40 lovely things to do in Tavira, Portugal: the jewel of the Algarve

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Here are some of the best things to do in Tavira, Portugal, that I personally recommend after spending a month there recently. Tavira is one of the most beautiful and interesting towns in the Algarve. It’s totally unlike some of the tourist-orientated and tacky areas that you might think of in the Algarve. I feel like I know Tavira really well now, so wanted to share some ideas for my readers who may be planning a trip here. This guide should give you a good flavour of the place and help you cobble together a bit of an itinerary. 

Tavira is set on the banks of the Gilão River, with classic Portuguese whitewashed buildings and those iconic terracotta-tiled rooftops. The town overall is incredibly clean and pretty, perfect for mooching around and relaxing but also packed with stuff to see and do, including museums, galleries and quaint independent shops to browse. It has a plethora of cafés and restaurants where you can find the best Algarvian food and drinks (I actually have a full guide to restaurants in Tavira as well, if you’re looking specifically for eating recommendations). Tavira is nicely bustling with good bars and an atmosphere at night, too. And of course, the sea is close at hand wherever you are in the town. Bliss.

If this all sounds up your street, pour yourself a vinho and read on for 40 of the best things to do in Tavira…

Things to do in Tavira, Algarve

Just a quick note before I get stuck into this blog post.

I’m only covering things to do in the town of Tavira itself in this list (other than mentioning that you can use the train for some day trips). I don’t include other towns nearby, attractions outside of Tavira, or anything that requires a taxi or a car to get to.

Right, let’s go…

1. Stroll through the pretty garden at the castle

Anywhere in Portugal that’s had a bit of a Moorish influence usually has a good old castle. Tavira is no exception.

It’s just the semi-ruined castle walls remaining now, but inside them is a beautiful and colourful garden. In spring, there’s an array of poppies, cosmos and antirrhinum carpeting the borders. A huge bougainvillaea grows over the castle gate (the perfect photography spot). You can walk up the castle walls to see over the rooftops and across the town to the river. Climb up the ruins of the watchtower for the best view. On a clear day, this is one of the best views in Tavira.

Just outside the castle gate is the Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo. You should also visit this as you can go up to its bell tower for more views (see #12 of this list).

2. Visit the Camera Obscura to spy on the whole town

One of the best things to do in Tavira on a sunny, clear day is to visit its camera obscura, which is at the top of a converted water tower. I’ve just realised while typing this that some of my other favourite places (Edinburgh, Lisbon, Dumfries & Galloway and the Isle of Man) also have a camera obscura… and Scottish indie legends Camera Obscura are one of my favourite bands. Apparently, I have a running theme of camera-obscuras in my life. Anyway…

If you don’t know what a camera obscura is, it’s basically a dark room with a little hole or lens somewhere, through which a live image is projected using mirrors onto a surface. In Tavira’s case, views of the town are projected onto a sort of revolving table in the room. Don’t ask me how it actually works. Magic, I expect.

You have to pay a small fee of 5€ to go up to the camera obscura (stairs or lift available). It’s well worth it. The guide will talk you through the history of the town and show you all the main landmarks. He even zooms in on anything interesting going on. The things he must have been able to spy on over the years! It’s the ultimate people-watching fun. If you’ve been to one before, you’ve probably also seen them put a folded piece of paper on the image of a road so that cars/scooters go over it like a ramp. I’ve seen this at all the ones I’ve been to. Yet it remains highly entertaining. 

Do check opening times on the official Tavira Eye website before you go. It’s closed on certain days and at some times of the year.

3. Have a glass or three of vinho verde

Vinho verde is the best wine. I don’t even particularly like wine but omg, I really can’t say no to a glass of this stuff. It’s quite acidic and fresh, which is right up my street. It also never gives me a headache, unlike pretty much all other wine. And it’s everywhere in Tavira; in fact, it’s rare to find a drinks menu without it on. Make sure you pronounce it properly if you want to avoid sounding like a tourist: veen-yo vairdh, not veen-oh ver-dee.

Despite being on every menu in town, the wine doesn’t actually come from the Algarve. It’s from the Vinho Verde wine region in the north of Portugal but it’s sold all over the country. The name translates literally as ‘green wine’ but this isn’t about colour but age. It means ‘young wine’. So it isn’t just a green-coloured wine. It can be rosé, red or white, as long as it’s guzzled at a young age. White is the most popular but red is my favourite; you can find that at a proper wine bar.

A glass of vinho verde is usually about 2€ in Tavira and it’s always delicious. Cheers! Saúde!

4. See the blue and white tiles inside the Igreja da Misericórdia Tavira

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know that I get very ‘churched out’ in European cities. I don’t mind popping into a couple but they generally only interest me if they have some spectacular architecture or intriguing features. Well, Tavira’s gorgeous Igreja da Misericórdia is one I deem very worthy of going into. The other one is the Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo, mentioned in #12 of this list. They’re close together, so you can do them both in an hour or so easily.

