Algarve-South-Portugal.com
The best independent guide to Tavira
Algarve-South-Portugal.com
The best independent guide to Tavira
Tavira Introduction - Sights & activities - 1 week - Beaches - Airport To Tavira - Day Trips - Barril Beach
Tavira day trips and excursions in the Eastern Algarve
The eastern side of Algarve is a fascinating region offering historic towns, charming villages and stunning beaches.
Tavira lies at the heart of this region, and is a wonderful holiday destination, combining an authentic Portuguese experience with world-class tourist facilities.
The location of Tavira means that it is the ideal base from which to explore the eastern Algarve, and there is inexpensive public transport covering the entire region.
This guide will detail the best day trips Tavira, along with information about the nature parks and beaches of the eastern Algarve.
Highlights of the Eastern Algarve - for a holiday to Tavira
The best day trips from Tavira are: 1) Faro 2) Vila Real de Santo Antonio 3) Olhão 4) Castro Marim 5) Monte Gordo 6) Santa Luzia 7) Cabanas
The 5 beaches are: 1) Praia de Monte Gordo 2) Praia de Santo António 3) Praia do Barril 4) Praia da Ilha Deserta 5) Praia de Tavira
The nature parks: 1) Parque Natural da Ria Formosa 2) Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim 3) Mata Nacional Litorais de Vila Real de Santo Antonio
The map below shows the location of these day trips and beaches. The best day trips are shown in blue, the 5 best beaches are marked in yellow, and the region's nature parks are shown in green.
The best day trips from Tavira
Faro
Faro is a historic city, which has a delightful walled old quarter, a pretty harbour and bustling pedestrianised shopping streets. Highlights of Faro include the Gothic Se cathedral, the ghoulish bone chapel and the decorative Arco da Vila gateway.
Departing from Faro harbour are boat trips to the Ilha Deserta (the Deserted Island) and boat tours of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. There is a direct train from Tavira to Faro, and the city has ample to fill a day of sightseeing.
Related articles: Faro Introduction
The view from the cathedral across the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa
The cobbled streets of the historic centre of Faro
Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Vila Real de Santo Antonio sits on the banks of the mighty Rio Guadiana, overlooking the Spanish border. The town has a grandeur beyond its size, and the centre is lined with impressive Baroque architecture.
As part of the day trip, it is possible to cross the Guadiana River by ferry to the Spanish town of Ayamonte. There is a direct train from Tavira to Vila Real.
Related articles: Introduction to Vila Real de Santo Antonio
The Praça do Marquês de Pombal in Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Vila Real de Santo Antonio extends along the banks of the Rio Guadiana
Santa Luzia
Santa Luzia is a traditional fishing village, which lies along the waterways of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, and specialises in the fishing of octopus.
A trip to Santa Luiza is often combined with a visit to the Praia do Barril beach, which was once a tuna fishing community and the setting of the Cemitério das Âncoras.
Related articles: Santa Luzia - Praia do Barril
A fishing boat waiting for the tide to come in
The harbour front in Santa Luzia
Cabanas
Cabanas is a peaceful resort town that is a favourite with retirees and long stay visitors. The harbourfront is lined with relaxed cafes and restaurants, where patrons spend all day, enjoying the unhurried atmosphere of the town.
There is a ferry which crosses to the beaches on the Ilha da Cabanas. If you seek a relaxing day, then Cabanas is the destination for you.
Cabanas has many similarities to Santa Luzia
Cabanas boardwalk extends along the length of the town
Olhão
Olhão is a busy fishing port, which boasts a rich fishing heritage. Contained within the town is the largest fish market of southern Portugal, a scenic harbour front, and a historic centre filled with traditional fishermen’s houses. From the harbour are ferries to the Ilha da Culatra. Olhão has a working atmosphere but is a likeable town.
Olhão's fish market is inspired by North African designs
The 18th century Igreja Matriz church in Olhão
Cacela Velha
Cacela Velha is a scenic village, which is positioned on a hill above the Ria Formosa. This strategic position has an 18th-century fort, a picturesque village and stunning views over the coastline.
In front of the village, the shallow waters can be crossed at low tide to near-deserted beaches.
The view from the Forte de Cacela Velha over the coastline
Monte Gordo
Monte Gordo is a modern and lively resort town that sits on the largest beach of the eastern Algarve. In the summer Monte Gordo has a bustling holiday atmosphere and buzzing nightlife, but is without the Portuguese charm of other destinations.
Related articles: Monte Gordo guide
The beautiful beach of Monte Gordo
The beach is the main appeal of Monte Gordo, and it is amazing!
Castro Marim
Castro Marim is a heavily defended town on the eastern side of the Algarve, which protected Portugal from Spanish aggression. There are two castles in Castro Marim; a 14th-century castle constructed by the “Order of Christ” as their religious stronghold, and a 17th-century fort that guarded the Rio Guadiana.
The medieval Castelo de Castro Marim sits on a hill top in the centre of the village
The later, 17th century Forte de Sao Sebastiao in Castro Marim
Nature Parks of the eastern Algarve
Parque Natural da Ria Formosa
The Parque Natural da Ria Formosa is the saltwater lagoons and mudflats between Faro and Tavira. This region is a haven for migratory birds and protects the fragile marine ecosystem, which would have succumbed to mass tourism if not protected.
The natural park designation also helps preserve the traditional fishing communities (such as the Ilha da Culatra) and sustainable fishing techniques used by them. The Ria Formosa is best explored by boat tours, which depart from Faro, Olhao or Tavira.
Related article: Ria Formosa boat trip from Faro
The waterways of the Ria Formosa Nature park
The Rio Gilao
Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo Antonio
These are salt marsh wetlands between Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo Antonio. Within these marshes is a permanent flock of flamingos, and it is a great location for hiking and bird watching. Salt is collected along the edge of the marshes using classical drying methods.
The flamingos of the Reserva Natural do Sapal
Mata Nacional Litorais de Vila Real de Santo Antonio
South of Vila Real de Santo Antonio are the mature sand dunes and pine forests of the Mata Nacional Litorais de Vila Real de Santo Antonio. Within the forest are shaded footpaths, which open out onto the vast Praia de Santo Antonio beach.
This may be the lesser of the region’s nature parks, but it is a pleasant setting for a peaceful walk or to escape the summertime crowds.
The forested walks of the Mata Nacional Litorais de Vila Real
Unique Monuments
The Cemitério das Âncoras
The Cemitério das Âncoras (Anchor graveyard) comprises of over one hundred rusting anchors that have been placed in the sand dunes behind the Praia do Barril beach. These anchors are a memorial to the former tuna fishing fleet which was based on the Praia do Barril until the 1960s.
Related articles: Praia do Barril
The rusting Cemitério das Âncoras
Our suggested order for day trips
If you are on holiday to Tavira, we would recommend visiting the surrounding region in this order:
Faro - Praia do Barril & Santa Luzia - Vila Real de Santo Antonio - Olhão - Cabanas - Castro Marim - Ria Formosa boat trip - Monte Gordo
Related articles: 1 week in Tavira
Best Beaches for Day Trips
There are numerous beautiful beaches within the eastern Algarve, some of the finest include:
Praia do Barril – A scenic beach, which was once home to a tuna fishing community. The fishing huts have been converted into shops and cafes, while the rusting anchors form the Cemitério das Âncoras.
Cabanas – A calm beach which is accessed from the town of Cabanas.
Monte Gordo to Manta Rota – A vast beach with the warmest seawaters of the Algarve, just try to ignore the huge apartment blocks and hotels behind the beach.
Related articles: Tavira beach guide
The beautiful beaches along the Tavira coastline
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