Tavira

Tavira is a small town in eastern Algarve, Portugal, set along the Gilão River, which is spanned by a bridge of Roman origin linking the two banks of the old town. Overlooked by the remains of a Moorish castle and by the church of Santa Maria do Castelo, it retains a historic centre of cobbled lanes and whitewashed houses topped with the four-sided roofs typical of the region. Once a tuna-fishing port, Tavira has kept a calmer, more authentic feel than some other Algarve resorts. Nearby, Tavira Island, reached by boat from the Quatro Águas jetty, offers several kilometres of fine sandy beach along the Atlantic coast, within the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a wetland area rich in birdlife and traditional salt pans. Local cuisine centres on seafood, with grilled fish and shellfish often served in a cataplana. The Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, makes the town pleasant to visit throughout much of the year. The municipal market and riverside cafés add to the relaxed atmosphere of this Portuguese town.