Tavira, Portugal, is a small but beautiful town in the Algarve region to explore as a family. It is less well known than some of the other areas of the Algarve, such as Vilamoura and Albufeira. However, it really is a hidden gem and well worth adding to your Algarve itinerary. In this post, I’ll be sharing our experience of Tavira with kids and the best things to do in Tavira, Portugal, as a family.
We came here as part of our Portugal road trip. Our first stop was Faro and we went slightly out of the way to visit Tavira before going to Albuferia. So, if you’re wondering how do you spend a day in Tavira, this post has got you covered. I’ll also share a couple of extra things you can consider if you’d like to spend longer in Tavira.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
We have guides on other places in The Algarve Portugal:
– FARO – ALBUFERA – VILAMORUA –
Also Read:
OUR FAMILY-FRIENDLY ONE-WEEK IN THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL ITINERARY
Getting to Tavira, Portugal
We hired a car to explore Portugal’s Algarve Region. Our first stop was Faro, and we drove to Tavira from there which took about 40 minutes. Compare car rental prices here. We rented our car and car seats through Enterprise and had a great experience with them.
If you don’t want to hire a car, it is possible to take a Regional Train from Faro to Tavira which takes around 45 minutes and costs about €4 per adult. See more information and the timetable here.
TOP TIP: PARKING: You can park for free in Tavira at the Mercado Municipal (a market which I will talk more about below) Google Map Location Here. This is a short walk from Tavira town centre. Tavira is a small walkable city.
Things to do in Tavira, Algarve, Portugal with Kids
When we travel, we like to do activities that are fun for the whole family. Not just child-focused activities. So most of these things to do in Tavira aren’t specifically aimed at children but they are all family-friendly!
Explore Tavira Castle and Climb the Walls
This is an amazing free thing to do in Tavira that the whole family will love. Located in Old Town Tavira, you’ll find Tavira Castle (also called Castelo de Tavira). This is the remains of a small, old Medieval fortress. It is at the highest point of the city, so be prepared to walk up a hill, but it’s worth it!
You can climb some of the old walls and walk along the battlements. Of course, supervise young children; some of the steps are steep, and there are areas they could try to climb over the walls. The beautiful garden in the middle is also a pretty place that kids and grown-ups alike can enjoy.
We seemed to enter the castle right behind a huge walking tour. Luckily, they dispersed within about 10 minutes, and we had the place almost to ourselves.
Marval at Camera Obscura Tavira
The Camera Obscura, also called the Tavira Tower, is located just around the corner from Tavira Castle. It is a very unusual thing to do in the Algarve but an interesting one for sure!
Camera Obscura was originally a water tower that provided the town of Tavira with fresh water. Since it was abandoned and no longer in use, it was converted into the Tavira Eye. Inside, you can see a 360-degree view of Tavira by using a clever system of mirrors and lenses that reflect light through a small hole in the roof and project the view down onto a screen.
The creator and guide of the Camera Obscura is originally from London, so he was able to tell us so many interesting facts in perfect English.
It also has a lift (elevator) so it is wheelchair and pushchair (stroller) accessible.
Tickets Cost: €5 euros for adults and €3 for children aged 4-12. The website says not suitable for children under 4 however, they didnt seem to have any problem with our 2-year-old coming in.
Their official website is linked here.
Walk along the River
The Roman Bridge (which isn’t actually Roman) is meant to be one of the best things to see in Tavira. In my opinion, it’s rather ugly! However, we did enjoy a stroll along the river.
Ride The Tiny Tourist Train
There is a little train that will take you on a loop around Tavira. After running out of time to do the one in Faro, we had planned to do this one. However, the guide at Camera Obscura told us it wasn’t very good due to it being so bumpy. So we decided against it!
However, it could be a good thing to do in Tavira with kids who love trains?! I’ll let you decide.
Shop at Mercado Municipal Market
This is a large market selling mainly local food produce, and there are also a few craft stalls. Most of it was closed when we visited (on a Monday), but there were still a few stalls. Kids might like to pick up some fruit as a snack!
Take the Ferry to Tavira Island with Kids
Taking the ferry to Tavira Island would be an amazing thing to do in Tavira with kids. We did a similar ride in Faro and it was a highlight of our trip to the Algarve.
We would have done it again in Tavira if we’d had additional time (and better weather). Tavira beach is one of the best beaches for families. Like in Faro, you need to take a ferry to get there.
The ferry to Tavira Island is a bargain price of just €2.60 for an adult return ticket. €1.10 for children (aged 3-11) and under 3’s go free.
Spot Flamingos in Tavira with Kids
I had no idea that you could see wild flamingos in Portugal! There are salt planes in Tavira where you can see them. Unfortunately, we didnt see them due to the time of year.
Apparently, they are most likely to be found between November and March. When we visited in early April, they had already migrated. Here is the Google Map link to where you can find the flamingos. You can walk here from the town centre in about 30 minutes, or it’s only about a 5-minute drive if you have a car.
Even though we didnt see the flamingos, we did see some other cool birds!
So, is Tavira in Portugal’s Algarve Worth Visiting?
Overall, a day in Tavira or even a few days if you have time is well worth it. It was one of my favourite places we visited in the Algarve. From the historic Tavira Castle, to the cool Camera Obscura and riding the ferry to Tavira Island, it really has something for everyone!
Thank you for reading our guide on visiting Tavira with kids. We hope you have a wonderful time in Portugal’s Algarve region!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
We have guides on other places in The Algarve Portugal:
– FARO – ALBUFERA – VILAMORUA –
Also Read:
OUR FAMILY-FRIENDLY ONE-WEEK IN THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL ITINERARY
Happy Exploring,
