Ultimate Guide to a Day Trip in Tavira, Portugal: Top Sights and Dining Spots august 16, 2024 – Posted in: Portugal, Travel – Tags: Algarve, Archaeology, Attractions, Food, Hiking, History, Holiday, Portugal, Restaurants, Souvenirs, Tavira, Vacation

Must-See Attractions for Your Visit to Tavira

When the little train on the Algarve coast stops at Tavira station, tourists flood out to explore this charming small town. And it’s easy to see why! Tavira is a hidden gem, offering a rich history and culture just waiting to be discovered.

A day trip or a longer vacation in the town is a wonderful opportunity to explore part of Portugal and perhaps enjoy a hike in the unique landscape on the flat trails outside the town.

Here, you can read about what to experience in Tavira and also how to take the little train that runs between Faro and Vila Real de Santo Antonio.

Sights in Tavira

If you arrive in Tavira by train, it’s just a short walk from the station to the city center. Along the way, ancient city walls, narrow cobblestone streets, and beautiful tile-clad houses might tempt you off course. And definitely let yourself get lost in the city’s maze; Tavira is small enough that you’ll soon find yourself back on one of the main streets.

Start your day trip with a visit to Castelo de Tavira, the charming Moorish castle dating from the 11th century. Here, among palms and blooming bougainvilleas, you can enjoy the most spectacular views of the city. Admission is free and there are good restrooms. Next, head to Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo, an impressive Gothic church known for its remarkable architecture, beautiful interior, and historical significance.

At Museu Municipal de Tavira in the Palace Gallery, you’ll start with a look into Tavira’s Roman past. Through the glass panels at the entrance, there is a direct view down to the impressive ruins. During our visit, the museum featured an intriguing story about the Roman town of Balsa and its connection to modern Tavira.

However, the Ponte da Roman, the town’s oldest bridge, is not Roman but still beautiful! The bridge was originally built by the Moors and rebuilt in the 1600s. The Gilão River divides Tavira into two parts, and the bridges offer a lovely stroll to the other side of the town. If you have children with you, they might enjoy a visit to Camera Obscura, located in the town’s old water tower.

Great Restaurants in Tavira

When you’re near the Roman bridge, you’re also right in the middle of the town’s wide selection of restaurants and cafés. Especially around the central square, Praça da República, you’ll find many wonderful dining spots. Cross the river and you’ll come to the coziest area with restaurants and bars. You can choose to dine with a view of the river or venture a little further to the charming square at Praça Dr. António Padinha.

At home, we had Googled to find the best restaurant in town and ended up dining at the trendy gastrobar Come Na Gaveta. Here, you can enjoy the local Vinho Verde, a sparkling fresh white wine, burgers with black bread, delicate cheeses and local sausages, and many other delicious items. Highly recommended! After a few more sights, we craved dessert and on our way back to the train station, we enjoyed the best cup of coffee of the trip and a delightful cake at Padaria Vila Doce.

Beaches and Natural Areas in Tavira

No visit to Tavira is complete without exploring the stunning nature surrounding the town. All along the railway line from Faro to Tavira, you can find some of the area’s beautiful hiking trails, and Tavira is no exception. Bring your swimwear and take a walk along the coast. Consider also visiting the small island, Ilha de Tavira. Here, you can relax under the sun, take a refreshing swim, or enjoy a stroll across the pristine island.

How to Get to Tavira

The train between Faro and Vila Real de Santo Antonio runs approximately once an hour. You can view a schedule here. To see all the sights mentioned in this article, you should disembark at Tavira station. The train also stops at Porta Nova, which is the new district on the other side of the river.

Tickets can be purchased both at the station and on the train, though you can only pay with cash on the train. Tavira train station is located slightly north of the town and has both toilets and a small café.

Where to Stay in Tavira

During our visit to Tavira, we actually stayed over in Spain, in the small town of Ayamonte. A small ferry crosses between Spain and Portugal, and we stayed in a lovely little house, Flor de Sal. We did, however, take day trips around the Algarve coast, which you can read about by clicking the link.

Tavira was, therefore, one of the towns we visited – and it certainly won’t be our last visit. We became quite fond of the beautiful town and have promised ourselves that we will return. And we already know where we will stay! During our sightseeing tour of the town, we passed the old convent that has been converted into a hotel.

The convent, Hotel Pousada Convento de Tavira, dating back to the 1500s, is located in the old Jewish quarter in the historic center. The original convent, Convento de Nossa Senhora da Graça, belonged to the Augustinian order, and some of the hotel rooms are decorated in the old monk cells.

The old convent church has now been transformed into a venue for weddings and other large events. On the really hot days here on the Algarve coast, you can enjoy the shade in the convent’s cool cloisters or take a swim in the relaxing pool.

You can also search for hotels in Tavira yourself here:

Booking.com