Tavira is a town in the east Algarve in Portugal, and a contender for the prettiest town in the country. 37 churches, hilltop castle ruins, Moorish architecture and historical gardens reveal layers of times gone by, and the bright white buildings and palm-fringed streets give it a tropical feel. The town feels genuine and relaxed, with working fishing boats bobbing on the Gilão River, old men playing slow games of dominos in the historic squares, and locals sipping coffees at the pavement cafes that spill out onto the cobbled streets. With authentic, family-run restaurants serving Portuguese delicacies and the nearby 11km expanse of peaceful and uncrowded beach, Tavira Island, accessible only by boat, you can experience the real Portugal from your villa holiday here.
The surrounding area, also known as Tavira, offers not just the beach, but the idyllic sheltered lagoon of Ria Formosa, a National Park, and inland, picturesque Portuguese whitewashed villages amongst stunning natural scenery with colourful wild flowers and grandiose cork trees. Find your Tavira holiday villa here.
