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    Tavira

    Portugal

    Tavira

    CityCulture

    Tavira is one of the Algarve's most beautiful towns: white houses with hipped roofs, many churches, and an old bridge over the Rio Gilão. Outside the town are the lagoons of the Ria Formosa and the sandy island Ilha de Tavira.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Portugal
    7. Algarve
    9. Tavira
    Tavira is one of the Algarve's most beautiful towns: white houses with hipped roofs, many churches, and an old bridge over the Rio Gilão. Outside the town are the lagoons of the Ria Formosa and the sandy island Ilha de Tavira.

    Sights in Tavira

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Tavira Ciência Viva Center

    1Tavira Ciência Viva Center

    A small interactive science center at Largo do Carmo, great for kids.
    Open in Google Maps
    Igreja da Misericórdia

    2Igreja da Misericórdia

    The 16th-century Church of Misericórdia features a richly decorated Renaissance portal, with Azulejos and gilded altars inside. It's located on the way from the bridge up to the castle.
    Open in Google Maps
    Castelo de Tavira
    Castle

    3Castelo de Tavira

    Remains of the castle walls on the old town hill, inside a small garden. From the walls, you see over the hip roofs and church towers to the lagoon. Right next to it stands the Church of Santa Maria do Castelo.
    Open in Google Maps
    Ilha de Tavira
    Attraction

    4Ilha de Tavira

    Long sandy island off the city with kilometres of beach and a few beach cafés. Ferries run from the city centre and from Quatro Águas, more frequently in summer than in winter.
    Open in Google Maps

    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Fado com História

    Restaurant in R. Damião Augusto de Brito Vasconcelos 4.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Nikita

    Restaurant in R. Dr. Parreira 113.
    Show on Google Maps
    3

    Restaurante O Coreto

    Restaurant in R. José Pires Padinha 2.
    Show on Google Maps

    Culture

    Tavira was an important port for trade with North Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries and long thrived on tuna fishing. An earthquake in the 18th century and the silting up of the harbour ended this heyday. Typical are the four-sided hip roofs, known as Telhados de Tesoura. The city is also famous for its octopus and tuna dishes.

    On the go

    The centre is explored on foot. Tavira is on the Algarve railway, with trains to Faro and Vila Real de Santo António. Ilha de Tavira is reached by ferry, in summer also by water taxi.

    Accommodations in Tavira

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    Campgrounds in Tavira

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      Trip to Tavira

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      • 1Tavira Ciência Viva Center3 days
      • 2Igreja da Misericórdia4 days
      • 3Castelo de Tavira5 days
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    Nearby

    Algarve

    Algarve

    The Algarve is Portugal's south coast and the country's most famous holiday destination. To the west, golden limestone cliffs, grottoes, and small coves define the scenery; to the east, flat sandy islands and the lagoons of the Ria Formosa. Between them lie fishing villages, resorts, and a quiet, hilly hinterland.
    Faro

    Faro

    Faro is the capital of the Algarve and for most, merely the airport. Yet, the city boasts a tranquil, walled old town with a cathedral, a lively pedestrian zone, and right on its doorstep, the lagoons of the Ria Formosa.
    Albufeira

    Albufeira

    Albufeira is the largest resort on the Algarve. The former fishing village became a city with many hotels, bars and beaches. The small old town above Praia dos Pescadores has preserved its white core.
    Mértola

    Mértola

    Mértola lies on a rock above the Guadiana, in the far south of the Alentejo. The small town was an important Roman port, later a centre of the Islamic Gharb. The main church was formerly a mosque, its prayer niche is still preserved.
    Silves

    Silves

    Silves is located in the hinterland of the Algarve on the Rio Arade and was the region's capital under the Moors. A red sandstone castle towers above the white houses; oranges grow all around.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI