Salt Route

1-hour tour of the Ria Formosa with a 15-minute stop on a deserted beach.

Enjoy a short but extremely rich ride, starting from Cabanas de Tavira, reaching Tavira Island, passing through the Quatro Águas channel and with a short stop at Cabanas Island, also known by the ancients as “Ilha da Abóbora” (Pumpkin Island).

It is believed that the current island was formed as an extension of Tavira Island from the 17th century to the 20th century. The São João da Barra fort, visible from the island, was built in the middle of the XVII century to protect sea access to Tavira town.

In the XX century were caused the movements of sediments, changing the configuration of the island to what it is today.

• Cabanas de Tavira:

Fishing village with a lagoon bank rehabilitated with a new wooden walkway that runs through the village, passing countless cafes, restaurants and craft shops.

Cabanas has been closely linked to tuna fishing since its origin. In 1734 they started to set up the tuna frame, which led to the creation of the first huts for the collection of fishing gear and for fishermen’s shelter. For more than 20 years, the huts were just a seasonal residence. Only in 1757/58 did some fishermen build permanent houses.

The population of the village increases a lot in the summer with the tourist flow. Though, the community is still dedicated to fishing, contributing to the enrichment of local cuisine. But it is increasingly supported by the increasing tourist flow. Cabanas offers visitors a rich natural heritage and a diverse range of accommodation and restaurants.

Cabanas island with its beach is one of the most popular after beaches in the eastern Algarve due to its location, in front of the city of Cabanas de Tavira and easy access via private boats or water taxis.

Tavira Island voted as one of the best beaches in Europe, the route between the lagoon and the beach is surrounded by the campsite, several restaurants and bars.

Deserta beach is accessible only by private boats or water taxis. Deserta beach on the island of Cabanas is one of the favorite beaches for those who want to escape the seasonal crowd and/or stroll through the Ria Formosa Natural Park and all its biodiversity.

Tavira – a city divided by the Gilão River, flanked by commerce and restaurants, and by a historic center rich in Phoenician and Islamic archaeological remains, convents with marks from the Gothic and Manueline periods, the Renaissance churches and Baroque chapels.