Tavira is a small coastal city in eastern Algarve, Portugal. The little city with just over ten thousand inhabitants has rapidly become one of the most popular tourism spots in Portugal in recent times. A comparison is often made between the city and Venice because Tavira also lies picturesquely across the river Gilao. “Venice of Algarve” has one of its prime attractions in the “Roman Bridge” on river Gilao that was so well constructed by the Moorish back in the twelfth century that it even survived the destructive earthquake of 1755 and remained strong. A tourist will find him/herself musing at the buildings throughout the city including the thirty seven churches and the ancient Moorish castle.
Renaissance had its impact on Tavira’s architecture when the earthquake in 1755 demolished many Arab buildings; thus in Tavira, one will find a rare blend of Moorish, renaissance and gothic architecture that has left its prints all over the city and its buildings over the centuries at different time periods.
In Santa Maria do Costello lies the resting place of Dom Paia Peres Correia and his knights who were heroic in their deeds against the Moorish in 1242. If you want to witness some of the renaissance architecture in Tavira, your visits must include Igreja da Misericordia. This church had to be rebuilt after the earthquake, but it holds some of the finest carvings in the city depicting biblical scenes, especially in respect to the life of Jesus Christ.
The Tuna Fishing Museum still is evidence to the fact that Tavira once had a very active fish market, although its principle source of income these days is tourism. Tavira was made into a city during its primetime as a fishing town in fact, and it was during the same time that it also became the main port of Algarve for nearly two hundred years.
If you are somewhat interested in photography, then you may want to check out the Camera Obscura, located on an abandoned water tower offering a 360° panoramic view of the city. This was one of the devices from the past that helped the modern camera find its way into existence.
Apart from historic landmarks, architectural beauties and artistic aesthetics, Tavira has more to offer simply in its natural appeal. Orange Orchards found throughout the city is a pleasant image to behold and the almond and fig along with other luscious vegetation makes Tavira a pleasing place to go around the city.
Tavira has a handicraft market called the “Old Market” which serves the needs of all who are interested in the handicraft of the region, but the markets are mainly loaded with custom woolen blankets, baskets and of course, farm products fresh from the city itself.
A recent addition to the charms of Tavira is the addition of golf courses, which in fact, is proving to be quite effective in attracting more tourists. The golf courses are however, added in such a way, so that they do not hinder the prime attraction of Tavira, which is of course its unpolluted natural beauty, mixed with historic and artistic appeal.