Ask a local about Pego do Inferno and you’ll probably get a shrug and “worth it if you’re already out that way.” That’s about right. The waterfall sits roughly 7 km inland from Tavira, in the parish of Santo Estêvão, where the Asseca stream drops into a round rock bowl deep enough for a swim. The dramatic name (Hell’s Pool) comes from an old story about a cart that vanished into the water. What you actually get is shade, a splash, and a photo that doesn’t look like every other beach shot from your trip.
Don’t expect a visitor centre. The council put in barriers and a small café around 2000, but a 2012 fire and vandalism afterwards meant the site never reopened properly. You’ll park near Santo Estêvão and walk a rough path, often a few hundred metres, to reach the pool – no toilets, no lifeguard, no ticket desk. Wear trainers rather than flip-flops; the rocks turn slick fast once it’s rained.
This suits Tavira and east-coast villa guests with a hire car who fancy a half-hour pause between a town morning and a beach afternoon. Skip it if anyone in your group struggles with uneven ground, or you want a proper managed attraction with set opening hours. Fold it into a day of things to do in Tavira rather than building a whole outing around it.
Background reading: Portuguese Wikipedia. Planning a longer stay east? See where to stay in Tavira.