Tavira is a charming little town in Algarve, Portugal. It’s the perfect place to escape the tourist crowds of Lagos or Albufeira; and enjoy your Portuguese vacation in peace. It is often known as the ‘Rome of the Algarve’ because of its rich heritage.
1. Beautiful and Secluded Beaches
Tavira is blessed with some amazing white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and sand dunes; making it a hidden paradise. The waters here are calm and warm; and the beaches offer sun loungers and parasols for relaxation.
The Praia de Tavira beach is the busiest but Praia do Barril and Praia de Terra Estreita are other beaches that have to be reached by ferries.
There are lifeguards too, which make these beaches safe for a family vacation too. The beaches are also suitable to learn kitesurfing or stand-up paddleboarding.
2. Enjoy the Charming Town
The city, an ancient Moorish town, brims with culture of Algarve. The pretty narrow streets, bustling squares, the charming Roman bridge, traditional Portuguese architecture, and the beautiful Gilão River; all make it worth a stroll.
Tavira offers all the fun and amenities with fewer crowds. It is not an ideal place that offers crazy nightlife, but instead offers a peaceful time.
3. Check Out Stunning Art
The city is known for a great collection of jewelry, artisan goodies, beauty products, and decorations; spread over in various unique shops and concept stores.
They also have great options in clothing, ceramics, and textiles. Visit the local craft markets to see all these at one place.
You may also visit the Núcleo Museológico Islâmico to check out artifacts like oil lamps, tiles, and pots.
Fado com Historia is an attraction where you can experience the traditional Fado, a Portuguese music genre.
4. Get Closer to Nature
Ria Formosa Nature Park, a unique coastal lagoon, is abundant with sea life and the thousands of migratory birds that visit. The park boasts of diverse landscapes and can be explored by a boat tour or by a kayak.
5. Try the Delicious Cuisine
The city will amuse you with its delicious delicacies, especially fresh seafood. Santa Luzia, a small fishing town, can actually be visited to see exclusive octopus fishing too.
Try local dishes like Arroz de Marisco (seafood rice), salad de polvo (octopus), cataplana de marisco (seafood stew), estupeta de atum (tuna salad), and many more. Try some Bolinhas, a delicious version of doughnut.
6. Abundant Sighseeing
The town offers great attractions too. There are 37 churches (highest number in Portugal) like Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo and Misericórdia.
Praia do Barril is not only famous for its beach, but is also known for the sand dunes and the Anchor cemetery boasting of rusty anchors in the sand.
The Jardim do Coreto, built in the 1890s, is the oldest public park and boasts of a serene ambiance.
Enjoy panoramic views by visiting the Castle of Tavira, which was built in the 1000s.
Visit Torre de Tavira – camera obscura to get a 360 degree view of the city.
7. An Affordable Choice
Last but not the least; the town is pocket-friendly! The town is lesser known and isn’t flooded with tourists and is built by locals according to the Portuguese market.