Tavira Holidays
Tavira Holidays – The Algarve’s architectural gem
A holiday in Tavira is for couples, families, and those for whom discovery forms part of their holiday itinerary. Rated along with Lagos as one of the two most architecturally interesting historic towns in the Algarve, Tavira has retained much of its traditional beauty without sacrificing its heritage in search of the tourist euro. Because of this it is the perfect holiday destination for those who love castles, churches, meandering streets and white-washed houses, as well as leisurely evening strolls and excellent restaurants on the river front of the Gilão River, a picturesque setting to enjoy a drink at one of the cafes.
There is also a chance to try island life, at least for a day, because Tavira’s main beach is on the Ilha de Tavira, an eleven kilometre-long sandy island. And you mustn’t miss a trip to one of the treasures of the Algarve - Cacela Velha little more than a handful of white houses, a church and castle, but an image to recall the more tranquil and historic side of the Algarve.
When to go to Tavira
As Tavira isn’t your typical sun, sand and sea holiday, you can enjoy the resort almost any time of the year, as well as visiting some of the small villages along the coast. If you fancy yourself a bit of a gastronome, the annual Gastronomy of the Sea Festival takes place over a couple of weeks in May, when restaurants in the town dedicate themselves to the produce taken from their very door step. During July and August, the Praça de República plays host to a programme of evening entertainment.
Your holiday funds will go further outside of the main tourist season, but July and August are also when you will have the best weather. Autumn is the ideal time to go if your holiday dates aren’t fixed, as the days are still long and warm, turning to comfortably cool in the evening.
The Tavira Island International Sport Meeting is an annual four-day event held in early April that has training and competitions involving most beach and water sports.
The weather in Tavira
With Tavira being lapped by the Mediterranean, the waters are usually slightly warmer than those further west, but because of that they also lack the cooling breeze that comes off the Atlantic during high summer. June to September see the temperatures rise from the mid to high 20s or low 30s, with twelve hours of sun daily at the peak of the summer months, bringing with it a rise in humidity during July and August. The tiny amount of rain you may experience outside of October to March will probably come as a welcome relief from the heat of the day.
Getting the best deal to Tavira
Tavira doesn’t have the same level of mass tourism that exists in some other parts of the Algarve, so you most likely won’t have as many opportunities for deals as you would elsewhere. But they do exist, particularly if you can take your holiday outside the traditional school holidays – which gives you about ten months to choose from! There are lots of small villages close to Tavira, so you might find a better deal in one of them if you don’t mind a short bus or taxi ride into town.
Look below to see our best deals and also make sure to check our late deals offers.
Airport and transport need to know
Direct flights from Stansted, Gatwick, Glasgow, Leeds and Bradford, Newcastle, Cardiff and fourteen other regional airports ensures that you will have no difficulty getting to the Algarve from the UK.
Faro airport is only a thirty kilometre drive from Tavira, which will cost about 41€ (£33) by a metered taxi for four people. You may find it cheaper and more convenient to book a shuttle bus on-line, which will be waiting for you at the airport. There are both bus and train services from the airport to Tavira, (3.95/2.45€ (£3.20/2) respectively) but you would be as well to use a taxi as you need to get a bus or taxi from the airport into Faro town.
To get around Tavira and get a feel for the town there is a tourist train that leaves from near the old bridge and runs a service up until midnight during July and August.
The best beaches in Tavira
Ilha de Tavira, Tavira Island, is an eleven kilometre long sandspit beach that is considered one of the best in the Algarve. There is no road access, and you have to take either a water taxi or one of the jolly little ferries that run from Tavira and Quatro Aguas from 9am to 5pm daily out of season, 8am to midnight from 1st July to 5th September. Within a short walk of the small ferry terminal there are restaurants, beach bars and a campsite, so you can spend the whole day on the island and want for nothing. It is part of the Natural reserve of Ria Formosa, and is very popular with bird watchers, as it is with naturists who can quit their clothing quite legally.
Another island beach, the Ilha de Cabanas-Mar, or Praia de Cabanas as it is also known, is a peaceful sunbathing beach with seven kilometres of white sand. You can rent a sunshade or try your hand at windsurfing and sailing. It also has a café-bar and toilet and shower facilities. Boats make return trips to the island from April to October.
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