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Tavira Is The Venice Of The Algarve. Life here is inexpensive, uncomplicated, sweet, and traditional.
Tavira is in the eastern Algarve, about halfway between Faro, the region’s administrative capital, and Ayamonte, a town in southwestern Spain.
Tavira, Portugal, is a place where the café lifestyle thrives…
You can start most days with a café (mini but potent espresso) and a pasteis de nata tart—a creamy, vanilla custard pastry topped with icing sugar or cinnamon.
The combination is a national treasure that costs just one euro and symbolizes life in Tavira: inexpensive, uncomplicated, sweet, and traditional.
Tavira may be a small town but it has a lot going for it…
No matter where you go in Tavira, you hear people speaking different languages, though Portuguese and English are the most commonly spoken.
Home to a flourishing population of Germans, Irish, French, Spanish, Brits, Swedes, Canadians, and Americans, Tavira’s expat community is diverse and growing. There are plenty of opportunities to mix and mingle with folks from all over Europe and North America.
See our full guide to Portugal’s visas and residency options—so you can understand the main pathways, what typically qualifies you, and what to prepare before you apply.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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From North America, get on a flight to a major European center like London or Paris and then catch a plane directly to Faro, the Algarve capital.
From Faro Airport to Tavira is about a 35-minute taxi ride, costing around 40 euros. A slower and cheaper way to travel is to take a bus from the airport to the center of Faro (2.25 euros) and then a train to Tavira (3 euros). It is a short walk from Faro’s central bus station to the trains.
Tavira is well provided with a lot that the expat might need, from an Irish pub, The Black Anchor, with its lunchtime quizzes, to a well-stocked library housed in a former prison. There are banks, English-speaking lawyers and realtors, and a big municipal food market.
Also, Tavira has some excellent restaurants but not the range of cultural events that capital cities offer.
Craving the buzz of the big city? Then this likely isn’t the place for you. But, for lovers of the seashore and nature in general, bikers, birders, hikers, those who appreciate living in a human-scale provincial town with a very international population, then you’ll find it all in Tavira.
When it comes to real estate, expect to pay monthly rents of about 750 euros for a one-bedroom apartment, 1,000 to 1,200 euros for two bedrooms, and around 2,000 euros for a house with a swimming pool.
Realtors in town say demand is brisk, and it’s often hard for them to find properties that match the kind of thing clients want, like a house with a garage and a view over the lagoons. Unfurnished accommodation can be hard to find, and you might have to accept a furnished let.
When looking to buy a home in Tavira, asking prices range from about 160,000 euros for a one-bedroom flat in the town center to villas for around 5 million euros.
For instance, a three-bedroom house with a little land in the countryside near town costs around 450,000 euros. Bargaining over price is very much part of Portuguese culture.
Also, we at Live and Invest Overseas recommend to hire a lawyer who checks that what actually exists on the ground corresponds to what it says on the official documents lodged with the authorities. For example, does that swimming pool or borehole have the necessary official permission?
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | €650 | Average; hard to quantify. |
| HOA Fees | €100 | |
| Property Taxes | €50 | |
| Transportation | €320 | Driving your own car, including insurance. €75 for a tank of gas. |
| Gas | €50 | For heating and cooking. |
| Electricity | €85 | Including air conditioning. |
| Water | €25 | Not including a swimming pool. |
| Cell Phone | €20 | Monthly cost for basic cell phone plan. |
| Internet | €60 | Including TV channels. |
| Cable TV | – | |
| Household Help | €80 | For two hours of house cleaning a week. |
| Entertainment | €510 | Monthly cost for eating out twice a week: €420 (€45 to €60 per meal). Monthly cost for drinks twice a week: €60 (€1.50 for a beer; €5.50 for a bottle of wine). Movie theatre trip twice a month: €30 (€7.50 per ticket). |
| Groceries | €400 | Monthly grocery haul for a couple. |
| Gym Membership | €80 | Basic membership for two people. |
| Medical Appointment | €70 | Cost of one appointment (private clinic). |
| TOTAL | €2,500 |
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | €1,200 | Cost of an apartment (70 square meters, two-bed/two-bath roughly) in a desirable location. |
| Transportation | €320 | Driving your own car, including insurance. €75 for a tank of gas. |
| Gas | €50 | For heating and cooking. |
| Electricity | €85 | Including air conditioning. |
| Water | €25 | Not including a swimming pool. |
| Cell Phone | €20 | Monthly cost for basic cell phone plan. |
| Internet | €60 | Including TV channels. |
| Cable TV | – | |
| Household Help | €80 | For two hours of house cleaning a week. |
| Entertainment | €510 | Monthly cost for eating out twice a week: €420 (€45 to €60 per meal). Monthly cost for drinks twice a week: €60 (€1.50 for a beer; €5.50 for a bottle of wine). Movie theatre trip twice a month: €30 (€7.50 per ticket). |
| Groceries | €400 | Monthly grocery haul for a couple. |
| Gym Membership | €80 | Basic membership for two people. |
| Medical Appointment | €70 | Cost of one appointment (private clinic). |
| TOTAL | €2,900 |
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | €750 | Cost of an apartment (one-bed/one-bath) in the cheapest part of town. |
| Transportation | €80 | Monthly bus ticket. |
| Gas | €35 | |
| Electricity | €65 | |
| Water | €25 | |
| Cell Phone | €20 | |
| Internet | €60 | |
| Cable TV | – | |
| Entertainment | €200 | Monthly cost for eating out twice a week: €50 (€12.50 per meal). |
| Groceries | €285 | All local-brand items only, shopping at markets and grocery stores. |
| Medical Appointment | €5.50 | Cost of one appointment (public health center). |
| TOTAL | €1,525.50 |
Tavira may be a small town but it has a lot going for it…
No matter where you go in Tavira, you hear people speaking different languages, though Portuguese and English are the most commonly spoken.
