Carvoeiro: a cozy Algarve village on the rocks
Carvoeiro Algarve: Tips for seeing & doing
Carvoeiro, also known as Praia de Carvoeiro, is a picturesque and colourful town in the central Algarve, just an hour’s drive from Faro. Unlike nearby Portimão, Carvoeiro has almost no high-rise buildings, making it feel much more authentic and welcoming. know as the Santorini of Portugal, Filled with traditional-style houses, you’ll feel like you’re in the real Portugal as you stroll through the winding streets and the smells of Portuguese cuisine waft towards you.
Carvoeiro was once a fishing village, but has developed over the last few decades into a popular destination for visitors to the Algarve. Fortunately, it has retained much of its original charm and character, making it a popular destination for a day of Portuguese nature and culture. One of the highlights of Carvoeiro is the adjacent beach, which is surrounded by photogenic cliffs. The beach is ideal for sunbathing & swimming and within a 2-minute walk you will find many cozy restaurants and cafes.
There are also many other attractions in the area surrounding Carvoeiro, including the Algar Seco, a natural rock formation with beautiful views. The famous dome-shaped Benagil cave is also nearby.
On this page you can read my tips and recommendations for a visit to Carvoeiro: from sights to hotel tips and delicious restaurants. Welcome to Carvoeiro!
The Brief History of Carvoeiro
According to historical sources, the earliest name of this settlement is Caboiere, which is an old name for a fishermen’s hamlet. The fishing industry was the basis of the local economy for most of its history, starting from the Islamic-medieval period.
During the 16th century, Carvoeiro was the scene of frequent pirate and military attacks and naval battles off the coast, probably due to its central location in the region.
From the 1960s onwards, fishing faded into the background and another category of income took the lead: tourism. With the construction of many new hotels, apartment complexes, shops and roads, the town flourished and saw a huge increase in visitors.
Carvoeiro became an independent parish (ecclesiastical area served by a priest) in 1985 and was granted city status on 19 April 2001.
Carvoeiro top 9 sights
Carvoeiro has a number of nice sights that are definitely worth seeing during a visit to this place. Even though it is (fortunately?) not as big as for example Albufeira, you can easily spend a whole day here if you combine a walk through the center and along the coast with a number of other nice stops that can be found in the area.
As a base for your holiday, Carvoeiro is an ideal choice, as it is located almost in the middle of the Algarve. Sagres in the west is an hour’s drive away, as is Tavira in the east. It also has numerous nice apartments and guesthouses that are affordable if you book in advance.
These are the top 9 sights in Carvoeiro that I recommend visiting:
1. Praia de Carvoeiro
Praia de Carvoeirois definitely the highlight of the town. This small but nice beach is enclosed on both sides by colorful cliffs, where you can take beautiful pictures of the coastline from above.
In high season there are sunbeds for rent and lifeguards are present. There is also a tent where you can get massages.
Right behind the beach you will find a wide range of cafes and restaurants where you can sit down for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a sunset cocktail. My recommendations can be found further down the page.
2. Passadiços do Carvoeiro / Algar Seco
A stop not to be missed is the Passadiços do Carvoeiro (also called Algar Seco): a 570-metre-long wooden boardwalk built along the cliffs.
At various points you can take the stairs off the path and climb over and along the rocks with the ocean in the background. At the eastern end of the path you will find the Boneca Bar, which is built in the middle of the rocks and where you can go for a cocktail or a bite.
3. Rua dos Pescadores, Rua do Barranco & Estrada do Farol
The three main streets in Carvoeiro are R. dos Pescadores, R. do Barranco & Estr. do Farol. Here you will find by far the most atmospheric restaurants, bars & shops. At Bananna Café you can go for a good cup of coffee or ice cream, while in Loja da Fabrica you will find typical Portuguese pottery.
Feeling thirsty? Then a cocktail at Bar Havana is the answer on a hot summer day.
4. Farol de Alfanzina
The Farol de Alfanzina is an old fashioned lighthouse a few minutes drive from the centre. From the cliffs around you have a beautiful view of the surroundings.
