What to do in Santa Maria e Santiago

Activities, attractions and tours

Tavira featuring a park
Tavira
Tavira showing a square or plaza
Tavira
Tavira

Santa Maria e Santiago Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Santa Maria e Santiago has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Santa Maria e Santiago, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Santa Maria e Santiago with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Santa Maria e Santiago

Santa Maria e Santiago is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Santa Maria e Santiago, and make it a breeze to explore Santa Maria e Santiago and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Santa Maria e Santiago to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Santa Maria e Santiago, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Santa Maria e Santiago.

Santa Maria e Santiago attractions

Santa Maria e Santiago has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Santa Maria e Santiago to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Santa Maria e Santiago.

Looking for things to do in Santa Maria e Santiago can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Santa Maria e Santiago or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Santa Maria e Santiago attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Most fun & popular experiences in Santa Maria e Santiago

Tours & day trips

See all 28 activities
Seville day trip from the Algarve

Seville day trip from the Algarve

Activity duration is 12 hours
8.8 out of 10 with 17 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £57 per adult
Seville day trip from the AlgarveOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 8 activities
Zip Line - Back in Time Spain to Portugal Tour

Zip Line - Back in Time Spain to Portugal Tour

Activity duration is 9 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is £65 per adult
Zip Line - Back in Time Spain to Portugal TourOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 5 activities
Tuk tuk Tour Tavira Total - 2h00 - Includes Tuna Museum and Fishing Village

Tuk tuk Tour Tavira Total - 2h00 - Includes Tuna Museum and Fishing Village

Activity duration is 2 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is £95 per adult*
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Water activities

See all 3 activities
Cabanas de Tavira: Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

Cabanas de Tavira: Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is £30 per adult
Cabanas de Tavira: Dolphin Watching Boat TourOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Santa Maria e Santiago

Number of things to do
30
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Tavira Ciência Viva Science Centre Individual Ticket: £4
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Santa Maria e Santiago

Popular places to visit

Tavira Castle showing a city

Tavira Castle

Look out across the rooftops of historic Tavira from a tower in this ruined fortress, which has withstood royal sieges, pirate attacks and natural disasters.

Tavira Castle
Roman Bridge showing a river or creek and a bridge

Roman Bridge

Despite its name, Tavira’s central footbridge wasn’t constructed during the Roman Empire, but it does sit where an ancient bridge once was.

Roman Bridge
Praca da Republica which includes a fountain and a square or plaza

Praca da Republica

Check out Tavira’s main square, which served as the town’s marketplace for centuries and is now surrounded by restaurants and elegant heritage buildings with preserved façades.

Praca da Republica
Tavira Castle

Mother Church of Santa Maria do Castelo

If Mother Church of Santa Maria do Castelo is what brings you to town, hopefully you'll have a chance to explore more of Santa Maria e Santiago.

Mother Church of Santa Maria do Castelo
Misericordia Church which includes a city

Misericordia Church

Dating back to the 16th century, this church is one of the Algarve’s most exquisite pieces of Renaissance architecture that includes remarkable stonemasonry.

Misericordia Church

Old Town

Learn about the local history of Santa Maria e Santiago when you take a trip to Old Town. Amble around this relaxing area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its lively bars.

Old Town

Tavira Gran Plaza Shopping Mall

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Tavira Gran Plaza Shopping Mall during your stay in Santa Maria e Santiago. Amble around this relaxing area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its lively bars.

Tavira Gran Plaza Shopping Mall

Tavira Tower

You can learn about the history of Santa Maria e Santiago with a trip to Tavira Tower. Amble around this relaxing area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its lively bars.

Tavira Tower

Benamor Golf

Play a round of golf at Benamor Golf and enjoy other activities in Conceição such as boating. Amble around this relaxing area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its lively bars.

Benamor Golf

Explore areas of Santa Maria e Santiago

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Picota

Though Picota may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Roman Bridge and Old Town.

Picota

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Santa Maria e Santiago

Tavira Castle showing a city

Tavira

Conceicao e Cabanas de Tavira

Conceicao e Cabanas de Tavira

Photo by Travelholic Path

Castro Marim

Photo by Louise Mason

Luz de Tavira

Alcoutim

Alcoutim

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Maria e Santiago worth visiting?
From retail therapy to outdoor activities and history, there are plenty of fun things to do in Santa Maria e Santiago. Don't forget to experience the area's mix of cool attractions, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Santa Maria e Santiago?
Tavira Tower is an excellent place to begin your adventures. Remember to explore the retail and dining options in Santa Maria e Santiago while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santa Maria e Santiago?
Tavira Tower is ranked the top tourist attraction near Santa Maria e Santiago, so don't go home without paying it a visit.
Is three days enough to stay in Santa Maria e Santiago?
With a three-day holiday in Santa Maria e Santiago, you can easily experience the area's many fabulous attractions, like Tavira Tower and Palacio da Galeria Museum.
Is Santa Maria e Santiago a walkable neighbourhood?
It all comes down to what you want to see in and around Santa Maria e Santiago. Several key sights, like Tavira Tower and Palacio da Galeria Museum are easily accessible on foot. In the mood for a stroll through some other nearby neighbourhoods? Conceicao e Cabanas de Tavira is 5 kms (3 miles) from Santa Maria e Santiago, while Santa Luzia is 3 kms (2 miles) away.
What are some activities to do in Santa Maria e Santiago with kids?
If you are after sights and activities for all of your group, here are some terrific ideas for what to do in Santa Maria e Santiago with kids.

What to do in Santa Maria e Santiago for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or thrill seeker, there are plenty of things to do in Santa Maria e Santiago for adults including Casa das Portas.
Are there free things to do in Santa Maria e Santiago?
You won't have to go out of your way to find free things to do in Santa Maria e Santiago. Just ask a local tour guide and they'll share their recommendations for places you can enjoy at no charge. An excellent free option for your trip itinerary is Roman Bridge.