Top 10 Things to Do in Tavira, Portugal

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Looking for the best things to do in Tavira, Portugal? This list of what to do in Tavira covers all the top attractions in and around one of the most charming towns in the Algarve, in southern Portugal.

I visited Tavira this year for the second time and fell in love with it all over again.

Tavira is a hidden gem, a world away from the crowds and tourist traps of more popular Algarve beach towns like Albufeira or Lagos.

Here you can enjoy the authentic Algarve, from secluded beaches and stunning nature to picturesque fishermen’s villages where time seems to have stopped.

Read More:

• 10 Great Things to Do in Central Alentejo, Portugal
• Top 10 Best Yoga Retreats in Portugal: A Local’s Guide

 

How to get around Tavira, Algarve

Tavira itself is a small town and easily explored by foot.

As almost everywhere in Portugal, public transportation is scarce and often late.

If you’d like to see more and visit the nearby villages and beaches, I’d recommend renting a car.

If you don’t feel like driving, you can take a tuk-tuk ride, join a boat tour, or hop on Tavira’s tourist train.

 

What to do in Tavira

#1 Enjoy the views from the Tavira Castle

Find your way up to the medieval Castle of Tavira and enjoy the lovely views over the historic center and the Gilão River.

There’s also a small but pleasant garden around the fortress worth visiting.

 

#2 Explore the old town

Take some time to wander through the picturesque old town of Tavira.

Some of the top attractions here are:

– the pedestrian Roman Bridge over the Gilão River, the most iconic symbol of Tavira;

– Praça da República, the town’s main square, and meeting point;

– the camera obscura, offering a 360-degree view of Tavira;

– Tavira’s many churches, including the beautiful churches of Santa Maria do Castelo and Misericórdia.

 

#3 Learn about Tavira’s Moorish legacy

One of the most interesting things to do in Tavira is to visit the Nucleo Islâmico museum.

In this small museum, you can learn about Tavira’s Moorish era and admire remarkable Islamic pieces found around town, like the famous Tavira vase.

 

#4 Mingle with the locals at Santa Luzia

Santa Luzia is a quaint fishing village known as the octopus’ capital.

It’s the smallest village in the municipality of Tavira, and the perfect place to witness the traditional local life.

Santa Luzia is located on the edge of Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, offering stunning views over the park.

It has also the best beach in the region, Praia da Terra Estreita, only accessible by ferry from its port.

 

#5 Enjoy Tavira Island’s secluded beaches

With its white sandy beaches, extensive dunes and turquoise waters, the Island of Tavira is a hidden paradise.

Praia da Terra Estreira is the best and quieter beach on the island.

There are a small beach bar and an area with sun loungers and parasols that is usually full.

But walk just a bit further and you’ll have the beach all for yourself.

 

#6 Taste the local food

From tuna and octopus to oysters and clams, Tavira has no shortage of fresh fish and seafood.

There are many places where you can taste the delicious local food (you can find my recommendations about the best places to eat in Tavira in the next section of this post).

Some typical dishes are estupeta de atum (tuna), salada de polvo (octopus), and muxeta de atum.

But there are many other Portuguese dishes worth trying during your visit to the Algarve, like Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice) or Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato (clams).

 

#7 Get the train to Praia do Barril

Praia do Barril is another great beach on Tavira Island.

This beach was once home to a community of tuna fishermen and their families.

Today, the old fishermen’s houses were turned into restaurants, bars, and shops

To get to Praia do Barril, you can walk over the bridge that crosses the Ria Formosa Natural Park, or get the old freight train now converted into a tourist attraction.

We did both and, either way, the gorgeous views over the park are impossible to ignore.

 

#8 See an anchors’ cemetery

A beautiful testimony of the former tuna fishing community of Barril Beach is the anchors’ cemetery on the sand dunes overlooking the ocean.

This is also one of the most “instagrammable” places in Tavira, so go ahead and take some gorgeous photos.

 

#9 Visit Cabanas de Tavira

Cabanas (which is Portuguese for huts) receives more tourists than any other village in Tavira.

But worry not.

Cabanas de Tavira still resists the effects of mass tourism you can see in some places in the Algarve.

Its name comes from the first huts built here centuries ago to support tuna fishing.

Currently, fishing is still one of the village’s main economic activities, as you can see (and taste) in its many waterside restaurants.

Cabanas has also a picturesque promenade overlooking Ria Formosa National Park, and a lovely beach.

 

#10 Take a tour of Ria Formosa Nature Reserve

The Algarve is home to one of the most important wetlands in the world, the Ria Formosa National Park, known for its rich biodiversity.

