Flamingos

Taste Tavira > Annick shows you around

Tag: Flamingos

Borderland Charms: Discover Vila Real de Santo António & Castro Marim

VillagesPosted on

Tucked away at the easternmost edge of the Algarve, at the Spanish border, the neighbouring towns of Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim offer a captivating blend of history, riverfront charm, and unspoiled nature. A perfect day trip from Tavira, these villages reveal a more tranquil, authentic side of the region—far from the crowded beaches and bustling resorts.

Vila Real de Santo António, sitting directly on the Guadiana River across from Spain, is an elegant 18th-century town with a distinctive Pombaline layout. Its grid-like streets and grand Praça Marquês de Pombal reflect the Enlightenment ideals of order and symmetry. Lined with shops, cafés, and tiled facades, the town invites leisurely strolls, riverside dining, or even a ferry ride to Ayamonte, just across the water. Don’t miss the marina promenade or the cultural centre housed in the former customs house.

Just a few kilometres inland, Castro Marim is older and more rustic. Dominated by two hilltop castles—the medieval Castelo de Castro Marim and the 17th-century Fort of São Sebastião—the village offers sweeping views over salt marshes, the river, and even Spain. Its historical role in border defence is palpable, and its quiet streets and whitewashed houses reflect a slower pace of life. The area is also known for its traditional salt pans and artisanal flor de sal.

Each August, Castro Marim hosts the Dias Medievais (Medieval Days), one of Portugal’s most celebrated historical festivals. For five days, the town transforms into a medieval village, complete with knights, jesters, artisans, and a bustling market. The 2025 edition is scheduled from August 27 to 31. Visitors can enjoy reenactments, traditional music, and a nightly video mapping show projected onto the castle walls. visitportugal.com

Nature lovers will appreciate the Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António, a protected wetland rich in birdlife, including flamingos and storks. Cycling routes and walking trails criss-cross this flat landscape, making it an ideal place for gentle outdoor exploration.

Whether you’re drawn by architecture, birdwatching, history, or simply a riverside lunch, Vila Real and Castro Marim offer a unique window into the Algarve’s quieter charms—where Portugal meets Spain and time slows down.

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.

Kayaking in the Ria Formosa – Nature and Fun on the Water

Family FriendlyPosted on

For families with active kids and teens, a kayak or sup tour through the Ria Formosa Natural Park is both adventurous and educational. Paddling through calm lagoons and winding channels, you’ll spot birds, fish, crabs, and maybe even flamingos in the wild.

Tours usually start in Tavira or nearby Cabanas or Santa Luzia but also a bit further in Fuseta or Faro and are guided by local experts who explain the area’s unique ecosystem. It’s suitable even for beginners—most kayaks are two-seaters, so kids can ride with parents or older siblings. Expect to spend 1.5 to 3 hours on the water.

The scenery is peaceful, but the experience is anything but boring. Teens will enjoy the independence of paddling, while younger kids love spotting wildlife and navigating the small inlets. Don’t forget hats, sunscreen, and water shoes.

A kayak trip is a great break from the beach and gives kids a sense of adventure. Book in advance, especially in summer, and check the tides—many tours are timed to take advantage of gentle currents.

As an example heck out https://www.supadventours.com or look at https://tripadvisor.com for actual information, reviews and contact adresses.