Nestled on the banks of the River Gilao on Portugal’s stunning Algarve coast, the ancient city of Tavira has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological digs have unearthed relics dating back to the Bronze Age, and the city’s winding alleyways are lined with mosques, palaces, elegantly weathered churches and regal 18th-century mansions that bear witness to the city’s Moorish and medieval past.

As impressive as Tavira’s architecture is its natural beauty: idyllic sandy beaches fringe its azure shores, while the Rio Formosa Nature Park is a stunningly beautiful marshland reserve dotted with salt pans and candy pink flamingo flocks. Just outside the city is Pego do Inferno, an awe-inspiring waterfall and lake of turquoise waters, perfect for an invigorating dip.