The 12 Best Things to do in Carvoeiro, Portugal
Formerly a fishing village, Carvoeiro is a charming town with plenty of beaches along its coastline. Approximately a 55 minute transfer from Faro Airport, Carvoeiro is a popular choice for those who went a relaxing getaway, there’s still plenty to do in the town and the surrounding area to keep you busy.
Here’s the Gigs n Travel Guide to Things to do in Carvoeiro and the surrounding areas:
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Carvoeiro Boardwalk
The Carvoeiro Boardwalk was one of my favourite things I did in Carvoeiro and defiantly exceeded my expectations!
The Boardwalk is a gentle walk, across a route that is about 600 meters long, so it’s great if you’re looking for something easy. Walking it there and back will see you completing a nice 1.2km stroll.
Along the boardwalk you’ll find a few places where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful view of the ocean and cliffs, if you’re as lucky as me you might even spot some dolphins!
If you’re feeling adventurous you can go down a few clifftop stairs and explore the limestone cliffs, and the natural pools, caves and holes which have been created over the years by the ocean. There’s even some popular cliff jumping areas around here!
To find the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, head over to the Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Fort. The Boardwalk starts right next to here.
The end of the boardwalk will bring you our at Algar Seco, where you can explore the Boneca Caves and where you’ll also find the most unique restaurant & bar in Carvoeiro, more on that next…
Algar Seco Natural Pool
When you reach the end of the Carvoeiro Boardwalk in Algar Seco, you will have the opportunity to go down some stairs and head either left or right. Don’t worry we’re going to cover both, but first let’s go down to the left.
Walking down the stairs you’ll begin to see a viewing deck with the Algar Seco Natural Pool underneath. Really, it’s just a cool spot to stand and watch the waves crash. You can also walk down the side of some pretty cool limestone cliffs and explore the rocks more.
You might spot some steps heading into the water, which some people will say you can head down to swim – however I wouldn’t recommend it, the waves were very strong when I was there, and you could easily get hit against the hard rocks.
The tides does change here throughout the day, which is yet another risk factor you need to keep in-mind. If you’d like to go swimming, then the popular cliff jumping area back along the Carvoeiro Boardwalk and down the limestone stairs is a much more popular place for swimming.
If you do choose to swim here, swim at your own risk and always remember to check tide times and keep an eye out for each other.
Boneca Caves in Algar Seco
Now heading towards the right side of the stairs when you come off the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, you might be able to spot a little restaurant in between the rocks (more on this coming up).
If you walk past this restaurant, you’ll spot a sign that reads ‘Boneca’, which is Portuguese for ‘Doll’. Head towards this sign and you’ll find a narrow walk-way inside the cave, keep walking down it and you’ll come to a stop at two windows within the cave, looking out to a beautiful view of the ocean.
It’s a great picture opportunity, and place to take in the incredible views! It is quite small inside these caves, so you might have to queue to get inside!
The reason Boneca Caves are named after a Doll is because it’s said to look like a dolls face, with the ocean view through the windows formed in the cave resembling the dolls eyes, hence why these windows are commonly referred to as ‘Blue Eyes’.
Boneca Bar and Restaurant
After exploring the natural wonders of Algar Seco, it’s definitely worth a stop at Carvoeiro’s most unique Bar & Restaurant: The Boneca Bar! Located in between the rocks, Boneca Bar offers a gorgeous view of the ocean and limestone cliffs that run down the Carvoeiro Coast.
It’s worth stopping here for at least a quick ice cream or drink, they make great cocktails! Although we didn’t stop for a bite to eat, from what I saw the food looked absolutely incredible and left me wishing I had eaten here to try it out, it’s definitely something on my list for next time!
Check out their menu on their website here.
Boat Tour or Kayak to Benagil Cave
The Benagil Cave is the most famous sea cave in the Algarve, and one of the Algarve’s biggest attractions! Algar de Benagil is a breath-taking cave with a mini beach inside, natural light floods in through the hole in the roof, creating a magical ambiance.
