Tavira

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A Scenic Day on the Greens: Golf at Castro Marim or Quinta do Vale

GolfPosted on

For those staying in Tavira and already familiar with nearby gems like Monte Rei, Benamor, or Quinta da Ria/ de Cima, there’s still more to explore beyond the immediate surroundings. Around 20–25 minutes east by car , close to the Spanish border, lie two less-traveled yet rewarding courses: Castro Marim Golfe & Country Club and Quinta do Vale Golf Resort .

Nestled in the hills overlooking the Guadiana River , Castro Marim Golfe offers a 27-hole experience divided into three distinct nine-hole loops — Grouse, Atlantic, and Guadiana. With panoramic views stretching from the mountains to the coast, this course blends natural Algarve beauty with smart course design. The rolling fairways, pine trees, and occasional wildlife sightings make it as much a nature outing as a golf day.

Nearby, Quinta do Vale delivers a very different but equally thrilling challenge. Designed by the legendary Seve Ballesteros , this championship course makes full use of the dramatic terrain. With its signature layout — six par-3s, six par-4s, and six par-5s — and strategic water hazards, Quinta do Vale is a great test for golfers who enjoy risk-reward play and bold course architecture.

Both clubs are ideal for a day trip from Taste Tavira . You can enjoy a scenic drive, an unhurried round, and lunch or drinks on a terrace with sweeping views of the river or mountains. While less frequented than Tavira’s local courses, these two offer a peaceful atmosphere and an authentic eastern Algarve experience.

If you’re planning a longer stay and looking to explore beyond the beaten path, Castro Marim and Quinta do Vale provide the perfect excuse to combine golf with a bit of regional discovery.

Among Almond Trees and Platbands (“platibandas”): A Scenic Drive through Tavira’s Hinterland

History & Cultural Heritage,  Nature & BiodiversityPosted on

Just a short drive inland from Tavira lies a patchwork of orchards, whitewashed villages, and winding roads where history and rural life meet. This gentle journey takes you through Santo Estêvão and Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo , showcasing the Algarve’s timeless charm — from decorated façades to old wells and olive oil traditions.

Start your drive from the Rotunda da Vela on the N125 and take the road towards Santo Estêvão . The landscape soon shifts to dry orchards with carob, olive, and almond trees , typical of the region’s barrocal zone. As you approach the village, stop to explore the Main Church of Santo Estêvão , a serene 18th-century structure built upon a medieval chapel. Inside, you’ll find baroque altar pieces and a handful of 17th-century tombstones — a quiet testament to centuries of rural devotion. Around the church square, take time to admire the elegant platbands , the decorative cornices above windows and doors, often unique to each house and handcrafted by artisans of another era.

From here, follow the signs to Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo , a village nestled among hills dotted with fig trees and old terraced fields. On your way, you may spot tile workshops and olive groves that once powered the region’s rural economy. In the village, visit the Museum of the Cooperativa Agrícola , which preserves a historic olive press and offers insight into the area’s long tradition of oil production. The Main Church , with Manueline and Baroque features, houses a dramatic “Last Judgement” painting inside its cool stone walls.

For a deeper connection to the land, take one of the rural detours toward upland hamlets like Alcaria do Cume , the highest point in the Tavira municipality. The surrounding views stretch across hills and orchards, offering a different side of the Algarve — quiet, authentic, and steeped in tradition. Several of these side roads lead to picnic parks in forested clearings, perfect for a pause surrounded by nature.

Back on the main road, your route can circle through Fonte das Cabras , a stone spring with crystal-clear water that has never dried up, even in drought years. Follow the flow of the Gilão River , whose waters wind through orange groves and fig orchards on their way to Tavira, offering a tranquil end to this rural excursion.

Whether you’re after quiet churches, agricultural heritage, or just the soothing rhythm of countryside roads, this loop through the hills and valleys north of Tavira makes for an enriching half-day trip.

