Beaches in Tavira

Tavira coastline is calm and peaceful, with extremely inviting eleven kilometres of fine white sand beaches and very warm water. The braches are crossed by Ria Formosa Natural Reserve, offering pleasant boat trips and the chance to observe the typical wetland flora and fauna, most particularly the water birds. It is estimated that, counting both the resident and migratory species that can be seen here, Ria Formosa hosts more than 30 thousand birds each year.

Tavira Island

Along with Praia do Barril, are the 2 most popular beaches in Tavira. But you might be interested in exploring less populated places which are often only known frequented by locals. In this page you will find a listing of the available beaches and directions in how to get there. The Island belongs to the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve, which is popular it’s birds and flamingos, a delight for bird lovers.

Praia da Terra Estreita

To the East of Praia do Barril, Tavira Island narrows, resulting in a strip of sand with arounf 50 m wide, the so-called Praia da Terra Estreita (the Narrow Land Beach). This beach is also known as Praia de Santa Luzia, as it is from this picturesque fishing village from where the boats set off to cross to the island. On this beach, you can admire the eye-catching flowers of the sea daffodils and enjoy a swim in the warm seawater.

Praia de Cabanas

To the East side of Ilha de Tavira you will find Ilha de Cabanas, a narrow but long strip of land before the last bar across the river estuary to the East. The beach is situated in front of the village of Cabanas, whose origin goes back to the old days of tuna fishing in this area, and which even today remains a picturesque fishing village. From the waterfront at Cabanas, fishing boats can be seen anchored in the Ria Formosa.

Praia do Barril

Barril beach is one of the calmest beaches in the Algarve’s South coast, even escaping from the high season floods that unfortunately are common to other beaches of the region. Its waters are calm and warm during Spring and Summer; in the less sunny Winter days, it’s a great place for a beach walk, some jogging or even bird watching.

Praia do Lacém

This small lagoon beach is surrounded by farmland, amongst allotments, vineyards and dryland orchards. The beach is reached by a small cross-country footpath which accompanies an occasional stream, along which there grows some thick riverside vegetation, with reed beds and lots of brambles.