Right next to the lighthouse you will find the Gruta do Farol de Alfanzina, which is a large cave that you can look into from above. Luckily there are fences around it, so you won’t just fall down!
5. Praia do Paraíso & viewpoint
The Praia do Paraíso is a tiny beach next to Praia de Carvoeiro. You can walk all the way down by means of a stone staircase. The beach is not big enough to lie on and the sea almost reaches the rocks at high tide.
Still, the walk down is worth it if you want to take a nice photo or are ready for a bit of exercise.
6. Forte de Nossa Senhora da Encarnação
The Forte de Nossa Senhora da Encarnação is a beautifully decorated church on the tip of a high cliff. Even if you have a quick look at the church, the view from the parking lot over the sea is worth the walk there.
7. De Benagil Cave
The Benagil Cave is one of the most photographed locations in the Algarve. This sea cave can only be reached from the water and has a ‘natural skylight’ through which sunlight shines.
You can no longer visit the inside of the cave by boat, be aware that it is a very popular destination, so it can quickly feel very crowded.
8. Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos
The Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos, also known as the ‘seven hanging valleys route’, is a walking route of approximately 7 kilometers along one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Algarve.
The route officially runs from Praia do Vale de Centeanes to Praia da Marinha, but you can continue on either side if you wish. Expect quite a few ups and downs, so wear good walking shoes.
9. Praia do Vale de Centeanes
Perched beneath towering cliffs, Praia do Vale de Centeanes is one of the most photogenic beaches near Carvoeiro and is also the start or end point of the Percuso dos Seta Vales Suspensos, a popular hiking trail along the Algarve’s rugged coastline.
Carvoeiro top 6 activites
Most activities and excursions in this part of the Algarve are organised from nearby Portimão, but Carvoeiro and the surrounding area also offer a number of fun activities to fill your day.
These are the top 6 activities in and around Carvoeiro:
1. Benagil-grot & Praia da Marinha boat tour
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Boat trips depart from Carvoeiro beach to the beautiful Benagil Cave and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve: Praia da Marinha.
You will sail to the Benagil cave in a small speedboat with an experienced captain, passing beautiful rock formations and beaches along the way, such as Praia da Marinha.
The tour takes about an hour and a half and is definitely worth it if you are staying in Carvoeiro and want to explore the Benagil cave.
2. Slide & Splash waterpark
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If no availability calendar appears below, the park is still closed.
A fantastic day out for young and old is Slide & Splash Waterpark. This spacious outdoor pool has numerous slides and pools, my favorite is the Big wave, such an adrenaline rush, you can easily spend a whole day here.
Slide & Splash is located just outside Carvoeiro, just a 15 minute drive away. Pre-order discounted tickets online and skip the line.
The park is closed in winter.
3. Morgado do Quintão Estate Lunch and Wine Tasting
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The Algarve is not only known for sun and sea, but also for its excellent vineyards. Combine tasting various Algarve wines with a delicious Portuguese lunch during a visit to Morgado do Quintão.
With only a handful of visitors at a time, this is a very nice and personal setting to taste the typical wines of the area while enjoying a three-course lunch.
4. Visit the sardine factory Conserveira do Arade
The canning industry was one of the Algarve’s main sources of income for decades. Fresh fish was caught, processed and canned here before being shipped to other parts of the country and abroad.
Although most of the factories have long since closed their doors, there are still a few in operation. In this modern canning factory, you can visit for a tour and see how the entire process works. You can book a 50-minute tour via the Conserveiro do Arade website and it costs €10.00 per adult. Children enter for free.
5. Sand Sculpture Park Sand City Lagoa
Sand City Lagoa is a sand sculpture park where dozens of artists from several countries create new life-size sand sculptures every year.
Here you will find more than 120 sculptures, a snack bar and if you don’t feel like walking or have difficulty walking, you can rent an electric buggy to drive through the park.
The park is closed in winter.
6. Wine tasting and tour at a vineyard near Carvoeiro
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The Algarve is known for its fine wines, so a visit to one of the many vineyards is a must! At the Quinta dos Vales vineyard you can book a tour where a guide takes you around the estate and shows you how wine is made.
