An elegant riverside town on the Gilao with a Roman bridge, many churches and a Moorish feel. Calmer and more authentic than the west.
Insider tip
Take the ferry to Ilha de Tavira for kilometres of near-empty sandy beach.
Whitewashed lanes, viewpoints and the town beach reached through a tunnel. Charming by day, lively by night.
Towns & villagesThe former Moorish capital of the Algarve, crowned by a red-sandstone castle above the river. Winding old town and cathedral.
Towns & villagesA lively port town with old walls, pretty squares and the best cliff beaches within walking distance. A fine mix of culture and coast.