The Igreja da Misericórdia is tucked down a side street between Praça da República (the main square in Tavira) and the street going up to the castle. It has a very ordinary exterior. It’d be easy to stroll past without a second glance. I was only drawn in because I spotted the gift shop through the door selling lots of Portuguese tile trinkets and then realised the church had been on my to-do list from all my online research.

Once you’re inside, you’ll find probably the most impressive church interior in the Algarve. The walls are lined with incredible blue and white azulejo tiles depicting various religious scenes. There’s a brilliantly ornate ceiling and the altar is a gleaming gold Baroque masterpiece. Oh and there’s a bell tower you can go up for pretty views.

It’s a very nominal 3€ to get into the Igreja da Misericórdia.

5. Treat yourself to an exquisite meal at Cercle – one of the best things to do in Tavira for foodies

If you want to treat yourself to a really special (yet still incredibly affordable) posh meal, perhaps for the last night of your visit to Tavira, then book a table at Cercle. This is a really, really beautiful restaurant. Just look at the flowers and fairy lights and mural of a thrush outside. And the interior is so chic.

But unlike lots of posh and Instagrammable eateries, Cercle is actually excellent for food too. The lemon, apple and celery dessert is Michelin star stuff. Definitely the best place I’ve eaten in Tavira. And as you’ll gather as you read this blog post, I’ve done a lot of eating there.

Although it’s obviously more of a fine dining experience than a lot of places I recommend in this list, Cercle isn’t super expensive. A starter is about 7€ and a main between 16 and 22€ (again, I’m never sure about meat prices as I don’t eat it). You can pay a lot more for food that isn’t a patch on this. 

If you want more food tips, I do mention a few throughout this guide, but I also have a separate one just about restaurants in Tavira, so that might be of interest to you.

6. Get a vegan ice cream from Fábrica Do Meu Avô Geladaria

No sunny holiday is complete without an ice cream or two, preferably of the gelato variety. The best ice cream in Tavira comes from Fábrica Do Meu Avô Geladaria right in the centre of town. It’s absolutely delicious.

It can be tricky finding vegan ice cream in Portugal but they do a couple of flavours here. One is pistachio, which I know a lot of people go wild for, but the best one is just ‘black vegan’ i.e. proper dark cocoa butter chocolate flavour. It tastes like the richest, creamiest chocolate mousse imaginable and is a proper decadent treat. I have to limit myself to only one a week when I’m in Tavira. Otherwise, it would be a serious addiction and I’d not get into any of my clothes.

They do cow milk ice cream too, but even if you’re not vegan I’d recommend having the black vegan one. You won’t regret it.

7. Stroll across the Roman Bridge, which isn’t really Roman

Despite being called the Roman Bridge, this bridge is actually not Roman at all. It is a big fat liar that dates back to Moorish times and the current structure was built in 1667. But once upon a time, there was a Roman road there that linked Faro and Castro Marim, so this is where the name comes from.

The Roman Bridge is a cobbled, picturesque, pedestrian-only bridge that takes you across the Gilão River. It has some jutting-out bits with inbuilt seating so you can tuck into one and watch the world go by. You’ll not only spot people walking past but a variety of pretty wading birds and millions of tiny crabs in the mudbanks of the river. It’s also a perfect vantage point for enjoying the view of Tavira up the hill with the castle, camera obscura and various churches on the horizon.

8. Choose some nice homeware bits from Casa das Portas

Casa das Portas is one of the several lovely independent shops Tavira has. Get your souvenirs at one of these beauties, not one of the shops selling generic plastic tat from China and bits of cork you’ll only put in a cupboard when you get home.

Casa das Portas sells some really nice candles, reed diffusers, jewellery, scarves, ornaments, mugs and so on. There are plenty of small bits you can easily get in your suitcase. It’s all beautifully curated. You could definitely pick up a few presents for people here.

Just watch your luggage weight limit with ceramics: they can add on the kg quickly. I know from bitter experience.

9. Get the ferry across to the Ilha de Tavira – one of the best things to do in Tavira on a sunny day

Tavira has its very own little island paradise just south of the town, complete with beautiful sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and cool beach bars. You can get the ferry (from here: Google Maps location) to the Ilha de Tavira (Tavira Island) in about 20 minutes. This is one of the nicest things to do in Tavira on a warm day. I love it there. 

The ferry is 2.20€ for a return ticket. Bargainous. It runs every 30 or 60 minutes (depending on the time of year: check at the kiosk). Bring a denim jacket or something as it can be deceptively windy on the beach, even on a hot day. Oh and be warned: there’s a nudist area. Watch out for that if you’ve just had lunch. 

