Saturday 2nd May 2026 • Promotional Content Nature in Tavira


This historic city in the eastern Algarve is a gateway to one of Portugal’s most biodiverse protected habitats, the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Words: Sarah Gibbons


T


avira’s character has been shaped by centuries of change, its fortunes shifting with the labyrinth


of barrier islands and salt marshes that surround it. Just 15 miles from the Spanish border, the compact city still bears the imprint of its heyday, a blend of Portuguese and Moorish infl uences refl ecting its status as a once-prized port. All of which makes it a hugely underrated Algarve destination. Straddling the Gilão River, clusters of traditional whitewashed buildings are punctuated by tesoura (‘scissor’) rooftops and the steeples of renaissance churches. Beyond the city, Ria Formosa Natural Park, a rich mosaic of islands, mudfl ats and saltpans, extends for over 35 miles along the Algarve coast, providing sanctuary for more than 200 bird species and creating a natural playground for travellers. Head out to discover Ilha de


Tavira, one of the Ria Formosa’s barrier islands. A 20-minute ferry ride from the centre, the seven-mile ribbon of silky white sand — fringed with dunes cloaked in sea holly and marram grass — separates the sheltered estuary from the wild Atlantic. Keep walking west for around an hour to reach secluded Praia do Barril beach, where you’ll fi nd one of the region’s most curious sights: the Cemitério das Âncoras. Here, hundreds of rusted anchors stand solemnly like sentinels in the dunes. T ey were laid to rest in 1966 when the tuna fi shing industry collapsed, with various 19th-century fi sher’s huts now home to relaxed restaurants off ering fresh seafood steps from the wash. On the city’s outskirts, you’ll


fi nd Tavira’s salt pans, where sal de Tavira is still hand-harvested. You can explore its man-made network of shimmering, pink-hued pools under your own steam by renting wheels from Abílio Bikes (abiliobikes. com). Set off along the Ecovia do Litoral, a 132-mile cycle path that follows a green corridor along the coast. If possible, organise your ride for early morning or sunset, keeping an eye out for black-winged stilts and dusky-pink fl amingos wading in the mineral-rich waters. You’ll trundle towards Cabanas de


Tavira, a small fi shing village that makes a great jumping-off point for explorations of the Ria Formosa. Solar Moves (solarmoves.pt) operates birdwatching tours on sun-powered boats from the beach — though it’ll happily organise pick-ups from its site back in Tavira. Expect to spot an array of fauna, including spoonbills and oystercatchers foraging in the seagrass meadows, which are also home to endangered long- and short- snouted seahorses. Alternatively, explore the park on horseback with Tavira Equestrian Tourism (taviraequestriantourism.com), riding through coastal pine forest and farmland scented with fragrant orange blossom. Back in Tavira, pause for a glass


of crisp Algarve white on the cobblestoned terrace of Terraze (terraze.pt) before crossing the city’s defi ning landmark, the seven-arched Ponte Romana, and continuing to the atmospheric hilltop ruins of Castelo de Tavira. Originally an 11th-century Moorish fortifi cation, the castle now encloses a peaceful courtyard garden, where poppies, cosmos and bougainvillea add bursts of colour. Evenings are best spent in cosy


tascas (casual restaurants) with traditional dishes like cataplana. For locally sourced ingredients and fresh estuary seafood, don’t miss Mirsal. T e restaurant is inside the Palácio de Tavira hotel, a former 19th-century noble residence where interiors inspired by the colours of the local landscape complement a menu that moves with the seasons. Citrussy Ria Formosa oysters and melt-in-the-mouth scallops are just some of the highlights.


T is article fi rst appeared in the May 2026 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). nationalgeographic.com/travel


HOW TO DO IT


Flights from the UK to Faro International Airport take around three hours. Palácio de Tavira has 36 elegant rooms, plus a spa and rooftop terrace with two plunge pools. From €230 (£200), B&B. palaciodetavira.com


T e Travel Guide


5


AN UNDERRATED DESTINATION/MARTIN HAAKE


& IS TOTLEA BNAG


PLUS A FREE


DS COLLECTION SPA & WELLNESS C O L L E C T I O N


CAN TRAVEL HELP YOU STAY YOUNG?


+


Experience the healing power of water Step inside South Korea’s beauty boom Why rage rooms are going global Visit the world’s top Pilates retreats


DIRECTORY of hotels & experiences


ULTIMATE THE £7.99 2026 ALSO: ICELAND • INDIA • LOS ANGELES • MEXICO • MOROCCO • NORWAY • PERU • SPAIN • SWITZERLAND • VANCOUVER


Use code DMAY26 at checkout to claim your offer SUBSCRIBE TODAY: BIT.LY/47NLLY4 Subscriptions T&Cs: bit.ly/4hxtfqe


FRESH NEW LOOK BE INSPIRED 10 ISSUES FOR £35


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40