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Townsfolk are justly proud that this 16th-century church is considered the Algarve’s most important Renaissance monument. Its striking arched portal is surmounted by statues of saints.

The clock face of this church is a familiar landmark. Inside are the tombs of the Moors’ nemesis Dom Paio Peres Correia and seven of his Christian knights.

Crowning a cobblestoned knoll, the surviving walls of this Moorish fort envelope a spruce garden. The view from the ramparts takes in the town’s outline of pyramid-shaped rooftops to distant Ilha de Tavira. See Castles and Forts .

Facing a colourful and well-tended public garden, this 17th-century church – originally part of a monastery – has a transept paved with small lozenge-shaped bricks. These were fashioned in Seville, Spain, and decorated with delicate flower motifs – a unique design in Portugal.

The foundations of the low, arched stone bridge spanning the Rio Gilão are Roman in origin. Illuminated at night in a romantic ethereal glow, the bridge is a favourite subject for artists.

A little gem of a chapel, heaving with polychrome tiles dating from the 17th century. The simple retable is illuminated with a series of paintings.

This beauty spot southeast of Tavira overlooks a sleepy lagoon and boasts some fine seafood restaurants. It is the jumping-off point for Ilha de Tavira. Quatro Águas is the name of the local style of rooftops.

A regular ferry service makes for an easy escape to the marvellous sand dune island, a popular resort during the summer months for its excellent swimming. It lies within the boundaries of the Ria Formosa nature park. See Parque Natural da Ria Formosa.

The elements have not been kind to the modest ruins of the “rat’s fort”, which was built at the mouth of the Gilão river in the 16th century. Its lichen-encrusted walls do, however, afford a broad and uplifting salt-braced vista across the lagoon and Ilha de Tavira.

Built into the façades of some of Tavira’s back street properties are delightful examples ofportas de reixa (lattice panelled doors). Arabic in design, each panel is made of finely interwoven lengths of wood. They evoke the Moorish influence still inherent in the region.