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Things to do in Tavira - Algarve - Portugal
Tavira is a truly picturesque town with some 30 churches, medieval castle remains, historic buildings, delightful river front gardens, an indoor market on the river front and an idyllic 'ilha' beach (an island beach reached by ferry), that you will be spoilt for choice as to where to visit first! Tavira is one of the gems of the Algarve - a very peaceful,relaxed town that has retained it's original charm and truly Portuguese flavour. Ideally placed for golf, horse riding, exploring the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and finding the 'Secret Waterfall'!
Here you will find lots of information about things to do in Tavira! Information about places of interest to visit, churches, galleries, museums, historical remains and leisure activities in and around Tavira.
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Leisure activities in the Tavira area
Cinema in Tavira
There is a five screen cinema at the Gran Plaza Shopping Centre in Tavira showing all the latest films in English. You can see what's showing on the Zon lusomundo website
Shopping in Tavira
Tavira has a wide variety of shops in the town and also the large Gran-Plaza Shopping Centre - more than enough shopping for the most avid shopaholics!
Horse Riding in Tavira
'Vô Silvestre' Centre, Vale Caranguejo, 8800 Tavira. Tel: 932 030 021
Nature Walks and Bird watching
There are lots of beautiful places to explore and Tavira is ideal for nature walks and bird watching
Watersports and Beach entertainment on Ilha de Tavira
Xiri Beach bar is the hub for all types of watersports - jetski, wakeboard, kayak, donut's, banana ride, Hidrobeetles and parasailing! On the beach there are volley ball and football courts, and various activities like yoga, tai-chi, salsa dancing, aerobics, body pump and a little more relaxing - massage! They also have concerts and themed parties with DJ's!
Paintballing and climbing in Tavira
The Sports Centre at Rua do Forno,33, 8800 Tavira. Tel: 919 338 226 offers paintballing and also has a climbing wall
Guided tours of Tavira
Tavira is a town full of history, churches and beautiful buildings so if you don't want to miss something join a guided tour of Tavira.
Astronomical Observatory
Previous notice is required to visit the Astronomical Observatory at Sitio do Malhão, Santo Estévão. Tel: 281 321 754.
Camara Obscura "Tour of Tavira"
The Torre de Tavira is an old water tower next to Igreja de Santa Maria and is home to the Camara Obscura which with a clever use of a rotating mirror and magnifying glasses projects a 360 "tour" of Tavira onto a large horizontal screen.
Boat trips in Tavira
Explore the waterways of the Ria Formosa Natural Park on a Tavira boat trip with Sequa tours or wander down to the water front where there are numerous water taxis.
Lawn Bowling in Tavira
Tavira has it's very own Tavira County Lawn Bowling Club which is open from 10.30 until dusk (Monday to Saturday) and from 2pm until dusk on Sundays.
Golf
Tavira has several golf courses nearby Benamor Golf, Quinta da ria and Quinta de Cima golf courses and Colina verde golf.
Municipal Swimming Pools
No need to miss out on your daily swim as the Algarve has super leisure facilities including the swimming pool in Tavira (a 25 metre, 8 lane pool) - part of the sports complex at Pavilhão Municipal Dr. Eduardo Mansinho, Tavira.
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 08.00h to 13.00h and 15.00h to 21.00h
Saturday 09.00h to 13.00h and 15.00h to 19.00h; Sunday 09.00h to 13.00h. Closed on public holidays
You will need a swim cap, flipflops for poolside use and lycra style trunks (not beach shorts) for the men and full swimsuit for the ladies.
Tennis
There are 5 tennis courts next to the Pavilhão Municipal Dr. Eduardo Mansinho, Tavira
Areas of interest in and around Tavira
 'Secret' Waterfall in Tavira:
"O Pego do Inferno" ("The Pool of Hell"): Pego do Inferno is in the parish of Santo Estevão, a few kilometres from Tavira. The name is quite ironic, considering that it is a beautiful turquoise-blue lagoon with a 5 metre cascading waterfall (an outlet for the River de Asseca). It is an area of great environmental wealth and is the perfect setting to relax, swim, take in the nature and even spot some of the local wildlife. The natural lagoon forms part of the National Ecological Reserve and is protected by a rocky crag and green trees and shrubs. The footpath is the best way to get to the waterfall; and there is the picnic area where you can stop and enjoy your packed lunch. Directions to Pego do Inferno:
Get on the EN397 from Tavira towards Cachopo and take a left turn, after approximately 7 km. Pego do Inferno is hidden behind the exotic vegetation, following a walk down some hundred steps. Note: Don't forget some insect repellent!
 Ilha de Tavira-Mar:
The beach in Tavira is a 'sandspit' beach, separated from the mainland by the sea and has to be reached by a ferry boat or water taxi. It is certainly worth visiting as the Ilha is beautiful - it feels like being on your own tropical island! To get there from Tavira town either hop on a bus, or if you are driving, follow the signs for Ilha de Tavira and you arrive at Quatro Águas. Leave your car in one of the car parks and head for the jetty where a ferry will either be waiting or you can see it on its way back from the Ilha- you won't have long to wait!
 Tavira Indoor Market:
A popular indoor market, selling olives, fresh fruit, nuts, fish and lots of other fresh produce.
