Cabanas de Tavira (; 'cottages/huts of Tavira') is a village and a former civil parish in the municipality of Tavira, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Conceição e Cabanas de Tavira. The parish covered an area of approximately , and encompassed a resident population of approximately 1,181 inhabitants in 2011. Once a fishing port, it is now a popular summer tourist destination, owing to its beach (Praia de Cabanas) and island (Ilha de Cabanas), which belong to the Ria Formosa Nature Park.
History
The history of Cabanas is connected to the commercial tuna fishery. Around 1734, with the establishment of the Armação dos Mares de Tavira, a seasonal tuna fishing operation, the first cabanas (cottages or fishing huts) were built along the coast. These huts were essential for storing fishing gear and supporting the expansion of the fishing company, as well as for providing seasonal accommodation for the fishermen. For over two decades, the area was used primarily for seasonal activity.
Access to the popular beach is by water taxi from several points along the harbor area in the summer months, but only one water taxi that runs in the winter. The water taxis are small outboard boats operated by local watermen and by at least one company. Each boat may be identified by colored flags on their sterns. You will receive a colored ticket when you board your water taxi. When you return from the beach you need to show your ticket so that the water taxi knows you’re getting in the correct boat.
Architecture
Military
- Fort São João da Barra ()
Religious
- Church of Nossa Senhora do Mar ()
In the arts
Cinema
Some outdoors scenes for movies were recorded here. These were:
- Almadraba Atuneira (1961) ()
- Hovering Over the Water (1986)
- Água e Sal (2001)
References
External links
- Cabanas de Tavira photos hosted on Flickr
- Cabanas de Tavira - Tavira Guide