Home to a flourishing population of Germans, Irish, French, Spanish, Brits, Swedes, Canadians, and Americans, Tavira’s expat community is diverse and growing. There are plenty of opportunities to mix and mingle with folks from all over Europe and North America.
Tavira has a municipal library that has an English section and computers available for rent. Plus, clubs to support an array of arts-related interests, from choirs to Scottish country dancing, painting groups, theatre groups, book clubs, and a writer’s club.
In terms of recreation opportunities, Tavira offers an Olympic-size municipal pool (about 3 euros per visit) and a sports complex where you can play soccer, croquet, and lawn-bowling.
Tennis and golf are popular across the Algarve… You’ll find tennis clubs, martial arts classes, yoga and Pilates, and cycling groups, as well as regular exercise gyms.
There are also volunteer opportunities, for instance at the local animal shelter.
One of the top things to do in Tavira is shop. The service is friendly, prices are affordable, and vendors are multi-lingual but especially English-speaking.
From garden centers to grocery stores, fashion retailers to souvenirs, housewares to linens, there’s a smorgasbord of goods on sale locally in Tavira… with an emphasis on handcrafted ceramics, pottery, artwork, décor, uniquely designed purses and shoes, intricately patterned lace curtains and tablecloths, and more…
Tavira boasts a thriving cottage industry as well as a two-story modern mall, complete with a food court, indoor parking garage, and family-friendly amenities.
Its multiplex cinema features current English-language movies (seniors get a discount; adults pay 7 euros), and the popcorn is a real steal.
Living in Tavira, Portugal, is your chance for a better life at a better price. First, all taxes and tariffs are included in the Portuguese price on food, beverages, clothing, and furnishings.
Brand-name items are never cheap, so it’s possible to spend 80 to 100 euros on running shoes and 60 to 100 euros on jeans in Tavira. If you’re willing to forego expensive labels, it’s easy to find a pair of well-made leather loafers, sandals, or running shoes, for less than half that price. The same rule applies to jeans.
A great looking t-shirt can be had for 5 euros (ladies) to 8 euros (men); a pretty sundress, blouse, or long-sleeve top for 20 euros or less.
Men’s casual shirts and casual pants are about the same. Seasonal sales feature most garments up to 70% off.
Tavira is a casually dressed town so there aren’t many occasions that call for semi-formal or formal attire.
Tavira is rich with restaurants. Portuguese traditional cooking is not only delicious, it’s healthy. The classic Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest in the world and reputed to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and obesity.
Seafood is the mainstay here—you can watch your dinner arrive on the dock earlier the same day or count the hours from field to table on your fingers.
Portuguese wines and beers are becoming more popular around the world. Three of the top 12 recognized wines in 2019, according to Forbes, were from Portugal.
Plus, the Douro River Valley is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and also noted for the production of port. Along with excellent wines from the Alentejo region, Tavira restaurants serve their county’s best labels at extremely affordable prices.
On average, inexpensive dinner choices average 10 to 12 euros each. This may even include a beer (2 euros) or a wine (3 euros). A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant averages 34 euros (US$40).
Funnily enough, a small, domestic beer costs about the same as a glass of Coke, a mini bottle of Schweppe’s ginger ale, or a large cappuccino.
