Cabanas de Tavira: what to see and do
In Portugal’s Algarve region, Cabanas de Tavira is a village within the municipality of Tavira. Commercial tuna fishing forms part of the village’s history. More recently, tourism has taken over from fishing as the principal focus of its economy.
Things to do in Cabanas de Tavira
The beach area at Cabanas extends for roughly seven kilometres, with dunes, beaches and clear water. São João da Barra Fort was built on a small headland.
The Tavira boat tour through Ria Formosa and Cabanas de Tavira lasts 2 hours. It includes a guided boat trip with an experienced local skipper, binoculars for observing wildlife and the landscape, a brochure with local images and a stop of 30 minutes in Tavira.
Ria Formosa
Ria Formosa holds both natural park and Ramsar site status. Its natural park stretches for 60 km of coast, from the Ancão peninsula to Manta Rota, and covers about 18,000 hectares. Five sandy barrier islands form part of Ria Formosa. Salt pans and small sandy beaches also feature in its landscape. Tavira, Faro and Olhão are among the towns near Ria Formosa.
As a habitat for water birds, this wetland has international importance. More than 20,000 water birds gather in Ria Formosa in winter. Seafood farming in the area includes the harvesting of grooved carpet shells.
The flamingo boat tour of Ria Formosa from Cabanas de Tavira lasts 1.5 hours. The guided cruise through Ria Formosa Natural Park includes binoculars on board, an illustrated brochure showing local bird species and commentary from an expert skipper throughout.
Tavira island
South of Tavira, Ilha de Tavira sits a few hundred metres from the coast. Ilha de Tavira measures 11 kilometres in length, with a width ranging from 150 m to 1 km. A small floating bridge in the Santa Luzia and Pedras d’El Rei area provides another way onto the island. Ilha de Cabanas and Ilha de Tavira are two dune bars separating the area from the sea.
The Tavira island boat tour along the salt route from Cabanas de Tavira lasts 1 hour. It includes a guided cruise with a knowledgeable skipper, binoculars to use during the trip, an illustrated brochure with local images and information, and a stop of 15 minutes at Desert Beach on Cabanas Island.
History and Tavira
Cabanas grew up in the 18th century around a tuna trap that began operating in 1734. In Tavira itself, the Moors constructed the castle, two mosques and palaces. Dom Paio Peres Correia recaptured Tavira from the Moors in 1242. Santa Maria do Castelo church is believed to stand on the site of Tavira’s former main mosque. Tavira has some two dozen churches, alongside many buildings dating from the eighteenth century. A bridge over the Gilão joins the two parts of Tavira.
Climate in the area
Ria Formosa experiences mild weather, with sunshine occurring throughout the year. In the Tavira area, the annual average temperature is about 17 °C.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Cabanas de Tavira?
In Portugal’s Algarve region, Cabanas de Tavira is a village within the municipality of Tavira.
What is the beach area at Cabanas like?
The beach area at Cabanas extends for roughly seven kilometres, with dunes, beaches and clear water.
Does Ria Formosa have protected status?
Ria Formosa holds both natural park and Ramsar site status.
How large is Tavira island?
Ilha de Tavira measures 11 kilometres in length, with a width ranging from 150 m to 1 km.
What is the annual average temperature around Tavira?
In the Tavira area, the annual average temperature is about 17 °C.
