Luz de Tavira Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ilha de Tavira is one of six barrier islands that makes up 18400 hectares of protected nature reserve along the Ria Formosa along with wetlands, mudflats and hundreds of species of plant and wildlife. The island itself has a commercialised centre with wooden walkways and cafes, bar, restaurants as well as a camping area (no hotels on the island). I felt a bit like i'd arrived at a theme park but once you go thought this and on to the beach, its lovely. A blue flag beach, 11km of coastline, sun shades and sun beds to rent but plenty of sand to spread out a towel away from the hustle and bustle. The island beach is only accessible by boat and there is a water taxi and ferry service that operates daily. During the summer tourist months the ferry runs from Tavira centre from the quay side near the indoor market. But in the offpeak months (even in May) you have to go to the Quatro Águas pier. (Don't be fooled by the ferry moored on the quay looking like it is waiting for passengers!) The walk to the ferry felt long, it was probably 20 minutes of so but in the baking sun along deserted road and salt fields it felt a trek. I'd recommend getting the bus if you can work out the timetables. Ferry Times: http://tavira.algarvetouristguide.com/beaches/tavira-island #NationalPark #Beach
Ilha de Tavira is one of six barrier islands that makes up 18400 hectares of protected nature reserve along the Ria Formosa along with wetlands, mudflats and hundreds of species of plant and wildlife. The island itself has a commercialised centre with wooden walkways and cafes, bar, restaurants as well as a camping area (no hotels on the island). I felt a bit like i'd arrived at a theme park but once you go thought this and on to the beach, its lovely. A blue flag beach, 11km of coastline, sun shades and sun beds to rent but plenty of sand to spread out a towel away from the hustle and bustle. The island beach is only accessible by boat and there is a water taxi and ferry service that operates daily. During the summer tourist months the ferry runs from Tavira centre from the quay side near the indoor market. But in the offpeak months (even in May) you have to go to the Quatro Águas pier. (Don't be fooled by the ferry moored on the quay looking like it is waiting for passengers!) The walk to the ferry felt long, it was probably 20 minutes of so but in the baking sun along deserted road and salt fields it felt a trek. I'd recommend getting the bus if you can work out the timetables. Ferry Times: http://tavira.algarvetouristguide.com/beaches/tavira-island #NationalPark #Beach
Tavira Island, Algarve - Portugal. Tavira Island (Portuguese: Ilha de Tavira) is found South of the city and can only be reached by boat, which departs from the city center and from Quatro-Aguas. The Island is 11Km long and varies between 1Km and 150m width. It's considered to be one of the best beaches in the Algarve Region, and it includes areas where naturism can be practised without problems. The Island belongs to the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve, which is popular it's birds and flamingos, a delight for bird lovers. The access to Tavira Island is provided by boats from Quatro Águas peer in Tavira. The parking areas are fairly large and organised. The beach has basic support facilities, like restaurants and toilets, and is supervised during the bathing season. This beach often holds the blue flag, proof of its environmental quality and superiority. The Island includes a Camping Park and restaurants, which makes the place one of the most popular tourism destinies for Camping lovers. #nationalpark #riaformosa #taviraisland #Algarve #Portugal #Beach #NaturalReserve #campingpark #ecology #bestSpots #sportactivities #landscape #naturespot
AP Eva Senses

AP Eva Senses

4 out of 5
Avenida da Republica, 1 Faro
The price is ฿4,023 per night from 7 Feb to 8 Feb
฿4,023
฿4,339 total
7 Feb - 8 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Faro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
Clean room, very reasonably prixed mini bar. Felt safe

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

AP Eva Senses
Pure Formosa Concept Hotel

Pure Formosa Concept Hotel

3 out of 5
Av. da República 34 Olhao Faro
The price is ฿1,747 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
฿1,747
฿1,926 total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Olhao. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (610 reviews)
Absolutely beautiful hotel and spotless! The ladies (Jessica/Jennifer?) at the front desk were incredible and gave great recommendations for places to eat, how to get to different areas etc. would stay here again in a heartbeat.