Tavira Island tends to attract a mixture of ages and is clean and civilised. It isn’t the kind of place where you’re dodging screeching children in the sand. The island is also part of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, known for its flocks of flamingoes. You might spot some of these pretty pink chaps as the ferry sails past the mudflats. They’re a delight. If you want to see them closer up, you can do a specific trip (see #33 of this list).

Even when the ferry is full, everyone disperses and the island doesn’t seem to get too crowded. Walk through the little pine forest full of picnic tables to find a secluded spot, or head to the main golden sands and stroll along to the pretty red-and-white lighthouse: a good photo spot. For lunch or a drink, I recommend O Ferreira. You can usually get a table but there’s a buzzy atmosphere and the seafood is great. 

I’m writing a full guide to Tavira Island so will link to that here when it’s done.

10. Have a drink in a hidden courtyard in a bright yellow former convent

This courtyard is a real hidden gem. I almost don’t want to share it with my (admittedly relatively small!) blog readership. But I’m nice like that, so here you go. I’ve been several times and had the place to myself, yet it’s one of the most gorgeous spots in Tavira.

You can find it in the Pousada Convento de Tavira. Isn’t it beautiful? Yellow is my favourite colour so it’s like heaven for me. Despite being in a hotel, the courtyard and its bar are accessible to the public as this is an important historical building.

The Convento de Nossa Senhora da Graça was founded in the 16th century by King Sebastião. After falling into disrepair, it was used as a military barracks until the 1970s before being restored into this posh hotel. While they were doing it up, they found part of a 13th-century Islamic street, as you do in the Algarve, so the foundations are now displayed in the hotel’s small exhibition.

But the real beauty of the place is just sitting with a drink in one of these shady yellow archways, listening to the birdsong from above. I’m always a bit nervous going into hotels with bars open to non-residents in case they’re funny about it, but I can confirm it’s absolutely fine here and well worth going. 

11. Stay somewhere with a balcony and watch the world go by

You can’t beat sitting on a balcony on your first evening as the sun goes down, drinking a beer and deciding where to go to eat, with the sounds of people on the street below. Absolute bliss. 

There’s always something going on in the squares and streets of Tavira, which makes it an excellent people-watching location. I’m always mildly disappointed with any apartment I book that doesn’t have a balcony (I bankrupt myself in places like Lisbon!).

Here are two apartments in Tavira I recommend:

• Casa Cristina – This is a beautiful apartment on a quiet road in the centre, with a big balcony that two people can sit out on easily and have a meal or drink. I have a special place in my heart for it as it’s where I stayed on my first visit to Tavira.
• Casa Oliverio – This is a bigger apartment and I think I like it slightly better (both are lovely though). It actually doesn’t have a proper balcony that you can sit on, it’s just a Juliette balcony. But you can put a chair just inside and have the door open, which is near enough. It looks out over the vibrant Bishop’s Square one way and to the river the other way. My favourite thing is watching people go to use the cash machine on the street outside and then realising it charges for withdrawals and angrily cancelling the process (there’s a cash machine that doesn’t charge about 2 minutes away, if anyone’s wondering).

I really recommend staying at either of these places. They’re both spotlessly clean, really well equipped (the kitchens have everything that you want from self-catering places), and have all the little home comforts like fluffy dressing gowns (which you might need on cooler mornings).

12. Climb the bell tower of the Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo

Just outside Tavira’s castle is the Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo, a church that was built where a mosque used to be. An earthquake in 1755 caused huge damage to the original building (and much of Tavira) so it was rebuilt. It’s this Baroque design you see today, other than a few original bits inside.

Tavira has a ridiculous amount of churches to see, and this one isn’t the most exciting inside TBH. But it’s worth going in in order to climb up the bell tower for some gorgeous views of the city. It’s a dead easy short climb up. Just watch out if you’re doing it on the hour because the bell will do its exceptionally loud ding-donging right in your face.

13. Visit the market, especially if you’re staying in a self-catering apartment – one of the best things to do in Tavira if you love cooking

I love a proper food market and Tavira’s is an absolute stonker. The best time to go is a Saturday morning when it’s full of all the fruit, veg, fish, spices and craft stalls, plus live music. But even if you visit on a weekday when not all the stalls are open, it’s very much worth the traipse across town.

The produce is all fresh and mostly very local and it all tastes AMAZING. If you’re staying in a self-catering place, this is where you should do your food shopping. As I’m typing this paragraph, I’ve been in Tavira for a month and have been going here every week for fruit and veg. We come out with a huge bag of goodies and never spend more than about 15€.

I particularly recommend getting:

• lettuce: I have salad for lunch every day of my life. Normally it’s a bit of a chore and I don’t really enjoy the lettuce bit, but lettuce from Tavira’s market hits differently.
• tomatoes: the BEST fruit in the Algarve. Algarvian tomatoes taste so strongly of tomato you’ll wonder what Waitrose is playing at. Get the big fat pale lumpy ones for cooking and the bright red shiny ones for salads.
• papaya: the most underrated fruit in the world. You can get huge ones at the market.
• salt: Algarvian salt is the best – and you can see the salt pans where it comes from in Tavira.
• grelos: this is a sort of tasty dark green leaf from a type of turnip, usually grown in Galicia, Spain, but also popular in Portugal. They’re like broccoli meets spinach, or ‘rapini’ if you’re familiar with that. You can use them through stir-fries and pasta dishes, or as a side serving. 

