Looking for a quieter alternative to the Algarve’s busy resorts? The small town of Carvoeiro may be perfect! In this guide you’ll find all you need to know to plan your holiday.

Updated April 2024

It was the tail end of a particularly delightful Portuguese summer, and despite being well into September when we finally headed over to the popular region of the Algarve, the daily high temperatures held steady.

We didn’t plan on ending up in Carvoeiro - we had a month in the country, and to be honest, we planned very little - but a combination of wanting to be by the sea and to rent an apartment that wouldn’t cost us an arm and a leg led us to this once tiny fishing village that has, in the last few decades, become increasingly popular with European holiday-makers.

For those five days, this white-washed town atop the cliffs was everything we needed: gorgeous beaches within a few minutes walk, fresh seafood restaurants and enough bars to enjoy a nightly drink - but not so many that the town attracted the ‘wrong type’ of tourist.

Was our time there a truly authentic Portuguese experience? No. But we didn’t expect it to be (we headed to a city centre Portimão townhouse for that). Carvoiero is a holiday town first and foremost, but if you visit outside of the peak summer months, have a go at speaking a bit of Portuguese, and follow that evening meal with a shot of Aguardente de Medronho, you will feel a little more like a local than if you chose to stay in one of the bigger resorts along the coast.

Here’s what you need to know in terms of the best things to do in Carvoeiro, beaches, days trips, where to stay, and other useful tips!

carvoeiro essentials

Vibe / Popular beach town in Algarve, that’s less ‘resorty’ than others in the region (catering to a variety of budgets)
Reach / Easiest with a rental car (we always us AutoEurope or RentalCars) but you can also book a private transfer
Sand / Several amazing beaches in walking distance
Visit / The Benagil Cave - this highly rated tour from Cavoiero is ideal
Walk / Wander the boardwalk, explore Algar Seco or take on the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
Vistas / Amazing golden hour views from the lighthouse
Hotels / Tivoli Carvoeiro is our resort pick, but guest house, Quinta do Ourives is a wonderful choice
Airbnb / Casa Boaz is perfect for a couple, the luxurious three bed Casa dos Arcos is a ideal for a family

The BEst Beaches in Carvoiero, Portugal

Praia do Carvoeiro

Just a hop, skip & jump from the main street, this large crescent of golden sand is the town's stunning main beach. Its ease of accessibility makes it super popular with families, and very busy during the summer months. On the plus side, you have an abundance of shops, restaurants and bars just minutes from where you throw down the towel!

Find it here on Google Maps.

Praia do Paraíso

Just 350 metres away from the busy main beach is the little hidden cove of 'Paradise Beach', and it can still feel like a secret if you time it right.

Accessible via winding steps cut into the cliffs, it’s a fantastic option for those keen to escape the crowds - visit out of the peak summer months and you may even have it all to yourself! There are no facilities at the beach per se, so you need to bring anything you’d like with you, but there is a restaurant (Mar d'Fora, here on Google Maps) atop the cliffs overlooking the beach.

Praia do Vale de Centeanes

Located around a 30 minute walk from the centre of Carvoiero (or perhaps closer, depending upon where your accommodation is), this beach offers a slightly quieter option for those that still want a beach with a good level of facilities. It's also good for snorkelers and divers, and even has a secret cave hidden away at the end!

Praia da Marinha

Considered to be Carvoeiro's most beautiful beach.

Located a 1.5 hour walk - or a short taxi ride - from the centre of town, it takes a little more effort to reach, but certainly worth it if you're after something a tad more special. There are great rocky outcrops at Marinha and beautiful clear water ideal for snorkelling. At low tide all the secret coves are revealed and this beach as been recognised a number of times for its beauty – pictures have been used on promotional material and Portugal guides (that’s it in the below photo on the left)

Find it here on Google Maps.

The Best Things to Do in Carvoeiro (Besides the Beach!)

Follow the Carvoeiro boardwalk

The Carvoeiro boardwalk is a beautiful clifftop walk along an accessible, raised wooden platform that leads from the Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Fort down to the Algar Seco rock formations.

At less than 600m, it’s only a short distance from one end to the other, but provides stunning uninterrupted views out over the water and is particularly beautiful at golden hour (both around sunrise and sunset). It’s also ideal for runners once the weather has cooled down!

You can find the boardwalk here.

Explore Algar Seco

Once, you reach the end of the boardwalk you will encounter some stone steps leading down to Algar Seco, curious collection of rock formations, caves, blowholes and natural pools caused by thousands of years of wind and waves.

The most popular cave is known as ‘Boneca’, so-named because, from outside, it looks a little like a doll’s head, but locals and visitors in the know also flock to the natural pool at high tide for a cooling dip out of reach of the waves.

Top Tip // Be sure to enjoy a sunset cocktail at Restaurante Boneca Bar, a charming spot with incredible views hidden in the rock formations at Algar Seco. Find it here on Google Maps.

