Tavira storical, Salinas, Santa Luzia, Atlantic - Coast Route, Parque Natural da Ria Formosa.

This very easy walk goes through the historic part of Tavira, through the Salinas with its flamingos, past Santa Luzia and then back through an area of orange groves.

The route starts from Tavira railway station. At this place we also find the LIDL supermarket. So it is possible to do some shopping and buy our provisions before we start our hike.

We first walk a bit through the city, after which we soon arrive at the Church of the third order of Saint Francis.
The garden is a small park where we can freely enter.

The Church of the third order of Saint Francis
Founded between 1250 and 1330, the Convent of Sain Francis in Tavira was one of the most pre-eminent buildings in the mediaeval Algarve. It was subsequently devastated by two earthquakes (1722 and 1755), a collapse (1840) and a fire (1881). The various interventions have resulted in a complex building that is now different in appearance from the original. With the extinction of the religious orders in 1834, the convent was sold at a public auction and the church was handed over to the Third Order of Saint Francis, one of the most prestigious in the city, having estabilished itself here in 1670.

Shortly afterwards we pass a bakery shop (Pastelaria) where we can enjoy a cup of coffee before we walk through the historic center. Our route will then pass several of the most interesting sights:
-Igreja matriz de Santa Maria do castelo
-Castelo e Muralhas
-Museo, Palacio da Galeria

Igreja matriz de Santa Maria do castelo.
Igreja Matriz de Santa maria do Castelo (Santa Maria do Castelo Main Church) Tavira - Built during the second half of the 13th century, on the site where the Tavira mosque previously stood, the Main Church Santa Maria do Castelo (St Mary of the Castle) was originally built in the Gothic style, as can be seen from the original doorway, but it suffered considerable damage at the time of the 1755 earthquake, which meant that it needed to be rebuilt. The design was the responsibility of the Italian architect Francisco Xavier Fabri, who wanted to retain the church’s original structure – three naves and four bays - and he made use of the apse and some side chapels, for example the Gothic Capela do Evangelho (Chapel of the Gospels) and the Chapel of Senhor dos Passos (Lord of the Stations) in the Manueline style but covered in 17th century tiles. The main features of the ornamentation on the inside of the church are the chancel, where an early 19th century altarpiece with simulated architecture (painted) can be seen. On the side walls of the chapel can be seen two medieval inscriptions marking the presence of the tomb of D. Paio Peres Correia and the six knights who died in the Christian re-conquest of Tavira. Also of interest are the altarpiece of the Passion, in the Rococo style, and the neoclassical altarpiece in the baptistery, which incorporates a fine late 18th century painting depicting the Assumption of Our Lady, ascribed to the Italian painter Corrado Guiaquinto. There is also an opportunity to visit an exhibition of sacred art at this church with images and paintings dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries. (source: https://www.visitalgarve.pt/en/547/igreja-matriz-de-santa-maria-do-castelo-santa-maria-do-castelo-main-church.aspx)

Castelo e Muralhas - make sure to enter and have a walk through the garden and over the walls (there are public toilets).
Along with the ramparts that surrounded the city, sections of the walls which still stand between the houses, and the Porta da Misericórdia (Misericórdia Gate), the castle was part of the city’s defensive system. The original Moorish fortification was rebuilt by King Dinis (1261-1325). From the top of its towers there is a vast panoramic view over Tavira, the surrounding countryside and the sea. The settlement has developed as an important sea port since antiquity, with its predecessors dating back to the 8th century BC, passing through the hands of Phoenicians, Greeks, Celts, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors and the Portuguese crown.

Museo, Palacio da Galeria
Dating back to the second quarter of the 16th century, the Palacio da Galeria (Gallery Palace) owes its name to the Renaissance gallery located on the second floor. It was initially home to the Aragao de Sousa family, who were connected to the defence of the Portuguese fortresses in North Africa. Later it would be occupied by Judge Joao Leal de Gama Ataide, who promoted the extensive Baroque remodelling work that took place in the mid-18th century. It is believed that the architect in charge of this work was Diogo Tavares e Ataide. Tavira Municipal council took over ownership of the building in 1863. After restoration work in 2001, Tavira Municipal Museum was set up here.

We will than continue to the Praça da República (the main square) before we will cross the River Gilão over the Ponte antiga sobre o Rio Gilão.
The old bridge over the River Gilão has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1986.
In 1989, an intense flood destroyed two of the arches of the bridge, and the army built a temporary metallic passage, a few meters further south. The reconstruction works continued until 1992.

Once on the other side of the river we pass through an area with narrow streets with many terraces and restaurants. We walk through this area and take the military bridge back to the other side. We are now going to follow the river downstream. We pass the quay for the Ferry to Ilha de Tavira and walk on to the Mercado Municipal (only open in the morning - there are public toilets also here).
Once past the market we soon leave the city and go through an area with salinas. Here we can spot flamingos. If it has recently rained intensely, it can be a bit muddy on this stretch.
After the salinas we arrive in Santa Luzia, which is located at a kind of inland lake of the sea. In this small village we find many eateries. So if we make sure we are here at lunch time, we have plenty of choice to enjoy local dishes.

The last stretch back follows the Atlantic - Coast Route for bikers through the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. In this area there are many orange orchards.
After a very short final stretch through the city, we will return to our starting point.

Some additional information:
The route is designed in a clockwise direction.
Time spent: total = 6 hours and 30 minutes of which moving = 2 hours and 47 minutes

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Disclaimer.

I have personally performed and then downloaded the route described, along with the track and waypoints, based on my personal experience. However, it is important to note that these should be considered as general guides and not precise instructions. Trails may not always accurately represent the exact itinerary due to factors such as weak satellite reception during GPS recording, especially in areas with ravines, deep gorges, dense forests, and similar conditions. Furthermore, the situation of the hiking trails may change over time, meaning that the descriptions given no longer correspond to the current situation.

It is the sole responsibility of the individual undertaking these trails to take appropriate safety measures, which should be tailored to the specific difficulty level and be in accordance to the prevailing weather conditions. Additionally, it should be realized that one's technical and physical preparedness play a crucial role in ensuring a safe hiking experience.

I strongly recommend hiking with a companion when venturing into the mountains. Always inform a friend or family member of your itinerary and estimated time of return. Ensure that your phone has a sufficient battery charge, and carry an adequate supply of water, food, and appropriate shelter for the season and the chosen route.

Please commit to leaving the natural environment as pristine as you found it, or even better. This way, we can all continue to enjoy the beauty of these trails, leaving behind only the traces of our footsteps.