Trip to Tavira, Portugal

We only spent three nights in Olvera before taking a holiday within a holiday. ???  Originally we had different plans for this trip to Spain and 5 nights in Tavira was part of that plan.  Since we already had the booking we decide to keep it and see what Tavira was like. We had passed through and stopped for coffee on a previous motorbike trip and liked what we saw.

We spent most of the first 3 days in Olvera getting the bike ready to travel.  We had a few electrical problems. The first problem was a dead battery  Fortunately there is a motorcycle shop almost right across the road from the storage garage so I removed the battery and went shopping.

The dealer did not have the battery I needed but he told me that he could order one that would arrive the next day.  The battery was due to arrive at 8:00 pm but didn’t arrive until 10:30.  Luckily the family that owns the garage was very understanding. They gave us a key to the garage so that I could come early the next morning to install the battery.  Unfortunately the battery was not the only problem! The moto turned over but would not start!   This was not totality unexpected. We have previous had problems with corrosion of the electrical contacts   After a quick trip to the bike shop for some new fuses and and some cleaning of the contacts, the bike fired up. An hour later we were on the road for Tavira, Portugal.

All in all the problems with the bike were not a big issue.  These situations are a good learning experience.  There is nothing like necessity to give one an opportunity to practice and learn some new Spanish words.

The moto parked in the shade behind the house.The railing seen at the top of the photo is our upper rooftop terrace.

The distance between Olvera and Tavira is just over 300K.  The ride was uneventful but the route passes through Sevilla and the traffic was heavy at times. Road closures added to the complexity but the GPS helped us navigate the city.  We crossed the Portuguese border on the main highway from Sevilla. There is no border crossing (thanks to the EU) but visitors are required to pass though what appears to be a set of toll booths.   We were not planning to use the toll roads so we stopped at a visitor centre located at the entrance to the toll area.  The attendant explained that if we left the toll road at either of the first two exits there was no toll.

Tavira

Tavira is a small town at the eastern end of the Algarve district. The Algarve is the southernmost part of Portugal and it is a popular tourist destination.   The area around Tavira is flat and quite marshy.  A phenomenal beach is located on a sandbar  island a few hundred metres off the mainland. It is accessible by ferry at the Tavira end and a ferry from Santa Luzia and small tourist train or walking path and the west end of the beach.   The beach extends along the coast for 7 kilometres.

On the ferry to Praia Tavira (the beach). Looking back at Tavira

7 K of the softest sand we have ever experienced.

Most of the beach is like this... mostly deserted except for the areas close to the 3 beach access

 points.

This is the walking path and train access point near the west end of the beach.

The central part of Tavira  is divided by a wide river.  The water level in the river fluctuates with the tide, sometimes full and sometimes almost empty.   Many of the tidal pools, between the island and the mainland, have been developed into salt production.

The Gilao river in Tavira near low tide

The Gilao river in Tavira near high tide

These looks on the bridge railing are engraved with the names of couples who locked them together.

There  is good selection of cafes and restaurants as well as a variety of accommodation.   The market, located in building near the water front, has a great section of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, etc.

The town is a tourist destination but its location is far enough from the main tourist areas to make it enjoyable and relaxing.   There are quite a few Brits and Spaniards as well as a variety of other nationalities.

There are cafes along the river promenades. We twice ate at the restaurant patio near the left side of this photo.

A typical small park in central Tavira

Walking back to our condo after dinner. Very pleasant!

There are many buildings of historical significance but the beach seems to be main draw.    Due to the size of the beach it is not crowded, at least not at this time of year.   The temperature today is in the high 20s but here on the beach, with the on shore breeze, it is very comfortable.

We have spent our time walking, eating, drinking, sleeping. Then repeat. There is a nice loop that we discovered by taking the ferry from town to one end of the beach, then walking 5 K along the beach to reach a bridge that returns to the mainland.   The walk back to Tavira passes through the town of Santa Luzia where there are some nice cafes along the waterfront.  We walked over 75K during our time in Tavira. 

A walking / cycling path from Tavira to the western beach access point.

Santa Luzia water front. This is the narrow strip of water that separates the mainland from the island beach strip.

Like most tourist towns, there is no shortage of restaurants and cafes. We found some good ones. The food selections were diverse and reasonably priced.  We could get a very nice meal with a bottle of wine for around 30 Euros (45 C$)    One restaurant, recommenced by friends, was spectacular. It is called d' Gusta.  If you go Tavira, don't miss it!  Reservations are suggested but we went early (at 7pm when it opened) an they fit us in at a table that had a later reservation. They only serve tapas but they are all very special.

We are back to Olvera now.   It was 4 hour trip home. We ran into some construction on the outskirts of Sevilla and got rerouted through the city, once again.  That was not much fun but it put us on a different route to Olvera that we have not yet travelled.

Time go to a local cafe for a beer and a cider.....   hasta luego.