Camera Obscura
Calçada da Galeria 12, Tavira, The Algarve, 8800-306
Situated inside the Tower of Tavira on the Algarve in Portugal is Tavira's Camera Obscura, a dark room that uses mirrors and lenses to project images from the city below out onto a screen. During each session, a local guide talks about the history, culture, and monuments of the city while showing visitors different highlights through the camera.
The Basics
The Camera Obscura is housed in the Tower of Tavira, an old water tower dating back to 1931 that’s been converted to house the camera. Once inside, guests can learn about how the camera works and about the various city attractions that it projects, an experience that lasts around 15 minutes. It's not a bad idea to prebook your admission ticket, as sessions are limited to 15 people.
Things to Know Before You Go
The Camera Obscura is a must-see for anyone interested in the history and development of photography.
Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, students, and guests over 65.
The tower is wheelchair-accessible.
Note that there’s also a Tavira Tower in Spain, which also has a camera obscura.
How to Get There
The Camera Obscura is located inside the Tavira Tower, right in the heart of the Portuguese town of Tavira, just west of Tavira Castle. It's about a 40-minute drive to Tavira from Faro, while the Tavira Railway Station is just under a 10-minute walk away.
When to Get There
The Tavira Tower is open every day from late morning to early afternoon throughout the year. The attraction remains closed on Christmas and New Year's Day and may close in case of bad weather (so call ahead if you happen to be in town during a thunderstorm).
Attractions Around Tavira’s Tower
A visit to the Camera Obscura will give you a good idea of what city attractions you may want to see, from the adjacent Moorish castle to the numerous churches and other historic buildings around town. Highlights include the Church of Mercy (Igreja da Misericórdia), with its beautiful Renaissance architecture, and the nearby Church of St. Mary of the Castle (Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo), where an enormous mosque once stood.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!