Considered the most beautiful town in the Algarve, Tavira will take you on a journey through Portugal’s history. From its Roman origins to the Portuguese reconquest and the period of Moorish occupation, the different peoples who ruled the town all left their mark on it. It is one of the must-stop destinations on an Algarve road trip.
What are the best things to do in Tavira ? Which monuments should you not miss and where are the most beautiful beaches ? What is there to do nearby ? Where to stay in Tavira ? I share all my tips in this blog article.
What to do in Tavira ?
The history of Tavira dates back to the 8th century BC, when the Phoenicians founded the city. The Romans later occupied the Iberian Peninsula but built their town a little further away from the ruins of the Phoenician settlement. Tavira prospered between the 8th and 13th centuries under Moorish rule. They are responsible for the castle, several mosques (later destroyed by the Portuguese and replaced with churches), and the beautiful Roman bridge at the entrance to Tavira. The white walls of the houses in the historic center are also a legacy of the Moorish period. In 1242, the Christians regained control of the town after a bloody battle and turned it into an important port in the Algarve.
All the main sights and monuments are located in Tavira’s old town. It can easily be explored on foot, but you can also visit Tavira on the tourist train (€7). Another option is the tuk-tuk (€75 for the whole group), which will show you around the town and even take you to Cacela Velha (see below).
Roman Bridge of Tavira
The first written references to the old bridge spanning the Gilão River date from the 13th century, but it was probably built earlier. At that time it was part of the city’s defensive system. Two towers protected access to it, but they have since disappeared. The version of the Roman bridge we see today dates from the 17th century. The medieval structure collapsed in 1655.
The Roman bridge is entirely pedestrian and allows you to reach the south bank of the old town where most of the things to do in Tavira are located. Note that it is Roman in name only, the Romans did not build it.
Praça da República
Tavira’s main square is located right in front of the Roman bridge when arriving from the north. It is surrounded by many café and bar terraces, perfect for having a drink or an ice cream. Unfortunately there is no shade except under the terrace umbrellas. In summer it’s better to cross the square quickly so you don’t get roasted on the spot 🙂
Porta de Dom Manuel
To continue your visit of Tavira, take the staircase on the right at the end of Praça da República. It passes under the old city gate, which you might almost miss because it blends in with the surrounding houses. This stone arch, built in 1520 by Manuel I, once allowed people to pass through the walls of the old medieval town.
Igreja da Misericórdia
The Church of Mercy was built in 1541 by André Pilarte, a master craftsman trained on the construction sites of the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon (which I highly recommend visiting, it’s magnificent). The church has three naves whose arches rest on Renaissance-style columns. The main doorway (not the side entrance) is decorated with many animal motifs (seahorses, griffins, mermaids, eagles, demons, etc.).
Inside are three gilded carved wooden altarpieces from the 18th century. The Baroque-style windows were added in 1750 to allow light to shine on the altarpieces. The blue and white azulejos were created by a master from Lisbon in 1760. They depict the fourteen Works of Mercy that inspire the activities of the brotherhood, as well as several episodes from the life of Christ.
Upstairs there is a small ecclesiastical museum as well as a staircase that leads to the church’s rooftop terrace. From here you can enjoy a nice panorama of the town and the river (similar to the view from the castle).
Price : €3
Opening hours : Monday to Friday 10am–1pm and 2pm–5:30pm | Saturday 10am–12:30pm
Palacio da Galeria
This palace, built in the 16th century, takes its name from the Renaissance-style gallery located on the second floor. It was originally inhabited by the Aragão de Sousa family before being renovated in a Baroque style by its second owner in the mid-18th century. The town hall purchased it in 1863 and converted it into Tavira’s municipal museum in 2001.
The Palace of the Gallery hosts exhibitions that explore the history and diversity of the region’s heritage, while also taking into account new forms of contemporary artistic expression. We didn’t visit it ourselves as we’re not really into art. But if it rains in Tavira, it could still be an idea for something to do.
Price : €2 (€1 for students, seniors 65+, and ages 8–18)
Opening hours : 9:30am–1pm and 2pm–4:30pm. Closed Sunday and Monday
Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo
The Church of Santa Maria do Castelo (Saint Mary of the Castle), built on the site of a former mosque, was founded by the Order of Saint James after Tavira was taken from the Moors in 1242. It underwent many transformations over the centuries, particularly after the 1755 earthquake. An Italian architect gave it its current neoclassical style while incorporating Gothic, Manueline, and Baroque elements from the original church.
