Praia do Barril

The Algarve


At this glorious beach, you'll find several cafes and beach bars, and the remnants of a fishing settlement, with a poignant cemetery of anchors from the former tuna-fishing fleet.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Algarve attractions

1. Santa Luzia

1.22 MILES

The fishing village of Santa Luzia is effectively a district of Tavira these days, and it's a great place to wander to get a feel for typical Algarve life…

2. Praia do Homem Nu

1.58 MILES

At the far southern end of the Ilha de Tavira, this nudist beach is one of the few recognised strips of sand for naturists in the Algarve.

3. Biblioteca Municipal Álvaro de Campos

2.64 MILES

Architecture buffs should pay a visit to Tavira’s municipal library, which was originally the town prison. Architect João Luís Carrilho da Graça…

4. Igreja de Santiago

2.76 MILES

Just south of Tavira's castle is the whitewashed 17th-century Igreja de Santiago, thought to have been built where a small mosque once stood. The park…

5. Castelo

2.79 MILES

Tavira's ruined castle rises high and mighty above the town. Possibly dating back to Neolithic times, the structure was rebuilt by Phoenicians and later…

6. Quatro Águas

2.79 MILES

You can walk 2km east along the river, past the fascinating, snowlike salt pans to Quatro Águas. The salt pans produce tip-top table salt and attract…

7. Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo

2.79 MILES

Built in Gothic style over a mosque, then rebuilt by an Italian neoclassicist following earthquake damage 500 years later, this church by the castle…

8. Camera Obscura Tower

2.8 MILES

Rising 100m high, the Torre da Tavira was formerly the town’s water tower and now houses a camera obscura at the top, reached by a lift. A simple but…