14. Sit by the riverside at Terraze with an Aperol Spritz

Terraze is my favourite bar to head to in Tavira on a sunny day. It has a stylish indoor bit but in good weather, you can sit outside and be almost right on top of the river.

I love watching all the little crabs pootling about on the riverbanks and waving their claws around. You can also spot different wading birds dabbling about. It’s very relaxing and also a real sun trap. But there are brollies on some tables for shade if you want it.

Terraze’s excellent Aperol Spritz (as pictured above!) is the best I’ve had in Tavira. They also do an alternative beer to the usual Sagres/Superbock choices available in most places in Portugal.

15. Buy some artisan trinkets from Armazem

Another of my favourite independent shops in Tavira is this little treasure trove on the Roman Bridge. It doesn’t have a name or anything outside, but it’s called Armazém Português according to its business card. You can find it here. There’s another branch of it nearby, but this one is better.

The shop sells everything from candles to crockery, jewellery, and tote bags. Keep an eye out for the gold-rimmed bowls in natural, earthy tones and the Portuguese tiles card game (which would make a good present/souvenir). As I type this paragraph, I’m staying at Casa Oliverio just a few metres from this shop. I find myself popping in all too frequently. If only I could fit more into my suitcase because I’d end up redecorating most of my house with stuff from Tavira.

16. Watch the world go by on the steps in the Praça da República – one of the best things to do in Tavira of an evening

Praça da República is the main square in Tavira and the hub of all activity in the town. It’s where you’ll find the tourist office, and where you should start your first walk around the town to get your bearings when you arrive for your stay.

Like many squares in Portugal, it’s (mostly) pedestrianised and full of the classic tiled pavements. It’s the perfect place to sit and watch the hubbub of the town.

On one side, there’s the elegant town hall building, which has a covered arcade walkway where you can pause in the shade for a moment. Opposite this are some bars and restaurants, including my favourite cocktail bar (more on Arcada at #39 of this list). In front of the river’s edge are some large steps that serve as amphitheatre-style seating. It also leads onto the pretty little park, Jardim do Coreto. 

17. Spot the waving statues at the railway station

You’ll naturally end up visiting Tavira’s railway station at some point because it’s so handy for getting the train along the coast to other towns for day trips. And you must do some day trips! The train line is really good, with cheap and fairly frequent services to some lovely other towns. More on that in #30 of this list.

But before you head in to get your train, make sure you don’t miss this soldier (I think?) having a wave outside the entrance. If you look across the road, there’s a statue of a woman on the roundabout and she’s waving back. Is she seeing him off or has she come to pick him up in a time before Ubers? You decide. 

18. Enjoy the tiled buildings (azulejo)

Although Porto is the city in Portugal best known for having tiles (azulejo) everywhere, Tavira has plenty too.

If it’s your first time in Portugal, you’ll probably fall in love with the tiles instantly. If you’re a seasoned visitor to Portugal, you likely already love them and have taken hundreds of photos of them. I fall into the latter category but still found some unusual designs in Tavira that I’d not seen before. There’s a house in one of the side streets with tiles featuring little baskets of flowers and fruit in them, and there’s another building with peach tiles all over its facade. And of course, the classic blue and white patterns are everywhere too.

The photo above is actually my homepage picture for Pack The Suitcases because I love them so much.

19. See what’s on at the Municipal Museum – one of the best things to do in Tavira on a rainy day

One of my favourite things to do in Tavira is to see what the latest exhibition is at the Municipal Museum. It’s indoors, so if you’re unlucky enough to have a rainy day then it’s a good activity.

I’ve been a few times now because they always have something new on and it’s usually really good. I love contemporary art and discovering new artists from all the different places I visit on my travels; small art museums are great for this. As well as the changing exhibition, the museum also has permanent features like a history of the Mediterranean diet and the story of the Portuguese fishing industry.

It’s only 2€ to get in, which is well worth it. If you’re in Tavira for more than a few days, see whether there’s a changeover of exhibitions while you’re there as it may be worth going back. The building is impressive too. It’s on the way up to the Camera Obscura and the castle, so it’s a good stopping point en route.

20. Admire the flowers on Rua Dr. Augusto da Silva Carvalho

21. Eat at O Tonel

O Tonel is located on the aforementioned and exquisitely scenic Rua Dr. Augusto da Silva Carvalho. It’s an experience in itself to dine in such a gorgeous setting and O Tonel could probably get away with being an overpriced and mediocre tourist trap. People would still book it. But luckily it’s actually very good.