The church of Santa Maria do Castelo was undergoing renovations during our stay. We can’t seen much inside between the tarps and scaffolding, but they still asked to pay the €3 entrance fee. We clearly decided to skip it ! The renovation will be completed around October 2023. For a great view of the church, climb up onto the city walls (see below).
Price : €3 (€7 combined ticket for the 3 churches in the historic center)
Opening hours : Monday to Friday 10am–1pm and 2pm–5pm
Tavira Castle and Walls
Tavira Castle was built by the Moors during the 10th and 11th centuries, but its current appearance dates from the 17th century. The fortifications have fallen into ruin since they no longer serve a defensive purpose. The castle has been turned into a botanical garden (nothing spectacular), but I mainly recommend visiting it for the beautiful views over Tavira.
Be careful when taking the stairs up to the walls and towers, there are no safety barriers. It can be quite dangerous if you’re not sure-footed or if you have small children with you.
Price : free
Opening hours : 8:30am–7pm (5pm in winter)
Igreja de Santiago
This church, located just below the Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo, was built in the 13th century. Its patron saint (Santiago means Saint James in Portuguese) recalls the Christian reconquest of Tavira by the Order of Saint James in 1242. Like its neighbor, it suffered damage during the 1755 earthquake and was rebuilt in a rather simple style reflecting the lack of financial resources after the disaster.
Inside are objects from vanished convents and other churches. Once again, the best view of the church is from the city walls. You can go inside if you enjoy visiting churches, but it is not really a must things to do in Tavira.
Price : €3 (€7 combined ticket for the 3 churches in the historic center)
Opening hours : Monday to Friday 10am–1pm and 2pm–5pm
Streets of the old town
It’s while wandering through the cobbled streets of the historic center that you discover Tavira’s Arabic influence, characterized by white walls, Moorish-style doors, and rooftops. I recommend strolling through the pedestrian streets between the castle and the Gilão River when visiting Tavira. Most of the narrow streets are only accessible on foot, so the tourist train does not pass through here.
North of the town
Don’t forget to explore the northern part of the town when you visit Tavira. By crossing the Roman bridge you reach another charming, livelier district. Most of the restaurants and bars are located in this area. The architecture of the houses north of the bridge differs from the Moorish style. You’ll find many buildings whose façades are covered with azulejos, decorative ceramic tiles. If you’ve already been to Lisbon, you’re probably familiar with this type of decoration.
Where to stay in Tavira ?
Staying in Tavira is a great idea for exploring the eastern Algarve. The town is very pleasant for strolling, having a drink, or going out for dinner. It’s also an excellent base for exploring the region. Here are a few places I recommend, particularly for their good value for money. To get the best prices, book well in advance or travel outside the summer holidays (July and August).
- 53 € : HI Tavira – Pousada de Juventude, this youth hostel is ideal for budget travelers. It offers double rooms with shared bathrooms as well as dormitories for backpackers (€21 per night). Breakfast is included.
- 60 € : Discovery Tavira, very well located for visiting Tavira, this accommodation offers rooms with terraces overlooking a garden. There are also apartments with a living and/or dining area if you want to cook your own meals.
- 63 € : Fazendinha – Spacious and tranquil, spacious and tranquil. Located outside the town so you can enjoy the quiet countryside with a large swimming pool, this property offers rooms for 2 to 4 people. Only a 5-minute drive from Tavira.
- 80 € : Downtown Alegria B&B, in the heart of the old town, this guesthouse has lovely rooms with views of the town or the castle. Perfect if you want to be close to everything. Free street parking if you come by car.
- 102 € : Authentic Tavira Hotel, this 2-star hotel offers beautiful modern rooms for two or three people, with breakfast available as an option. It also has a rooftop pool to relax after a day of sightseeing in the heat.
- 105 € : Casa Branca, this countryside guesthouse with a lovely pool offers modern rooms with terraces. Breakfast and free parking are included in the price. This was our accommodation for visiting Tavira and the region, and we recommend it !
Where to eat and have a drink ?
