Tavira along with Lagos is one of the most architecturally attractive towns in the Algarve and its origin seems to date back to around 2.000 BC.

Beautiful empty beaches with sands that seem to go on forever. Fields of orange trees, heavy with the scent of blossom. Then the hills of fig and almond trees and houses with dazzling whitewashed walls and distinctive chimneys decorated to resemble fine tracery of lace. And, last of all, the great open spaces. This is just a hint of the charms of Tavira and its municipality, an invitation to come and find out more.

Like much of the Algarve, most of Tavira's important buildings were destroyed in the earthquake of 1755, and the town has since been rebuilt with many fine 18th century churches and other fine buildings.

The town straddles the River Gilão, both sides linked by a Roman bridge.

Many of the great beaches close to Tavira can be reached by boat, such as on the Ilha de Tavira - the isla-lnd opposite the town, the Cabanas, and Santa Luzia.

Nearby is Luz de Tavira, a village with delightful traditional houses and a 16th century Renaissance church, which survived the earthquake.

Santa Caterina da Fonte do Bispo is a little village surrounded by almond and orange groves, and is typical of the Algarve's intermediate rural area known as the Barrocal.

Conceição de Tavira is a typical farming and fishermens town, with old houses tucked away down narrow streets and open views of the sea.