Tavira hotels

Hotels in Tavira

A beautifully preserved Algarve community with a distinctively Moorish appearance, Tavira is the perfect holiday destination for people looking for a laid-back, authentically Portuguese atmosphere with centuries of history proudly on display. The city is known for its charismatic old town, which is approximately 500 years old and contains many charming Baroque style landmarks and delightful whitewashed buildings.

Tavira Castle

This defence has existed since at least the Middle Ages and replaced a much older castle that may have been built before the Roman Empire. The castle, which includes an octagonal tower and two iconic square towers, offers impressive panoramic views of the city and is regularly open for visits.

The Municipal Museum of Archaeology

Housed in a striking 16th-century palace called the Palácio da Galeria, the Tavira Municipal Museum of Archaeology explores the archaeological history of the Tavira area during the Pheonician, Islamic and late-medieval eras. It is a must-see for anyone interested in sacred art, and organises numerous cultural programmes and festivities throughout the year.

The Praia do Barril

A breathtaking Blue Flag beach, the Praia do Barril is known for its endless white sands and sand dunes, and seems much wilder than many other beaches on the Algarve. This fabulous stretch of sand, which is known in English as 'The Barrel Beach', also remains relatively quiet during the summer season and can be accessed via a footbridge above the Ria Formosa estuary.

Nearby: Huelva

The headquarters of the Recreativo de Huelva, which is Spain's oldest football club, Huelva is well known for its unique Queen Victoria district, a community that was designed to emulate an English suburb and even features English-style vegetation. One of the highlights of any visit to Huelva is the Cuesta Maneli, another glorious sandy beach that can only be accessed by driving towards a car park in Matalascañas before taking a long stroll down to the sand.

Where to stay in Tavira

Popular and affordable Tavira hotels you could consider include the well-presented Herdade da Corta, the contemporary, value-for-money Cabanas Resort Park, and the deluxe Ozadi Tavira Hotel. Other reputed hotels include the Pousada de Tavira Historic Hotel, and the Costa de Cabanas hotel in nearby Cabanas.

Eating out in the city

For some delicious, authentic tapas, you can't go wrong at the Snack Bar Fonte Salgada in Cabanas, neither can you go wrong at the Ritual Tapas & Bar restaurant if you're after some delightful Cuban-themed tapas. Other highly regarded restaurants in Tavira include the local and Brazilian-themed Castelo Café e Restaurante, the European-inspired A Taska restaurant, and the Tavira Lounge, which serves yet more tantalising tapas, Portuguese, Mediterranean and international dishes.