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THE Portuguese love a summer spent in the Algarve as much as the rest of us.

But instead of the better-known Albufeira, Faro and Lagos, they head to the quaint fishing town of Tavira.

On the eastern end of the famous coastline, it has calmer, cheaper and more cultured experiences than its neighbouring tourist hotspots.

And with easyJet having launched new routes from the UK this summer, it’s the perfect time to explore new Algarvian shores.

WHY SHOULD I GO?

Put simply, for the numerous beaches. Tavira is a paradise within the Algarve, which was last year crowned the World’s Best Beach Destination 2025.

These numerous wild, sandy stretches are largely unspoilt and crowd-free, even in peak season.

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Notably, they include the beautiful Praia da Ilha de Tavira, which spans eight miles, leaving plenty of room for your beach towel.

Here, the sea is famously warmer as it is more sheltered from the chilly expanse of Atlantic Ocean.

STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?

To reach Praia da Ilha de Tavira, you will need to take a ferry or, if you feel you like splashing out, a water taxi.

From Tavira, the easiest place to hop on is at the town’s pier.

Ferries, which operate between March and October, take 20 minutes and cost around £2 for a return trip.

Back on dry land in central Tavira, however, the town’s winding, cobbled streets can be easily explored on foot.

Make sure to stroll along the picturesque Gilao river, which runs through the centre, flanked by traditional tile-covered buildings.

And linger to take in the live music at golden hour on the old Ponte Romana bridge.

Want to rest your legs? You can travel past the town’s key landmarks on a traditional hop-on, hop-off “tourist train”.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?

For those who like to relax on holiday, the port town’s beaches include the option to rent sunloungers, as well as surfboards, and enjoy beach club drinks served while you sunbathe.

While you’re between the sandy dunes and saltwater lagoons, you may even see the flamingos, dolphins and turtles that call this area home.

If you often get itchy feet and like to immerse yourself in the local culture — or need to walk off the traditional dessert of a freshly baked pastel de nata — then this is a Portuguese spot rich in history.

The ruins of a Moorish castle can be found in Tavira, and they are free to explore.

Plenty of architectural evidence also remains of the sailors and fishermen who came to inhabit the town in the Middle Ages.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT?

Given its proximity to the coast, seafood is the most popular choice here.

Try Mesa Farta, which has a modern take on traditional Portuguese food, including homemade sourdough and mackerel, as well as fresh chocolate mousse.

Special occasion? You can’t beat A Ver Tavira. Situated near the castle and with the best views in town, it is one of only seven Michelin-starred restaurants in the Algarve, with mouthwatering dishes that take culinary inspiration from the local area.

A particular favourite of the locals is Restaurante Pedro, in the nearby village of Cabanas de Tavira.

I FANCY A DRINK

There are no shortage of bars in Tavira. One popular option is Arcada, positioned on the main square, which serves freshly-shaken cocktails.

Meanwhile, the Black Anchor is an Irish bar with a terrace that overlooks the river, with the Portuguese beer Sagres on the menu — or even a Guinness on tap if you must.

If you are more of an early bird than a night owl, the town is brimming with cafes where you can get your caffeine fix for less than a couple of euros.

Flat white or matcha more to your taste? Then head to speciality coffee shop, The Table.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

For complete tranquillity, head to the 4* Quinta dos Perfumes, with its rooms and pool area nestled in an oasis of orange and avocado trees.

It is less than a ten-minute drive from the centre, a 15-minute walk to the boats at Cabanas de Tavira and close to Benamor golf course.

THE UK isn’t short of pretty market towns, but while everyone else is fighting for parking in Cornwall or the Cotswolds, there’s a gorgeous alternative without the massive crowds.

Tavistock in Devon is a historic market town sat on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.

And it has a rather big claim to fame…

The town is where the cream tea was invented, with the earliest recording of the tradition dated to 11th century at Tavistock Abbey.

And, to put the decades-long debate to an end, the monks that created the cream tea in fact did put the cream first and then the jam.

There are so many spots in the town to grab a cream tea but my personal favourite is Café Liaison, where you can sit with your cream tea overlooking the Churchyard and former Cloisters of the Abbey.

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PITCHING IN

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The town itself is a UNESCO World Heritage town, due to the town’s medieval tin mining history as well as 19th century copper and metal production.

Wandering around the town, you’ll notice all the buildings are made of dark grey stone.

You might also spot some Dartmoor granite in the buildings as well.

One top building to spot is the Town Hall, which is in the heart of the town

Make sure to visit the ancient Pannier Market too, which was granted its Royal Charter in 1105.

Inside, you will find traders selling all sorts of different items, that change depending on the day of the week.

For example, on Tuesdays you will find antiques and collectables, whereas on Fridays you will find locally produced goods.

Across the town, you’ll also find a wealth of quaint independent shops.

Make sure to head into Book Stop to pick up a read and check out Inside Out which is the ideal place for gifts.

Depending on when you are visiting, you could also explore the Farmer’s Market which takes place each month on the second and fourth Saturdays.

For a tipple, drop into The Market Inn – inside you will find cosy fire places, maybe some pooches, a friendly atmosphere and delicious pub grub.

And of course, Dartmoor is on your doorstep – which, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated places to visit in the UK.

You can explore towering tors as well as meet numerous Dartmoor ponies.

Just outside of the main town, you can stay at Harford Bridge Park campsite and caravan park.

This is no usual campsite though…

Instead, you pitch your tent right next to the River Tavy – which runs through the holiday park and is gentle and shallow.

When I used to visit the campsite as a child along with my family, we would make sure to have a pitch right next to the river.

Then, in the blazing sun, my sister and I would put up our camping chairs directly in the river and sit with our feet in the water.

It is ideal for families who want to explore Dartmoor but want a few more facilities than wild camping.

On the site there is a heated toilet block as well as hot showers and a laundry room.

If you have forgotten anything, there is also a shop onsite, as well as a games, TV and book room, children’s play park with seesaws and climbing frames and a tennis court.

Dogs are welcome too, with a sprawling meadow for them to roam in.

Make sure to book a ‘grass riverside’ pitch, which costs £24 per night for two people without electricity, working out at just £12 per person.

If you are a family of four, the pitch will set you back £44 per night – working out at £11 per person, per night.