Tavira (Algarve)
Tavira located in south of Portugal, 30 Km from the International airport in Faro. Is a beautifully elegant town and almost surreal in aspects. Visitors can be forgiven for forgetting where they are, or even what year it is, as they step into this unique Algarve fishing town. Between the 8th and 13th centuries Tavira was under Arab rule until its conquest by the Knights of the Order of Santiago in 1242. It was elevated to a city in 1520 by King Manuel I and was the main trading port in the Algarve during the 16th to 18th centuries.
Today it has still managed to stave off the influence of tourism to hold on to its unique tradition and handsome character. The seven arch bridge, over the river Gilao, is reputedly Roman in origin, although its present appearance was acquired in the 17th century. Since severe floods affected the bridge in 1989 it has only been open to pedestrians.
The market hall (mercado do ribeiro) on the river front was re-vamped a few years ago and now is 'home' to several shops, cafes and restaurants around the edge with the central space available for exhibitions and special events.
Tavira is a really attractive town with some lovely, quite grand, buildings reflecting it's wealthy past particularly around the Praça da República area and then typical rows of Portuguese 'town' houses with tiled fronts along narrow cobbled streets; shops to browse in; pretty gardens and squares to sit in and, of course, plenty of restaurants and cafes for refreshments!
The beach at Tavira is a fabulous island beach, Ilha de Tavira, a 14km long offshore sandspit. Ferries cross from the town centre throughout the summer and all year round from nearby Quatro Águas.
There are lots of delightful places to explore around Tavira starting with the pretty town of Cabanas just to the east. The view across the sheltered lagoon of the Ria Formosa to the ilha beach is idyllic and there is nothing more relaxing than sitting at one of the pavement cafes along the waterfront with a glass of chilled wine!
Today it has still managed to stave off the influence of tourism to hold on to its unique tradition and handsome character. The seven arch bridge, over the river Gilao, is reputedly Roman in origin, although its present appearance was acquired in the 17th century. Since severe floods affected the bridge in 1989 it has only been open to pedestrians.
The market hall (mercado do ribeiro) on the river front was re-vamped a few years ago and now is 'home' to several shops, cafes and restaurants around the edge with the central space available for exhibitions and special events.
Tavira is a really attractive town with some lovely, quite grand, buildings reflecting it's wealthy past particularly around the Praça da República area and then typical rows of Portuguese 'town' houses with tiled fronts along narrow cobbled streets; shops to browse in; pretty gardens and squares to sit in and, of course, plenty of restaurants and cafes for refreshments!
The beach at Tavira is a fabulous island beach, Ilha de Tavira, a 14km long offshore sandspit. Ferries cross from the town centre throughout the summer and all year round from nearby Quatro Águas.
There are lots of delightful places to explore around Tavira starting with the pretty town of Cabanas just to the east. The view across the sheltered lagoon of the Ria Formosa to the ilha beach is idyllic and there is nothing more relaxing than sitting at one of the pavement cafes along the waterfront with a glass of chilled wine!
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