Homepage of Tavira, Algarve, Portugal

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.
Tavira along with Lagos is one of the most architecturally attractive towns in the Algarve and its origin dates back to around 2.000 BC. During the occupation of the Algarve by the Moors this town was considered of great importance due to its fishing industry.

Like most of the Algarve its buildings were all virtually destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. The town has since been rebuilt with many fine 18th Century fine buildings along with its 37 churches A Roman bridge links the two parts of the town across the River Gilão. Its original economic reliance on the fishing industry has now been surpassed due to the change in the migration patterns of the tuna fish. The population is in the region of 20,000 inhabitants supporting a military base whilst the surrounding area is still very rural and undeveloped. This is now changing due to the demands of the tourist industry and opening of golf courses in the near vicinity.

Beaches

Ilha da Tavira - There are regular ferry crossings to this island, whuch lies opposite the city and has long beaches and suoort facilities.
Cabanas - Seperated by an arm of the Ria Formosa, Cabanas is quite and isolated. It can be reached by boat from Tavira. Resort Quinta Velha
Conceição - Opposite the village of the same name. Reached by boat. Extensive beach. Very calm.
Santa Luzia - A vast beach that offers hours of solitude, coupled with the pleasure of warm, clear waters.
Barril - Barril is long enough to encompass both the cosmopolitan atmosphere and near complete isolation.

Golf

Benamor
This course. designed by Sir Henry Cotton, is the first golf course to open east of the capital of the Algarve, Faro, and lies just outside of Tavira. The course is an undulating one, although not excessively so, offering views over the mountains to one side and the sea to the other.
Colina Verde
The Colina Verde is a small inland 9-hole course situated in Maragota, between the coast and the Algarvian mountain range.

Places of Interest

Luz de Tavira
The houses in Lux de Tavira have the traditional "platibandas" borders painted with geometrical or floral motifs, that frame walls, windowsand doorways - many of which are masterpieces of mortar work. The influence of the Art Nouveau decorative style, popular at the beginning of the century is apparent in the ornate chimneys rising from the roofs.
Main church - Built inthe 16th century much of the original structure has survived to the present day. The imposing Renaissance porch takes up
large part of tha main facade. The roofs of the three naves are hidden by an original and highly decorative ensemble made up of one semi-circular and two
triangular pediments. A statue of Nossa Senhora da Luz (our Lady of the Light) stands in a niche. There is a very ornate side porch in the Manueline style with columns carved in the shape of twisted ropes, a typically nautical motif. On the walls of the church there are four stone rosettes, interpreted as symbols of the sun, moon and stars.
A short way away stands the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Livramento (Our Lady of the Liberation) (18th century ) the exterior of which is plain and slightly bizarre. Its altar is in the baroque style.

Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo
Surrounded by groves of flourishing almond and orange trees, this is a town typical of the limestone lands of the Algarve's intermediate rural area. known as the Barrocal.
Main church - The church is in the Renaissance style ( 16th century ) and has a decorated porch. The interior is made up of three naves and has columns w ith Ionic capitals. The main chapel is spanned by a painted vault and has to one side a Manueline doorway (16th century). Among the statues to be seen, there is a
16th century Nossa Senhora da Graça (Our Lady of .he Grace) which is particularly deserving of mention. The
Adoration of the Shepherds is depicted on a panel.
Conceição de Tavira
This town of farmers and fishermen has old houses tucked away down narrow streets and open views of sea and shone.
Main church - The church's gothic origins are evident from tile fine main porch, which boasts five reentrant columns. It has suffered a number of modifications since it was first built. The main chapel has a gothic vault and a triumphal arch in the Renaissance style (16th century ). There are statues from the I7th and 18th centuries. Among the items in the church's holy treasure is a 17th century silver monstrance.

Lodging

Quinta Velha Village
Quinta Velha is a cosy resort located by the fishing village of Cabanas on the eastern Algarve Coast.
This Village features 60 Villas.
A huge Swimming Pool with its Bar, a high quality Restaurant, a Business Lounge and a Games Room present a nice infrastructure in a green and calm environment.

Pousada Tavira
Graça Convent in Tavira was once the Convent of the Cloistered Augustinian Nuns, which was founded by King D. Sebastião around 1569. With architectural elements blending with modern equipment, makes this Pousada ready for any business client or, for the ones that want a perfect golf course, a fantastic day by the pool, a regional and delicious dinner and a starry night in the suite's private and gardened room.

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Tavira
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