The food is not the cheapest in Tavira but is still affordable (about 12-16€ for a veggie/fishy main; I don’t know about meat as I don’t eat it). The most popular thing seems to be the octopus with sweet potato. Every time I go past, people are ordering it. Personally, I like the goat’s cheese and tagliatelle mains. 

O Tonel is so popular that you’ll most likely have to book, especially on a weekend or in warm weather. Everyone wants to sit out there among the flowers and fairy lights!

22. Have a drink in Bishop’s Square 

Known as Bishop’s Square, the Jardim da Alagoa (Google Maps location) is a pretty spot in the heart of Tavira. A pink-and-white church overlooks a small garden with benches where you can sit and have a bask in the sun, surrounded by colourful flowers (if you’re there in spring especially).

The square is full of bars and restaurants, several of which are excellent but some are a bit touristy. My favourite is Távila Café, which is a proper little sun trap in the afternoon and into the early evening. They do a great homemade lemonade if you’re not drinking. The snack bar over the road, Alagoa, is also a good shout.

One of the apartments I recommend, Casa Oliverio, looks out onto this square. So I’ve got to know it really well, both from watching it overhead and from frequenting its various eating and drinking establishments.

23. Buy pretty jewellery at Erva Loira

Erva Loira is an eclectic shop selling jewellery, clothes and accessories. You can find it right at the start of Rua Borda d’Água da Asseca, just after you emerge from the ginnel next to the ice cream shop by the Roman Bridge. It doesn’t currently have a webpage or Facebook page, hence the explanation there.

Anyway, I always pop into it for a browse as it has gorgeous stuff. Last time, I bought a delicate gold charm bracelet with fruit on it and I’ve had so many people ask where it’s from already. Oh and I also had to physically restrain myself from buying several pairs of earrings. I have hundreds and need to be stopped. But there are some outstanding ones, especially if you have dark hair like me and need bright or pale coloured earrings to show up.

Unfortunately, I managed to delete the photos I’d taken of the outside and inside of the shop by accident when I was on the train to Faro. Well done, me. I’ll have to remedy this gap next time I visit Tavira. But till then, please take my word that it’s a beautiful shop and somewhere you might find a dress or top or pair of earrings for yourself. 

24. Consume all the brilliant pastries and cakes

When I was in Tavira for a month, I made it my mission to try as many treats from local bakeries (pastelarias) as possible. And now I’ve done the hard work, so I can share some tips with you. You’re welcome.

Obviously, there’s the pastel de nata (more on that in #36 of this list). But to reach true Portuguese pastry expertise, try a salame de chocolate, a chocolate cake with broken biscuits through it, or a pastel de feijão, a tart dusted with sugar and filled with white bean paste (it tastes a bit Japanese!).

If you’re after a specifically Algarvian cake, there’s the queijo de figo, a sticky fig and almond number (I don’t like it – soz! It often features cinnamon, my idea of hell), or the torta de laranja, a marmalade cake in the style of a Swiss roll.

So, where to sample all these delights? Try:

• Venezuela on Rua Alvara de Campos – This is on the walk to Porta Nova station, in a residential area away from tourists. Venezuela has a fantastic atmosphere, always bustling with locals having a debate over a coffee. I always pop in for a pastel de nata to eat while I wait for my train to Faro or somewhere.
• Padaria Porta Nova on Rua dos Namarrais – Another one tucked away from the tourists, Porta Nova does loads of delicious things like cream slices with summer berries. The staff are lovely, too.
• Padaria Vila Doce on Rua Dr. Augusto Carlos Palma – This one is more in the centre of town, but still not on the main square, so not too touristy. The other two are my favourites, but if I’m in the middle of town and need a cake fix, this is a good second choice.

25. Admire the view from a rooftop bar – one of the best things to do in Tavira on a clear and sunny day

Wherever I go, I’m always after a rooftop bar to get some views of the city or town I’m in. If you read my recent guide to Faro, Portugal, then you’ll know I’ve recently been into finding rooftop bars in hotels that are open to non-residents of the hotel.

With this in mind, I did a bit of research in Tavira and found AP Maria Nova Lounge Hotel. It’s a bit of a hidden one as whenever I’ve been, it’s been very quiet and seems to only have a few hotel guests there. I don’t think visitors to Tavira have clocked onto the fact anyone can go up for a drink there. And I definitely recommend you do.

The panoramic views of Tavira are great and if you go in the early evening, the light is beautiful. It’s probably a better view than you get from the church belltowers because the pretty churches are in the view, rather than being where you’re viewing from. The cocktails in the bar are nice too.

26. Wander the streets and get some pretty photographs

Tavira is so photogenic. There’s the river, which is especially nice early in the morning (a time I rarely see!) or in the evening when all the lights start coming on and being reflected in the water.

