Local Pleasures

Taste Tavira > Annick shows you around

Category: Local Pleasures

Discover Tavira’s surroundings by Bike or E-Bike

Local PleasuresPosted on

From cobbled lanes to coastal trails – cycling freedom in and around Tavira

Tavira’s historic centre is best explored on foot, but beyond the city’s cobbled streets lies a world of stunning bike trails and scenic detours. With a mild climate, gentle terrain, and the Ria Formosa as your backdrop, cycling here can be as leisurely or as adventurous as you like. E-bikes and scooters make longer distances or steeper routes a breeze — perfect for discovering hidden corners without breaking a sweat.

🚲 Where to Rent in Tavira (check availability)

Abilio Bikes

  • 📍 Rua João Vaz Corte Real 96, Tavira
  • 🔗 abiliobikes.com
  • One of the most trusted rental shops, offering bikes, e-bikes, gravel bikes, and guided tours. Their team can tailor routes to your fitness level and interests.

Go Bike Tavira

  • 📍 R. Alm. Cândido dos Reis 169, Tavira
  • 🔗 gobiketavira.com
  • Well-maintained bikes and a welcoming local team.

Tavira Scooters

  • 📍 Rua Dr. Marcelino Franco 25, Tavira
  • 🔗 tavirascooters.com
  • For those who prefer a bit more speed (and breeze), they rent scooters (50cc & 125cc), along with regular bikes.

🗺️ Scenic Rides from Tavira

1. Ecovia Litoral – from Tavira to Fuseta (via Santa Luzia)
Starting just behind the Aldi supermarket, this picturesque route meanders through salt flats, quiet lanes, and waterfront villages. Though parts of the trail are gravel, the reward is worth it: flamingos in the Ria Formosa, cafés in Santa Luzia, and seaside charm in Fuseta.

2. Coastal breeze and seafood stops – from Tavira to Cacela Velha:
Start your ride at the roundabout by Tavira Gran Plaza and head east on the Ecovia Litoral. This scenic coastal path takes you through the saltpans and along gravel stretches toward Cabanas, a great spot to stop for a seaside lunch. If you’re feeling adventurous, continue through the trails past Fábrica and end your journey in the stunning clifftop village of Cacela Velha.

3. Tavira to Moncarapacho and back via Santo Estêvão
This scenic inland loop starts near Pingo Doce and takes you through peaceful countryside on quiet asphalt roads. Moncarapacho is a charming destination for a coffee stop or lunch. Return via Santo Estêvão for a change of scenery.

4. To Parque Mata da Conceição
Start your route just north of the fire station (Bombeiros) in Tavira, and cycle inland via Fonte Salgada. This peaceful tour takes you through rural backroads, gentle climbs, and pine-scented trails – perfect for trekking or gravel bikes. Once at Parque Mata da Conceição , a 40-hectare fenced pine forest park, you’ll find shaded picnic areas, marked walking paths (1–2.4 km), and even a small herd of fallow deer in semi-wild surroundings. It’s a tranquil green escape, ideal for a mid-ride break. Return to Tavira via the loop through Nossa Senhora da Saúde chapel for scenic countryside views.

🚴 For Every Style, Every Mood

Whether you’re pedalling gently along the coast or powering up the hills on an e-bike, the Eastern Algarve offers unforgettable rides for all levels. With reliable rental shops, scenic trails, and plenty of pit stops for seafood or a glass of vinho verde, cycling here isn’t just transport — it’s pleasure with every turn of the wheel.

The Eastern Algarve – A Slow Indulgence in the Soul of Sotavento

Local PleasuresPosted on

Sotavento , the “leeward” side of the Algarve, whispers rather than shouts. Stretching from Faro to the Spanish border, this serene region invites you not just to visit, but to savour —with all your senses. This is the Algarve for those who enjoy life slowly, with a good glass of wine in hand and the scent of wild herbs on the breeze.

Here, the Ria Formosa Natural Park unfolds like a living painting—salt pans shimmering in the sun, flamingos wading through brackish shallows, and wooden boardwalks leading to island beaches so pristine they feel undiscovered. Whether you kayak its channels or drift aboard a traditional boat, the lagoon offers both stillness and adventure.

But Sotavento’s pleasures are rooted in the land as much as the sea . Visit a working olive grove near Tavira , where the fruit is still cured in sea salt and patience. Or tour local wineries , like Casa Santos Lima’s new tasting room just outside town, where Tavira’s own terroir is bottled into smooth reds and crisp whites, best enjoyed with local cheese and fresh bread. It’s not just wine tasting—it’s a sensory celebration.