 Cabanas:
Cabanas is situated some 7km east of Tavira, at the beginning of the lagoons of the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve. It is a delightfully 'chilling' place where any sense of 'urgency' simply disappears! The view across the calm, crystal clear waters of the lagoon to the beach, with brightly coloured fishing boats along the waters edge, really is picturesque. The Avenida Ria Formosa runs the length of the lagoon and there are lots of little restaurants and café-bars along its length, making it the pefect spot to while away an afternoon in the sunshine! There is quite a lot of parking space, but you do have to avoid the tables and chairs outside the numerous cafés as they are literally 'on the road'!
Torre de Tavira:
On the top of an old water tower, near Igreja de Santa Maria, you can enjoy a rather different view of Tavira courtesy of the 'Camera Obscura'. It is a mirror and two lenses which project a live image of Tavira inside the tower onto a big screen and it revolves around 360° to give a view around the whole town. There is someone giving a 'guided tour' as it revolves so you know what you are seeing. The cost (2007) was €3,50 per adult and just €10 for a family ticket..
Churches in the Tavira area
- Igreja da Misericórdia:
In Tavira town (just up past the tourist information office). A must see 16th century church said to be one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in the Algarve.The façade was made by the famous master-mason André Pilarte (finished in 1551).Inside you can see the 18th century azulejos depicting the fourteen works of the Misericórdia.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm.
- Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria do Castelo (Parish church of Santa Maria near the castle). Originating from the 13th century but it has had alterations since. The clock tower is part of the original building.
Opening hours: Daily 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm
- Igreja de Sant'Iago (St. James) - on Rua Paio Peres Correira is17th century.
Opening hours: Daily 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5pm
- Igreja de São Paulo - part of a former monastery and built during the 17th century.
- Igreja de São José do Hospital - a late 18th century church with a porch in 'rocaille' style and the main altar has 'trompe l'oeil' paintwork. Originally built in the 15th century and known as the The Holy Spirit Church, it, and the hospital next door, were badly damaged in an earthquake in 1722. They were just about finished being rebuilt when the 1755 earthquake ruined them again. The present church was finished in 1768.
- Igreja de São Francisco - it's medieval in origin but underwent substantial rebuilding in the 19th century. It's bell tower is baroque.
- Hermitage of Nossa Senhora do Livramento (Our Lady of the Liberation) - about 3 kms from Luz de Tavira - the facade is decorated in blue tiles and the inside has some of the intricately carved and gilded baroque work.
- Hermitage of Santa Ana - probably originates from 15/16th century, but was completely rebuilt during the 18th century.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm
- Igreja de Carmo - 18th century and a very good example of baroque art.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 4pm to 5pm
Galleries and Museums in Tavira
- Armação Museological Nucleus: The Tuna Fishing Museum Nucleus at the Hotel Vila Galé Albacora (Quatro Águas), celebrates the history of Tavira tuna fishing, which actually began back in around 1734. If you visit the museum, you'll also be in the same area as the Rato Forte and if you are travelling in spring time you may want to visit the saltpans, which become inhabited by flamingos. (Tel: 281 380 800). Opening hours: 9am to 7pm everyday
- Municipal Museum, Palácio da Galeria, Tavira. Exhibits showing the history and culture of Tavira.
Opening hours during the summer: 10.00h to 12.00h and 16.00h to 19.30h, Tuesday to Saturday.
Opening hours during the winter: 10.00h to 12.00h and 14.00h to 17.30h Tuesday to Saturday.
Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays.
- Cachopo musuem, Rua Matos Casaca,12, Cachopo. Exhibition of 'The life in the Serra' .
Opening hours: 09.30h to 13.00h and 14.30h to 18.00h.
- Casa-Museu do Monte da Guerreira, Santo Estevão. An exhibition of religious and decorative arts from the 17th and 18th centuries (china, cristal, furniture etc) in a room in a typical Algarve quinta (farm house).
Historical remains in the Tavira area
 Tavira Castle:
The medieval castle, out from which the city walls were built, has foundation walls dating back to the Neolithic period, but the fortress has been rebuilt by the phoenicians (8th century BC), the Moors (between the 8th and 13th century A.C), by order of King Dinis in 1293, and in 17th century sections needed to be rebuilt again. Today some wall towers and the castle still remain, which serves as a scenery to a small garden, and the view over the walls across Tavira are wonderful.
- Palácio da Galeria (Galeria Palace): The palace dates back to the 16th century and was transformed in the middle of the 18th century. You can admire the baroque stonemasonary of the portal and the upper floor windows of probably one of the most remarkable civil buildings in Tavira. It is now a Museum / Cultural Centre, which you can visit and see the exhibitions on display (Tel: 281 320 500).
Opening hours:
July to September: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 12.30pm, 4pm to 7.30pm, closed Sundays, Mondays and National holidays.
October to June: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 12.30pm, 2pm to 5.30pm, closed Sundays, Mondays and National holidays.
- Forte do Rato - beside the mouth of the Gilão river. 16th century with 17th century modifications - to defend the port of Tavira.
- Torre d'Arres near Luz de Tavira - a circular brickwork tower about 3 metres high - possibly built in the Middle Ages during the Muslim occupation of the Algarve as part of the coastal defences against pirates. It would have been used to light warning fires on.
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