Things to do in Carvoeiro Algarve: Best Activities and Trips

Visiting this little beach town for a day or longer? Discover all the things to do in Carvoeiro Algarve besides its beautiful beach

After picking our rental car up at Faro Airport we drove straight to Carvoeiro town. We couldn’t have asked for a better first impression of the Algarve.

This little beach town has almost everything this part of Portugal is known for.

Carvoeiro Algarve is mostly known for its beach located right in town. But there is much more to do such as visiting the Algar Seco Rocks, going on a boat tour to the Benagil caves, and exploring nearby beaches and towns.

We visited Carvoeiro in February and were surprised by how many tourists there were, including retirees in shorts who probably escaped the cold European winters.

And we don’t blame them…

The town in Logao Municipality has a relaxing atmosphere with pretty little streets and stunning views over the ocean.

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Best Things to do in Carvoeiro

There are many things to do in Carvoeiro Algarve, for the (less 🙂) active traveler. Beaches and sights are within walking distance from town. And with its central location, you can easily explore more of the Algarve from Carvoeiro.

1. Enjoy Praia Carvoeiro

When you arrive at Carvoeiro town you can’t miss the beach. It is located right at the end of the main street.

Carvoeiro beach is a soft sandy beach set between two ocher-colored cliffs. There are a lot of restaurants on one side and facilities such as public toilets on the other.

The beach was deserted in February, but we can imagine that this changes in the summer months. The beach is easily accessible from town, making it very popular.

If you want something more quiet, head to the nearby beaches. Also, make sure you climb up the cliffs on both sides to enjoy the view of the beach and the white houses.

2. Algar Seco Rocks

The Algar Seco Rocks are probably the number ONE things to do in Carvoeiro Algarve. We had a great time exploring the little paths along the cliffs, entering caves, and being amazed at how strong the waves entered the rock pools.

Algar Seco is a great place to see the eroded limestone cliffs from up close created 24 to 16 million years ago. If you look even closer you will find fossils dating back from thousands of years ago.

The limestone cliffs are prone to erosion from wind and (ground)water creating a network of wells and galleries. It is pretty incredible to be able to walk around this natural site.

3. Carvoeiro Boardwalk

The boardwalk at Carvoeiro is the ideal place to stroll along the coastal line and admire the gorgeous views of the ocean and ochre-colored cliffs, and on a clear day, you can even see Lagos and Sagres in the distance. It’s around 300m long and it takes about 10 minutes one way.

It is a great way to walk from Carvoeiro town to the Algar Seco Rocks. Just take the road up on the left side of the beach. Continue walking and you will eventually bump into the boardwalk.

The boardwalk starts near Forte de Nossa Senhora da Encarnação (Fort of Our Lady of the Incarnation) and ends just before the parking area of the Algar Seco Rocks site.

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Visit The Beaches

4. Hike to Praia de Vale Covo

The beach Praia de Vale Covo is in front of the big Tivoli Carvoeiro resort, just past the Algar Seco Rocks. It’s about a 1,5 km walk from town.

You need to plan your visit if you want to spend some time at this beach. This small patch of sand is only accessible at low tide.

Some stairs will take you down. It’s a wonderful beach to explore and the cliffs protect you from the wind. There are no facilities, so bring enough water and food so you can spend more time here.

5. Swim at Praia do Paraíso

Just 400m west of Carvoeiro beach you can find a small beach called Praia do Paraiso. It is tucked away between the cliffs and only accessible at low tide. The little pools that appear during this time are perfect for swimming too.

Stairs will take you down to the beach which is usually less crowded than the one at Carvoeiro. So ideal if you want a beach more to yourself.

The hike to the beach provides stunning views of Carvoeiro town. There are no facilities at this beach, but there is a nice little restaurant just at the entrance called Mar d’Fora that serves delicious food. As you can imagine, it is also a wonderful place for sunset dinners.

