Tavira, at the eastern end of the Algarve, offers some of the most beautiful yet secluded beaches in Portugal. Here, the Ria Formosa lagoon stretches between the ocean and the mainland, so, oftentimes (but not always), reaching the sand means hopping on a small ferry or water taxi. Once you arrive, endless ribbons of uncrowded golden sand and turquoise waves open up in front of you.
Each summer, I return to the Algarve to revisit old favourites and uncover new corners of the coastline. The east is where I tend to gravitate – it’s slower and calmer, and the water is warmer than the busy west. Based on years of exploring, here are the very best beaches in and around Tavira.
Praia da Ilha da Tavira (Tavira Island Beach)
From downtown Tavira, you can jump on a small ferry for loose change and reach this island paradise. It’s one of the easiest and most popular sand bars to reach from Tavira. After a short boat ride across the Ria Formosa, you’ll land on a long sweep of soft sand. Amble from the estuary side past a campground and across to the open ocean, where Praia da Ilha da Tavira awaits.
On this little island getaway, you’ll find a couple of beach shacks that serve food or rent loungers and umbrellas for the day. Beachfront bars Xiri Beach Club and Costabeach bar are good for a drink, but for lunch I’d try one of the restaurants set further back, like Pavilhão da Ilha or the island outpost of a Tavira favourite of mine, Come na Gaveta.
How to get there: Ferries run regularly from Tavira town (summer only) and from Quatro Águas (where there is easy parking). Ferries are organised by Silnido (check the timetable and latest prices with them) and the trip takes about 10-20 minutes. Water taxis are also available if you want more flexibility.
What to expect: Easy island escape from Tavira – A wide sandy beach backed by dunes, sun loungers and parasols to rent, and plenty of cafés and restaurants for a long lunch or sunset drink. Walk further west from the main area and you’ll find quieter stretches.
Facilities at Praia da Ilha da Tavira
Blue Flag beach: Yes
Lifeguards: Yes
Parking: Yes, it is easier to park at Quatro Águas then take the ferry
Restaurant or bar: Loads of options
Toilet: Public toilets
Sunbeds: Yes
Activities: Watersports
Read next… Guide to the best beaches in Lagos, Portugal
Praia de Cabanas (Cabanas Beach) – east of Tavira
Praia de Cabanas is a narrow strip of golden sand set across the lagoon from the fishing village-turned resort town of Cabanas. Very small boats shuttle visitors across the Ria Formosa in a few minutes. Cabanas town (just a 10-minute drive from Tavira) is filled with great eating and laidback crowds. Expect the beach vibe to be quieter too, plus you’ll have more opportunity to find quiet pockets of sand (if you don’t mind walking).
How to get there: From Cabanas’ waterfront at Cais de Cabanas (close to Restaurante O Monteiro), small boats run continuously across the lagoon (just a few minutes). There is almost never a wait. Parking in the village can be tight in the peak of summer, so arrive early. Ferries run from April to October.
What to expect: A long, narrow beach with calm waters, sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, and a couple of small beach cafés. The sea is usually gentle here, making it good for swimming and families.
Good to know: Trek east of the beach to find the more deserted sands of Praia da Casa Branca. If you head west, you’ll hit Praia Cabanas Poente, which has sun loungers and is serviced by a small shuttle owned by two beach resorts – Golden Club and AP Cabanas Beach & Nature.
One summer, I stayed in a private apartment at the former, and the beach access was amazing – next time I’d try AP as the resort looks insanely beautiful and new.
Facilities at Praia da Cabana
Blue Flag beach: Yes
Lifeguards: Yes
Parking: In Cabanas town, then a short ferry
Restaurant or bar: Two restaurants and a kiosk
Toilet: Public toilets
Sunbeds: Yes
Activities: Watersports
Read next… Where to stay in the Algarve: Ultimate guide to choosing your base
How to find wild beaches around Tavira
There are several ways to unlock hidden, deserted beaches around Tavira. If you’re a solitude seeker who doesn’t mind a lack of facilities, there’s so much coastline to explore.
One way to find the best, quiet patches of sand is to take one of the ferry services mentioned on this list and then walk east or west until you find somewhere no one goes. Another is to look for water taxis in town – usually they’re not too expensive. You can ask the captain to drop you somewhere more secluded and exclusive. The final option is to rent a kayak or SUP and take yourself on an adventure where you can pull up wherever you like.
Praia da Terra Estreita (Terra Estreita Beach) – west of Tavira
Wedged on the same sand bar between Praia da Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril, Terra Estreita is a narrow island beach that feels wonderfully peaceful and a little off the radar. With just one café and plenty of open sand, it’s the kind of place where you can stretch out without crowds. Spend the day with nothing but sea, sky and dunes around you. After a day in the sun, return by ferry to the cute village of Santa Luzia, which is famously Portugal’s octopus capital.
How to get there: Ferry boats run from the small fishing village of Santa Luzia across the ria (about 5 minutes) from late April to early October. Once on the island, the walk from the boat to the beach is the shortest of all the options.
What to expect: Golden sand, calm water for swimming, one seasonal beach café serving snacks and drinks and parasols/sunbeds for rent.
