Please ask for the exact visiting hours of the individual churches, monasteries and chapels (unless specified) at the tourist information on the Praça da República.

The large number of the churches originates partly from the town having been divided into 2 communities (Santa Maria and Santiago) until 2013.


Igreja de Santa Maria

The church was erected in the 13th century upon the foundations of a destroyed mosque.

Coordinates: 37°07’30.8″N 7°39’07.3″W



Inside one finds the 7 tombs of the knights that have reconquered Tavira from the Moors.

After the church had been damaged by the earthquake of 1755 it has been reconstructed in a modified way.


Igreja de Santiago

The church was donated in the year 1270 by the bishop of Silves and was finished in the late 13th century.

Coordinates: 37°07’29.3″N 7°39’07.5″W


After the earthquake of 1755 the building has been reconstructed.

The church is furnished with several altars and is richly decorated.

Opening hours for visiting:
Monday to Friday 10 – 13 h and 14 to 17 h


Igreja de São Francisco

The church dates from 1272. It is supposed that the order of the temple was the owner of the church until 1312 and that they assigned it afterwards to the Franciscans.

Coordinates: 37°07’23.3″N 7°39’03.2″W



The building was heavily damaged in the years 1722 and 1755 due to earthquakes, in the year 1843 because of a landslide and in 1881 owing to fire (lightning strike).


Igreja & Convento do Carmo

Church and monastery were built at request of the Carmelite order from 1737 on. In 1792 the complex was finished.

Coordinates: 37°07’45.1″N 7°38’47.0″W



Today one part of the monastery houses the Portuguese Red Cross.


Igreja & Convento de Santo António

Church and monastery were built from the year 1612 on by the Capuchin order.

Coordinates: 37°07’11.2″N 7°38’51.9″W

After the religious order had been abolished the building was used from 1833 on for some time as private residence. In 1856 the church was taken over by the order São Francisco.


Igreja do São Paulo

The church was built in 1606 in the community Santa Maria. After the earthquake of 1755 the building has been reconstructed and the frontage has been modified.

Coordinates: 37°07’43.1″N 7°38’59.0″W

Paintings and sculptures from other churches, that have been destroyed or that are ruinous, are inside the church.


Ermida do São Bras

The chapel dates from medieval times, an exact date of construction is not known.

Coordinates: 37°07’44.5″N 7°38’52.0″W

After having been reconstructed at the end of the 18th century, the chapel obtained its current appearance.


Igreja da Misericórdia

The church was built between 1541 and 1551 and is said to be the most beautiful Renaissance building of the Algarve.

Coordinates: 37°07’33.0″N 7°39’02.2″W


The builder André Pilarte was responsible for the construction, he was already experienced because of the erection of the monastery Jeronimos in Lisbon.


After the earthquake (1755) the sidewalls inside the church were decorated with 14 pictures from Azulejos.


Capela de São Sebastião

The chapel originates from medieval times, an exact date is not known.

Coordinates: 37°07’20.4″N 7°38’50.1″W

In the 18th century the building was converted and adorned inside with pictures.


Capela de Santa Ana

The chapel arises from Middle Ages and is one of the most ancient ecclesiastical buildings in Tavira.

Coordinaten: 37°07’43.7″N 7°39’04.9″W

In 2006 the chapel has been renovated from the ground up and a museum has been instituted.


Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Ondas
Igreja de São Pedro Gonçalves Telmo

The church was built in the first half of the 16th century by the congregation of Saint Peter.

Coordinates: 37°07’29.0″N 7°38’55.6″W


After the damages by the earthquake of 1755 the church was rebuilt by the important master builder Diogo Tavares de Ataíde. The ceiling painting was realised perspectivally and is said to be the oldest one in the Algarve.