Tavira has many excellent restaurants, and tourists know it. Many visitors come in the evening to have a drink and eat in town. As a result, you absolutely need to reserve a table if you want to dine in a well-known restaurant. I was quite surprised by the number of Indian restaurants, I didn’t expect that at all in Portugal.
For drinks, I recommend heading to one of the many bars lining both sides of the Gilão River from the Roman bridge. As for restaurants, you’ll have plenty of choice in the old town. As usual, it’s best to rely on online reviews (Google and TripAdvisor for example) when choosing. But it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed in Tavira, tourist trap restaurants don’t seem to be the city’s specialty.
We personally tried two restaurants that we recommend : O Tonel (reservation essential, it’s a Lonely Planet favorite) and Abstracto, a typically Portuguese restaurant. Both are located in the part of town north of the Roman bridge.
What to do around Tavira ?
Cacela Velha
This tiny village built around a fort is located 10 km east of Tavira toward the Spanish border. The site has fairly ancient origins, as it was already a stopover for Greek and Phoenician sailors. There isn’t much to do there except enjoy the scenery while walking through the three streets that make up Cacela Velha. The white and blue houses with their flower gardens are charming. The fort cannot be visited, but you can enter the church.
Below the village you can enjoy Cacela Velha Beach, which is accessible via a trail. However, you first have to cross the lagoons (about 400 m wide), which can clearly be seen in the photo I took with the drone.
Ilha da Tavira
This island, part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, is located opposite Tavira. It is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the park, particularly for its white sand beaches surrounded by dunes and vegetation. Praia da Ilha de Tavira, the beach closest to the town, is crowded in summer. On site you’ll find bars, private beach areas, and facilities for water sports. We didn’t go there ourselves, as we visited Tavira in May and the water wasn’t warm enough for swimming.
The connection between Tavira’s town center and the island is provided by a ferry operated by Silnido (€2.50 round trip). The timetable varies depending on the season, so it’s best to check their website.
If you want to discover the Ria Formosa park with its distinctive wildlife and flora, I recommend this cruise to the Ria Formosa islands departing from Tavira (from €15 per person). A stop on the beaches for swimming is also included.
Faro, capital of the Algarve
This is the gateway to the Algarve if you arrive by plane (the airport is 7 km from the city). There’s a good chance you’ll pass through Faro during your stay in southern Portugal. While most tourists head straight to the coastal resorts, Faro has a charming old town surrounded by walls that deserves a visit. Allow at least half a day to discover the cathedral, monuments, and museums.
To make sure you don’t miss anything to see or do in the city, I invite you to read my article about things to do in Faro.
Dolphin Watching Boat Tour
Set off to discover dolphins living freely in the ocean on this 2.5-hour cruise. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the dolphin species living near the Ria Formosa in Portugal. The boat’s skipper will take you to areas where dolphins are often seen, with a 95% chance of spotting them.
This dolphin-watching boat trip departs from Cabanas de Tavira, the town’s seaside resort area. It is easily accessible from the old town by car (10 minutes). Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity.
Tips and travel guide for visiting Tavira
How to get to Tavira ?
Since I recommend exploring the Algarve on a road trip, renting a car is the best way to discover southern Portugal. To find a vehicle at a great price, I recommend AutoEurope, which offers very competitive rates. I personally always use this comparison site whenever I need to rent a car.
If you don’t want to drive or have a very small budget, you can reach Tavira by train (€3.20 – 35 minutes) or by bus (€4.35 – 1 hour) from the capital Faro. Connections are quite frequent, with around ten departures per day.
Parking in Tavira
Tavira has several free parking lots, but they quickly fill up in the late afternoon and early evening when tourists head into town for dinner. We used several times the free parking lot north of Tavira along the river (GPS coordinates), which is very close to the bars and restaurants. Be careful, we encountered someone trying to scam tourists in this parking lot (he must have trained in Naples). The parking is indeed free.
How long to spend in Tavira ?
Since the medieval town is relatively small, you can plan half a day to visit Tavira. That’s enough time to see the main sights listed in this guide. However, the town is so charming that you’ll likely want to return, especially in the evening, to enjoy its excellent restaurants and bars along the river. We spent two evenings in Tavira, which we clearly preferred over the surrounding towns.
This Tavira travel guide should now help you organize your stay in the town and in the Algarve. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section of the blog.