General Description of Tavira
Probably the most picturesque town in the Algarve with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, Tavira is one of the main historic centres of the region, its past stretching back as far as Roman times. Although the town was largely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755, there are still remnants of earlier times in its old city walls, castle as well as some fine 18th-century buildings. The Roman bridge is not original though its position undoubtedly is. It is also known as a town of churches, boasting 27 in all. Although tourism is now the main industry, the resort is still a working fishing village with a compact old centre, and more modern development has largely kept to the resort outskirts. The rest of the area is rural and largely unspoilt, bounded to the southwest by the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and by the tiny, charming fishing village of Cabanas to the east.

Market/Suitability
Budget to mid-market, self-catering beach holidays.

Location/Contact
Location: Towards the southeast corner of Portugal, 20 mls east of Faro and its airport.
Position: Straddling both sides of the mouth of the River Gilao, in fairly flat terrain with mud flats and sand bars along the coast.
Postcode: 8800

Accommodation
Mainly second-class self-catering accommodation, either villas or in large complexes farther away from the resort, in outlying areas. Also a few 4-star hotels.

Beach
Wide, dune-backed beach on the Ilha de Tavira, a long island with 2 main points of access: boat from Tavira or minitrain from Pedras d'el Rei; the beach is sandy with a good range of amenities. Peaceful and isolated Cabanas Beach and Barril Island are reachable only by bridge or boat; both are sandy and have a reasonable selection of amenities, mainly laid on by the various complexes.

Shopping
Only in Tavira itself, where there are many souvenir shops selling cork items, lace and gifts made from shells. "Old Market" is an upmarket handicraft and artefacts shopping centre. A market is held every third Monday of the month.

Entertainment
Daytime: mostly laid on by the complexes; otherwise, exploring the town with its historical centre and many churches.
Nightlife: once again, laid on by the complexes; 1 nightclub.

Eating Out
A number of inexpensive, traditional restaurants serving mainly fish or shellfish dishes.

Public Transport
Bus service to Faro or Vila Real de Santo Antonio. Local trains stop at Tavira for services to Vila Real or Faro and beyond. A minitrain runs through town to the main sights and beach. For exploration farther afield, taxis or car hire are a virtual requirement.

Local Excursions
Full day: Seville in Spain; Old Algarve; inland tour visiting villages along the way to the Moorish castle at Mertola; Loule market and Monchique; Silves castle; Monchique Mountains.

Serving Airports
Faro International (FAO)
Flight time from the UK: 2 hrs 45 mins