Facilities at Praia da Terra Estreita
Blue Flag beach: Yes
Lifeguards: Yes
Parking: In Santa Luzia town, then a short ferry
Restaurant or bar: One restaurant-bar
Toilet: Public toilets
Sunbeds: Yes
Activities: Watersports
Praia do Barril (Barril Beach) – west of Tavira
Praia do Barril is one of Tavira’s best and most interesting beaches – and one of the few you can walk to in the east. Once the heart of a tuna-fishing community, today its dunes are lined with rows of rusted anchors – the striking “Cemetery of Anchors” – left as a tribute to the fishermen. Here you’ll find a gorgeous, wide beach with endless golden sand and clear water. The anchor graveyard makes it one of the Algarve’s most photogenic beaches.
How to get there: Drive to the uncanny resort village of Pedras d’el Rei (suddenly there’s green grass and houses in the dry, dusty summer weather) and try your luck for a parking spot (there’s a big public lot, but this is a popular beach). Then cross the pedestrian bridge and either walk 15-20 minutes across the salt marshes or hop on the little tourist train that runs to the beach (a fun ride, especially for kids).
What to expect: Long stretches of sand, safe swimming, cafés, restaurants, sunbeds and umbrellas for hire and lifeguards in summer. Despite its popularity, the beach is so wide that it rarely feels overcrowded.
Looking for a nude beach? West of Praia do Barril is Praia do Homen Nu (which translates to Naked Man Beach). There’s a legend about a shipwreck connected to the name, but it is also a wild beach that welcomes naturists.
Facilities at Praia do Barril
Blue Flag beach: Yes
Lifeguards: Yes
Parking: In Pedras d’el Rei at the parking spot, then a 15-minute walk or little train ride
Restaurant or bar: Handful of options
Toilet: Public toilets
Sunbeds: Yes
Activities: Watersports
Praia da Fábrica – east of Tavira
Often described as one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal (let alone Tavira region), Praia da Fábrica is a wild, windswept strip of sand close to the whitewashed village of Cacela Velha. Take a small boat across to reach the beach. After, I’d suggest visiting the charming village – it’s one of my favourites in Portugal. From the village’s cliff-top, you’ll see panoramic views of the Ria Formosa lagoon opening out to the ocean. At 4.30pm my favourite restaurant, Casa da Igreja, opens for late afternoon seafood feasting.
How to get there: From the hamlet of Fábrica, small boats shuttle visitors across the lagoon in minutes. At low tide, you can wade across the shallow water on foot (be mindful of currents and tides). Parking in summer is limited, so arrive early.
What to expect: A vast, natural beach with no built-up facilities. Bring your own shade, snacks and water if you plan to stay long. The sea can also be rougher here.
Facilities at Praia da Fábrica
Blue Flag beach: No
Lifeguards: No
Parking: Near the ferry stop
Restaurant or bar: No
Toilet: None
Sunbeds: No
Read next… Where to eat in the Algarve
Bonus beach: Praia dos Tesos (easy-access family beach)
While I’ve shared the best five beaches to visit around Tavira (above), I thought I’d add Praia dos Tesos to the list. With the Ria Formosa blocking the open ocean, very few beachfronts are accessible by car. Besides Barril Beach (which still requires a 15-20 minute walk), Praia dos Tesos is one that you can easily drive up to, as it sits close to the mouth of the Tavira Passage, set in the gap between Cabanas and Tavira islands. While it’s not the most spectacular sand, it’s super easy to reach and ideal for families.
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Map of the best beaches around Tavira, Algarve
Extra tips for visiting beaches around Tavira, Algarve
Do you need a car to visit the beaches in Tavira?
Not always. If you don’t have a car, the easiest to reach beach is Ilha de Tavira – which you can access via a ferry from downtown Tavira. Others require a car or short taxi ride to reach the ferry port.
When is the best time to visit Tavira’s beaches?
The high season is July and August, when ferries run frequently and all cafés are open – but beaches can get busy. For warm weather and fewer crowds, late May–June and September–early October are ideal. The ferries tend to run from April to October.
Are Tavira’s beaches family-friendly?
Yes. Most beaches have calm, flat waters and lifeguards during summer, and facilities like sunbeds, parasols and restaurants make it easy to spend a day on the island. Praia do Barril and Ilha de Tavira are especially popular with families because they’re easy to reach and have facilities close by.
Which beach is the quietest near Tavira?
Praia da Terra Estreita or Praia da Fábrica would be the most peaceful on this list. The first has just one café and plenty of space. The second has no facilities at all – just sand, sea and sunshine. If you walk east or west from any ferry drop-off point, you’ll also find stretches of sand where hardly anyone goes.
What should I bring to Tavira’s beaches?
At a minimum bring sunscreen, water, towel, swimwear and a hat. Add to that snacks and an umbrella if you visit less-developed beaches like Praia da Fábrica.
Are Tavira’s beaches accessible year-round?
Yes, though ferry services run mainly from late spring to early autumn. In winter, you may need a private water taxi.
Are you planning to visit the Algarve soon? Beyond the best beaches in Tavira, don’t miss my 7-day Algarve itinerary, and tried-and-tested Algarve restaurant guide.
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