There are two main ways you can visit the inside Algar de Benagil, which is by boat tour, or by kayak.
Regardless of whether you have a preference, I would always recommend doing the boat tour first if you have never been to the Benagil Caves.
This is because the skippers and boat drivers are experts, having done the routes many times before. They took us inside loads of caves on our way to Algar de Benagil that we weren’t even aware were there! They explained a lot of the history and tales about different caves, and even pointed out beaches along the cost that they recommended we visit! The whole thing gave us a really interesting perspective form people that are local!
Arguably most importantly, they offered lots of tips and explained to us the best times to come by boat and kayaks, as well as what dangers to look out for if we were to come back on our own.
I set off on a small boat which had myself and about 10 other people in it, as well as the skipper and driver. In my opinion, it’s worth going on a smaller boat as they can fit in some of the caves that bigger boats are unable to fit in, but just prepare yourself for a potentially bumpy ride!
I set off from Praia de Carvoeiro, the tour took us along the coast, up to the Benagil Caves, and back to Praia de Carvoeiro afterwards. It cost about 30 Euros each and was definitely my favourite thing that I did during my time in Carvoeiro!
I went with a company called ‘Carvoeiro Tours’ and cannot recommend them enough! You’re able to book online, or from the kiosk located at Praia de Carvoeiro.
I recommend booking at least a day in advance in order to get the time slot you’d like. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and try to pick a day that isn’t too windy, as sometimes boats won’t go into the Benagil Caves if the water is too choppy and unsafe.
After doing a boat tour and knowing the route, it can be a good idea to rent a kayak to visit the caves! The main advantage of kayaks over the boat trip is that you can dock up on the mini beach inside Algar de Benagil. However keep in mind that during peak season this gets extremely busy, and it can be hard to dock up inside the cave. I recommended going as early as possible in the morning, as the crowds get too busy by the afternoon! If you’re choosing to kayak, or even swim in the water by Algar de Benagil, keep the weather forecast in mind in order to stay safe, the water can be very choppy in and around the caves. Swim and kayak at your own risk, and consider doing a boat tour instead as a safter option.
As of September 2023 kayak rental has been temporarily suspended due to the large increase of accidents which happened across summer 2023. There are plants for Kayak rental to resume in the Algarve, but under tighter rules and guidelines in order to keep everyone safe. Although I aim to keep my articles as up-to-date as possible, at the time of writing this, it is currently unknown when Kayak rental will resume.
Read my full Benagil Caves Guide for more information on everything to do with the Benagil Caves.
Explore Benagil Caves by Foot
Although it’s arguably most impressive to visit the Benagil Caves from the inside, it’s definitely worth a trip to the caves by foot and take in the view from the top! You do not need to join a tour in order to see this, you can easily head there by yourself!
Head over to either Praia de Benagil and walk the short distance along the coastline until you to the top of the Benagil Caves. If you’re driving to Praia de Benagil from Carvoeiro, it will take you approximately 10-15 minutes, there’s free carparking in a large car park a short walk from the beach and caves called ‘Free Parking Benagil’.
It’s important to stay safe when visiting the Benagil Caves by foot and you should always stay behind the safety barriers that are there to prevent people from going too close to the age. It’s important to understand that these caves have been created as a result of natural erosion and have the potential collapse and further erode at any time. Enjoy the view but keep away from the edge.
Dolphin Watching
As well as boat tours to the Benagil Caves, you can also grab a boat trip to go Dolphin spotting! If you want to combine the two, there are many boat companies that will also offer a ride to the common dolphin spotting areas before taking you to the caves! However keep in mind that some of these boats a lot larger than some of the boats that just take you round the caves, so during this tour you might not be able to go in some of the smaller caves if the boat you’re on is too big. This isn’t the case for every company, so it really depends on the company you pick to go with!
You also don’t necessarily need to go on a dolphin tour to see the dolphins! During my most recent trip to Carvoeiro I managed to see some dolphins from the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, and during my boat trip to the Benagil Caves with Carvoeiro Tours!
