Tavira – Travel to Portugal in September

tavira portugal

I have recently been lucky enough to get away for a few days to travel to Portugal.  We stayed just outside Tavira towards the eastern, and less built up, end of the Algarve. Despite being September the temperature was gorgeous, pushing 30°C during the day, with minimal humidity, and hovering around 20°C in the evening which made it perfect for sitting out late.

We stayed at a fascinating and very comfortable hotel, the Vila Gale Albacora, on the mouth of the river just opposite Tavira island with its huge beach. The Albacora was built as a tuna factory with associated housing, plus church and school, for the workers and has been renovated into a first class property. As you approach from Tavira it rises like a green oasis above the salt pans with the clock tower peaking above the trees. My arrival was made even more special by the flights of flamingos making their way across the marshes. With lovely gardens, spacious & cool rooms, an energetic kids club and lots of space it’s a great base to enjoy the beaches, Tavira itself or just chill out.

There is a beach on the river by the hotel or a regular boat service to a couple of ocean beaches. Our preferred option was the Terre Estreita with its warm Atlantic waters and small friendly snack bar but almost as enjoyable was the 15 minute boat ride from the hotel through the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa.  In the other direction a couple of KM away was the historic town of Tavira with its “roman” bridge, hilltop castle and Moorish quarter. It is well worth wondering the narrow streets or enjoying a pasteis de nata, custard tart, in a café knowing you can doze the day away after your efforts.

The food, particularly seafood (more on this later) was divine, as were the wines and we kept being struck by what good value Portugal seemed to eat out. It was great to explore a new part of the Algarve and reminded me how good it is to head to southern Europe in September after the UK school holidays have finished! Speak to us at Putney Travel if you fancy heading to Tavira, the Vila Gale Albacora or just would like to extend your summer into September and October.

vila gale albacora - external vila gale albacora - chapel

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