely on it.

Fishermen and traders, for example, use it all day, every day. This is primarily because this river flows into the nearby Atlantic Ocean. That’s why it is also strategically important for Portugal. Along its banks, many watermills are in use for agricultural produce.

When to Visit Tavira

Before planning a trip to this town, remember that it has a Mediterranean climate; you may want to avoid the scorching sun and avoid visiting during the hot, dry summers. Tavira has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Together with Faro, it is among the sunniest cities in Portugal and in Europe, typically averaging around 3,150 hours of sunshine annually.

Spring or mild winter seasons may be ideal for visiting, which is when we visited. It was perfect with gorgeous sunsets!

However, if you enjoy sunny days and relaxing on the beach, June and August are calling out to you. It is also when you will see large crowds in Tavira, as the mid 80s are not too hot for many tourists. They spend much time near the river or on the beaches, admiring the sunsets and the beauty of the water.

Are you traveling overseas soon? Check out our blog post on the Top 25 Tips for Successful Travel Abroad.

Where to Stay In Tavira

Our visit to Tavira was on our way to our hotel, a bit farther down the Algarve Coast in Almancil. It was just 35 minutes farther into Portugal. Our stay at the Conrad Hilton was the first in the Hilton Conrad collection of hotels. It was a spectacular and great place to launch from to explore the Algarve coast. We used our Hilton points, and our stay was free in one of the most elegant hotels we have ever stayed in.

If you want to learn more, check out our article: Want to travel for free? Let us show you how

There are many hotels or rental options to choose from in the area. The two links below will help you find the right place for you. They offer hotels and vacation homes.

We believe it is important to price out properties on various sites. Expedia is a US-based company, whereas Booking.com is Europe-based. Not all properties appear on both. If the establishment has a website, check the price there as well.

Booking.com

Expedia

Final Thoughts

Tavira has many things that captivate and make you feel like you’re in another world. What we like best about Tavira is that it adheres to its traditions. Even in the twenty-first century, you can sense its values everywhere. Everything reflects Portugal’s history and traditions, from enchanting towns to fisherman villages.

So go check it out… It’s a delightful place to explore and has a beautiful blend of nature and life to make you fall in love with it.

Check out the official tourism website for Tavira, Portugal, for more information.

Tavira, Portugal Photo Gallery

Want to learn about Wanderers Compass?

Click Here

Our Top Recommended Travel Products and Resources

Squaremouth.com

Our favorite travel insurance site!

If you book a trip, don’t forget to get travel insurance within 14 days of your first booking. We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured. Not just for the little stuff but the big things like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Over the years, we have used many sites but have now found our go-to place. Squaremouth.com does a fantastic job; it has a user-friendly interface, uses top-rated and reputable insurance carriers, and most policies cover COVID-19 medical issues and cancellations. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems with your policy.

To empower you as a consumer, we suggest you read our blog post on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage from top-rated companies for an affordable price.

MedjetAssist

Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world

They are the premier global air medical transport. One caveat to travel insurance is that medical evacuation usually gets you to the closest facility to care for you. Medjet gets you back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you are stable enough to fly. They cover COVID-related transport as well.

Medjet carries its own policies. These policies are only for transport and do not cover other aspects of travel insurance. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74 and younger. Prices are not based on age below that.

To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.

Expedia .com

Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours

Expedia is a US-based company whose mission is to power global travel for everyone and everywhere. Whether planning a family vacation, booking for business, or organizing the trip of a lifetime, they are a fantastic resource. Wanderers Compass focuses on independent travel, and using sites like Expedia makes that possible. Every aspect of travel you need, from airfare, accommodations, rental car, and cruises to activities to do at your destination, can be booked on Expedia.

Booking.com

Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours

Booking.com connects millions of travelers to memorable experiences, various transportation options, and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. It is one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes.

We always check Expedia and Booking.com to verify prices. At times, one is sold out of rooms while another at the same place has rooms. We also often find some European hotels, especially smaller ones, on Booking.com but not on Expedia. It could be they are a Europe-based company. Try both before booking accommodations.

Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO)

Are you traveling with a family or having an extended stay at your destination?

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, VRBO connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The VRBO community offers families or groups various rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, etc.

VRBO is now under the Expedia group’s ownership, which many were worried about, but it hasn’t panned out to be a concern. It is a massive network with access to all lodging forms should issues arise. Joelle has used VRBO for many years with her family and has had no problems with it.

Viator

As the leading marketplace for travel experiences, Viator believes that making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences to explore—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche, interesting stuff in between)—making memories that will last a lifetime has never been easier.

With industry-leading flexibility and last-minute availability, it’s never too late to make any day extraordinary. This one site has it all and has experiences throughout the world. We use them often during our travels, especially for food tours. We especially take the time to read the reviews provided.

Amazon.com

An excellent source for travel essentials and guides

We now have our own Amazon Storefront with all our favorite travel accessories and gear in one place. Check out our travel store at the link below.

Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront

Amazon is one of the most comprehensive online shopping sources in the world. Teams worldwide provide lower prices, better selection, and rapid delivery on behalf of customers. They offer a vast inventory, and their 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling on Amazon.com offer extensive options to customers.

We buy most of our travel books, accessories, and luggage from Amazon. We have ordered up to two days before travel and get what we need.

HYDAWAY

This is not your ordinary drinkware company. The HYDAWAY difference is what their products do when you’re not using them. Practical and portable, HYDAWAY doesn’t take up unnecessary space in your already-packed life or pile up in landfills. We all know that trying to pack light while being environmentally conscious can be difficult. Having the right items can make a world of difference. HYDAWAY provides that.

We have used their collapsible water bottle, carrying case for the water bottle, and collapsible insulated drink tumbler. They are all lightweight and durable. A conservation-focused product you can be proud to buy.

Use our Promo Code. WANCOM15, at checkout for 15% off your Hydaway order

Welcome Pick-ups
(Airport and sightseeing service)

A global leader in ground transportation for travelers. They help hundreds of companies worldwide enhance their services and boost their revenue with our 5-star ride experiences and hassle-free automation.

Founded in 2015 in Athens, Greece, Welcome Pick-ups goes above and beyond the standard transfer service as the first company to deliver a holistic, in-destination travel experience. From the moment a traveler arrives at a new destination until they return home, Welcome accommodates all their travel needs (transfers, travel products, things to do, information) as the easiest, friendliest, and most personalized solution.

PhotoAiD

Do you feel like you are wasting time visiting an on-site photographer only to be embarrassed by the photo? Would you like control of the final product? Get the perfect VISA or passport photo online with PhotoAID.

When traveling, you often need to apply for official documents such as a passport, ID, and different kinds of licenses or cards. Those applications require a picture that must meet specific conditions to be accepted, depending on the country. Now, it is possible to take this picture at home without the help of a professional photographer. PhotoAiD allows you to take the perfect biometric photo you approve without leaving home.

This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!