Indulge in long lunches in Santa Luzia , the octopus capital, or enjoy fresh oysters in Fuseta , harvested only hours before they reach your plate. Markets in Olhão and Loulé offer everything from heirloom tomatoes to handmade ceramics. And in between tastings, take time to explore timeless villages like Cacela Velha , where cobbled streets end in panoramic views over the sea.

This isn’t the mass-market Algarve of brochures. This is authentic Portugal , rich in flavour, texture, and gentle discovery. A region where luxury lies in simplicity —a shaded terrace, a well-cooked meal, the kindness of a shopkeeper, the cool hush of an old church.

Let Sotavento surprise you. Not only with spectacle, but with soul too. And once you’ve tasted its rhythm, you may never want to leave.

Mesa Farta – Fine Dining Just Steps from Taste Tavira AL

Local PleasuresPosted on

Just 100 metres from Taste Tavira, Mesa Farta has quietly established itself as one of Tavira’s most refined dining experiences—without ever becoming pretentious. This elegant restaurant combines high-level gastronomy with genuine warmth and a distinctly Portuguese soul.

Behind the scenes is João Viegas (born in Tavira), a chef whose culinary path speaks volumes. He began his journey right here in the Algarve at A Ver Tavira and Santo António, before sharpening his skills at Eleven in Lisbon. Viegas went on to train at some of the world’s most renowned kitchens: Viajante (London), Central (Peru), Mugaritz (Basque Country), and the legendary El Celler de Can Roca (Girona). He served as sous-chef to Leonel Pereira at Michelin-starred São Gabriel (Almancil) from 2013 to 2019, and was named Portugal’s Chef of the Year in 2015. After a stint as head chef at Check In in Faro, he currently also leads the kitchen at Atlântico , the fine-dining restaurant at Vila Vita Parc.

At Mesa Farta, Viegas returns to his Tavira roots with a concept that is elegant yet accessible. The ambiance is quietly sophisticated—no white tablecloths, but carefully curated simplicity. Wide spacing between tables offers privacy and calm, and the open kitchen invites guests to connect with the culinary process.

Dishes here are both technically refined and deeply flavourful, made from seasonal Algarvean ingredients with a modern twist. The staff is multilingual and highly trained, offering warm, personal service and expert wine guidance. With two knowledgeable sommeliers , the wine list is one of the best in town, highlighting regional gems alongside national classics.

Mesa Farta falls into a higher price range, but it offers excellent value for the quality and craftsmanship delivered. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking for a special night out, this restaurant offers a true “local pleasure” in every sense.

📍 Address: Rua de Santo Estêvão 2 e 4, 8800-386 Tavira
📞 Phone: +351 281 416 371
🌐 Website: mesafarta.com
🕒 Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 19:00–22:00 (closed Sundays and Mondays)

Taste Tavira in a Glass: Discover Local Wines at AL-LAGAR

Local PleasuresPosted on

Wines with a View: Tavira’s Vineyard Revival

You can’t miss it when entering Tavira from the A22 motorway: vineyards stretch out on both sides of the road, accompanied by eye-catching billboards for Casa Santos Lima wines . One of Portugal’s largest wine producers, this fifth-generation family-owned company is best known for its wide selection and international reach—90% of their wine production is exported to over 50 countries.

Winemaking in the Algarve has ancient roots, dating back to the Phoenicians and Romans. But the region’s wine scene experienced a long pause until recent decades brought a welcome revival. Casa Santos Lima invested in the Tavira area by acquiring older vineyards and planting new ones. According to local managers Gonçalo Fialho and Ruben Martins , the conditions are ideal: abundant sunshine, ocean breezes, and mineral-rich clay and limestone soils.

In 2024, the winery opened AL-LAGAR , a beautifully restored 19th-century wine press turned visitor center, just outside Tavira. Here, wine lovers can enjoy a full wine tourism experience , including guided vineyard walks, tastings of both regional and signature wines, and light Algarvean pairings—all set against a scenic countryside backdrop.

While the Casa Santos Lima portfolio includes wines from across Portugal, don’t miss their local Tavira selections . Try the red or white Castelo de Tavira —a wine that captures the essence of the region in every sip.

To plan your visit or book a tasting experience, check out their official website:
👉 www.al-lagar.com

Vineyards Casa Santos Lima Tavira
Wine from Tavira
Gonçalo Fialho and Ruben Martins of Casa Santos Lima Tavira