Head up to the Lighthouse

Easily identified by its bright red top, and considered by many locals to be one of the Algarve’s most iconic lighthouses, the 100-year old Farol de Alfanzina is a must-visit for those spending time in Carvoeiro.

If you’re in town for a while, try and time your visit to the lighthouse for a Wednesday afternoon when free tours are available from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Alternatively, it’s a wonderful spot to enjoy the sunset, and the view back along the coast, any day of the week (do note however that outside of visiting times, the grounds are closed off).

You can find the lighthouse here on Google Maps, an easy 45-minute walk from the centre of Carvoeiro.

Visit the Carvoeiro Cat Charity

Long time readers of Along Dusty Roads will know how important animal welfare is to us, and it’s not unusual for us to make a point of promoting rescues, charities and people doing good things for the four-legged community.

In Carvoeiro, this is the Carvoeiro Cat Charity.

Holiday-makers staying here are welcome to visit - at a pre-arranged time - but even if you can’t stop by, you’ll likely see their excellent work dotted around the town in the form of food and basic shelters for specific colonies (like this one on Rua do Farol in Praia do Carvoeiro).

Take a Wander Through the Neighbourhood

Whilst the views from the boardwalk are undeniably beautiful, you can find plenty of other vantage points whichever stairs or street you choose to follow above the town - just be sure to allow enough time to trace a path upwards from both the left and right side of Praia do Carvoeiro fo differing views along the coast.

Top tip // Our favourite gelato place seems to have closed down, but Gelados & Companhia - located here - is also an excellent shout (especially the chocolate).

Top Day Trips From Carvoeiro

A Taste of Local Life in Ferragudo Village

Carvoeiro town is excellent for restaurants, beaches and that holiday vibe but to experience a more traditional Portuguese way of life, take the 10-minute car journey to whitewashed village of Ferragudo.

Fort of São João do Arade (maps) | This impressive fort was built to keep pirates and invaders out and is sometimes also referred to as Castelo de São João do Arade. Sadly it was sold in a private auction towards the end of the 1800s so not open to visitors, but you can admire the exterior.

Praça Rainha Dona Leonor (maps) | This is the main square in Ferragudo and has a good selection of cafes and restaurants with terraces (don’t miss Bar os Três Macacos) - if you happen to be in Ferragudo in the evening, this is the place to be.

From the square, you’ll find loads of narrow, cobbled streets filled with colourful buildings to explore.

Igreja Nossa Senhora da Conceição (maps) | Ferragudo Church sits on a hilltop overlooking the village. Head inside for the rococo-style altarpiece and traditional azulejos, but the main reason to visit is the view from the shaded garden of Portimão and the ocean beyond. Opening hours vary quite significantly depending upon the day so check before you go.

Take a Boat Trip to the Iconic Benagil Cave

Hidden within the Seven Hanging Valleys trail (but inaccessible to hikers) sits a vast, natural cave born of waves, a hole in its ceiling illuminating the sandstone walls and small beach below.

A site gifted to the world by Mother Nature, as far as many photographers and Instagrammers are concerned, there are few locations in the Algarve more iconic that Benagil Cave.

Which explains why it is top of the must-visit list for most who spend time in the region!

As the cave is only accessible by sea however, the issue is getting there.

By far the most popular way to visit the Benagil Cave is on a boat tour (like this one that leaves from Carvoeiro). However do note that most of tours by boat don’t actually allow you to enter the cave on foot, they simply stop nearby the entrance so you can take a photo.

If you’d prefer to physically go into the cave, you’ll need to make your way there by kayak or SUP. You can either do this independently by hiring one from Benagil Beach or alternatively joining a tour - both of the below have hundreds of excellent reviews:

· 2-hour Kayak Tour

· 2-hour SUP Tour

Top Tip // You may read elsewhere that it’s possible to swim to the cave, and whilst this is theoretically possible, it is strongly recommended that you don’t attempt it. The current can be very strong and people have got into difficulties in the past.

Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

There are countless excellent hiking trails along the Algarve coast, but one of the most popular - and indeed best - is the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, a moderately difficult six kilometre each-way hike between the beaches of Praia da Marinha (maps) and Praia do Vale de Centianes (maps).

Tracing the coast, this route follows a relatively straightforward path along the ochre-hued cliffs with stunning views out over picturesque beaches and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. For us, this was a real highlight from our month in the Algarve and is a must-do for anybody with a love for the great outdoors.

We hiked this trail when we were based in Portimão, but the reason we’re including it in this guide is that Praia do Vale de Centianes is located just a couple of kilometres from Carvoeiro, and making the town an ideal base from which to embark on the hike.

We have a complete guide to the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, and you can find full details on how to hike this trail independently there (published soon).

Where to stay In Carvoeiro

There is no shortage of places to stay in Carvoeiro, regardless of your budget. Here are some of our favourites

Airbnb

Casa Boaz | Overlooking the main square and Carvoeiro beach, this stylish one-bedroom apartment also comes with a small terrace perfect for that sundowner aperitivo! Definitely worth taking a look at.

