Ten Top Reasons You Will Love About Living in Tavira

Living In Tavira Has Some Great Benefits Heres Are Our Top Ten

With its cobbled streets and range of activities, Tavira combined the charm of a small fishing town with the beauty of sumptuous golden sands located just a few kilometres away, Tavira is a gem of a choice for our clients.

With Faro airport less than an hour’s drive from the town, this is somewhere we think will entice those seeking rich culture during the long winter months.

1. The Wonderful Seafood & Traditional Cuisine

An active fishing port makes Tavira a wonderful place to dine for those interested in the region’s gastronomic delights.  

One of our favourites is the Artefact restaurant. With its sumptuous range of local produce and contemporary Portuguese cuisine, it’s a fantastic way to sample fresh delicacies and immerse yourself in the region’s wonderful tastes.

If you’re after something a little more exotic, why not try Little India for some incredible Asian culinary talent? It offers great value for money, a welcoming atmosphere, and caters for a range of tastes.

Those looking for seafood should try the Porto di Mare – a delightful restaurant that’s well known for its catch of the day!

Looking for a restaurant that serves the best Portuguese signature dish the famous chicken Piri Piri? Head along the N125 towards Monte Gordo and you will find the biggest and best in the eastern Algarve in Xicken & Cia.

2. Take a Tuk-Tuk Tour of the City

Giving you the safety and peace of mind that comes from a 100% electric tuk-tuk, you can explore all corners of Tavira to find the hidden gems.

The tours take in all the major sights of the beautiful city, such as the church São Sebastião – with its two busts of King John III and Queen Catherine of Austria, and the royal coat of arms, it makes for a great photo in your next social media post from the trip!

Next up, you could travel to Tavira’s large salt pans for some birdwatching – looking out for all sorts of long-legged seabirds, seagulls and waders amongst the incredible settings.

Lastly, your tour will probably take you through former military barracks, more old churches and other sites of historical significance that the local guides will point out on the day.

3. Visit One of the Many Beautiful & Relaxing Spas

Housing 5 wonderful spas and wellness centres, Tavira prides itself as a hub of relaxation with these wonderful places:

If you’re after the ultimate in relaxation, try the Elle day spa, a wonderful sanctuary, where you can ground your stress and achieve peace in a tranquil setting. You can take a rejuvenating Swedish massage, have a facial, get your nails done, or simply relax in the calm surroundings.

If you’re after something a little more physical, you could try the Ozadi Tavira Hotel or its sister Eurotel in Altura to practice your downward dog or your ‘Uttanasana’ (the standing forward bend to you, me, and everyone else!).

4. The Benamor & Monte Rei Golf Clubs

If you’ve come for something a little more exciting, then give the fantastic Benamor golf club a try. Built-in early 2000, this 18-hole course offers peaceful surroundings as well as wonderful views of the turquoise Algarve water and nearby mountains. Perhaps one of the most beautiful courses in the area, in our view!

Monte Rei is only a short drive from Tavira and is found in one of the most exclusive golf resorts. The course itself was designed by none other than Jack Nicklaus. It is said to be one of the best courses in the Algarve.

As a prime resort, property for sale in Monte Rei Resort can be hard to find. The five-star golfing resort does attract many overseas buyers.

There are a number of other courses within 30 minutes drive so it is a real golfers’ paradise.

5. Cabanas de Tavira a Delightful Village. 

A short drive east will take you to the small ex-fishing village of Cabanas de Tavira. Now more associated as a tourist destination it still holds on to its natural beauty and quaintness.

Small fishing boats are still moored along the estuary that separates the village from the beach and sea. Some now take passengers out to the isolated island beach.

The village makes a great alternative to staying in the town of Tavira with lots of small cafes, bars and restaurants with a beautiful views.

Property for sale in Cabanas de Tavira can be a little cheaper than in the centre of Tavira and you can often pick up some good bargains.