To explore Tavira, you can take a taxi, train (seniors pay half-fare), bus, or car. Taxi meters start at 78 cents and charge the same for each kilometer. On the other hand, if you ask the driver to wait an hour so you can shop, he’ll add 18 euros to the bill.
A cab to or from Faro airport costs 50 to 70 euros.
Drivers are friendly, informative, and speak a dabbling of many languages, especially English.
There are six major grocery chains in Tavira: Continente (with a huge store in the mall), Pingo Doce, Lidl, Aldi, InterMarche (which feature goods from other European countries), and Mini Preco, with several locations that are similar to our corner stores in North America.
For those who prefer shopping in a traditional Portuguese market, the sprawling Tavira Mercado provides farm-fresh vegetables and fruit, herbs and spices, meat and fish, honey, pastries and bread, and so on.
Once a month, vendors and individual collectors of antiques assemble here to display their wares in a full-blown Saturday market.
Produce in Tavira is fresh and affordable, but I’m always happier when someone else does the cooking and cleaning… Be honest, so do you!
Tavira is rich with restaurants. On average, inexpensive dinner choices will run you 10 to 12 euros. This may include a beer (2 euros) or a wine (3 euros). A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant averages 34 euros.
A small, domestic beer costs about the same as a glass of Coke, a mini bottle of ginger ale, or a cappuccino.
The view of the River Gilão from restaurant terraces is the perfect backdrop for outdoor dining. The variety of dishes is huge, and people take obvious pride in preparing and serving food. Ambience, European charm, gastronomic discoveries, and happy customers abound…
Tavira is a place for homebodies, people who enjoy simple pleasures like taking leisurely walks in a picturesque environment, discovering the idiosyncrasies of local culture, and perusing the goods at local shops and markets. But it’s also a place for adventurers…
You can drive to the edge of the Old World in three hours or be in the country next door in 30 minutes… or you can travel to the northern tip of Africa in less than a day, including the ferry trip. In short, the continental capitals of Europe are all within easy reach from Tavira by car, rail, or inexpensive flight.
Some of the unique perks of living in Tavira are the free concerts in Republica Square, attending Dancing for Seniors in the old market, and counting the turtles in Fontaine aux Tortues.
Also, try a scoop of local gelato on a hot day or sampling ambrosia at an outdoor wine fair.
If you’re looking to relax on beautiful sandy beaches, eat delicious food at affordable prices, and meet people from all over the world while living in a safe, fun, friendly town… you’ll love Tavira, Portugal.
In town, I love to look at the four-sided, double-sloped rooftops, tiled walls, Moorish-accented architecture, and impeccably groomed municipal gardens near Bishop’s Square and the Fontaine aux Tortues, just past the grand Republica Square…
Tavira unfolds along both sides of the River Gilão, the graceful, slow-moving waterway that has long been the town’s defining feature. The riverfront is an attraction in and of itself, endowed with promenades and swaying palms, open-air cafés, and restaurants serving the day’s catch.
Few pleasures surpass a double scoop of gelato, kissed by the afternoon sun as you sit on your favorite wooden bench overlooking the promenade.
Flanked by Renaissance architecture and connected by an old Roman bridge, the riverfront casts an air about Tavira that can only be described as romantic.
Steps away, the marble seated amphitheater and Memorial Fountain embellish the town center…
Who could resist this corner of traditional Algarvean charm?
Luckily for us residents, many people do. Tourists favor the high-end notoriety of the Western Algarve, with its Michelin-star restaurants and internationally renowned golf and country clubs, over Tavira’s no frills appeal.
These flashier offerings are found only an hour or two away by car, train, or bus, but they’re far enough away from Tavira that it doesn’t get such overwhelming tourism numbers.
Though it, too, has its share of golf courses and mouth-watering culinary delights, Tavira offers unique attractions: fishing, birdwatching, and dolphin-seeking excursions, olive grove and salt pan tours, the Pego do Inferno waterfall, more than 30 churches, cultural centers and museums, Fado dinner shows, open air concerts, Mediterranean diet and wine fairs, archeological sites, a castle ruin garden, water sports, and firework displays…
All this and more is available in welcoming Tavira.
In the southeastern corner of Portugal, where the Atlantic meets the shore, the ancient town of Tavira has found a modern vocation.
Set on a sun-blessed coast of islands and lagoons, Tavira is proving a magnet for people in search of a new life.
Here you get a growing expat community. And, there are plenty of opportunities to mingle with folks from all over Europe, Scandinavia, Britain, and North America.
As well as the Tavira info website, East Algarve Magazine is an excellent guide to local activities and groups (it’s free and widely available in town).