Stylish Studio | Small but perfectly formed, this studio is filled with bohemian styling and has a lovely little terrace with exceptional views over the water.

If you need two-bedrooms, two really great options are this highly-rated option with a roof terrace and shared outdoor pool and this typical house in the centre of the village.

Contemporary Villa | Looking for a little more space? Consider this excellent three-bedroom villa. All mod-cons, it also has a fantastic private pool area.

Or alternatively, if that’s not available, Casa dos Arcos (a beautiful, traditional three-bed villa, also with private pool) is another incredible and luxurious option, whereas Casa Que Sera is a little more budget friendly but still very highly-rated, and although it doesn’t have a pool, it does offer a rooftop hot tub! Casa Da Luz is also an excellent shout.

Cactos House | If you’re only needing a one-bedroom apartment but still like the idea of having access to a pool, consider this wonderful little stylish apartment, just 300m from the beach.

The highly-rated and popular Belo Sol is another great option for those for whom a pool is a deal breaker.

Guest Houses & Boutique hotels

Quinta do Ourives | This family-run B&B is perfect for those that don’t like big resorts (it only has three luxury rooms and three luxury suites), and prefer a contemporary, minimalist design aesthetic - it’s really quite beautiful. It’s located on the top of a hill, about a mile from the beach and has a large pool and excellent communal areas. Find out more here.

O Castelo Guest House | This highly-rated guest house, only a three-minute walk into the centre of town, has incredible sea views and a variety of room options. They offer good value in Carvoeiro, but also do good discounts for longer stays. Find out more here.

Resorts

Tivoli Carvoeiro | If you’re looking for luxury in the heart of Carvoeiro, be sure to check out the 5* Tivoli. It’s a large resort but the quality of accommodation - and communal areas - is outstanding. Expect luxurious rooms, a great pool, several restaurants as well as a spa, sauna and gym. Find out more here.

Monte Santo Resort | Whilst not on the coast per se, the 5* Monte Santo’s gorgeous setting surrounded by a large lake more than makes up for the need to walk or grab a cab the 1 km into town. There’s a gym, spa and outdoor pool. Rooms range from one-bedroom suites to luxury suites and two or three-bedroom townhouses with fully equipped kitchens. Find out more here.

Algar Seco Parque | This gorgeous resort - right on the edge of Algar Seco - offers a variety of bungalows, villas and apartments (some of which have private pools), as well as excellent communal areas and wonderful views. Find out more here.

Carvoeiro Hotel and Rocha Brava Village Resort are also great, good value options.

How to Get to Carvoeiro

Assuming you will be flying into Portugal, you have two airport options to reach Carvoeiro: Faro and Lisbon.

Given its location in the Algarve, Faro is the more logical option however with more limited flight options, depending where you are flying from, you may find more airlines and routes arriving into Lisbon instead.

Faro Airport to Carvoeiro

Rental Car | This is by far the easiest way of getting to Carvoeiro, and several car rental companies have offices at Faro Airport. Hiring your own vehicle also gives you more freedom to head out on day trips and explore the Algarve at your own pace.

We rarely go direct when renting our road trip vehicles, instead preferring to use two popular rental aggregators to compare costs and find the best deal. The two companies we use are AutoEurope and RentalCars - both of which we have had excellent experiences with.

If you’re planning on renting a car during your time in Portugal, we suggest reading ‘Nine Essential Car Rental Tips for Travellers’, for general tips on how to save money on your car hire and avoid some common vehicle rental mistakes.

Shuttle | If you don't require a car for your time on the Algarve, the next best option is paying for a seat on a private shuttle. Please see here for pricing and further information.

Private Transfer | Alternatively, you can opt for a pre-booked private transfer from the airport.

Bus | There are unfortunately no direct public buses from Faro Airport to Carvoeiro, Instead, you will need to hop on the Number 16 bus into Faro, transfer on a bus to Lagoa and then a second change in Lagoa to a bus that will take you Carvoeiro. Before attempting this route, we'd highly recommend taking a look at the EVA Transport website.

Train | There is no train station in Carvoeiro, and as such we don't recommend this route. Trust us, we did it - way too many steps, and way too much waiting around!

Taxi | With fares starting at around €65 in the week and nearer to €80 on evenings, weekends and holidays, this is the most expensive option. We'd advise booking a private transfer instead.

Lisbon Airport to Carvoeiro

Rental Car | The drive from Lisbon to Carvoeiro is 2.5 or 3.5 hours depending on whether you pay for or avoid toll roads. Check prices on and availability on AutoEurope and RentalCars

Bus | There are no direct buses from Lisbon to Carvoeiro. Instead you will need to change in Lagoa. You can check long distance buses here.

Train | As mentioned above, there is no train station in Carvoeiro, therefore you will need to hop on a train to either Estômbar-Lagoa (6 km from Carvoeiro) or Parchal (7.7 km from Carvoeiro) and then take a taxi or local bus to your accommodation. You can check train times and book tickets here.