Tavira is a port city in southern Portugal, on the shores of the Gulf of Cadiz, the center of one of the municipalities of Faro County. One of the important features of Tavira is the lack of a large number of tourists: the city somehow managed to avoid a tourist boom, although it is considered one of the most picturesque places on the Algarve coast.
Being under the rule of the Moorish for five centuries, Tavira still resembles an Arab city in some places. Most of the houses, as well as throughout Portugal, are painted white, dates and fish dry on the terraces. Palm trees and orange trees grow throughout the city, and frisky fish splash in the Gilao River, which divides the city into two parts.
The terrace is a favorite place for leisure activities for local residents. Here it is difficult not to find a few relaxed people after a hard day, communicating over a cup of coffee with a custard cake called "pastas de nata". We advise you to visit the city market - you are unlikely to see such an abundance of fruits anywhere else.
The easiest way to get to Tavira is from the airport of Faro, where planes fly from Moscow every day. You will have to spend about 9 hours in the air, the price of the question is from 9,000 rubles. We advise you to go by bus from Faro - a half-hour trip will cost 3-8 EUR. On the road you will be accompanied by noisy locals, and the window will offer a beautiful view of the olive, apple, almond and fig gardens. Of course, you can take a taxi (the distance is only 30 km!), but it will cost much more.
Prices on the page are for July 2019.
The climate of Tavira is classic Mediterranean: there is almost no winter here, and summer begins in April. At the same time, in the midst of the summer season, it is not as hot as in other Mediterranean countries - the temperature rarely rises above +33 °C thanks to the refreshing breeze from the Atlantic. Winter temperatures average +12... +17 °C.
The island of Tavira of the same name is a local pearl. From Quatro Aguas pier, you will be taken there by Quatro Águas water taxi for 8 EUR. The island is a strip of sand 8 km long and only 400 m wide. There are several houses here, the rest of the territory is not built up due to the ban on the city administration. Which is very pleasing, because the undeveloped territory is snow-white sand and nothing superfluous, only palm trees and shells. And how nice it is to swim in the purest water on a hot summer day!
Another mandatory point of visit is the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, located a short distance from Tavira. These are 17 hectares of reservoirs and terrestrial islands, which are inhabited by herons, flamingos, turtles and even chameleons. In areas where water prevails, you can find crabs and frogs.
The city acquired its architectural appearance as a result of re-building after the strongest earthquake of 1755. The destruction was truly catastrophic, and Tavira was simply rebuilt. New picturesque buildings have appeared in the city, including 37 churches. It cannot be said that Tavira is filled with architectural masterpieces, but the impression of it remains exactly this: it is very pleasant to walk here, admiring the architecture of the city, its numerous fountains and flower beds.
A very picturesque landscape can be seen from the walls of Moorish Castle, located on top of a hill in the old Arab quarter. From here you can clearly see the clock tower of the church of Santa Maria do Castelo, which stores the remains of Don Payou Peres Correia and his seven knights. Gothic windows and entrance have been preserved on the facade of the church, and its interior was restored in the 19th century. Nearby is the monastery of Nossa Senhora da Graça, built in 1569.