However, if you don’t happen to get as lucky and you’re itching to see some dolphins out in the wild, then I’d recommend hopping on a designated boat tour to go dolphin spotting. Unfortunately the tour doesn’t guarantee you will definitely see the dolphins, but they do tend to have pretty high success rates due to knowing the places in the ocean where the dolphins typically swim!
Most dolphin tours happen from Albufeira or Portimão and go along the cost to Praia da Marinha and back. To get to Albufeira from Carvoeiro, you’ll be looking at a drive of approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on whether you’re avoiding toll roads or not. Whereas heading to Portimão from Carvoeiro will take you approximately 20-25 minutes.
Keep in mind you are not guaranteed to see dolphins during tours. However you will get to see some beautiful views, and caves along the Algarve coast!
Here are a few popular boat tours that can give you the chance to potentially see some dolphins*:
The Carvoeiro Tourist Train Ride
Fancy a tour of Carvoeiro? Check out the tourist train. It departs every 40 minutes from the main square at the bottom of the hill in Carvoeiro. Enjoy a 30-minute trip around the town, stopping at all the main resorts. On Tuesdays and Fridays there are tours to nearby Ferragudo, which is known as one of the most beautiful villages in Portugal! During this tour you will get a two hour stop to explore the village.
Prices typically range from 5-10 Euros depending on the type of trip you’re doing.
Please note: Although I aim to keep my posts as up-to-date as possible, the Carvoeiro Tourist Train Ride can be subject to change, check their website for the most up-to-date information regarding train schedules.
Praia de Carvoeiro
No trip to Carvoeiro is complete without visiting the beach! Located in the main square, Praia de Carvoeiro is the main beach in Carvoeiro. Surrounded by restaurants, beach bars and shops – it’s easy to spend multiple days lay on this beach. Located between two cliffs, Praia de Carvoeiro is a small but popular beach. If you’re visiting at peak time (July-August), I’d recommend coming early to secure your space. However, outside of peak tourism you shouldn’t struggle to find a spot.
There isn’t much shade unless you plan to lounge right next to the cliffs, which I wouldn’t recommend for cliff fall safety reasons. But there are loungers under shade which you can rent for a small fee. If you’re more on the adventurous side, you can rent pedal boats with slides on the back of them to take out into the water, book a boat tour to see the caves, explore the rocks and rock pools, or see if you can find any fish while snorkelling!
As for the sea, it begins shallow but has a fairly steep drop where the water becomes a lot deeper. You don’t need to venture far to be able to float about. The water is at its warmest in September and was very enjoyable! Make sure to swim in the designated swimming area between the flags, as the other part of the beach is where the boats dock up and leave from when taking people on the cave tours.
Depending on the weather, the water can be choppy with big waves, so always make sure to supervise children. If you don’t class yourself as a strong swimmer, then I’d recommend staying nearer to the beach.
The great thing about this beach is that the tides don’t seem to come up too high, so if you fancy an evening stroll along the sand, there is plenty of room for you to do so!
Praia do Vale de Centeanes
Praia do Vale de Centeanes is another beach located about a 5 minute drive outside of Carvoeiro town centre. This beach is a lot less crowded than Praia de Carvoeiro – I really enjoyed my visit! There are a couple of restaurants such as O Stop, as well as a Sushi Restaurant and Bar at the ‘Tivoli Hotel Algarve Resort’ just down the road.
Access to the beach can be found in two ways, the first of which is a set of steps near the carpark. However, these steps are quite unstable, I would not be taking young children down these steps. The good news is, if you walk past these steps along the decking, you’ll come to a ramp that will lead you further down onto the main part of the beach.
There are some caves you can access by swimming when the tide is low, but you must keep an eye out for the tides here as unlike Praia de Carvoeiro, the water comes up a lot further up the beach, and the caves are only safely accessible at low tide.
