Emergency Numbers: Dial 112 for Police, Ambulance and Fire from any phone (free)
- GNR (Police) Tel: 281 325 704
- PSP (Police) Tel: 281 322 022
- Bombeiros (Firefighters) Tel: 281 322 122/3
- Health Centre Tavira Tel: 281 329 000
- Health Centre Cabanas Tel: 281 370 275
- Nearest Hospital Faro Tel: 289 891 100
- Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa (Red Cross in Faro) Tel: 289 899 900
- Taxi (Rádio Taxis): 281 321 544
- Buses (EVA): 281 322 546
- Pharmacies:
Farmácia Central Tel: 281 322 256
Farmácia Félix Franco Tel: 281 322 162
Farmácia Sousa Tel: 281 322 242
Farmácia Montepio Tel: 281 325 846
Farmácia Maria Aboim Tel: 281 222 039 - Tourist Support Services Tel: 808 781 212
Note: Just remember, if you are calling from a foreign mobile phone in the Algarve, Portugal, you will need to dial 00351 in front of the numbers here.
Tavira Supermakets
- Pingo Doce – Lrg. José Joaquim Jara. Opening hours daily – winter: 9.00 to 20.30; summer – 9.00 to 21.30
- Lidl – Largo de Santo Amaro. Opening hours daily (including Sundays and holidays): 09.00 to 21.00
- Continente – Rua Almirante Candido dos Reis (next to Tavira Gran Plaza). Open daily from 09.00 to 24.00 including Sundays and holidays.
Gran-Plaza Shopping Centre in Tavira
Gran-Plaza has 2 floors of shops and plenty of free underground parking. It really is a massive shopping centre with a wide variety of shops as well as a large Continente supermarket and 5 screen cinema showing all the latest films in english. You can see the current cinema programme Zon Lusomundo. It is undercover apart from a large terrace outside the food hall on the first floor and the shops are very spacious and airy, so even on a hot day it is very comfortable to walk around.
Directions to Gran-Plaza in Tavira
Approaching from the Vila Real side of town take a left turn at the first roundabout (Quinta do Morgado is on the right) and you will see Gran-Plaza and Continente just a short distance down the road. From the town side of Tavira cross the long bridge (Av. dos Descobrimentos) then turn right and it’s on the left hand side – Continente supermarket is easily visible from the bridge.
Opening hours of Tavira Gran-Plaza Shopping Centre
The shops are open 7 days a week from 10.00 to 23.00 and until midnight in July and August. The Continente supermarket is open from 09.00 to 23.00 every day and until midnight in July and August.
Ground floor Gran-Plaza shops
Modalfa (clothes), P.C. Clinic kiosk, Stampa kiosk (photographs), C & A (clothes), Impress Centre (papelaria), Chemist, MultiÓpticas, Tribo (furnishings), The Phone House, Carlos Santos (hair products), Millenium BCP (bank), Book it!, V Games (computer games), Worten Mobile (phones), TMN (phones), Jules Daynos (hairdresser), Botaminuto (cleaners), Loja das Bainhas (alterations), Credit Agricola (bank), Mundiclasse (travel agents), Natura (fashion), Zippy Kidstore, Worten (electrical), Sport Zone, Centroxogo (toys), De Borla (all sorts for the home), Óptica (glasses), Made in Green (florists).
First floor shops Gran-Plaza shops
Tezenis (lingerie), Opticália (glasses), Nakua (fashion), Parfois (accessories), Intimissimi (lingerie), Calzedonia (lingerie), Casa (household), Blue Label (household linens, towels etc), Anali (fashion), S & M (fashion), Chá de Cores (childrens/babies clothes), Ourivesaria Correia (jewellers), Seaside (Shoes and bags), Darling (lingerie), Siceou (fashion), Racing Green (mens and womens fashion), Loop (shoes – opening soon), United Colors of Benetton (fashion), Sun Planet (sunglasses), Lanidor (clothes), Espaço Casa (household), Egoista+ (shoes), Cheyenne (fashion), Blue Rise (mens and womens fashion), Parfumaria Mars (perfumes).
Eateries at Gran-Plaza
The first floor food hall includes a Sushi restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, Burger Ranch, Smoothies bar, Pizzeria and various cafes and snack bars.
Leisure activities in the Tavira area
Cinema in Tavira
There is a five screen cinema at the Gran Plaza Shopping Centre in Tavira showing all the latest films in English. You can see what’s showing on the Zon lusomundo website
Watersports and Beach entertainment on Ilha de Tavira
Xiri Beach bar is the hub for all types of watersports – jetski, wakeboard, kayak, donut’s, banana ride, Hidrobeetles and parasailing! On the beach there are volley ball and football courts, and various activities like yoga, tai-chi, salsa dancing, aerobics, body pump and a little more relaxing – massage! They also have concerts and themed parties with DJ’s!
Boat trips in Tavira
Explore the waterways of the Ria Formosa Natural Park on a Tavira boat trip with Sequa tours or wander down to the water front where there are numerous water taxis.
Lawn Bowling in Tavira
Tavira has it’s very own Tavira County Lawn Bowling Club which is open from 10.30 until dusk (Monday to Saturday) and from 2pm until dusk on Sundays.
Golf
Tavira has several golf courses nearby Benamor Golf, Quinta da ria and Quinta de Cima golf courses and Colina verde golf.
Municipal Museum, Palácio da Galeria, Tavira. Exhibits showing the history and culture of Tavira.
Opening hours during the summer: 10.00h to 12.00h and 16.00h to 19.30h, Tuesday to Saturday.
Opening hours during the winter: 10.00h to 12.00h and 14.00h to 17.30h Tuesday to Saturday.
Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays.
Tavira Tourist Information Office
Posto de Turismo de Tavira
Praça da República, n.º 5
8800, Tavira, Portugal.
Tel: 351 281 322 511
Email: turismo.tavira@turismodoalgarve.pt
Annual events in Tavira
- Carnival (normally February) – Tavira joins in the carnival fun across the region
- Palm Sunday (Sunday before Easter) – Triumphal Procession – This is a religious event that was started in the 18th century by the Carmelite Order of the City of Tavira. The procession consists of decorated litters with gilt woodwork and images depicting the life of Christ from the Mount of Olives to his death.
- Festival ‘Gastronomy of the Sea’ (end of April beginning of May).
- During July and August Tavira has a programme of summer evening entertainment in the Praça de República.
- New Year’s Eve – musical entertainment and fireworks