Best of Tavira

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Tavira
Stretching along the banks of the Rio Gilão, Tavira is one of the most captivating cities in the Algarve. You can see Phoenician ruins, Gothic churches and Renaissance-style town squares, along with views over the city from the ruins of a hilltop fortress. The compact old town has cobblestone lanes and outdoor cafes, making it a great setting for some unstructured exploring. You’ll also find market-fresh seafood restaurants and attractive guesthouses, along with golden beaches outside of town. 

Knowledgeable guides can take you back through the centuries on a tour through Tavira’s many highlights. East of town, you can wander around the tiny village of Cacela Velha and check out the views from the small fort overlooking the seaside. Another star attraction in the area is the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, a coastal reserve of salt marshes, creeks and barrier islands. On a boat trip with a marine biologist, you can learn all about this biologically rich ecosystem, seeing birds and possibly dolphins along the way. 
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Faro old town
Map of Portugal: The Algarve Region - 5 Days
Portugal: The Algarve Region - 5 Days

Spend five days exploring the spectacular Algarve region, Portugal's southernmost area that sweeps westward to the Atlantic. You'll spend quality time in the region's two main cities — Faro and Lagos — and will discover gorgeous churches in Tavira, stunning beaches, phenomenal cliffside panoramas, and the area's incredible food. Plus you'll have plenty of time to lounge on the sand, cruise along the coast, and unwind amid urban charm and natural splendor.

Sagres, Algarve
Map of Portugal: the Algarve Region - 7 Days
Portugal: the Algarve Region - 7 Days

Explore the sensational Algarve on this comprehensive seven-day itinerary that takes you all around Portugal famed region. You'll have ample time in Faro, the Algarve's main hub, and will travel out to see incredible nature parks, tiny towns off-the-beaten-path, and a collection of the best beaches in all of Portugal. Enjoy breathtaking views from coastal cliffs, tackle world-famous surf breaks, wander cobblestone streets in centuries-old towns, or relax on the warm sands of this beautiful region.

Ponta da Piedade near Lagos
Map of Portugal Castles, Beaches & Vineyards: Lisbon to the Algarve - 15 Days
Portugal Castles, Beaches & Vineyards: Lisbon to the Algarve - 15 Days

Discover all four corners of Portugal in this epic 15-day road trip. Start in Lisbon, where the sounds of live fado music will lead you on a drive north to Porto and the wine country of the Douro Valley. Turn south and stop in historic towns like the Knights Templar-built Tomar and ancient Roman Évora on your way to coastal Lagos, where you'll beach-hop under the spectacular cliffs of the Algarve.

Marinha Beach in Portimão
Map of Best of Portugal, from Porto to Algarve - 8 Days
Best of Portugal, from Porto to Algarve - 8 Days

This tour mixes Portugal's vibrant cities with the incredible natural scenery of the Algarve region, starting with guided tours of Porto and Lisbon's hilly and historic neighborhoods. Enjoy a day trip to the Douro Valley for a tasting of the region's wine and port varietals, then head south to Algarve to explore its water sports, preserved coastal parks, and endless coastline filled with sandy beaches and rock formations. Spend hours relaxing on the beach, hiking along the coast, or meandering the historic fishing villages, all before watching dramatic sunsets and experiencing the area's exceptional nightlife.

Other popular travel destinations in Portugal
Lisbon · Porto · Algarve · Évora · Alentejo · Douro Valley · Sintra · Lagos · Coimbra · Tomar · Nazaré · The Azores · Braga · Óbidos · Funchal · Madeira · São Miguel Island · Sagres · Marvão · Guimarães · Peneda-Gerês National Park · Batalha · Mértola