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Pure Formosa Concept Hotel
Occidental Faro

Occidental Faro

4 out of 5
Praca D Francisco Gomes 2 Faro
The price is ฿3,416 per night from 11 Feb to 12 Feb
฿3,416
฿3,696 total
11 Feb - 12 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Faro. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Nice room. Friendly staff great location. Nice breakfast

Reviewed on 1 Feb 2026

Occidental Faro
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pedras d'el Rei

Pedras d'el Rei

3 out of 5
Pedras d'el Rei, Santa Luzia Tavira
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Tavira. Enjoy free parking, 3 beach bars and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Barril Beach and Terra Estreita Beach ...
7.8/10 Good! (225 reviews)
Gardens lovely and location near to Praia do Barril and Tavira excellent

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

Pedras d'el Rei
Lakeside Country Club

Lakeside Country Club

4 out of 5
Avenida Ayrton Senna da Silva Loulé Faro
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Loulé. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Falesia Beach and Faro Island Beach are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (121 reviews)
We were massively impressed with this resort. The apartment was so much better than we had anticipated. It was spacious and immaculately clean. It also had lots of amenities that we hadn’t expected - washing machine, dishwasher, iron, ironing board etc. There were also 2 x sofas, and dining tables ...

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2025

Lakeside Country Club
Golden Club Cabanas

Golden Club Cabanas

3 out of 5
R. Tuberária Maj. Tavira Faro
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Tavira. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Cabanas Beach and Benamor Golf are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (137 reviews)
Excellent hotel with friendly staff
I was pleasantly surprised by everything at the Golden club hotel. I'd been slightly worried by some reviews before we arrived but i can honestly say our stay in August was excellent. It's a great 3 star hotel. All the staff were brilliant, my children went to kids club on our last 2 days and loved ...

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

Golden Club Cabanas
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Tavira Castle showing a city

Tavira Castle

Look out across the rooftops of historic Tavira from a tower in this ruined fortress, which has withstood royal sieges, pirate attacks and natural disasters.

Tavira Castle
Roman Bridge showing a river or creek and a bridge

Roman Bridge

Despite its name, Tavira’s central footbridge wasn’t constructed during the Roman Empire, but it does sit where an ancient bridge once was.

Roman Bridge
Praca da Republica which includes a fountain and a square or plaza

Praca da Republica

Check out Tavira’s main square, which served as the town’s marketplace for centuries and is now surrounded by restaurants and elegant heritage buildings with preserved façades.

Praca da Republica
Misericordia Church which includes a city

Misericordia Church

Dating back to the 16th century, this church is one of the Algarve’s most exquisite pieces of Renaissance architecture that includes remarkable stonemasonry.

Misericordia Church

Old Town

Learn about the local history of Santa Maria e Santiago when you take a trip to Old Town. Amble around this relaxing area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its lively bars.

Old Town

Tavira Gran Plaza Shopping Mall

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Tavira Gran Plaza Shopping Mall during your stay in Santa Maria e Santiago. Amble around this relaxing area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its lively bars.

Tavira Gran Plaza Shopping Mall

Things to do

Cork Factory Tour & Cork Shop

Cork Factory Tour & Cork Shop

฿639
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Cork Factory Tour & Cork Shop
5 Types of Olives Without Preservatives

Tavira Olive Experience Factory Tour and Tasting

฿1,059
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Tavira Olive Experience Factory Tour and Tasting
Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour

Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour

฿913
per adult
Olhão: 4-Hour Ria Formosa Islands Tour
Olhão: Ria Formosa Boat Cruise to Armona and Culatra

Ria Formosa: Armona and Culatra Islands 3-Hour Boat Tour

฿1,096
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Ria Formosa: Armona and Culatra Islands 3-Hour Boat Tour
Jeep Tour - Tavira, Salinas, Wildbirds & Santa Luzia

Jeep Tour - Tavira, Salinas, Wildbirds & Santa Luzia

฿2,009
per adult
Jeep Tour - Tavira, Salinas, Wildbirds & Santa Luzia
Tavira Ciência Viva Science Center Individual Ticket

Tavira Ciência Viva Science Center Individual Ticket

฿256
per adult
Tavira Ciência Viva Science Center Individual Ticket
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