Great place. We stayed in September 2009 and had great weather. Tavira is away from the usual tourist package holiday sites; however, it catered for all ages and tastes.

We stayed at the Tavira Garden complex which is situated a little way from the centre of the town. No need for a car as the local buses (bus stop outside the complex) link with the sailing times of the ferries from the quay which take you to various beaches. Taxis from the centre of Tavira are under 4 euros.

Restaurants are numerous and are of an exceptional standard. Try Museo de Vinho or Abstracto (next to O Patio). However, one of the best restaurants we tried was the one at Tavira Garden which was exceptional value for money. The chef and waiter are extremely welcoming and even gave us champagne and birthday cake on the chef's birthday when he was celebrating with his family. Try the paella and tornedo- great dishes for a fraction of the price elsewhere.

I spent some of the best years of my life in this apart hotel, between 1993 and 2005 (every spring break and summer) and I have some good memories of it.

The rooms may varie due to the fact that every appartment is decorated and furbished by his owner, so you can spend your vacation in an amazing and comfortable and well equiped apartment or not have that luck... But in general the appartments are clean, comfortable and have a lot of natural daylight, terrace or balcony where you can spend your evening ends, appreciating the sunset and the magnificent landscape of Tavira, and watch the ocean far away...
Since I was used to go to Tavira Garden since I was a child, I know all the staff ( very nice people) and know all the place, when you are there, it give you a feeling of freedoom and relaxation, as it has nice gardens and trees, makes you feel really well.

Tavira garden has 4 swimming pools ( 2 of them heated) gym, sauna, jacuzzi and multisports court, a lot of parking spaces and a small library with books avaliable for you to read in your appartment, or take to the pool.

If you are with family and like to cook, feel free to use your apartment's kitchen and go visit the Tavira's Market (ask in the reception), wich has fresh food, a butler (with marvelous meat and fresh made raw hamburguers) and a lot of seafood, it will be cheaper and you can enjoy eating an marvelous meal of "conquilhas" wihth some bread slices bought in the marker(smaller than clams, boiled with garlic, salt and parsley) or other seafood avaliable in Tavira.
The cheapest supermarkets in Tavira are Lidl and Minipreço, feel free to ask in the reception, the will give you all the information you need about everything around like the exibithions around or any event that suits you.

When I spent my time in Tavira, I used to go to Manta Rota beach (wich now has a famous Manta Beach, a club in the beach) but it was some miles away from Tavira Garden.

If you are coming by plane, car rental is advised, since the complex is not in the center of Tavira and you would have a much better time using a car to explore what is happening nearby.

There is a golf court nearby the hotel and If you want, they can pick you in tavira garden and transport you to the cort

I really hope you enjoy your stay as much as I did all those years, and if you have any doubt, feel free to ask me!

If you like to eat fish, I advise you to go to Vela 2 restaurant, it has amazing sardines and other kind of fish


Feel free to visit Tavira, it's an amazing town, try those food specialities (specially seafood) and those traditional candy and sweets (like don rodrigo).

We stayed in block 12 and it was lovely. We were opposite overlooking the restaurant from non pool side from our back patio. We had view of sea from patio too. It was airconditioned and very comfortable - we found it on owners abroad website, with wonderful owners. The complex was very pretty with moorish style buildings. The pools were fun, especially the main one by the restaurant, which didn't make the most of itself - always empty but very nice owners. the tennis court was good and cheap to use. We didn't walk into town but it was close. Ate in some good restaurants, but it wasn't reasonable - euro and all that. Square was lovely with great ice creams. Lovely beach at Tavira.

Stayed at Tavira Gardens from 26th June 2009 to 6th July 2009. Pretty well situated even though it is close to a busy main road as long as you choose a property away from the road it is very good. Do get a property with air con. The walk into Tavira is 15 to 20 mins and the road is wide enough to walk safely. After about 300 yards you are on footpaths away from the main road anyway. The nearest supermarket is 3 minute walk and well stocked. There are 3 pools on the complex all of which are maintained daily and very well kept. The gym doesn't seem to be free though as the attendant wanted 5 Euros per visit. The gym is however very well equipped only thing missing is a running machine but there are steppers, bikes, rowers and every machine to work all body parts plus a huge selection of free weights.
Recommend the Tavira fish market which has all manner of seafood plus a large fruit and veg section to buy the whole meal. Yesterday we bought a kilo of languistines and 12 sardines for 12 euros. The new shopping mall "Continente" is also a short walk from the accommodation and they sell all food stuffs plus clothes, shoes, handbags, homewares, chemist, jewellers etc, worth a visit.
Evenings in Tavira are very good with lots of street bars and restaurantes, especially good when there is live music in the square.The Irish bar just on the river side serves good food and drinks and is a picturesque place to sit.
The only annoying thing about Tavira is the street entertainers who sing with various instruments and do the rounds of outdoor cafe's and bars every night, with many songs being repeated night after night. A safe place to walk round at night though.
We always took a taxi back to Tavira Gardens and all taxis charged a fixed price of €3.90 for 4 people.
Tavira Gardens is close to Cabannas beach (5 mins by car) where the beach is a short 2 minute boat ride across a lagoon to the very clean and sandy beach cost 60 cents each way for the boat. Do take a parasol and some food with you as it is exposed and hire of 2 sunbeds and parasol is about 20 euros a day. The beach bar is expensive too so plan ahead and take a picnic and a parasol and it a great day in a superb location.
Would go back to Tavira Gardens.