The Octopus Route takes visitors on a voyage through the streets of Santa Luzia, while the Tuna Route unveils the history of tuna fishing in the Algarve region.

The village of Tavira now offers two new tourist routes: the octopus and the tuna route.

The two itineraries were created to share the history and knowledge of the community and enhance its maritime heritage, culture, local history and people.

These routes, designed within the scope of the Mar 2020 project, are part of the Mediterranean Diet Safeguard Plan, with a view to “expanding educational programmes and economic diversification, namely in terms of qualification of the tourist offer”, says the municipality.

The two routes are easily identified by their large orange and blue information boards.

The Octopus Route invites visitors to travel through Santa Luzia on a route featuring ten stops revealing the history of the fishing village over the centuries. Each point features information about the village’s rich heritage, such as its fishing gear, boats, and the essence of its community with its ancient river and maritime traditions.

By following the indications on each plaque, visitors learn more about the octopus’s biology, the village’s unique personalities, the history behind its streets and buildings, and how the Santa Luzian society was organised in terms of religion, health and education.

The Tuna Route unveils the history of tuna fishing in the Algarve region, specifically in the Fisheries Company “Três Irmãos” or Barril framework.

At Barril Beach, visitors can see a unique example of a preserved fishermen’s housing cluster.

Nine mandatory stopping points allow visitors to discover more about the bluefin tuna’s dietary importance over the centuries, its role in the Algarve economy, the fishermen’s work methods and their everyday life on the water.