There is a small parking lot at Praia do Paraíso.

6. Fall in Love with Praia da Marinha

The beautiful (and famous) beach Praia da Marinha isn’t one of the neighboring beaches, but it is just a 15-minute drive from town. We added it to the list of beaches, as this is one of the beaches you don’t want to miss when visiting Carvoeiro.

Praia da Marinha is one of the best beaches we visited in the Algarve.

When arriving at the beach you will first be treated to stunning views, before going down a nice path down. The soft sandy beach is pretty big and the cliffs are spectacular.

It is one of those beaches where you can just spend a whole day and not get tired of the views, water, and surroundings.

There is a big parking area if you arrive by car. You can also consider taking an Uber. They are widely available in the Algarve region.

There is a hop-on-hop-off bus that stops at this beach too.

The Seven Hanging Valleys hike starts near Carvoeiro and ends at Praia da Marinha. So you can also hike to this beach, which we highly recommend outside the hot summer months.

Hike the best trails

7. Trail of Headlands

The trail of Headlands starts 500m from Carvoeiro town, at the restaurant on the cliff of Praia do Paraíso (beach). It will take you along the coast with magnificent views, spectacular headlands, and little villages to Praia do Molho (beach) in Ferragudo.

The hike can be challenging at some points, so you need to prepare yourself. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and food (lunch if you are going in the off-season).

The hike is linear and is 6km one way. The signposted hike (one-way) will take you around 1,5 hours to complete. You can either start at Carvoeiro or Ferragudo. There is parking available at both locations. A bus runs between both towns too.

8. Seven Hanging Valleys (Setes Vales)

The Seven Hanging Valleys garden is probably the most popular trail in the Western Algarve. Depending on how you want to walk, this trail starts at Praia do Vale de Centianes (beach) near Carvoeiro and ends at Praia da Marinha (beach)

The dirt trail along the golden cliffs provides stunning views of the blue-green ocean, deserted beaches, and magnificent headlands. It is an easy trail to follow, however you have to be somewhat fit to tackle several rocky climbs.

The trail is about 6km one way. You will need half a day to complete it there and back. You can also do half of the trail and start/end at one of the points along the way such as Farol de Alfanzina (lighthouse) or the beaches Praia do Carvalho, or Praia de Benagil.

Join a tour

9. Discover Benagil Caves

Benagil Cave is a huge sea cave with holes in the ceiling and several entrances from the sea. It has a beach as well and becomes more visible at low tide.

It is a stunning place, especially when you realize it was created by thousands of years of erosion. When the light is right you will see various shades of yellow inside the cave.

You can only reach the cave by water. You can rent a kayak or sup and go exploring yourself. However, we suggest going by tour; either a kayak tour or by boat.

A tour will take you to the Benagil cave, but it will explore other beautiful cliffs and rock formations along the way too.

Boat tours leave from Cavoeiro year-round and will pass the magnificent Algar Rock formations. Or you can head to Benagil Beach and hop on a boat leaving from this beach. There are many places to arrange a tour in front of Benagil Beach.

As you can imagine, it can get incredibly busy in and around the cave during the summer. The best time to go in that period is early in the morning.

10. Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting

Portugal is known for its wine. So what better way to spend a day exploring a beautiful vineyard and sipping various wines?

Carvoeiro is an excellent place to head inland for a vineyard tour nearby Lagoa. They will take you to estates where a variety of wines is made.

Tours usually take up to 2 hours and pick-up can be arranged from Carvoeiro.

Go on a day trip

11. Charming Ferragudo

We visited Ferragudo on a winter afternoon. We experienced this picturesque town with narrow streets as sleepy. There was no one around.

But we know that in summer its old town draws a crowd for its colorful little street called R Dr. Luiz Antonio dos Santos. Luckily there is more than just this ‘ popular Instagram’ street 😉

The white-washed cottaged town has maintained its traditional fishing character. It is a lovely town to walk around and follow the stairs down to the marina where the fishermen are busy preparing the nets.

