Or, to what once was the most important tuna fishing harbour on the Algarve. Until the midth of last centuy that is, the tuna is no longer nearly as prevalent as it used to be here.

The town of Tvira has a much longer and more interesting history than so. Once we had done the 2 km walk from the anchorage to town, we were immediately struck by it's charm and also the 'colonial style' so apparent. Quite a few churches, monasterys and luxurious buildings from the late 1400s and a couple centurys forward made this town very interesting compared to the modern rather soul-less resorts further east along the coast.

Soon enough we found out the logical explanation. This town was indeed a colonial power 'spot' and thus quite rich from the late 15th century. The reason for this, was that the Portuguese at the time had conquered some 20 cities along the North African coast, among them the present Spanish Enclave: Ceuta.

When that epoque faded away, the tuna was what made Tavira prosper and ti doesn't by far feel as touristic as the other towns in Algarve.