This unique coastal lagoon is also one of the most beautiful places in the region, with an impressive diversity of habitats and landscapes, from barrier islands, salt marshes, islets, tidal flats, saltpans, dunes, and freshwater lagoons, to agricultural areas and woodlands.

Besides marveling at the amazing views, there’s actually a lot you can do here, including birdwatching, guided walking tours, bike rides, boat trips, or kayaking.

You can book a Ria Formosa boat cruise here.

 

Recommended Tavira restaurants

Marisqueira Fialho

Located in Luz de Tavira, Marisqueira Fialho is a must-visit seafood restaurant with spectacular views over Ria Formosa Natural Park.

The place itself is unpretentious, but the food is among the best you’ll find in Tavira.

We started with clams and oysters and then tried the seafood rice and the grilled shrimp skewer.

Everything was delicious!

Make sure to book in advance, since it gets very busy, especially during the summer.

 

Restaurante Ideal

If you’re looking for a typical restaurant with top food and an authentic local flair in Cabanas de Tavira, Restaurante Ideal is the right choice for you.

The restaurant is not pretty or fancy, but the food is divine.

The sea soup in Algarve bread, the tuna sticks, and the octopus’ cakes are some of the specialties.

For dessert try the vinegar pudding or the mixed tart with carob, fig, and almond.

Just don’t forget to book your table in advance, if you’re visiting in peak season.

 

Noélia e Jerónimo

Noélia e Jerónimo is famous not only in the Algarve but throughout the country.

And justifiably so.

All the creations of Chef Noélia are made with the freshest local ingredients and out of this world.

From avocado and prawn tapas or clam soup to braised tuna with ginger and mango rice or the fried octopus with sweet potato, the best modern Algarve cuisine is served here.

Of course, its popularity means that it is not always easy to get a table, so book well in advance.

 

Where to stay in Tavira

Pedras d’el Rei

Located in the heart of Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, in Santa Luzia, Pedras d’el Rei is the perfect place to enjoy the best of Tavira.

Pedras d’el Rei is a beach resort with a traditional and calm atmosphere. Its apartments and villas host from 2 to up to 7 people and are ideal for couples, families or groups of friends traveling together.

The resort has several restaurants with a terrace, bar, an outdoor swimming pool, and beauty and massage services.

There’s also a complimentary mini-train service to Praia do Barril and free parking spaces.

What’s more, you can even bring your dog since this place is pet-friendly.

Click here for more info and booking.

 

Lux Tavira Residence

Set in Luz de Tavira, in the scenic Ria Formosa Natural Park, Lux Tavira Residence comprises 31 luxurious villas, 3 swimming pools and green outside areas.

All villas have a balcony and a terrace with views over Ria Formosa, as well as free wi-fi.

This quiet and modern resort, inspired by the traditional Algarve architecture, is absolutely beautiful and ideal for families.

We stayed here for 2 nights and I can’t recommend it enough!

Click here for more info and booking.

 

So there you have it. All the best things to do, eat and see in Tavira, Portugal, to enjoy the Algarve off the beaten path.

 

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More travel tips

Travel Insurance

SafetyWing – Travel insurance is very important and you should never leave home without it! I use and recommend SafetyWing travel medical insurance for travelers, remote workers, and nomads.

They cover overseas medical assistance in case of accident or illness, travel delay or interruption, lost checked luggage, emergency medical or political evacuation, natural disasters, and personal liability, at very competitive prices.

You can subscribe online here for a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 364 days, or opt for a monthly subscription instead.

 

Cheap flights

Looking for the best airfare deals? Skyscanner is my favorite travel search engine for finding cheap flights around the world. They also offer price tracking and alerts to help you secure the best deals.

 

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation, Booking.com is the best site out there. From hotels to apartments, resorts, villas, B&B, and guest houses, it offers the best prices for accommodation all over the world. I book the vast majority of my stays through them.

 

Yoga Retreats

Looking for a yoga retreat near home or in an exotic destination? BookYogaRetreats offers the best yoga retreats, holidays, and courses around the world for all budgets and levels of experience.

 

Tours

GetYourGuide is my favorite platform for local tours, unique experiences, and skip-the-line tickets to attractions all around the world.

Klook is another great resource for tours and activities, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Asia.

 

Car Rentals

Booking.com has a car rental search engine that compares the biggest brands in car hire and allows you to find the cheapest deals all around the world.

 

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Have you been to Tavira, Algarve? What would you add to this list of things to do in Tavira? Share in the comments section below!

 

Read more:

• Portugal off the beaten path: 2 weeks in Portugal itinerary by a local
• Azores itinerary: things to do in Terceira Island, Portugal
• 3 days in Lisbon: The Ultimate Lisbon Itinerary by a Local

 

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