Portimão and Praia da Rocha lies just across the river. A water taxi can take you to the other side from where you have a beautiful view of Ferragudo.

Carvoeiro to Ferragudo is 12 minutes by car.

12. Historic Silves

Today Silves is known for its well-preserved red castle, however, in the past it had a historical significance dating to the 8th century.

We enjoyed walking through the hilly town up to the castle, with stunning views of the area.

Don’t forget to walk down to the riverside to have a nice full view of the castle and the cathedral of Silves.

A visit to Silves can easily be combined with Ferrugudo.

Carvoeiro to Silves: is 20 minutes by car

13. Roadtrip Faro-Carvoeiro-Lagos

Carvoeiro is perfectly located between Faro and Lagos. It is an ideal place to stop for a night on a road trip through the Algarve.

We added one night in Cavoeiro for our suggested Algarve 3-day itinerary.

If you are considering doing a one-week road trip through the Algarve then perhaps our suggestions can save you time figuring out the best route

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What is the best time to visit Carvoeiro Portugal?

After visiting Algarve in winter, we think the best time to go to Carvoeiro is outside the summer season. Not only to avoid the large crowds (it can get extremely busy here) but also because of the temperatures.

A lot of things to do in Cavoeiro involve walking. In summer it can get very hot (which is ideal for the beach) with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celcius or higher. This makes it pretty tough to explore the villages and hike along the coastal beaches.

Unless you head out early in the morning or late afternoon.

But of course, every season has its pros and cons. In the end, it all depends on what you want to do. Active travelers would love a bit of clouds and wind, while a beach lover can’t wait to cool down in the stunning calm ocean.

If temperatures are the biggest factor in deciding when to go then make sure you take this in mind:

Spring (March, April, May)

• Temperatures °C: Lowest 9, Highest 23
• Rainfall: 38mm in March and April, 21mm in May

Summer (June, July, August)

• Temperatures °C: Lowest 15, Highest 29
• Rainfall: 8mm in June, 1mm to 4mm in July and August

Autumn (September, October, November)

• Temperatures °C: Lowest 10, Highest 26
• Rainfall: between 14 and 67mm in September and October, 86mm in November

In Winter (December, January, February)

• Temperatures °C: Lowest 8, Highest 16
• Rainfall: December has the most rainfall with 94mm, January and February around 75mm

Wind also plays a huge part in how cold or warm it feels. It is the most windy in December while the wind is calmer in the summer.

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Where to stay at Carvoeiro

Apartments

Placid Village has self-catering apartments. There is an outdoor pool and a padel court and it is just a 20 minutes walk from town. It is located in a quiet area and is a wonderful option if you are in Carvoeiro for a longer period, especially in the summer months. There is free parking at the accommodation.

Casa Coral is a one-bedroom apartment near the beach, restaurants, and shops. It can get really busy in the summer, so we only recommend booking a stay here in the other months. Parking is available free of charge

Apartamento Quinta do Paraíso is perfect to stay for more than just a night or two. With all its amenities, washing machine and kitchen utensils it is easy to make yourself feel at home here.

Right in Carvoeiro Town

Hotel Carvoeiro Plaza is located with a view of the main beach in town. It is an excellent place to spend a night or two to enjoy Carvoeiro to the fullest. Again, we don’t suggest staying here during the high season because this area is the busiest and it can get very noisy.

Villa Welwitshia With just a 5-minute walk from town this accommodation is close to town but located in a quiet area. It has spacious rooms, a terrace and a pool. Ideal for families.

Casa Ocean is just a stone’s throw away from the beach. Just like any other accommodation in the heart of town, it is an ideal place to stay during the low season. It is close to everything you need.

LovelyStay – Casa Palmeira Azul is the place to be if traveling as a family with 2 or more kids, or as a group. It’s a two-bedroom house and has a nice patio to relax at the start or end of the day. Close to the town center.

