# A Sunday in Tavira: boat to the island and the bridge over the Gilão A ten-minute boat to a car-free sand island, lunch by the river and a walk over the seven-arch bridge, Santa Maria do Castelo and the castle. An hour from Huelva. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/algarve/tavira/itineraries/island-boat-and-gilao-bridge · Revisado: 2026-11-12 ## El día - 09:00 · Salida: 1 h by car (Spanish time · along Ayamonte and the A22; you arrive at 9:05 Portuguese time) - 10:00 · Ferry to Ilha de Tavira from the centre or Quatro Águas (Portuguese time · from Quatro Águas · €2 return · back at 13:15 in winter) · Silnido, From €2 return per adult from Quatro Águas - 5 min by car, 2,8 km - 14:00 · Gilão Restaurant (Gilão · former Ribeira market, terrace over the river · cataplanas · €€€ · open daily from 12:00 to 22:00) · Gilão Restaurant, €€€ - 2 min on foot - 15:30 · The bridge over the Gilão, the castle and Santa Maria (bridge, Santa Maria do Castelo and castle · 2 h · the castle closes at 17:00 in winter) - 17:30 · Vuelta (Portuguese time · you reach Huelva around 19:35 Spanish time) Tavira is an hour from Huelva and has no beach on the mainland: its beach is opposite, on a barrier island of the Ria Formosa, eleven kilometres of car-free sand with dunes behind. You get there on a scheduled boat, simple and cheap, which is part of the day. This plan crosses to the island in the morning, comes back to eat in the centre and leaves the afternoon for the city: the seven-arch bridge over the Gilão river, the church of Santa Maria do Castelo and the castle towers, from which you see the four-pitched roofs and the salt pans. From Seville it is two hours: the plan works just as well, leaving an hour earlier. ## The day, hour by hour Stop times are Portuguese time, one hour behind Spain. 9:00 (Spanish time) · Leave. From Huelva along the motorway to Ayamonte, the Guadiana bridge and the A22. When you cross, the clock goes back an hour: you reach Tavira at 9:05 Portuguese time. 10:00 · Boat to Ilha de Tavira from Quatro Águas. The quay is at the river mouth, next to the sailing club, with paid parking. The crossing is short and costs €1.20 one way and €2 return; children aged 4 to 11, €0.65 and €1.10, and under-4s do not pay. The ticket is bought at the quay. On the winter timetable, in force since 25 October 2026, there are outbound boats at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 13:30, and return boats at 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 13:45, 15:15 and 16:35. In summer there are many more departures. 13:15 · Return. Take the 13:15 boat and drive back to the centre, five minutes away. If you prefer to stay on the island, there are some bars next to the quay and the last boat leaves at 16:35 in winter. 14:00 · Lunch at Gilão. In a unit of the old Ribeira market, the iron building by the river, with a terrace looking at the water and the bridge. It is open every day from 12:00 to 22:00, Sunday too, when many places in the centre close. The house speciality is the cataplana, of sea bass with king prawn and clams or of Iberian pork cheek, best for two; mains run from about €16 to €33. Book the terrace on its website. 15:30 · The bridge, Santa Maria and the castle. Cross the seven-arch bridge, pedestrian and 17th-century, although everyone calls it Roman, to see the city over the water, and come back. Climb from Praça da República to Santa Maria do Castelo, of the 13th century, with the Manueline chapel of the Senhor dos Passos and the slab that, according to tradition, holds the remains of D. Paio Peres Correia. Next to it, the castle and its towers, with no handrails. In winter, at weekends the castle closes at 17:00; in summer, at 19:00. 17:30 · Return. You reach Huelva around half past seven in the evening, Spanish time, and Seville around half past eight. ## With children The boat is an excursion in itself. On the island, with small children, swim in summer in the lifeguarded area next to the quay: it is open sea. From the quay to the beach you go by boardwalk, so a pushchair gets through. On the castle towers, keep an eye on them. If they are very small, Barril, with its little train and its accessible beach, is the alternative. ## If the weather is bad With rain or strong wind, the island has nowhere to shelter beyond the bars at the quay. Stay in the centre and extend the walk with the churches and the market. Cacela Velha, a quarter of an hour away on the way to Spain, can also be seen under a grey sky. ## Cómo llegar ### By car An hour from Huelva along the motorway and the A22, toll-free since 1 January 2025. In the centre, park by the river; the market quay has free parking next to it. ### Without a car The Algarve regional train stops at Tavira, a few minutes' walk from the centre and the market quay, but from Huelva there is no train connection that fits a Sunday. By bus, check timetables before leaving. ## Consejos ### Leave from Quatro Águas The crossing is shorter and there are more boats than from the centre. ### Check Silnido's timetable before setting out It changes with the season and in winter the last boat leaves the island in mid-afternoon. ### Cross the bridge twice The view of the city from the other bank is what justifies the walk. ## Cuándo no ir The last boat back from the island in July and August: there is a queue. Take the one before. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How long does it take from Huelva to Tavira? An hour by car. From Seville, about two hours. In Portugal it is an hour earlier than in Spain. ### How much does the boat to the island cost? From Quatro Águas, €2 return; from the centre, €2.70. Under-4s do not pay. The ticket is bought at the quay. ### Is it worth it in winter? Yes. The island is almost empty and you walk along the shore for kilometres. You only need to watch the boats' short timetable. ### Are there tolls? No. Portugal abolished the A22 toll on 1 January 2025.