Tavira, Portugal

Tavira may be a small town but it has a lot going for it…

• In 2020, Portugal won the World Travel Awards “Best Travel Destination in the World” title…
• The Algarve, where Tavira is located, was voted the IAGTO Awards “Best Golf Destination in the World” in 2020…
• Portugal was recognized as the third best country in the world for quality of life by InterNations in 2019…
• According to Ferran Adrià, widely considered to be one of the best chefs in the world (who was head chef at Michelin-starred El Bulli on Spain’s Costa Brava),
• Portugal serves the best fish in the world…
• Architectural Digest claimed Portugal had five of the 15 most beautiful beaches in the world in 2019…
• Portuguese hospitality was recognized as best in the world in 2018 by InterNations…

No matter where you go in Tavira, you hear people speaking different languages, though Portuguese and English are the most commonly spoken.

Home to a flourishing population of Germans, Irish, French, Spanish, Brits, Swedes, Canadians, and Americans, Tavira’s expat community is diverse and growing. There are plenty of opportunities to mix and mingle with folks from all over Europe and North America.

Things To Do In Tavira

Tavira has a municipal library that has an English section and computers available for rent. Plus, clubs to support an array of arts-related interests, from choirs to Scottish country dancing, painting groups, theatre groups, book clubs, and a writer’s club.

In terms of recreation opportunities, Tavira offers an Olympic-size municipal pool (about 3 euros per visit) and a sports complex where you can play soccer, croquet, and lawn-bowling.

Tennis and golf are popular across the Algarve… You’ll find tennis clubs, martial arts classes, yoga and Pilates, and cycling groups, as well as regular exercise gyms.

There are also volunteer opportunities, for instance at the local animal shelter.

One of the top things to do in Tavira is shop. The service is friendly, prices are affordable, and vendors are multi-lingual but especially English-speaking.

From garden centers to grocery stores, fashion retailers to souvenirs, housewares to linens, there’s a smorgasbord of goods on sale locally in Tavira… with an emphasis on handcrafted ceramics, pottery, artwork, décor, uniquely designed purses and shoes, intricately patterned lace curtains and tablecloths, and more…

Tavira boasts a thriving cottage industry as well as a two-story modern mall, complete with a food court, indoor parking garage, and family-friendly amenities.

Its multiplex cinema features current English-language movies (seniors get a discount; adults pay 7 euros), and the popcorn is a real steal.

Living in Tavira, Portugal, is your chance for a better life at a better price. First, all taxes and tariffs are included in the Portuguese price on food, beverages, clothing, and furnishings.

Brand-name items are never cheap, so it’s possible to spend 80 to 100 euros on running shoes and 60 to 100 euros on jeans in Tavira. If you’re willing to forego expensive labels, it’s easy to find a pair of well-made leather loafers, sandals, or running shoes, for less than half that price. The same rule applies to jeans.

A great looking t-shirt can be had for 5 euros (ladies) to 8 euros (men); a pretty sundress, blouse, or long-sleeve top for 20 euros or less. 

Men’s casual shirts and casual pants are about the same. Seasonal sales feature most garments up to 70% off.

Tavira is a casually dressed town so there aren’t many occasions that call for semi-formal or formal attire.

Food In Tavira, Portugal

Tavira is rich with restaurants. Portuguese traditional cooking is not only delicious, it’s healthy. The classic Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world and reputed to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and obesity.

Seafood is the mainstay here—you can watch your dinner arrive on the dock earlier the same day or count the hours from field to table on your fingers.

Portuguese wines and beers are becoming more popular around the world. Three of the top 12 recognized wines in 2019, according to Forbes, were from Portugal.

Plus, the Douro River Valley is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and also noted for the production of port. Along with excellent wines from the Alentejo region, Tavira restaurants serve their county’s best labels at extremely affordable prices.

On average, inexpensive dinner choices average 10 to 12 euros each. This may even include a beer (2 euros) or a wine (3 euros). A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant averages 34 euros (US$40).

Funnily enough, a small, domestic beer costs about the same as a glass of Coke, a mini bottle of Schweppe’s ginger ale, or a large cappuccino.

Explore The Sights

To explore Tavira, you can take a taxi, train (seniors pay half-fare), bus, or car. Taxi meters start at 78 cents and charge the same for each kilometer. On the other hand, if you ask the driver to wait an hour so you can shop, he’ll add 18 euros to the bill.

A cab to or from Faro airport costs 50 to 70 euros.

Drivers are friendly, informative, and speak a dabbling of many languages, especially English.

There are six major grocery chains in Tavira: Continente (with a huge store in the mall), Pingo Doce, Lidl, Aldi, InterMarche (which feature goods from other European countries), and Mini Preco, with several locations that are similar to our corner stores in North America.

For those who prefer shopping in a traditional Portuguese market, the sprawling Tavira Mercado provides farm-fresh vegetables and fruit, herbs and spices, meat and fish, honey, pastries and bread, and so on.

Once a month, vendors and individual collectors of antiques assemble here to display their wares in a full-blown Saturday market.

Produce in Tavira is fresh and affordable, but I’m always happier when someone else does the cooking and cleaning… Be honest, so do you!

Tavira is rich with restaurants. On average, inexpensive dinner choices will run you 10 to 12 euros. This may include a beer (2 euros) or a wine (3 euros). A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant averages 34 euros.

A small, domestic beer costs about the same as a glass of Coke, a mini bottle of ginger ale, or a cappuccino.

The view of the River Gilão from restaurant terraces is the perfect backdrop for outdoor dining. The variety of dishes is huge, and people take obvious pride in preparing and serving food. Ambience, European charm, gastronomic discoveries, and happy customers abound…

Tavira is a place for homebodies, people who enjoy simple pleasures like taking leisurely walks in a picturesque environment, discovering the idiosyncrasies of local culture, and perusing the goods at local shops and markets. But it’s also a place for adventurers…

You can drive to the edge of the Old World in three hours or be in the country next door in 30 minutes… or you can travel to the northern tip of Africa in less than a day, including the ferry trip. In short, the continental capitals of Europe are all within easy reach from Tavira by car, rail, or inexpensive flight.

Some of the unique perks of living in Tavira are the free concerts in Republica Square, attending Dancing for Seniors in the old market, and counting the turtles in Fontaine aux Tortues. 

Also, try a scoop of local gelato on a hot day or sampling ambrosia at an outdoor wine fair.

If you’re looking to relax on beautiful sandy beaches, eat delicious food at affordable prices, and meet people from all over the world while living in a safe, fun, friendly town… you’ll love Tavira, Portugal.