Tavira is a river town, just a short ferry ride from the sea. It’s not too big— the population of the municipality is about 28,000—so within minutes of driving out of town you pass through orange groves and up into gentle rolling hills.
In town, the dominant colors tend to be the blue of the sky, the white walls of so many buildings, and the red of the tiled roofs.
Tavira is gloriously walkable, with narrow cobbled streets and plenty of cafés and restaurants with outdoor tables.
Foreigners, often of retirement age, have arrived in considerable numbers to live here and, according to local realtors, in recent years Americans and Canadians have started to feature in the international mix.
One American who settled here four years ago is Allan Ensor, a former school psychologist.
Ensor, 75, has on his business cards the words “Missouri by birth, Tavira by choice.”
He said his original intention had been to settle in Lisbon. Then, his one contact in Portugal invited him to the Algarve for Thanksgiving. He was smitten.
Within days he had found an apartment in Tavira and everything just slotted into place.
He now leads regular Tai Chi classes in a quiet city square, with a white-washed church on one side and a café on the other.
“I have become part of the community here, largely through the Tai Chi classes,” said Ensor. “This was all just luck and happenstance. Tavira is a very easy place to meet people.”
Immediately after the Tai Chi, on Saturday mornings, everyone heads for the café, and typically there might be Italians, British, and Dutch gathering for a coffee and exchanging the latest gossip.
Portugal has a tax-funded public health care system, known as the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), which is similar to the one in the U.K.
Most essential medical services are free of charge. Typically, patients need to cover a percentage of medicine costs at the pharmacy. The SNS generally does not cover dental care.
If you need an ambulance, call 112. The nearest big hospital is in Faro. Private health insurance is also available in Portugal, with costs varying from several hundred euros a year to thousands.
Portugal is considered one of the safest countries in the world. According to Vision of Humanity’s 2021 Global Peace Index, Portugal ranks as the fourth most peaceful country after Iceland, New Zealand, and Denmark.
This does not mean there is no crime at all. Isolated properties in the Algarve do sometimes suffer burglaries, but there has been no recent repetition of violent residential burglaries carried out in 2009/2010 by East European and Brazilian crime groups.
Tavira Is The Venice Of The Algarve. Life here is inexpensive, uncomplicated, sweet, and traditional. Most importantly, Tavira is the safest place in the Algarve.
It’s bordered to the south by the blue-green waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where row upon row of striped umbrellas and colorful cabanas dot the sandy shores of Tavira Island.
The beaches in this part of the Algarve are unique… They remain undeveloped by mass tourism because of their proximity to Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, a sprawling protected zone of environmental importance.
Not accessible on foot or by car, you reach Tavira’s best beaches with a 20-minute ferry ride from the center of town.
This degree of separation means that Tavira’s beaches remain unspoiled.
There are no elite, five-star resorts or yacht-filled marinas like you find in the more-popular tourist destinations of the Western Algarve, nor are there throngs of visitors jousting over the last beach chair or parking spot…
What you have instead is simply sand and waves and the opportunity to walk along the beach uninterrupted for miles…
Tavira is well-connected to the rest of the Algarve, and as a whole, this region boasts about 155 kilometers (71 miles) of coastline. So, there are plenty of other oceanside choices, including nearby Praia Verde, Cacela Velha’s Fabrica Beach, Praia da Terra Estreita, Manta Rota, Monte Gordo, and Fuzeta…
These Atlantic waters are cooler than those of the Mediterranean, it’s true… but the sun makes up for it in Tavira, shining more often than not with over 300 sunny days per year.
In addition to 300 days of sunshine, Tavira enjoys moderate temperatures year-round, varying between 55°F and 72°F (13°C and 22°C).
In short, no snow shovels or rain boots required, just an umbrella will do for those few days of less than perfect weather.
The winters in the eastern Algarve are mild and spring comes early. The almond trees blossom in January and the first broad beans reach the table in February.
Also, only 9 meters above sea level, Tavira can be affected by Atlantic seismic activity, which can lead to more cracks in your plaster than you’re used to.
Above all, Portugal’s climate offers something for everybody…
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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Tavira, Portugal, is an ideal destination if you love to stay close to home, take leisurely walks through a picturesque town, get to know all the little idiosyncrasies of a local culture, explore shops and markets, enjoy free concerts in Republica Square, attend dancing for seniors in the old mercado.
Life in Tavira is inexpensive, uncomplicated, sweet, and traditional. Also, it’s a growing retirement destination for people looking at a diverse expat community.
Tavira is a small town in Portugal, situated in the East Algarve, on the Atlantic coast. This retirement destination is halfway between Faro International Airport in Portugal (28 kilometers away) and the Spanish border town of Ayamonte.
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