But what I really love are all the side streets. You’ll often get them to yourself while you’re mooching round. And it’s so nice stumbling across a really impressively tiled building, a cluster of orange trees or a colourful row of houses with washing flapping on the balconies.

Take your camera or your phone and see what you can capture. I currently have the above photo as my desktop background on my Mac, but I must have taken about a thousand photos over the month I stayed in Tavira recently and there are so many good shots. This is all to do with the town’s beauty and nothing to do with my photography skills, I assure you.

27. Eat the best tostas in Tavira at a proper snack bar, Sitio

As much as I love going to hipster bars for a craft beer, one of the most fun things to do in Tavira (or indeed anywhere in Portugal) is to go to a proper traditional snack bar. These tend to be no-frills places full of locals, with plastic tables and a simple menu, usually consisting of toasties (tostas) and other simple little plates of food. They often have a TV screen inside, showing either sport (on mute) or playing random MTV music channels.

Sitio is my favourite of all snack bars in Tavira. It has the requisite MTV 00s (my era!) playing on the TV inside, a spot in the sun for its outdoor tables, and a menu boasting the best homemade toasties you can get. I recommend the prawn one, which comes with garlic mayo spread both inside and outside the bread. Highly recommended for soaking up a glass of Sagres. And it’s only 3€. Bargain. Look at the size of those prawns!

Top tip: if you’re looking for somewhere to eat late – and by late, I mean like after 11pm, which is late even by Portuguese standards – Sitio seems to keep its kitchen going until it closes. Someone in there always has a toastie on the go.

28. Spot the terrapins at the bandstand

As mentioned earlier, there’s a gorgeous and flower-filled small park, Jardim do Coreto, just by the main square in Tavira. You’ll naturally walk through it all the time when you’re staying there, but it’s worth lingering for a minute.

There are always elderly locals playing dominoes and/or shouting at each other, people walking to/from work and tourists stopping for an ice cream, so it’s a fun spot for some people watching.

And at the centre of the park is a wrought-iron bandstand (a coreto, hence the park’s name) with a little moat around it. Inside the moat, you might spot some tiny terrapins sunbathing. I say ‘might’ because last time I was there, I didn’t see any, but they’ve definitely been there in the recent past. Perhaps if any of my lovely blog readers are off to Tavira soon, you could check for me. Report back in the comments below.

29. Eat the best pizza in Tavira at Acqua e Sale

I like to think I’ve become a bit of a pizza connoisseur over the years. Wherever I travel, it’s always something I end up eating at least once because pizza places are often good for veggie/vegan/pescatarian options. And they’re usually fairly cheap too.

There’s always a pizza place that everyone claims does the best pizza in the town/city/area/country. After rigorous testing (a hard job but someone has to), I can confirm that Acqua e Sale is that place in Tavira. They do the most amazing ‘Buffaline’ pizza with huge lumps of buffalo burrata (great if you’re lactose intolerant and want something creamy) and an excellent ‘Napoli’ one with loads of anchovies. There’s also fresh pasta on the menu, which looks brilliant but I’ve always been too excited about pizza to try it.

And if you’re a craft beer fan looking to escape the endless river of Sagres/Superbock in Portugal, Acqua e Sale is the only place (that I’m aware of) in Tavira that stocks the best craft beer in Portugal. This is from a brewery called Dois Corvos (‘two crows’) in Lisbon, which I’ve been to. It’s very hard to get their beer in bars in the Algarve, so make sure you try it here. 

30. Do some day trips by train – one of the best things to do in Tavira if you’re there for more than a few days

As nice as Tavira is, if you’re staying for more than a couple of days then you should take advantage of its useful railway line and do some day trips to other towns in the area.

Here are a few I like:

• Faro – this is the capital of the Algarve and probably where you’ll fly into when you visit Tavira. Lots of people only ever see the airport and miss out on the underrated city of Faro itself. Have a read of my guide to Faro to learn more about it. It’s only 45 minutes away and it’s 7€ for a round trip.
• Fuseta – a tiny and picturesque fishing village, lovely for lunch and a sit in the sun. I have a guide to Fuseta as well. It only takes about 25 minutes to get there from Tavira.
• Vila Real de Santo António – just over half an hour from Tavira, this is rather a hidden gem. No one seems to have heard of it! I’ve only visited briefly and ran out of time to do another trip back but it’s on my list for next time. It has loads of independent shops and good places to eat, plus you can wave to Spain just over the other side of the river as it’s on the border.

Remember to check whether Porta Nova station (rather than Tavira station) is closer to wherever you’re staying. It’s also in Tavira and might be easier to walk to. You can buy your tickets on the train but you’ll need to have cash as they don’t accept cards.

31. Be mesmerised by the stunning sunsets

Tavira gets some exceptional sunsets, especially if you’re by the river and it’s reflecting all the golden light. I’ve found that they’re best in early autumn: late September/early October. The weather tends to be gorgeous then too. 

