Janine’s Tavira Guidebook
Day at the Beach
There are many beaches to choose from all within 15 minutes drive from Tavira. Here are some of my favourite, including a few that are further along the west coast.
Take the the little ferry from Tavira to a beautiful white sand beach with a lot of space, restaurants, bars and snack huts. Shade rental available in peak season (often no charge in the off-season).
156 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Illa de Tavira
Take the the little ferry from Tavira to a beautiful white sand beach with a lot of space, restaurants, bars and snack huts. Shade rental available in peak season (often no charge in the off-season).
It's just a little over an hour's drive away from Tavira to visit these iconic beach scenes.
188 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa de Camilo
It's just a little over an hour's drive away from Tavira to visit these iconic beach scenes.
A stunning beach view from a very old hilltop village. After lunch in one of the restaurants or cafes, walk down to the beach via the stairs and take in the sea, sand and sun. A 20-minute drive from Tavira.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa de Cacela Velha
Rua de Cacela VelhaA stunning beach view from a very old hilltop village. After lunch in one of the restaurants or cafes, walk down to the beach via the stairs and take in the sea, sand and sun. A 20-minute drive from Tavira.
Another nearby beach (approx. 12-minute drive) stunning beach to spend the day sunning or swimming.
122 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Praia do Barril
Another nearby beach (approx. 12-minute drive) stunning beach to spend the day sunning or swimming.
Neighbourhoods
The place to go for the best Octopus in the Algarve. The street facing the water is filled with one restaurant after another most specializing in locally caught Octopus (Polvo).
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santa Luzia
The place to go for the best Octopus in the Algarve. The street facing the water is filled with one restaurant after another most specializing in locally caught Octopus (Polvo).
Food scene
There are a lot of options for places to eat in Tavira - this list takes some of the guesswork out of it for you. Reservations are usually the best way to ensure a table (either by Messenger or phone call). Remember it's not Portuguese custom to bring the bill to your table unless you request it.
All recommendations are visited and frequented by myself and research is always ongoing (with pleasure!).
For the best Tosta de Queijo in town (toasted/grilled cheese sandwich)! Perfect if you find yourself needing a mid-afternoon snack or coffee.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sitio Café
28 Tv. do Trem For the best Tosta de Queijo in town (toasted/grilled cheese sandwich)! Perfect if you find yourself needing a mid-afternoon snack or coffee.
Tapas style with all regional ingredients. Lovely wait staff who will always try to fit you in even with out reservations. Lots of vegetarian options here which are always thoughtful and fresh. Eat inside or out, even in the winter where heat lamps and blankets are provided.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nó de Gosto
11 Praça Dr. António PadinhaTapas style with all regional ingredients. Lovely wait staff who will always try to fit you in even with out reservations. Lots of vegetarian options here which are always thoughtful and fresh. Eat inside or out, even in the winter where heat lamps and blankets are provided.
A long-standing favorite in town that has stood the test of time. Wood-fired pizzas and pasta with fabulous vegetarian lasagna. Salads are top notch which can other wise be quite ho-hum depending on where you go. The inside is cozy with a dimmer, candlelit glow, mosaic tile details, and original art. Outside seating is in a narrow alley with bougainvillea hanging over head. Reservations are a good idea here (go in person to book or via FB Messenger).
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aquasul
12 R. Dr. Augusto da Silva CarvalhoA long-standing favorite in town that has stood the test of time. Wood-fired pizzas and pasta with fabulous vegetarian lasagna. Salads are top notch which can other wise be quite ho-hum depending on where you go. The inside is cozy with a dimmer, candlelit glow, mosaic tile details, and original art. Outside seating is in a narrow alley with bougainvillea hanging over head. Reservations are a good idea here (go in person to book or via FB Messenger).
Terraze
1 R. Borda d`Água da AssecaRiverside dining with fresh food, good portions and service. Overall good value and vibe!
A favourite Indian food in town with super fresh ingredients. Organized service and delicious every time.
Little India
10 R. Poe. Emiliano da CostaA favourite Indian food in town with super fresh ingredients. Organized service and delicious every time.
Tapas style, Portuguese cuisine. Quality ingredients, busy vibe. Some say the very best place to try Octopus in Tavira! Reservations via Messenger recommended.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ti MARIA
N51 R. dos Fumeiros de TrásTapas style, Portuguese cuisine. Quality ingredients, busy vibe. Some say the very best place to try Octopus in Tavira! Reservations via Messenger recommended.
Beautiful fish, seafood and roasted vegetables in a narrow, cobbled alleyway
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
O Tonel
6 R. Dr. Augusto da Silva CarvalhoBeautiful fish, seafood and roasted vegetables in a narrow, cobbled alleyway
A casual seafood eatery on the water around 15 minutes drive from Tavira. No reservations available but worth the trip for the waterside, traditional Portuguese seafood experience!
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Fialho
1090E EM1339A casual seafood eatery on the water around 15 minutes drive from Tavira. No reservations available but worth the trip for the waterside, traditional Portuguese seafood experience!
At the end of the road in Quatro Aguas, with views to the ocean is this small, family-run cafe that serves cocktails, coffee, and light food fare (their Toasties are spot on!).
