A Visitors Guide to Tavira, Algarve

Tavira was already established as an important fishing and fish salting town during the occupation of the Algarve by the Moors around 700 A.D, and it still retains significant features from its Phoenician and Roman past. Called 'The prettiest town' in Portugal by the Portuguese, Tavira is located 25kms from Faro and 20kms from the Spanish border, and in recent years it has become a firm favourite for discerning visitors.

Tavira has a castle, many fine churches and a superb seven arch Roman bridge, on both sides of which you can find fascinating cobbled streets with good shops selling local produce, including fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, basket ware, pottery, ceramic tiles, wrought iron work and cork and shell handicrafts. Friendly locals welcome you to the many bars and restaurants on the river front and in the City's small squares.

A short ferry trip takes you to the Ilha de Tavira to one of the best beaches along the entire coast which offers clean, safe bathing protected by the offshore sandbars, served by a few cafes and bars. Some 7kms of soft sand easily accommodates all the sun bathers, swimmers, windsurfers and sailors, even in peak season.

A short drive from the city centre you'll find the natural lagoon which offers tranquility and the opportunity to observe nature and bird life at its best and, within a few kilometres, are some of the best golfing facilities in the Algarve, eating in the nearby fishing village of Cabanas and a weekly market shopping treat in Olhao. Nearby Cacela Velha offers spectacular views over the Ria Formosa.

Back in Tavira the town is transformed at night, with its illuminated white buildings and Moorish rooftops providing an attractive backdrop to the variety of restaurants and bars with their tempting Portuguese menus.

June 24th is St John's Day “Sao Joao”, the highlight of Tavira's calendar. The fun spills out into the streets, which are decorated with balloons and paper arches, where people dance around the City's small squares and the homemade altars that are dedicated to the Saints asking for 'Good Fortune'. A delicious range of traditional foods including caldo verde (cabbage and potato soup), sardinha assada (grilled sardines), bread and red wine are available.

A fun way to get an overview of the town is to take the mini train tour which runs hourly from 10am – 7pm from the Roman bridge; the trip lasts 40 minutes and covers all the main attractions. During June the train runs until 8pm and in July and August till midnight.

Across the river within walking distance of the town centre is a skate park for skateboarders and roller blades and you can also rent small bikes and go-karts, which children can ride on the play centre roadway complete with traffic lights, stop signs, junctions and roundabouts. So if you have kids with you this could be the place for them to have fun. There is a café, so you can enjoy a drink while keeping an eye on them.

Some of the finest churches on the Algarve are found in Tavira: the 16th century Igreja da Misericordia is often cited as one of the finest churches in Tavira, with its blue and white azuejos, magnificent carvings and scenes from the life of Christ. It is located up the hill just past the tourist office.

The 13th century Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo is next to the castle and is famed for holding the tombs of the seven Christian knights of the Order of St. James, who were killed by the Moors. There is also a plaque marking the tomb of Paio Peres Correia (a master of the Order).

Tavira castle was originally built by the Moors, who occupied the area in the 8th century. It was largely rebuilt after the Christians re-conquered the city in 1242 by Dom. Paio Peres Correia, who took it in anger after seven of his principle knights were killed during a period of truce. Tavira was governed at that time by Mouro Aben-Fabilla, who had a young daughter of enormous beauty. It is said that when the governor saw the town being conquered, he magically disappeared, put a spell on his daughter and promised to return to reclaim the town again, but he never returned. The spell could only be broken by her father or by a brave knight on Sao Joao night (June 24th). As her father never returned to reconquer the city, the beautiful princess was imprisoned in the castle. People believe that on the night of Sao Joao, she appears in the walls of the castle and cries for the spell to be broken.

So when you visit Tavira don't forget to look at the castle walls on the night before Sao Joao day and see if you can spot the beautiful princess crying for her spell to be broken by a noble knight....