Location: Tavira
Top Things to do in Tavira
10 Sights & Landmarks in Tavira That You Shouldn't Miss
Tavira (Portuguese pronunciation: [tɐˈviɾɐ]) is a Portuguese town and municipality, capital of the Costa do Acantilado, situated in the east of the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal. It is 28 kilometres (17 miles) east of Faro and 75 kilometres (47 miles) west of Huelva across the Río Grande (Rio Guadiana) into Spain. The Gilão River meets the Atlantic Ocean in Tavira. The population in 2011 was 26,167, in an area of 606.97 km².
Restaurants in Tavira
1. Igreja da Misericordia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
One thing Tavira is not short of, is churches. There are over 20, mostly within walking distance of each other. If you’re only going to see one or two, then this is the one to see. It is almost entirely covered inside with blue and white tiles azulejos tiles with detailed scenes. This church is linked with 2 others (Santiago and Santa Maria do Castelo) and for €7 you can get a single pass into all three, the Santiago bell tower and the Artgilao museum. They are all within 5 minutes of each other and you can do them in any order. Just ask for the pass at the first church. They will give you a pass to hang around your necking an information booklet at each church. Kids can collect a new stamp on their pass at each church which makes it a bit more fun for them. Misericordia is deceptively simple from the front with a plain white walls that are only broken by the central stone-carved portal with a statue of Our Lady of Mercy, supported by angels and flanked by statues of Saints Peter and Paul. Inside, it’s anything but plain. The showpiece is the ornate tiling on the walls, dating from the 1760’s. The overall effect is striking but it’s also worth walking around each of the detailed scenes. Each one tells illustrates one of the works of mercy. Traditionally these are the Jesus’ lessons for how people should should treat others. There are 7 corporal acts which when you think about it are all pretty practical no-nonsense acts of kindness – the basically just random acts of kindness. They include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering travellers, visiting the sick, visiting the imprisoned and burying the dead. The other 7 are spiritual acts which include forgiveness, prayer and comforting others. You can take photos inside and there is a small gift shop selling simple cards and bookmarks (they made a great gift for Book Club back home). HOURS: It is closed on Mondays and Sundays and on the other days, it closes for a chunk of time in the middle of the day, between 12:30 – 2. (3pm in summer).
2. Ponte antiga sobre o Rio Gilao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 503 reviews
Reviewed By iveter - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Lovely old bridge over Gilao River Great viiews of the River. Love locks on both sides. Access to the other side of Tavira. Great picture spot !
3. Ermida de Sao Sebastiao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By davidwilliambarnes - Blackpool, United Kingdom
Another beautiful whitewashed building in the parish of Santiago, Tavira. Built around 1723 and partly restructured in 1745 the chapel has a wonderful side and main chapel depicting classical art. There are a series of canvases with the life of São Sebastião - the paintings were executed by a local artist called Diogo Mangino. One of the better Church buildings in the area.
4. Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By FranceandKen - Windsor, Canada
Very beautiful ornate church. The bone chapel was something I had never seen before, quite eerie! But certainly Worth seeing!
5. Igreja de Sao Pedro Goncalves Telmo
6. Camera Obscura - Tavira EYE
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 698 reviews
Welcome Back to the Camera Obscura! We are now open to the public. We have missed you all dearly and are excited to see you and your families back at the Camera Obscura. On the skyline of the pretty Moorish town of Tavira stands a strange construction. A cylindrical form on spindly legs with what appears to be a single eye that slowly turns to observe the town, it's presence like that of an alien spaceship from War of the Worlds. The cylinder however contains a delightful camera obscura, and in the cool darkened space it's revolving lens projects telescopic images of the town below onto a large concave screen. The Guide tells you that from ground level you cannot be seen as you observe the comings and goings of the street below. What fun then, when walking through the town, you become aware of the eye turning to face you and you face it, smile and wave at the surprised tourists inside. Thank you for your visit, we do appreciate it very much!
Reviewed By smugarc
The Perfect introduction to Tavira , easy access via a lift , this is an interesting view of the town in real time . It all takes place in the top of the old water tower in a darkened room, The tour guide is very knowledgeable & well informed he is multi lingual with a great sense of humour , he tells you about the history of Tavira and the surrounding area using the device to illustrate some funny and interesting story's . I can recomend the Camera obscure , great value at €5.
7. Castelo de Tavira
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 485 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
Don’t expect an actual castle. These are only the ruins of a medieval fortress castle and there’s not a lot left other than the walls. Being a fortress, it was of course built at the highest point in Tavira where they could guard against attacks from North African raiders and pirates. Today this means that if you climb the walls, you get excellent views across Tavira as far as the Rio Formosa. History is a bit fuzzy around the dates but it possibly dates from the 8th century. What you see here now is more likely from the 11th century and it we know that it was re-modelled and reinforced after the Christian crusaders arrived in 1242. 500 years later, it was very badly damaged in the devastating 1755 earthquake, leaving it in its current state of disrepair. Inside the walls is a very pretty garden with vibrant purple bougainvillea, lavender hedges and showy orange flame vine with its long trumpet flowers. The steps up to the castle walls are a little dodgy and walking around the battlements is not for the faint hearted. If you’re not good with heights, the old metal railings might not feel entirely safe. The views are definitely worth it though. The castle is right next door to the Church Santa Maria do Castelo which has a great bell tower (for those not already tired of climbing stairs) and an excellent small museum. TIP: we kept seeing a chap who stood out the front as if to collect an entry fee. You can safely ignore him as entry is free and he is just chancing his luck that some people will pay him.
8. salina de tavira rui simeao
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4 reviews
9. Capela de Nossa Senhora da Consolacao
10. Santa Maria do Castelo Church
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 106 reviews
Built in the place of the former mosque after the conquest by Dom Paio Peres Correia, it goes up to the XIII century. After the 1755 earthquake it was rebuilt by the bishop Dom Francisco Gomes de Avelar. The façade presents neo-classic pilasters, splitting in the central cloth the gothic doorway with four archivolts containing vegetarian chapiters, remains of the original building. The inner part, a Latin cross longitudinal plant, has got three naves with lateral chapels, especially the «Senhor dos Passos» (Manueline Art) and a place of honour divided into three parts. The Chancel has got in its lateral walls the tombs of Dom Paio Peres Correia and the seven knights killed by the Moors. The collateral chapel of the Gospel keeps a gothic arch that relies on columns with vegetarian chapiters. The Santa Maria Church has been classified as a National monument by a June 1910 decree.
Reviewed By Wanderer487853
Absolutely breathtaking! We attended the Sunday mass in English at 12:15 . There is onsite parking for Mass.
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