6. Santa Luzia & Fuseta & The Train

Heading west and the first point of interest is the tiny hamlet of Santa Luzia which provides a great walk along the coast. A cafe ideally situated around the bay makes for a welcoming resting place.

Being so compact property for sale in Santa Luiza is quite rare, so if you are thinking of making this place your home you need to act quickly!

Next stop is Fuseta. Park up and head for the train station. Don’t worry you won’t be going far for this is the best way to reach the magnificent Praia do Barril beach. 

Out of season, the beach is deserted with miles of golden sands and dunes. As the train pulls in there are a couple of cafes/restaurants and a few gift shops. 

As you hit the beach the eerie graveyard of anchors serves as a reminder, some say it marks every fisherman that died at sea others say they are the anchors of the tuna fishing boats that once thrived in this now-extinct industry.

Most of the properties for sale in Fuzeta are quite reasonable, being away from the main resorts, and offer good value for money.

7. A Trip Across the Border – No Passport Needed!

Being so close to Spain, just a 30-minute drive away, your options for away days and weekend breaks are numerous.

Ayamonte is the first town you hit as you cross the border bridge. Head off at the first exit on the Spanish side and within a few mins, you will be in the beautiful town centre. 

The nearby coastal resorts of Isla Cristina and Isla Canela provide great Spanish hospitality in a number of very nice hotels. The beaches around this location are also amazing. 

Further afield Seville is well worth the two-hour drive. One of the most beautiful Spanish cities and is packed with many interesting places to visit.

8. Vila Real de Santo Antonio & Guadiana River

The last city on the Portuguese Spanish border Vila Real de Santo Antonio is a more typical Portuguese location and is lively all year round.

Walk around the centre and along the walkway that follows the estuary where the river Guadiana meets the Atlantic Ocean. 

With a view across to the Spanish town of Ayamonte and the coastal resorts in the distance. You can take the short ferry trip across the river and back to while away a few hours, grabbing some great photo opportunities along the way.

For those who enjoy sailing, why not take one of the boat trips that take you further up the Guadiana river and through some truly spectacular scenery?

Looking for a property in the Vila Real de Santo Antonio region? We have several properties available and new ones always coming on the market.

9. Monte Gordo or Broke!

Take a chance on a night out at the Monte Gordo Casino. Just a twenty-minute ride away the newly renovated casino is a night out in itself. 

Before you hit the tables take time to eat in the Oceano Lounge serving traditional Portuguese cuisine served to a very high standard. 

After eating take in one of the truly international acts providing the entertainment for the nightly shows. 

As you enter the games hall you are met with over 2,000 slot machines lighting the place up and the constant clunking sound that comes with every pull of the lever that will leave you enchanted into sitting down and pulling that big shiny rod. 

After the slots, the roulette tables and blackjack tables are a great place to try out your luck. If those are not your cup of tea there are many other games to tempt the money out of your wallet. Good luck to all those who dare to enter!

The town of Monte Gordo has a lot more to offer than just a casino. Why not try a day trip to this wonderful location? Lively all year round it really is worth a visit. 

10. A Visit to Altura & Manta Rota 

The two locations are less than a kilometre apart but both offer a real experience of typical Portuguese fishing villages. 

Manta Rota is the first village to come to pass through the white-washed buildings that lead to a huge parking lot in front of the beach. The park is used mostly by travellers with many caravans and mobile homes stationed in the designated area.

Wooden walkways pass through a kid’s park and down to the beautiful white sandy beach. A few cafes and bars offer refreshments in what is one of the less busy locations.

Altura is very much on the same par as Manta Rota maybe a little larger in size but still has the same relaxing charm.

The houses here are of a typical Portuguese style and it can be difficult to find a home for sale in Altura.

Again the beach is superb and seems to go on forever, you could walk to Vila Real on the border, so you will always find the perfect speck even in high season.

As We Think You Will Agree – Tavira is a Top Place to Live

If you are interested in buying a property in Tavira or the surrounding area take a look at our many properties on offer. We are sure you will find one that could become your dream home in the Algarve.