Beaches Near Tavira

Tavira Island/Ilha de Tavira

Often included in the lists of best beaches in the Algarve. 6 km long. There are ferries and water taxis from the centre of town and Quatro Aquas (the river mouth). Where you initially dock, there is a glamping site, 8 restaurants, bars & cafés, sunbeds, shades, windbreaks and lifeguards. But just a few minutes' stroll up the beach, you are back to nature. During the peak season, there are often evening parties on the beach, and some of the restaurants stay open at night

Praia do Tesos

Located next to the Hotel Vila Galé Albacora. It is an estuary beach. Nice when it is high tide but a bit muddy at low tide. Known jokingly as ‘the poor man’s beach’…for those that can’t afford the ferry to Tavira Island! There are no facilities. The water is warmer as it is inside the lagoon area. 8 mins drive. 45mins walk.

Praia do Barril - 12 minutes drive west

A little train takes you from the mainland out to the beach. The island is 5kms long, and it has 7 cafés and restaurants where the train ends. Lots of sunbeds plus lifeguards. You can walk the length of the island and catch a ferry back to Santa Luzia

Fuseta - 20 minutes drive west

A small fishing town. Has a compact town beach. No ferry needed. It is inside the lagoon, so it has little to no waves and the water is a lot warmer. Also, there are ferries out to Fuseta Island (9 km long). Takes 10 minutes. The island has a café in the summer, sunbeds and lifeguards

Praia de Cabanas - 11 minutes drive east
Is accessed from Cabanas, a small tourist town. Small taxi boats take you from the mainland to the island (1.50€ return). 9 km long. There is one restaurant, sunbeds, umbrellas and a lifeguard. 10 minutes' walk from the dock and you will be pretty much on your own

Praia da Cacela Velha - 13 minutes drive east

Our favourite due to its sheer beauty, its shallow lagoon areas that make the water warmer, and its fun tidal channels. Access to the sandbank islands is at Fabrica or Cacela Velha (the most picturesque hamlet in the Algarve, with amazing views). At low tide, you can walk out to the islands, but taxi boats run all the time from Fabrica and as soon as there is enough water at Cacela Velha. The boatmen wait until they have enough passengers to go. It’s 1€ a person. There are no facilities, sunbeds, etc. In peak season, there are lifeguards.

Praia de Manta Rota -16 minutes drive east

Is on the mainland. No ferry journey required. There is lots of parking and broad walks take you across the dunes to the beach. It is liked by families as the beach is shallow sloping. This also makes the water warmer. It has good facilities – a couple of restaurants, shops, toilets, showers, sunbeds and lifeguards.