Tavira, Cabanas and the Ria
Where to stay near Tavira: Cabanas and the Ria Formosa
Tavira is the old river town of the eastern Algarve, and Cabanas de Tavira is the fishing village 10 minutes east of it, on the Ria Formosa lagoon. Here is what each is like, and why we think Cabanas makes the better base for golf and long winter stays.
Tavira or Cabanas?
Stay in Tavira’s old town if you want to walk to restaurants every evening and do not need a car. Stay in Cabanas if you want the lagoon and the island beach close by, three golf courses within 10 minutes and somewhere easy to park.
Ria Green House is in Cabanas, on the Conceição side of the village. Benamor golf course is a 15 minute walk, the waterfront a 25 minute walk, and Tavira town centre 10 minutes by car.
Tavira
Tavira sits on both banks of the Gilão river, about 5 km from Cabanas. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs all left their mark on the town, and the old centre climbs from the river and the old bridge to the castle.
Entry to the castle is free. It opens from 10:00 to 17:00 in winter and 10:00 to 19:00 in summer, and from its walls you look out over the town and the Ria Formosa. The main gate opens onto the square in front of the church of Santa Maria do Castelo.
In 2013 Portugal chose Tavira as its community for UNESCO’s listing of the Mediterranean diet as Intangible Cultural Heritage, alongside Cyprus, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Italy and Morocco. The diet it describes is built on olive oil, bread, wine, vegetables, pulses, fish and shellfish.
Cabanas de Tavira
Cabanas is a fishing village on the Ria Formosa, looking across the lagoon to the dunes of Cabanas island. The waterfront, Avenida Ria Formosa, is where the boats leave for the island beach.
In season the boats cross about every 15 minutes. The crossing takes about 5 minutes, followed by a 5 minute walk on the boardwalk to the beach, and a return ticket costs about €1.50 for adults and €1 for children. Outside summer the boats run less often, so check the time of the last crossing back.
The village has its own municipal market, and the municipality’s walking group sets off from Cabanas on some Sunday mornings.
The Ria Formosa
The Ria Formosa is a lagoon of salt marsh, channels and barrier islands along this stretch of coast, protected since 1978 and covering about 170 km². Tavira Island and Cacela island are among its barrier islands. In 2010 it was voted one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal.
Greater flamingos feed in the salt pans at Sítio do Pinheiro, near Luz de Tavira, where 162 bird species have been recorded. Spring and autumn migration are the best times to go, but birders visit all year.
The eastern Algarve
The Algarve east of Faro, the Sotavento, has smaller towns than the resort strip around Albufeira and Vilamoura. Spain is close: the border at Vila Real de Santo António is 25 minutes away, and Seville about two hours.
Six golf courses lie within 30 minutes of Cabanas, and Faro airport is 40 minutes by car. You need a car for most things, which is why the apartment comes with its own garage space.
Questions
How far is Cabanas from Tavira?
About 5 km. From Ria Green House, Tavira town centre is about 10 minutes by car.
Is there a beach in Cabanas de Tavira?
Yes, on Cabanas island across the lagoon. Boats leave from the waterfront about every 15 minutes in season and take about 5 minutes; outside summer they run less often.
Is Cabanas de Tavira a good base for golf?
Yes. Benamor is a 15 minute walk from Ria Green House, Quinta da Ria and Quinta de Cima are 10 minutes by car, and six courses are within 30 minutes.
Do I need a car in Cabanas?
For golf, Tavira and the beaches further away, yes. The village, the waterfront and Benamor are walkable from the apartment.
Stay in Cabanas de Tavira
A new three bedroom apartment for up to six, 10 minutes from Tavira and a 15 minute walk from Benamor golf course.