2023Archives

Taste Tavira > Annick shows you around

Year: 2023

Olives all over

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Visit the local olive factory

Just opposite the Gran Plaza and surrounded by the Tavirian saltpans (salinas) you´ll find Hélder Madeira´s Olives Company. The location is no coincidence: the production of olives requires loads of (unrefined) salt. Actually, salt and fresh water are the only extra ingredients the Hélder Madeira company uses for her oliveproduction. No chemicals are used nor added, not only to protect the environment but also to keep the original flavours of the olives. In that respect the Hélder Madeira company hasn´t changed the way of producing her olives since the beginnings in 1986 at this very same location. What hás changed over the years is the scale (from 35 m2 at the time to over 1500 m2 nowadays) and mechanisation. Although there is still a lot of craft work! Learn more about the process of ´making´ consumable olives, as you can´t eat them raw. Smashed, crushed, pickled in garlick or with hot peppers, Andreia Emídio will tell you all about it. Book a tour & tasting (10€ p.p.) and Taste Tavira offers you a small box of olives. Other local products are also available in the little shop. Open Mon-Fri 10-18 h. T 281 326 175

olives tasting at Helder Madeira
light and healthy olives

Biological Farm Shop

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Organic Farm

Located just behind Tavira´s Municipal Cemetry, the Aldi and the N125, is Maria Flaminga´s Organic Farmshop. Started in 2016, Isabel Pedras Ribeiro (nickname: Maria Flaminga), graduated in Agricultural Engineering, has build a beautiful spot where she manages a garden nursery, blooming fields of vegetables, herbs and fruits. And a lovely little shop. The Loja Biológica is housed in the former, state owned, agricultural research station, surrounded by land and chickens (fresh eggs!). Attractively displayed in small baskets, you can choose any amount you want, all products are weighed by hand. It makes it even more tempting to try a little of everthing. Together with a small team of dedicated volunteers Isabel makes sure all her veggies and fruits live up to the high biological standards to get certified. Try and taste yourself. Maria Flamenga´s Organic Farmshop is open Tuesday till Saturday from 9-14 h.

Beautiful fresh peppers
Isabel ´Maria Flaminga´

Cacela Velha, village and view

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Cacela Velha, Ria Formosa and Beach

Cacela Velha is a picturesque old village, perched high around a 13th-century castle, approximately 12 km east of Tavira. It boasts only a handful of houses, a unique cemetery (with walls of bricked-in coffins), a church (worth a visit), and a cafe. The presence of three successful restaurants is likely due to the influx of summer tourists who come to admire the stunning view of the Ria Formosa and the beautiful sandy beaches. Speaking of beaches, accessing them here is an adventure in itself, as you must first navigate through the strong tides. During low tide, you can traverse the water via sandbanks to reach the beach. However, be vigilant: during high tide, returning can be challenging unless you hire one of the small fisherman boats available.

Adjacent to Cacela Velha is Fábrica, another charming spot (accessible by car) from which you can embark on a small boat to the beaches. Additionally, it features an excellent fish restaurant.

Cacela Velha
Restaurant at Fabrica

Tavira, authentic, always lively

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Pearl of the Algarve

Tavira is widely regarded as one of the most stunning destinations in the Algarve, boasting historic districts on both banks of the Gilão river. While the ‘Roman bridge’ is perhaps its most famous landmark, the town’s allure is further enhanced by its numerous beautiful churches, charming squares, streets adorned with bougainvillea, and an abundance of restaurants and terraces. During the summer months, Tavira can become bustling and warm, prompting the city to host many events and concerts, typically starting at 10 p.m.

The rich tapestry of Tavira’s history is woven with threads from the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, and Portuguese. Presently, the city is home to twenty or more significant churches (some of which were once mosques) and hundreds of quaint cobblestone streets and squares, each bearing architectural influences from its former rulers and inhabitants.

Historically, Tavira has sustained itself through fishing (particularly sardines and tuna) and salt extraction, industries that still operate today. However, tourism has emerged as the city’s primary economic driver in modern times.

one of may interesting churches
azulejos at Tavira Railway Station

Read more “Tavira, authentic, always lively”

Welcome at Taste Tavira

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A Self Catering Apartment designed by Annick


The Portuguese are well-known for their hospitality. And that´s exactly what we are aiming at in this fully equipped apartment Taste Tavira. We created an atmosphere where you can relax and feel at ease. We encourage you to get a taste of lovely Tavira and its surroundings, to try the local food and fine Portugese wines, to take a ferry and go to one of the splendid beaches, to hike a trail, to play 9 or 18 holes….

And after that, you come home. Taste Tavira is tastefully furnished and decorated, designed by Annick.

Welcome and enjoy your stay!

By Annick

By Annick refers to Annick Schreuder. She is happy to make you feel at home in the Taste Tavira apartment. With love and care; she designed it to make you feel at ease while exploring and enjoying the beautiful Algarve. Annick was born in the Netherlands some decades ago and spread her wings at a relatively young age. She lived in France, the UK and the US before settling down in Belgium. She studied history, marketing and cultural management and became a journalist. After that she qualified herself further in one of her hobbies: wine. She became cofounder of La Causerie Wine Education Center and spent another 15 years of pleasantly writing and teaching about wine.

Concerning her private life: Annick is a proud mother, a happy grandmother, a loving partner, a good friend and a grateful person.

Travelling has always been one of her other hobbies. That´s how she fell in love with Tavira. She visited the charming village several times over the years and found out that each season brought something new to discover.The beautiful changing light during the day; the orange orchards who seem to blossom all year through, but differently all the time; the fascinating surrounding nature (hills, farmland, Ria Formosa, beaches); the abundant flowers in springtime and the attractive mild winter temperatures….

So when the opportunity arose to buy a (rental) apartment, she took it. That is how the AL (Alojamento Local) Taste Tavira took shape, because everything is nicer when shared. Like with you, as guests. The apartment is brand new, fully equipped and carefully decorated, by Annick.

Come and explore, Taste Tavira!
Bem-vindo, welcome!

Tavira Island Beach
Welcome & Enjoy