Tavira´s history, from what archeologists say, traces back all the way to the Neolithic Age. Since then, many civilizations have passed through this area; Romans, Iberians, Arabs and Christians are the most notable of them all.

Two thousand years before Christ is about when a dwelling was formed known today as Tavira, one of the most prosperous cities of Algarve.

During centuries of Arab occupation, Tavira was conquered by the Christians, specifically under the rule of Alfonso II in 1242. Decades later, his successor, Alfonso III named the town "Villa," and in 1520, it was converted into a city.

The Gilao River forms an important part of the history of this city, as it divides the city in half.

In the 17th Century, Tarifa continued being considered one of the biggest cities of Algarve, but it began to become stagnant due to the reduction in commercial ativity, which turned into a crisis after the great earthquake of 1755, that left the place destroyed and absolutely devistated. After this, Tavira slowly regrouped itself, and returned to its Tuna fishing roots. About halfway through the 20th century, tuna fishing also entered in a major crisis, but at the same time, fortunately for Tavira, tousism took off, and began to bring in a very profitable income. This is the city that you now see today.