Ilha de Tavira

Ilha de Tavira opposite Tavira is part of the island chain of the Ria Formosa that extends from Faro to Cacela Velha east of Tavira, protecting the unique lagoon system against the rough Atlantic Ocean.

The island Ilha de Tavira stretches along the coast from the small village of Luz de Tavira to the north-east until reaching Tavira. The famous beach Praia do Barril is located in the centre of the island. Access from the coast at Pedras d’el Rei is by a small pontoon bridge and the 1 km crossing to the island is either on foot or by small train. The former fishermen’s sheds now house various tourist facilities such as toilets, shops and restaurants. Nearby a row of anchors among the dunes is a testament to the glorious past of tuna fishing in the Algarve, when these anchors had been used to fix the nets on the ground.

Further to the east the island gets smaller; the small beach Praia da St. Luzia opposite the village of St. Luzia with a width of only 50m is also known as Praia da Terra Estreita (narrow land) .