Terrazze, as mentioned in #14 of this list, is a good bar to see the sunset from in Tavira. Another good spot is just by where I took this photo (which I love so much that it’s also the cover photo for this whole blog post): the red benches by the petrol station looking onto the river. I’ve pinpointed it for you just here. These benches are also a good spot for sitting and reading a book or typing up a blog post, as I have recently discovered. Enjoy.

32. Pick up some vegan food and ethical household goods at Veganices

If you’re staying in a self-catering apartment, I recommend going to Veganices for some supplies. Although both big supermarkets (Pingo Doce and Continente) in Tavira have a decent range of plant-based food, there are some things you can’t get – plus Continente is a bit of a walk from town. It’s nice to have somewhere bang in the middle where you can get all sorts of essentials like seitan, vegan chorizo, oat milk and cruelty-free cleaning products.

If you’re staying for a while, there’s a useful refill service for things like pasta, rice, teas and cereals so you don’t need to waste plastic.

Veganices also has a very very tiny café, which is really just two stools next to their counter, where you can get (I think) the only vegan pastel de natas in Tavira. Do correct me in the comments if I’m wrong. Anyway, I can confirm they’re delicious.

33. See the salt pans and the flamingoes – one of the best things to do in Tavira for wildlife lovers 

It’s a real delight to watch flamingoes dabbling about in Tavira’s salt pans. And if the weather isn’t perfect, you might even get a flock of them to yourself.

You can walk to where the flamingoes tend to hang out in about half an hour from the centre of Tavira. It’s not the most pleasant walk, with some of it on a noisy road, but the flamingoes are a reward in themselves. And you can pop into the big Continente supermarket and shopping centre on the way back; very handy – there’s a Mango.

The flamingoes really are very pretty. They move around surprisingly fast as they vacuum the bottom of the salt pans. I could watch them for ages.

There’s a great little beach called Praia dos Tesos just past the salt pans. Seeing as you’ve walked all the way there, you may as well go to the beach too before you head back. You can see across to Tavira Island from the beach and watch the boats going past. This is also by an eye-catching yellow hotel called Vila Galé Albacora, which you can go into for a drink to reward yourself for your David Attenborough efforts.

34. Enjoy ‘eating in a drawer’ at Come Na Gaveta

Come na Gaveta means ‘eat in the drawer’. Apparently, this is because historically shops and other businesses didn’t close over lunchtime so the staff would eat while working with their plate in the drawer of their desk so they could close it to deal with any customers who came in. As a nod to this, you get your bill here in a cute little drawer.

Drawers aside, the food at Come na Gaveta is great. It’s a casual gastro-bar type of place that does tapas and burgers/hot sandwiches. And it’s served on plates on a table, not in a drawer!

I massively recommend the tuna bolo de cacao. Bolo de cacao is a type of bread I became obsessed with years ago when I first started visiting Madeira regularly. I know it’s a bit daft having a Madeiran thing in the Algarve but I can’t resist. The black version of the bread is the best and that’s what they do here. The tuna tacos and falafel wraps are also excellent, and they do some really nice cocktails and wines too.

35. Keep an eye out for all the unusual door knockers

I love quirky features on buildings. There are interesting door knockers in towns all over Portugal, but you’re going to see lots of maritime/nautical ones in Tavira, for obvious reasons. Fish, dolphins and mildly creepy sea serpents galore.

The most common non-nautical variety is a pair of hands. These are especially photogenic when they’re set off by a brightly coloured door, which you’ll see lots of all around Tavira. I know some of my regular readers love the door knockers too as we’ve had a conversation about them over on my Facebook page. The hands were hands-down favourites (pun intended).

36. Eat your own body weight in pastel de nata

The Algarve may not be the home of the pastel de nata – that honour goes to Belem in Lisbon – but it’s important to eat as many as possible, no matter where you are in Portugal. I see it as a personal challenge to try at least one a day from a different place. After all, a pastel de nata a day keeps the doctor away… Because you’ll be so massive you can’t fit through the doors of your local medical centre. 

In case you’ve never been to Portugal and/or have been living under a rock since pastel de nata became popular everywhere, let me explain. They are the most delicious pastries in the history of all pastries. They’re a crispy tart (no soggy bottoms allowed) filled with creamy custard, about a million times nicer than the British version of a custard tart. 

The best bakeries (pastelaria), as mentioned in #24 of this list of things to do in Tavira, are probably where you should start on your pastry-eating expeditions around the town.

37. Visit Tavira at Easter to experience the lavender tradition

If you’re able to time a visit to Tavira at Easter, you’ll experience some of the town’s traditions. It has two big parades: one on Palm Sunday and one on Easter Sunday.