After the tour it is time for a tasting and afterwards you can take some of your favorite bottles home with you from the shop.
Restaurant tips for Carvoeiro
Given the beauty of Carvoeiro and its adjacent beach, there has been no shortage of restaurants in the area since the rise of tourism. Some of them are particularly popular with English pub-goers, but if that’s not your scene, there are plenty of other excellent restaurants with a variety of menus. Here are my restaurant tips for Carvoeiro:
- Organic. A gem in this tourist hotspot for anyone looking for a healthy and tasty meal. Delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch options with juices & smoothies, coffee & tea. Family run business with a super friendly mom and daughter.
- Tapas da VilaIf you fancy tapas and a good glass of wine, then Tapas da Vila is the place for you.
- Levels.I have my doubts about the quality of some restaurants that are right on the beach – after all, people will come anyway – but at Levels they deliver the quality you would expect from a hip-looking place like this!
- Gurkha Kitchen. Fancy something different from Portuguese? Why not a Nepalese or Indian evening? At Gurkha Kitchen you will feel like you are in the Far East for a few hours.
Carvoeiro accommodation tips
In addition to a wide range of restaurants and cafes, Carvoeiro also has more than enough hotels, resorts & B&Bs where you can stay during your holiday to the Algarve. Carvoeiro is an excellent place to use as a base if you have a car. From here you can reach any nice place in the Algarve within an hour.
With so many hotels in Carvoeiro to choose from, finding the perfect accommodation can be a time-consuming process. To help you get started, here are my top 3 favourite places to stay in Carvoeiro:
These are my 3 hotel tips for Carvoeiro:
1. Tivoli Carvoeiro
Tivoli Carvoeiro is a stylish 5-star resort located directly on the ocean. Here you can completely relax while looking out over the sea from the pool or from the bar. In high season you can use a free shuttle service to nearby beaches and the in-house restaurant is very popular among guests.
The hotel is within walking distance of the centre, right next to the wooden deck of the Algar Seco.
2. Villa Welwitshia
Villa Welwitshia is a nice small-scale accommodation with only a handful of rooms. The hotel is within walking distance of the center, making it an ideal location if you want to leave the car in the evening and go for a drink.
In the morning breakfast is served in the breakfast room, after which you can take a refreshing dip in the pool. Villa Welwitshia has its own parking lot so if you have your own car you will not have to constantly look for a parking space!
3. O Quintal Guesthouse
Small but nice. That’s how I would describe O Quintal Guesthouse. This cozy guesthouse is run by a mother and daughter duo and is a hidden gem. Even though the rooms are not super big, they have everything you need for a relaxing stay.
On the shared terrace a small pool awaits you as well as a few hammocks. Ideal if you want to escape the hustle and bustle. From O Quintal Guesthouse it is only a 2-minute walk to Praia de Carvoeiro.
Affordable car rental in the Algarve
The best way to discover all the beauty in the Algarve is with a rental car. By renting a car for a few days you can much more easily reach the sights and activities that are not always accessible by public transport.
By renting a car from Luzcar, you are helping a local family business run by Portuguese entrepreneurs. This way you support the local economy and you also get top service, which is often a stark contrast to the large corporations. Luzcar is based in Lagos, but they also offer cars at the airport in Faro. This way you can pick up the car immediately upon arrival and return it at the airport upon departure.
Luzcar’s reputation speaks for itself. Almost 5 out of 5 on Google Maps.
Parking in Carvoeiro
Parking in Carvoeiro is free, but finding a parking space in high season is not easy (I can tell you from experience..). It is best to park just outside the centre.
More of our local tips for your Portugal adventure
⭐ Check out our favourite sights in the Algarve on this page
⛵ Check out this overview of all activities you can do in the Algarve
🚗 This is the best car rental company in the Algarve
📌 Discover the top towns and cities to visit in the Algarve here
🏖 These are our favourite beaches in the Algarve
🛎 Get inspired with our local tips for accommodations in the Algarve
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