The bridge over the Gilão, the castle and Santa Maria

What it is

The centre of Tavira can be covered in a walk of about two hours that links its three main pieces: the seven-arched bridge over the River Gilão, the castle on top of the hill and the church of Santa Maria do Castelo beside it. In between are sloping streets of whitewashed houses with the hipped roofs that set the town apart, churches everywhere and views over the salt pans of the Ria Formosa. It is a walk you do on your own; only the castle and the churches have opening hours.

The route step by step

1. The bridge over the Gilão. Start on the riverbank, beside Praça da República. The seven-arched bridge that everyone calls Roman dates from the 17th century, built over an older one. It is pedestrian now: cross to the far bank to see the town's frontage above the water and come back.
2. The climb. From Praça da República, go up the streets that lead towards the hill, passing through the gate of the old city wall. It is only a few minutes, but steep.
3. Santa Maria do Castelo. Tavira's mother church was built in the 13th century on the site of the old mosque, after the Christian conquest of 1242. It was Gothic; the 1755 earthquake damaged it and it was rebuilt in the late 18th century, although it keeps its Gothic doorway. Inside are the Manueline chapel of Senhor dos Passos, from the 1510s, and a slab beside the high altar which, according to tradition, holds the remains of Paio Peres Correia, the knight of the Order of Santiago who took the town, and of seven Christian knights. It has been a National Monument since 1910.
4. The castle. Next door is what remains of the castle: a circuit of walls and towers with a well-kept garden where the parade ground used to be. You can climb the towers, by stairs without handrails, so take care; from the top you see the whole town, the river, the rooftops and the salt pans out to the sea. Very close by, in the old water tower, is the camera obscura, which shows you that same view live, with commentary.
5. Down to the river. Go down another street towards the river and the riverside garden, beside the old market, to close the circle.

Opening hours

The castle, at Largo Abu-Otmane, opens in summer Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 19:00, and at weekends and on public holidays from 10:00 to 19:00; in winter, Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 17:00, and at weekends and public holidays from 9:00 to 17:00. Santa Maria do Castelo usually opens from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:00, with changes on public holidays and during services. Church hours change often: confirm them at the tourist office.

Getting there and parking

The centre is covered on foot. If you arrive by car, park in the car parks by the river and avoid driving into the old streets, which are narrow and one-way. If you come by train, the station is a short walk from the centre.

When to go

All year round. In summer, do the climb early in the morning or in the late afternoon: slopes in the sun are tiring. In the afternoon light, the river and the rooftops photograph well from the castle.

With children

The walk is short and children like the castle, with its towers and walls. With a pushchair, the slopes and some cobbled stretches are heavy going, but it can be done. On the towers, keep an eye on them: the stairs have no handrails. Afterwards, the afternoon can continue on the boat to Ilha de Tavira.