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From Tavira to the Hills: Hiking the Algarve’s Hidden Trails

Family Friendly,  Hiking & Outdoor Activities,  Nature & BiodiversityPosted on

Just a short drive inland from Tavira, the landscape transforms into rolling hills, dense cork oak forests, and traditional whitewashed villages. This is the Serra do Caldeirão , a mountain range that forms the natural border between the Algarve and the Alentejo regions. Despite its modest altitude, with peaks like Pelados reaching up to 598 meters, the area offers a rich tapestry of biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Nature and Trails

The Serra do Caldeirão is a haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Trails wind through cork oak groves, heather-covered slopes, and alongside clear streams. The region’s schist and greywacke soils support a variety of flora, including wild lavender and cistus.

Starting points like the village of Parises or areas near Cachopo provide access to well-marked trails. These routes offer panoramic views and a chance to experience the tranquility of the Algarve’s interior.

Navigating the Trails

Given the remote nature of the Serra do Caldeirão, it’s advisable to use navigation apps like Komoot , AllTrails , or Wikiloc . These platforms offer GPS tracks and user reviews to help you plan your hike. Always carry sufficient water, wear sturdy footwear, and inform someone of your planned route.

Cerro da Cabeça

For those interested in exploring the Cerro da Cabeça , it’s a separate destination located near Moncarapacho. This limestone hill, part of the Serra de Monte Figo, offers its own unique hiking experiences and geological features.

Whether you’re seeking the rugged trails of the Serra do Caldeirão or the distinctive landscapes of the Cerro da Cabeça, the Algarve’s diverse terrain provides ample opportunities for outdoor adventure.

The Salt Pans of Tavira: A Timeless Tradition Shaped by the Sea

Local Flavours & Products,  Nature & Biodiversity,  Ria Formosa Natural ParkPosted on

Just beyond the town walls and coastal dunes, the salt pans of Tavira stretch out like shimmering mirrors. These historic salt flats are more than a picturesque backdrop — they are part of an age-old tradition that has shaped the local economy and landscape for centuries.

Salt production in Tavira dates back to Roman and Moorish times. The region’s abundant sunshine, shallow lagoons, and favorable winds made it ideal for harvesting sea salt, a process still largely done by hand. Tavira’s flor de sal, the delicate top layer of salt crystals, is highly prized by chefs and gourmet shops across Europe.

Today, the salt pans are not only an important economic activity but also a haven for birdlife and a place of tranquility. Walking through the salt flats can feel like wandering a maze of quiet, sun-soaked paths between shallow pools. The best time to witness salt harvesting is during the hot summer months, from June to September , when workers scrape the salt by hand from the evaporating basins. They usually don’t like to be photographed, though so please mind their privacy.

Walking Routes and Navigation

The salt pan area can be disorienting for first-time visitors, with its crisscrossing levees and water channels. To navigate more easily, we recommend using walking apps like Komoot or AllTrails , which provide user-mapped gravel paths and loop routes. Google Maps works as well but can miss the finer details of smaller walking trails.

For a walk directly from Taste Tavira AL , try heading southeast via Fonte Salgada , just past the local fire station (Bombeiros), and follow the gravel trails along the Ecovia Litoral. It’s a peaceful and scenic route — especially in the early morning or around sunset.

Salinas do Grelha & the Algarve’s “Dead Sea”

For a deeper dive into the world of salt, consider visiting the Salinas do Grelha , located near Olhão. This small-scale artisanal producer offers guided tours of their working salt pans. One of their most unique features is the “Mar Morto” — a man-made saltwater lagoon with salinity levels similar to the real Dead Sea. Visitors are welcome to float, relax, and enjoy the health benefits of the highly concentrated saltwater.

Salinas do Grelha – Visitor Info:

  • 📍 Address : Cova da Onça – Belamandil, Cx. Postal 412A, 8700-172 Olhão
  • 📞 Phone/WhatsApp : +351 967 753 496
  • 🌐 Website : www.salinasdogrelha.pt

Tours are available during the high season, and floating in the saltwater lagoon is possible by appointment. The best time to visit is late afternoon, when the setting sun paints the flats in golden tones.

Whether you’re a lover of history, a curious foodie, or simply seeking a peaceful walk through a unique coastal landscape, Tavira’s salt pans offer a window into one of the Algarve’s most enduring traditions — and a reminder of the quiet beauty found in slow, deliberate craft.