Tavira

City Overview

Tavira is a small riverside town located in the east Algarve. Due to its unique location it blends a historic riverside town, with many of the features of your more typical seaside resort. While retaining much of its authentic Portuguese charm.

Sightseeing

The Roman Bridge (Ponte Romana de Tavira) is the first thing many people notice in Tavira. Although the name might lead you into thinking it’s Roman, it’s actually not and was built sometime around the 12th century, to replace a bridge believed to have Roman origins.

The western side of the Roman Bridge will lead you to Praça da Republica, a public square that forms the town centre of Tavira. It’s a large square surrounded by cafes.

A short walk from Praça da Republica, you can find the remains of Castelo de Tavira. This once impressive castle was the location of fierce fighting between the Moors and Portuguese forces. What remains today are its thick stonewalls, and several towers. The panoramic views from the top of the walls are some of the best view you’ll find in Tavira.

Beaches

Tavira coastline is as calm as it is beautiful. Set on the eastern region of the Algarve, this ancient fishing town boast some eleven kilometres of white sand beaches and pleasantly warm water.

Most of Tavira’s beaches are crossed by the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve, so the views are always pleasant and the sunsets unforgettable.

Tavira Island (Ilha de Tavira) is probably the most popular beach in Tavira, which make it also the most overcrowded. This well-known beach can only be reached by boat, departing from the city centre and from the Quatro Aguas peer.

Located in the eastern side of Tavira Island is Cabanas beach, a long narrow shred of land, fronting the parish of Cabanas de Tavira. The Ria Formosa Natural Reserve separates the Island of Cabanas from the mainland and you can easily cross it by foot if the tide allows it.

There are several facilities serving the Cabanas Island and to help you enjoy your trip. Toilets, showers, sunshades and a nice cafe are just a few of the amenities you will find.

Barril Beach is probably the second most well-known and sought-after beach in the Tavira region. There’s a peaceful feel to it that most people visiting find wonderful and not as overcrowded as other beaches.

The Lacem Beach is located west to Cabanas Island is perhaps the most secluded beach in the Tavira Island and it is reached by a narrow cross-country path until you reach the main land. This beach is rich in typical vegetation and normally deserted as it lacks support facilities or supervision and has no parking areas.

Cafes & Restaurants

Eating in Tavira is definitely an epicurean journey with traditional and typical gastronomic delights from all over Portugal to Mediterranean-inspired five-star dining.

The picturesque old fishing town of Tavira, in the Algarve, usually makes use of the lovely fresh ingredients to create the wonderful meals most restaurants in Tavira present to diners. Meat, fish, and seafood are definitely a requisite in their menus.

There is definitely plenty to choose from when it comes to restaurants in Tavira where you can enjoy a lovely, typical meal and relax.

Main Events

The Sea Gastronomy Festival is an event every year, when about 15 restaurants in the parishes of Cabanas de Tavira, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria and Santiago welcome guests to try fish dishes merging tradition with innovation.

The festival usually takes place in May and is a delightful way to join Tavira’s population and food lovers.

In June, the Popular Saints Festival is celebrated in Tavira, as in other cities of Portugal as well. The streets are filled with the aroma of grilled sardines, popular Portuguese music, and people dancing and singing the night away as they celebrate the Popular Saints.

Carnival is celebrated in Tavira when the city is decorated and wherever you look you will see colours and decorations strewn. There are a number of themed parties going on in different parishes. During Carnival people dress up as they wander through the streets dancing and singing. There is also a parade, where people get to show off their outfits and choreographies. This celebration takes its roots from the Brazilian carnival, although in a different way and with distinct traditions.

Every year, on the Sunday before Easter, locals gather to participate in a  religious event called Palm Sunday Procession, a tradition that began in the 18th century by the Carmelite Order of the city of Tavira. The Roman Bridge is strewn with lavender flowers, through which the procession crosses, as well as the streets of the riverside town before it returns to the church from where it set off. There are nine litters of gilded woodwork and images depicting the life of Christ from the Mount Olives to his crucifixion.

Other

Currency - Euro (EUR)

Language - Portuguese

Visas - Not needed for travellers from the US, Canada and Europe

Best Time To Visit - March – October

Timezone - Western European Standard Time (GMT)

Homosexual Activity - Legal