Sight Seeing
Tavira is a wonderful mix of the unexpected and the unusual. Within a 10 minute walk from Casa Nautica you will find a 13th century castle, the old gate of the city, a Camera Obscura, a magnificent Roman bridge, a beautiful garden with bandstand, and the old market hall which has been converted into a cafe/restaurant, craftshops' area. Then, there are the numerous churches for which Tavira is famous. Beside the Tourist Office is the Igreja da Misericórdia, which is open most mornings, offering a magnificent display of tiled panels, depicting acts of mercy. Pick up your fresh fish, fruit and vegetables from the new local market and admire the salt pans where the famous Tavira salt is harvested.
Within a 20 minute walk, the library, which used to be a prison, is highly recommended for a light lunch and a read of the newspaper. Wireless internet access is also available. The military barracks and the Tavira train station are also in this area. A trip into Faro by train is a nice day out, as the route follows the coastline.
Cross the Roman Bridge and there are still jewels in the crown to be found. Catch the tourist train, or take a horse and carriage, see the tinsmith at work, proceed through Bishop's Square into the Carmo Church area, where there is an interactive science museum. This is the side of the river where the market is held on the third Saturday in the month. This isn't a tourist market with elevated prices, locals use it, so the prices are good.