Castelo de Tavira
Castelo de Tavira
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Address
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Best nearby
Restaurants
302 within 3 miles
Attractions
50 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Linda CSeattle, Washington2 contributionsA vacation from our vacation after one month in PortugalLoved the laid back old town. Tavira Island and beach was the highlight. Swam in the ocean, walked the beach. Went for coffee shopped and relaxed in the parks along the river.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 17, 2023
- GlobetrottingVikingThatcham, United Kingdom3,423 contributionsgreat Views from the Castle WallsThis site has little left of what will have been a formidable castle. Some of the walls are still standing, and it is possible to climb up to the top and enjoy the view of the town of Tavira. The large courtyard contains some exotic trees and flowers, and there was a WC on the site, but no café. Entrance was free so it was well worth a visit.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 20, 2023
- David G6 contributionsWell worth a visitA lovely place to visit. It's free to enter, the little garden is beautiful with a range of flowering plants, all labelled for those interested. Only part of the castle walls remain but there are access steps (steep) to various parts with fantastic views over the city. Well worth a visit.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 2, 2024
- KateLondon_9London, United Kingdom1,781 contributionsNice place to spend half an hourNice place to visit on a trip to Tavira. Free to enter and a good way to spend half an hour. Lots of good look outs across Tavira. Pretty gardens too.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 19, 2024
- Helen CStaffordshire, United Kingdom299 contributionsBeautiful Castle RemainsBeautiful small castle remains in Tavira, just a short walk away from the Old Bridge. Offers some fantastic rooftop views of the city. Inner aspect planted with some lovely plants, flowers and trees. A must visit when in Tavira.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 30, 2024
- Raintree_ThailandBangkok, Thailand4,289 contributionsSmall castle overlooking Tavira!Cool Medieval castle overlooking the small town of Tavira. The origins of the castle are not entirely known, as it has been built and destroyed or damaged, and rebuilt many times. The castle is an easy 5-10 minute walk up the hill from the town center and includes lots of beautiful trees and flowering plants inside the walls. No fee to enter the castle and look around.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 10, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
539 reviews
Excellent
164
Very good
251
Average
113
Poor
9
Terrible
2
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MarcusHurley
Calne, UK10,787 contributions
Nov 2021
This is a very small thirteenth century structure, originally built by the Moors but expanded by the Portugese after the 1242 conquest. To be fair it was free, the walls had lovely views over the city and it felt safe. The interior was actually a garden with lots of planting that totally transformed it from a nondescript pile of old rock into a really special venue. Having seen it, I don't know why this isn't more widely adopted elsewhere. Most castle courtyards or baileys are just empty spaces so a garden both adds interest and makes things more aesthetically pleasing. Sadly there were no benches and no cafe onsite.
Written November 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alf R
Sausalito, United States21 contributions
Mar 2022
Tavira old town is a must. Great walks through the old city, the tiling on the houses, the doors and the whole feel to the city was just chilled. We had a lovely day out, walking, sitting with local friendly people drinking coffee.
Written March 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce M
Sydney, Australia823 contributions
Sep 2022
Located just off one of the main streets in the centre of Tavira, it’s a climb up a few flights of stairs to the remains of what was once a 5 hectare walled city. Today, there is only a small section of the battlements and a pleasant garden covering perhaps one quarter of a hectare.
Well worth a visit to experience both the history and take in the views over Tavira.
Take the circular route past the church down the road back into the heart of the town
Well worth a visit to experience both the history and take in the views over Tavira.
Take the circular route past the church down the road back into the heart of the town
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirk E
Santa Fe, NM982 contributions
Dec 2022
Tavira's old Moorish fort is still yielding up discoveries, which can be viewed at the nearby and extremely worthwhile Islamic Museum. Its walls still rise up through the modern city, all of them visible from the ramparts of this pleasant public park which makes for a nice morning or sunset stroll. The exotic flora is just as much an attraction as the ruins themselves.
Written January 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David G
6 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
A lovely place to visit. It's free to enter, the little garden is beautiful with a range of flowering plants, all labelled for those interested. Only part of the castle walls remain but there are access steps (steep) to various parts with fantastic views over the city. Well worth a visit.
