Tavira Guide

I hope you’ve had a great Holiday Season and that 2010 brings you what 2009 didn’t! So, if you’re around this month in Tavira, you might be interested in taking a look at what’s happening, where and when. January in Tavira is mainly marked by its Church Concerts “Music in the Churches”.

Download the Agenda for Tavira January '10.

Update: Almost forgot! There is a nice Tavira Facebook group (now with around 350 members). If you are in Facebook, feel free to join and add to the community :)

Holidays in Tavira are addictive. It’s no wonder; the region resorts have held attractions for long enough which work their magic to ensure that many of the regular and new visitors return again and again, and almost everyone who takes their holidays in Tavira holds fond memories of the place for years to come, usually sharing with friends and family.

Here you will be able to find most of the information that will help make your holiday planning easier and funnier. I’ll share with you important things you should know, like how to get to Tavira, or the best accommodation facilities that suit your needs, as well an overview of the best beaches and golf courses around the city that you definitely shouldn’t miss. Tavira has grown very much in quality in the last decade, and the best is that it managed to keep its original characteristics that make it one of the most unique and beautiful cities in the Algarve.

Tavira is not yet the “madness” of Albufeira or Vilamoura, it’s a much quieter and relaxed place — and let’s hope it remains like that. The heart of the city and places like Cabanas de Tavira, or Santa Luzia are among the most popular choices when it comes to decide where to stay. Therefore I recommend you book your holidays well in advance and early in the year (e.g. around February/March) and not to leave it for the last minute (believe me!), like it should be done in every popular Algarve holidays destination.

While I was in Tavira this Summer I noticed that the number of tourists keeps increasing despite of the actual financial conditions in general, and that when it comes to pick a good place to stay or to eat, the best places are always booked. Another thing I noticed is that tourists tend to go to the beach in the worst time possible, exposing themselves to serious and dangerous solar burnings. The Sun in the Algarve is very strong, even when the weather is cloudy, the region easily reaches over 35 Celsius. To best enjoy the beach without getting seriously and dangerously burned you should avoid being in the Sun between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. and don’t forget to use plenty of sunscreen, and you will still manage to get a nice tan and your friends will be able to tap you on your back without hearing you scream in pain.

Nevertheless there are a few things that you should try besides the beach, and not everyone enjoys when coming to Tavira. There is a very complete choice of guided tours and recommended activities to do and places to see. But if you want a taste of what is Tavira you should definitely watch a few videos like:

1. Discovering Tavira
2. Tavira Eastern Algarve
3. The Ria Formosa
4. and the soul of Tavira The Tuna Run

LonelyPlanet just recognized Tavira Island one of the 10 World’s best beaches to travel with children. In their new release of Travel With Children guide, LonelyPlanet lists a dozen of places recommended when traveling with children, among which and according to Reuters are places like Sardinia in Italy, Cottesloe and Noosa in Australia and other places in different locations of the world.

Quote from LonelyPlanet: “On the South East Portuguese coast, this city has a magnificent beach that goes for several miles. And the best of all is that you catch a boat to get there”

Other stories about this topic can be seen at USA Today or Yahoo News.

UPDATE:
If you want to take note, here is the Lonely Planet list with the top 10 beaches:

1. COSTA DEL SUD, Sardinia, Italy
2. COTTESLOE, Australia
3. DURBAN, South Africa
4. KARON BEACH, Thailand
5. KAUAI,Hawai, United States of America
6. AITUTAKI, Coo Islands
7. NOOSA, Australia
8. TAVIRA, Portugal
9. SAYULITA, Mexico
10. SANUR, Bali, Indonesia