But the best thing is when the Roman Bridge is covered with lavender early in the morning. You wake up to it suddenly transformed. This happens the weekend before Easter and the weekend of Easter, so you get two chances to see it. I really recommend getting up as early as you can tolerate so that you can walk across it while it’s still fresh and purple. As the day goes on, it dries out. People walk over it, releasing the smell as they go. It’s absolutely beautiful and if you manage to experience it, you’ll always think of Tavira when you smell lavender in the future. 

I couldn’t find anything online about whether the lavender is just a local tradition or a specific religious thing. Someone messaged me to say it represents twigs on Calvary Hill, which is a biblical story. But I can’t find any online resources to back this up. Anyway, it’s a really nice tradition and crunching across the lavender-strewn bridge at Easter is definitely one of the best things to do in Tavira. 

If you want to see more of what the lavender on the bridge looks like, I have videos of it in my Instagram reel here (feel free to give me a follow while you’re at it…).

38. Browse for stylish and ethical bits at Ozadi Concept Store

Ozadi Concept Store is one of the most stylish shops in Tavira. It sells shoes (some of which are vegan), jewellery, socks, soaps and lots of other gift/home things, as well as a small selection of clothes.

There’s a running theme of natural, ethical products and you can find something that no one else will have. I always pop in for a look round. It’s a breath of fresh air as it’s right in the middle of town, surrounded by plenty of very generic souvenir shops selling endless plastic fridge magnets and bits of cork.

39. Indulge in some cocktails at Arcada

Regular readers of my blog will know that I’m always saying not to go to anywhere in the main square of a European city because they’re usually overpriced and touristy. So it’s going to sound odd me recommending Arcada, which is slap bang in the middle of Praça da República. But don’t worry, it’s a very classy cocktail bar. Definitely no pictures of food on a sticky plastic menu here.

Arcada has a really good view across the square and the cocktails are spot on. I’ve had one of the best Moscow Mules there that I’ve had outside of Moscow itself. It’s a lovely spot to stop at before or after your evening meal.

40. Browse some local art

I always make sure I have a look in Tavira d’Artes as it has a varied selection of art, including plenty by local artists. Some of the paintings of Tavira and the local area are especially beautiful. They have lots by a local artist called Fonseca Martins, who paints flower-lined streets, terraces and views that are all typical of Tavira.

Obviously, it’s very hard to purchase a piece of art when you’re on holiday because how on earth do you put it in your suitcase? And art is typically painful on the bank balance so quite tricky to entrust with RyanAir’s baggage handlers… But there are some small artworks usually, so if you’re after a really unique treat to remember your time in Tavira with, you might just find something special.

Things to do in Tavira, Algarve – useful information for your trip

Where to stay in Tavira

As I said further up in this blog post, I massively recommend staying in either Casa Cristina or Casa Oliverio, two gorgeous self-catering apartments (around 100€ a night at the time of writing but prices of course vary by time of year). However, if you prefer to stay in a hotel then there’s the aforementioned Pousada Convento de Tavira, which looks gorgeous (around 300€ a night so one for a special occasion) or Authentic Tavira Hotel (around 125€ a night). 

How to get to and around Tavira

Most people will fly into Faro Airport in the Algarve or get the train to Faro from other Portuguese cities like Porto or Lisbon. You can get to Tavira from Faro (and lots of other towns in the Algarve) as Tavira has its own railway station (two, actually). Check the Comboios de Portugal (official railway website) for times and prices.

Once you’re in Tavira, it’s a nice walkable size. You don’t need to worry about taxis and buses as everything is easily reached on foot.

When to go to Tavira

I always recommend doing anywhere in Portugal in the spring, early or late summer, or early autumn. I’ve experienced similar weather in Tavira in both April and October (i.e. hot!) and both are times of the year when flowers are out and most restaurants/bars are open. I’d avoid the height of summer because it’ll be very busy with tourists, much hotter, more expensive to stay in hotels/apartments and too full of children due to school holidays. 

Save and share: things to do in Tavira, Algarve, Portugal

If you enjoyed this blog post on quite a few things to do in Tavira, Algarve, why not pin it to your Pinterest board? 

You might also like some of my other Portugal travel guides:

• 23 of the best towns and cities to visit in Portugal: a giant guide 
• The best restaurants in Tavira
• 25 fabulous things to do in Faro, Algarve
• A guide to Fuseta, Portugal – an unspoilt fishing village in the Algarve
• 3 days in Lisbon: a perfect itinerary
• A guide to Mértola, Portugal: a hidden hilltop gem
• 3 days in Porto: the perfect itinerary
• 10 beautiful day trips from Porto by train/bus
• 45 things to do in Funchal, Madeira
• The best restaurants in Madeira and Funchal
• The best bars in Madeira and Funchal
• A guide to spending a week in Madeira: a 7-day itinerary without a car
• The best beaches in Madeira and how to reach them.

And if you’ve used one of my travel guides and enjoyed it, you can also buy me a drink. Cheers. 

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