Written February 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annieok2014
Bergamo, Italy5,565 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
The bridge of Roman origin connects and divides the two banks of the GilĂŁo river: on one side the pretty and lively town dedicated to tourism, full of bars, restaurants and shops, on the other the more historical and cultural one, once chosen by the nearby noble families in power installed in the castle, full of ancient churches and elegant buildings with filigreed balconies.
The best view is enjoyed from the castle walls, of which very little remains, in the old Arab quarter at the top of the hill; from here you can see the bell tower of the church of Santa Maria do Castelo, one of the distinctive points of the city.
Of note are the traditional houses with wooden doors and the typical "scissor-shaped" treasury roofs.
The GilĂŁo river, crossing the city, leads to the Ilha de Tavira, an extensive 11 km long beach which - parallel to the coast - is part of the Ria Formosa National Park.
The best view is enjoyed from the castle walls, of which very little remains, in the old Arab quarter at the top of the hill; from here you can see the bell tower of the church of Santa Maria do Castelo, one of the distinctive points of the city.
Of note are the traditional houses with wooden doors and the typical "scissor-shaped" treasury roofs.
The GilĂŁo river, crossing the city, leads to the Ilha de Tavira, an extensive 11 km long beach which - parallel to the coast - is part of the Ria Formosa National Park.
Written December 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodalita B
Francisco I. Madero Municipality, Mexico3,600 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Tavira Castle-- the Castle of Tavira ( Portuguese Castelo de Tavira) is a Medieval Castle located in the parish of Santiago, Tavira Municipality, Faro district of portugal in a dominant position over the mouth of the river. Gilao the settlement has developed as an important sea port since antiquity, withits predecessore dating back to the 8th Century B.C.passing through the hands of Phonecians, greeks, Carthageinians, Romans, Moors, and the Portuguese Crown,
Tavira castle is a partially ruined fortress that once guarded this fishing town from North African raiders and pirates, the Castle is located at the highest..
Beautiful little Castle gardens. Well presented flower beds and trees, it has nice revives over the city from the Castle walls..
Tavira castle is a partially ruined fortress that once guarded this fishing town from North African raiders and pirates, the Castle is located at the highest..
Beautiful little Castle gardens. Well presented flower beds and trees, it has nice revives over the city from the Castle walls..
Written March 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand4,289 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Cool Medieval castle overlooking the small town of Tavira. The origins of the castle are not entirely known, as it has been built and destroyed or damaged, and rebuilt many times. The castle is an easy 5-10 minute walk up the hill from the town center and includes lots of beautiful trees and flowering plants inside the walls. No fee to enter the castle and look around.
Written June 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lance B
Manchester, UK52 contributions
Dec 2019
Visited on New Year's Eve and it was very quiet but a pleasant surprise. As other reviewers have said there is a lovely tranquil garden and graet views from the walls. Only small but well worth the short climb up the hill.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
woodie49
Brighton, UK1,004 contributions
Sep 2022
A walk up to the Castle gardens, excavations can be seen on the way of what is believed to be the medieval residence of the Corte-Real family. Also an 8th century Phoenician wall amongst other things.
The garden is small but pleasant and it does afford a view over Tavira. Oh, it is free.
The garden is small but pleasant and it does afford a view over Tavira. Oh, it is free.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I will be staying in Albufeira in May and am looking into possible day trips. We will already be traveling to Lisbon for a bit and don't want to take too many trips far from our hotel. Tavira is the only other longer trip we're looking into. I just wanted to know if it was worth the hour drive and what specifically we'd want to check out while we're there. Any tips would be helpful :)
Written December 13, 2016
I don't know exactly what you are looking for, if you want to have fun, Albufeira it's perfect but if you would like to discover a pice of history of Portugal, Tavira is the right place. There are different museum with video where they tell you more about the musulmans/arab people that were there before and how this people influenced the name of the cities, you can see this influence also on the building structures. You have there some objectives to visit/the river/good restaurants/nice views. It's the perfect place for a piece of culture
Written December 15, 2016
Ruth S
Bonn, Germany
Hallo, Sophia, da ist den System-Leuten wohl ein Fehler unterlaufen - das Restaurant Castelo läuft unter der Sehenswürdigkeit Castelo de Tavira. Möglichst korrigieren?!
Written January 19, 2015
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