February 22, 2025, 9:49 am | Read time: 3 minutes
There are several old towns and fortresses worth seeing in the Portuguese Algarve. Tavira is one of the less well-known places in this country. If you enjoy strolling through the alleyways of old towns, like fresh fish, and still want the beach just around the corner, this is the place for you. TRAVELBOOK reveals why it’s still worth a visit and what there is to discover.
On the drive from Faro to Alcoutim, you will inevitably pass Tavira. The town is a surprise, and its location on both sides of a river and whitewashed houses are somewhat reminiscent of Porto. And this is not the only reason why it is worth spending more than just a few hours here.
Overview of the City
Long History
This charming little town dates back to the Phoenicians or Carthaginians. The Romans later settled in the neighborhood. Tavira enjoyed great importance in the past. In the 8th century, it was part of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Later, the town was a Moorish fortress.
The wealth that is still visible today also stems from the time when Tavira became the most important port in the Algarve. Various churches, including the Igreja da Misericórdia, built in 1541, and a castle complex with Roman-Moorish city walls are reminders of the glorious times. The Rio Gilao divides the original Phoenician harbor town into two halves, and a seven-arch Roman bridge connects them in a picturesque way (see large photo above). On one side is the Praça da República with the town hall, which has late medieval arcades.
Panoramic View of Tavira from the Castle Tower
The castle ruins above the town center, with their garden full of figs, roses, and oleanders, offer the best view of church towers, tiled hipped roofs, and the chimneys typical of the Algarve. From the top of the walls and the remains of the tower, you have a unique panoramic view.
At the mouth of the river, right next to the castle, the church of Santa Maria from the 13th century has a three-aisled baroque interior.
A Kilometer-Long Sandy Beach Right on the Doorstep
Below the old market hall, boats leave for the popular bathing island of Ilha de Tavira, with dunes and camping under pine trees and a sandy beach stretching for miles. Don’t forget to visit the Placido da Galeria, a Renaissance palace whose entrance area displays finds from the Phoenician era.
Of course, Tavira also has plenty of culinary delights to offer. Fish lovers, in particular, will get their money’s worth in the many small restaurants. According to the tourism portal Visit Portugal, specialties include octopus, mussel rice, and tuna, served either as a steak or cut into pieces.
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Getting to Tavira
Faro Airport is around 40 kilometers from Tavira. A shuttle bus takes visitors to the small town of 27,000 inhabitants in around half an hour. On the journey to Tavira, you will pass small villages nestled between the orange and olive groves.
Text contribution: Dieter Weirauch