One hot sunny April day I came to Tavira, aware of the town by hearsay but with little idea of what was in store for me. Set in the Eastern Algarve 20km from the border with Spain the historic town of Tavira may well be one of the best kept secrets in Europe . Tavira’s name stems from the word “Tabira” meaning “hidden” and even though the town dates back nearly 3,000 years, few have discovered its magic.

Tavira is a town of immense charm and character and with almost three thousand years of history its way of life has changed little over the last century.  A visit here is like stepping back in time. From the Roman Bridge across the Rio Gilão to the Islamic walls surrounding the old town, the Renaissance churches and Baroque constructions, the streets of Tavira are testimony to the various cultures that have left their mark on its character and fabric dating back to its founders the Phoenicians in 800BC. 

It is a pleasure to walk around the cobbled streets, sit in one of the many pavement cafes or sample the local cuisine; usually freshly caught local fish and shellfish. A visit to the local market is a treat as all the produce is locally produced in the fertile farming land surrounding the town. Tavira is slowly moving into the twenty first century with the arrival of a new shopping centre. Although not popular with everyone enterprises like this are vital to the local economy which cannot survive solely from the traditional industries of fishing, salt harvesting and crop production.

The enduring appeal of Tavira owes much to its location on the Ria Formosa which is a maze of fresh and saltwater estuaries, lagoons, channels, salt marshes and islands sheltered from the sea by a series of sand dunes forming islands off the coast. This is one of southern Europe ’s last unspoilt coastlines, abundant in marine life and an eco system ideal for plants and birds.

The lie of the land is difficult to imagine and is best illustrated by aerial photos which clearly show the islands, sand dunes and salt flats along the coast line. The island beaches form a breathtaking line of pristine white sand stretching as far as the eye can see washed by translucent aquamarine water. They are in a word, spectacular, and deserving of the blue flags they have flown for the past 25 years.

The Ria Formosa became a recognized Nature Park in 1987, with the aim of giving maximum legal protection and conservation to this unique area. It provides an inlet of quiet water ideal for water sports and where mooring a boat is still free although there is a Marina in Tavira at Quatro Aguas where waters of the Ria meet the sea and the Rio Gilão.

There are numerous benefits to the area because of its protected status; one of the less obvious is to property investment. The strict building regulations that apply to land surrounding the Ria Formosa mean that the area will not be ruined by over development and pollution.

It is practically impossible to get planning permission to build on the banks of the Ria Formosa making already existing properties there sought after and very valuable. The strict controls also ensure that there is a steady demand for property in the area and anyone lucky enough to find their dream property also has the added benefit of knowing their money has been well invested in this coveted and protected area.

The building regulations do affect the type of property you can expect to find and also have an impact on the price. Land close to the coast is obviously more expensive and therefore made use of for low rise apartments (maximum 2 floors) and townhouses. There is plenty of choice regarding the type and size of property from renovated traditional farms to large modern newly built houses. If you are looking for a detached house with land you may have to go a little further inland but there are benefits in doing this as moving as little as 2km back from the coast the land starts to rise in a series of gentle rolling hills which afford spectacular views over the Tavira coastline and surrounding countryside.

This landscape also provides the perfect setting for the top quality golf courses that have opened in Tavira over the past 3 years, one of which is the prestigious championship course at Monte Rei, a Jack Nicklaus signature course set in the hills above Cacela Velha and the Ria Formosa.

There is really only one way to verify the amazing natural beauty, tranquility and magic of this place and that is to see if for yourself.