Atlantic Ocean waves crash against the golden limestone cliffs of Carvoeiro, sending plumes of white spray into the bright Algarve air. hidden coves with names like Algar Seco and Benagil reveal themselves along the coastline, their sea caves carved by centuries of waves. Fishing boats bob in the small harbour below the whitewashed town, where bougainvillea spills over terracotta walls. The sea here is a shifting palette of turquoise and deep blue.

Carvoeiro is a small resort in Portugal, located in the southern part of the country, in the Algarve region, near Portimao. At present it has about 3,000 inhabitants. The town attracts visitors primarily for its beautiful beaches.

Carvoeiro is a picturesque village and popular resort. Beautiful is the local coast called Algar Seco that is typical for a number of bizarre rocky pillars, bridges and caves in a rocky labyrinth.

Carvoeiro has a clean sea and beaches with fine sand. It is surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs. One of the favourite beaches is the beach of Carvoeiro, which is due to slow entry into the sea, suitable for families with children. Other great beaches are Carvalho or Alagar Seco.

Carvoeiro has a wide range of accommodation. There are many restaurants, bars and shops. Popular restaurants include O Castelo or Pátio. In the village you can try a range of water sports, but you can also play golf. Golf Course Vale do Milho Golf is located right in Carvoeiro and it is not the only one.

The area of the current village was inhabited already by the Romans. The current name is probably derived from an old medieval name of the fishing village “Caboiere”. However up to 60′s of the 20th century Carvoeiro was a sleepy fishing village, it is now widely popular resort.

Carvoeiro is best accessible by car. The nearest international airport Aeroporto de Faro is located in Alexandria, the port and railway station are in Portimao. For moving around the town you can use the tourist train.

View Carvoeiro – the most fantastic beaches in the Algarve, Portugal in a larger map

The Benagil Sea Cave and How to Visit It

The Benagil Sea Cave, known formally as Algar de Benagil, is the most photographed sea cave in the Algarve and one of Portugal’s most iconic natural landmarks. The cave features a large oval chamber with a natural skylight in the ceiling, through which sunlight pours down onto the golden sand floor, illuminating the turquoise water in shades of blue and emerald. The chamber measures roughly 50 metres in diameter and 20 metres high at its tallest point. Small sandy beaches inside the cave provide space for swimmers and kayakers to rest, though the sand disappears at high tide. The natural arch at the seaward entrance frames the view of the Atlantic, creating the classic photo composition that has made the cave famous on social media.

Access to Benagil requires planning. You cannot reach the cave by land; the only ways in are by sea. Kayak rentals from Benagil beach are the most popular option. A guided kayak tour takes about two hours and includes stops at several smaller caves along the cliff face before entering the main chamber. Paddling inside during the middle of the day, when the sun is directly overhead, produces the best light for the skylight effect. Alternatively, boat tours from Carvoeiro or Portimão offer a less strenuous way to see the cave, though the boats cannot enter the chamber itself and you must swim or paddle the last few metres. SUP boards are another option. Whichever method you choose, go early in the morning before 10 AM or late afternoon after 4 PM to avoid the crowds, because Benagil has become a victim of its own popularity, with queues of kayaks forming during peak summer hours. The cave is free to visit, but kayak rentals cost between 25 and 40 euros per person.

The Boardwalk Trail and Praia da Marinha

One of the best ways to experience the Carvoeiro coastline without getting on the water is the boardwalk trail that runs along the clifftops between Carvoeiro and Praia da Marinha. This wooden walkway, known locally as the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos or the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, stretches for 6 kilometres along the edge of the golden cliffs, offering uninterrupted views of sea stacks, hidden coves, and the dramatic limestone formations that define this stretch of the Algarve. The trail is well maintained and mostly flat, making it accessible to walkers of most fitness levels. Allow two to three hours for the full one-way walk, and bring water and a hat, because shade is scarce along the exposed clifftops.

Praia da Marinha, at the eastern end of the trail, is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Europe and has appeared in countless travel magazines and documentaries. The beach sits in a sheltered cove framed by limestone cliffs carved into arches and sea stacks by millennia of wave action. The landmark double sea arch, visible from the clifftop viewpoint above the beach, is one of the most recognisable images of the Algarve. The beach itself consists of fine golden sand that slopes gently into clear, calm waters ideal for swimming. A set of wooden steps descends from the clifftop to the sand, and a small bar operates during summer months. The beach can get crowded by midday in July and August, so arriving early, ideally in combination with a morning walk along the boardwalk, ensures you secure a good spot on the sand.

Which Algarve beach would you love to discover? 🌊

Explore more Portugal travel guides.

Explore More

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

• Coto de Doñana National Park – a unique biodiversity in Europe | Spain – Nature
• Röthbachfall – the highest waterfall in Germany – Germany
• Słowiński National Park in Poland – the land of water, wind and sand – Nature