You are also able to do boat tours to Bengali Caves from Praia do Vale de Centeanes, the water here can be fairly choppy with large waves, so I always recommend checking the weather forecast before booking your boat trip and when possible, aim to book a boat tour in the morning.
The only downfall is there is often large amounts of seaweed covering part of the beach, which was definitely less of a problem at Praia de Carvoeiro – but nonetheless it was easy to find a seaweed-free spot due to how quiet the beach was!
There is free parking at the beach, but bear in mind that parking can get full rather quickly during the peak season.
360 Sky Bar
Located in the main square in Carvoeiro, you’ll find the Tivoli Hotel. Head up to the rooftop there to experience the 360 Sky Bar for some of the best views of Carvoeiro’s main square and beach! You do not have to be staying at the hotel to have access to the bar.
Something to keep in mind is that there are two Tivoli Hotels in the Carvoeiro area, which both have sky bars. Make sure you head over to the one in Carvoeiro town centre, which is called the ‘360 Sky Bar’, as opposed to ‘Sky Bar’.
To find out more about the 360 Sky Bar in Carvoeiro, check out my Carvoeiro Bars & Restaurants Guide.
Explore the Markets
One thing I loved a lot about Carvoeiro is that I barely saw any big brand chains! I love exploring independent shops and markets when travelling, they’re a lot more authentic and unique compared to the chains that you can get almost everywhere.
I had a lot of fun exploring the different markets and stores that Carvoeiro had to offer! Did you know Portugal is famous for its leather and cork? In fact, Portugal is the largest producer of cork in the world! Make sure to check out some of the cork products they sell! I had to grab myself a cork postcard to stick on my postcard wall back home!
So here’s a list to get you started for your next trip to Carvoeiro, Portugal! Check out some FAQ’s below, as well as other Algarve-related articles at the bottom of this post to continue planning your next trip to the Algarve!
FAQ’s about Carvoeiro, Alrgarve
Is Carvoeiro in Portugal worth visiting?
Absolutely! Carvoeiro is a relaxing, laid-back former fishing village, but there is still plenty to do! No trip is complete without a visit to the beautiful Paria de Carvoeiro, or a walk along the Carvoeiro Boardwalk with a visit to the beautiful Boneca Cave in Algar Seco at the end!
What is Carvoeiro like in Portugal?
Carvoeiro is a former fishing village, it is known for its stunning golden sand beaches, incredible restaurants, and the famous Boneca Caves in Algar Seco! Carvoeiro is a small, picturesque getaway destination in the Algarve, it’s often quieter than the likes of Lagos or Albufeira, but still with plenty to see and do!
Should I stay in Carvoeiro or Albufeira?
It depends on the aim of your holiday! Albufeira is known for being a beach town with vibrant nightlife, bars and clubs. Whereas Carvoeiro is a much more laid-back beach destination, with plenty of restaurants, without the crazy party-scene. Carvoeiro is also a perfect location for seeing sites such as the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, Boncea Caves in Algar Seco, Bengali Caves, and the many beaches that the area has to offer. Why not visit both? Rent a car and travel between different towns and see what the Algarve really has to offer!
Should I rent a car when visitng Carvoeiro?
Car rental can be useful if you’re not staying near Carvoeiro town centre or would wish to visit other towns in the Algarve. However, a car is not necessary as there are plenty of Taxi’s available – Uber and Bolt are also both widely used. Public transport is also available, but keep in mind that this can often increase the length of your journey and buses do not always run frequently.
How long is the boardwalk in Carvoeiro?
The Carvoeiro Boardwalk is 600 meters. Beginning right next to Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Fort and finishing in Algar Seco. Walking to the end on the boardwalk and back will see you completing a 1.2km walk.
Can you visit the Benagil Cave by foot?
If you walk down the coat, you can visit the top of the Bengail Cave by foot and look down to the inside of the cave through the large hole that is in the ceiling. You cannot go inside the cave on foot. You can only reach the inside of the cave by sea access, you can do this by joining a boat tour, or renting a kayak. Always stay safe when visiting the Benagil Caves and take the necessary precautions.