O Cantinho do Florêncio
At the end of the road in Quatro Aguas, with views to the ocean is this small, family-run cafe that serves cocktails, coffee, and light food fare (their Toasties are spot on!).
Fresh fish for sushi, poke bowls, and other beautiful creations. Great service, and attention to detail, right down to the deconstructed Pastel de Nata for dessert. Fantastic vegetarian options too!
Bartô Restaurante
37 R. da LiberdadeFresh fish for sushi, poke bowls, and other beautiful creations. Great service, and attention to detail, right down to the deconstructed Pastel de Nata for dessert. Fantastic vegetarian options too!
On the busy main street of Tavira, you can get a delicious French cheese sampler board, Croque Monsieur, or baked Camembert with beautifully paired Portuguese Wine.
Tchin-Cheese
On the busy main street of Tavira, you can get a delicious French cheese sampler board, Croque Monsieur, or baked Camembert with beautifully paired Portuguese Wine.
Delicious tapas, served fresh with organized service. Vegetarian dishes are abundant at this favorite spot.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pausa
32 R. Dr. Marcelino FrancoDelicious tapas, served fresh with organized service. Vegetarian dishes are abundant at this favorite spot.
A delicious menu, seafood based, some beautiful pasta dishes, and excellent wine options as well as vegetarian (will accommodate vegan as well). Service is professional, timely, and organized. The dining room is comfortable with much-appreciated dimmer lighting.
Restaurante Bossa Tavira
A delicious menu, seafood based, some beautiful pasta dishes, and excellent wine options as well as vegetarian (will accommodate vegan as well). Service is professional, timely, and organized. The dining room is comfortable with much-appreciated dimmer lighting.
A busy little, no-frills spot for some tasty thin-crust pizza, fresh and ample salads, and cold drinks. Only one man serving and one woman in the kitchen but they deliver every time. A great, high-value take away option for when you want to dine-in at home.
Pizzeria Fenicia
n.º2 Largo da CaracolinhaA busy little, no-frills spot for some tasty thin-crust pizza, fresh and ample salads, and cold drinks. Only one man serving and one woman in the kitchen but they deliver every time. A great, high-value take away option for when you want to dine-in at home.
Ofélia Brunch & Cocktail Bar
Have a cocktail by the river in Tavira!
A wonderful bakery with French-style bread and pastries. Sit down for a coffee and a pastry while you're at it.
La Baguette Artisan Boulanger Français
20 R. dos MourosA wonderful bakery with French-style bread and pastries. Sit down for a coffee and a pastry while you're at it.
A cozy spot, on the fringe of town, focusing on local ingredients. It has attentive service, quality ingredients, and some great wine options.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Artefact
1 R. das CapacheirasA cozy spot, on the fringe of town, focusing on local ingredients. It has attentive service, quality ingredients, and some great wine options.
Sightseeing
For a beautiful, inland waterfall and small, freshwater swimming experience visit Pego do Inferno (14-minute drive).
76 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pego do Inferno
For a beautiful, inland waterfall and small, freshwater swimming experience visit Pego do Inferno (14-minute drive).
A charming, electric Tuk Tuk decorated in the look of typical blue Algarvian tiles will take you on various tours around Tavira and beyond. Tell Joao we sent you!
Maria's Tuk Tuk
7 R. Gonçalo VelhoA charming, electric Tuk Tuk decorated in the look of typical blue Algarvian tiles will take you on various tours around Tavira and beyond. Tell Joao we sent you!
Useful if you want to rent a car for just a portion of your visit (instead of renting for the duration, from the airport that you arrived at).
SIMPLYRENT rent-a-car Tavira
12/13 R. Borda d'Água AguiarUseful if you want to rent a car for just a portion of your visit (instead of renting for the duration, from the airport that you arrived at).
Golf
18 hole golf in less than 15 minutes drive away from Tavira
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Benamor Golf
18 hole golf in less than 15 minutes drive away from Tavira
Entertainment
located on the main street Rua Liberdade, visit on a Thursday night for their rooftop music jam or check their schedule for other upcoming performances.
Clube De Tavira
located on the main street Rua Liberdade, visit on a Thursday night for their rooftop music jam or check their schedule for other upcoming performances.
Self Care & Beauty
The best gel manicures in town by top-notch professionals. Now offering massage and medical aesthetics in their brand new location.
Beauty studio LAK
The best gel manicures in town by top-notch professionals. Now offering massage and medical aesthetics in their brand new location.
Cocoon Instituto Holístico
Full body massage and facials with a high quality, natural product range.
A beautiful yoga shala with various classes taught throughout the week. Kundalini, Flow yoga, Pilates, Shake the Dust, Hypopressive Breathing and more.
PRANAMA TAVIRA
A beautiful yoga shala with various classes taught throughout the week. Kundalini, Flow yoga, Pilates, Shake the Dust, Hypopressive Breathing and more.
Massage, Radio Frequency, facials, pedicures, manicures and waxing. Friendly and warm service!
Modern Feel
Massage, Radio Frequency, facials, pedicures, manicures and waxing. Friendly and warm service!