Santa Luzia
A lagoon-side fishing village near Tavira, known for its octopus, with boats and footpaths to the island beaches.
Santa Luzia is a small fishing village on the Ria Formosa, just west of Tavira. It calls itself the octopus capital of Portugal, and octopus caught in traditional clay pots is landed at the harbour and served all along the waterfront.
From the village, boats cross to Terra Estreita, a quieter stretch of beach on Ilha de Tavira. From there you can walk along the sand to Praia do Barril, where rows of rusting anchors recall the area's tuna-fishing past; Barril can also be reached by a small train from nearby Pedras d'El Rei. It is a good spot for a seafood lunch and an easy beach day.