While you are in the Algarve.

From Tavira you can ferry out to Tavira Island for a beach day complete with sit-down meals. Nearby, you can take boat tours to see dolphins and the Benagil caves. There are also a number of historic sites in town that are great for a walking tour.

You can rent a car to visit nearby towns, take the train from the center of Tavira, or book a bus trip. See the resources section below for more.

A note on footwear: the cobblestones are slick, all the time. Wear good walking shoes and avoid pointy heels whenever possible.

Visit the village of Cacela Velha — a cliffside hamlet with sweeping views of the Ria Formosa. Grab a drink at one of the small cafés and take in the ocean from above.

Rent a bicycle and ride the trails between Tavira and Santa Luzia. The route is flat, scenic, and a wonderful way to see the coast at your own pace.

Book a boat tour along the Algarve coastline to see the dramatic sea cliffs, hidden grottoes, and turquoise waters up close.

Take a day trip to Lagos to tour the stunning Benagil caves — one of the most photographed natural landmarks in Portugal.

Get muddy at Spa Salinas in Vila Real de Santo António. Bathe in the natural salt flats and experience a one-of-a-kind outdoor mud bath spa treatment.

It is an indoor, open-air-style market filled with vendor stalls. You can purchase everything from fleur de sel to honey to local meats, vegetables, fruits, and bulk spices.

This area is known for orange blossom honey and fleur de sel — a special finishing salt collected in large salt beds nearby. You can buy honey by the glass jar or in handmade ceramic pots sealed with wax. As long as you do not break the seal, you can pack them in your checked luggage and bring them home.

The ceramic honey pots and fleur de sel make wonderful souvenirs.

Vila Real de Santo António sits on the border (on the Portuguese side) and is well known for ceramic artists and textiles. It is a wonderful place to visit and shop.

We love Seville — it is gorgeous and full of Spanish history, plus flamenco, amazing tapas, a salt spa, and so much more. Buses run daily from Tavira to Seville and the ride is about two hours depending on which station you choose.

If you go to Seville, plan to stay at least one night. There is too much to see for a single afternoon and it is worth it. We are happy to store your large luggage at our apartment while you travel with a carry-on.

If renting a car to drive into Spain, you must disclose this to the rental agency to ensure you have the appropriate toll device.

Most everything is closed on Sundays except for the grocery store, churches, and a handful of shops. Restaurants will keep limited hours. This applies in Spain as well.