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How to get to Carvoeiro the Algarve

Flight

The nearest international airport to Carvoeiro is Faro Airport (FAO), located approximately 64 kilometers (40 miles) away. Many airlines offer direct flights to Faro from various European cities.

Car Rental

Renting a car is the perfect way to explore Carvoeiro and its surroundings. Distances to the highlights of the Algarve are often within a 1-hour drive.

Many rental car companies operate in the surroundings of Faro Airport. The drive from Faro to Carvoeiro takes about 55 minutes via the toll road (A22).

We highly recommend avoiding the toll road though. Instead, take the N125. This road will take you along the smaller towns and beautiful landscapes. Taking the toll road doesn’t save you that much time.

Taxi

Once you arrive at Faro airport you will see signs pointing you to the taxi stands. However, it is the most expensive option to go to Carvoeiro. It will take you about 55 minutes from Faro airport to Carvoeiro

Airport Transfers

Airport transfer is a comfortable way to travel to Carvoeiro. The driver waits for you at the arrival hall and whisks you straight to Carvoeiro. You can find many companies offering this service. One way from Faro Aiport to Carvoeiro is about €60.

Another option is to check if your accommodation offers airport transfers. This can sometimes even be for free or slightly less than the regular service.

Public Bus

While there isn’t a direct bus route from Faro Airport to Carvoeiro, there is a bus from the Faro city center. You can take a taxi or bus from the airport to Faro bus station (Terminal Rodoviário), then catch a bus to Carvoeiro. The journey typically involves a transfer to Lagoa.

Train

Although there isn’t a train station in Carvoeiro, you can take a train from Faro to nearby cities like Lagos or Portimão, then continue to Carvoeiro by bus, taxi, or rental car.

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How to get around Carvoeiro

The center of Carvoeiro is small and hilly so it is best to go by foot. If you are arriving by car there are a couple of public parking areas in and around town.

Just enter ‘parking’ in google maps and you will soon find a selection of parking lots.

If you want to explore more around Carvoeiro and do not have a rental car, then the Hop On Hop Off Bus is an ideal way to explore sights outside town. It takes you to Portimão, Ferragudo and all the way to Praia da Marinha with many beach stops in between. One-day pass costs 10-15 euros, 2-day pass 15-20 euros.

There is also a tourist train. This service leaves every 40 minutes from the main square at the bottom of the hill. It’s a 30-minute tour around the town and stops at all major resorts in town. It costs 3-5 euros.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carvoeiro worth visiting?

Carvoeiro Portugal is definitely worth visiting as this lovely town offers everything the Algarve is known for: limestone cliff beaches, crystal clear water, impressive rock formations, and hiking trails. It is centrally located and therefore a perfect base to explore more of the Algarve. 

Is Carvoeiro good for couples?

Carvoeiro town and its beach in Portugal make it an ideal destination for families. However, couples will enjoy its beautiful surroundings. Walk along the boardwalk at sunset, explore rock formations at Algar Seco, and enjoy hiking trails and quiet beaches nearby. End the day with a sunset dinner. 

Is Carvoeiro a sandy beach?

Carvoeiro beach is a soft sandy beach set between two cliffs. It is an ideal beach for sunbathing, swimming, and playing in the sand. You can find the beach right at the end of the main street in town. There are many restaurants, shops, and accommodations. nearby. Public toilets are also available.

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Conclusion: Best things to do in Carvoeiro Algarve

Carvoeiro is a lovely base to explore this part of the Algarve. There are many things to do so you can easily spend a couple of nights here.

It offers activities for all types of travelers: the active hiker, the beach hopper, and the cultural lover.

However, it’s a small town that fills up quickly during the summer holiday. Therefore plan your trip to this lovely town according to your expectations and what you wish to do.

If you are planning a trip outside the peak season, check out our post on how we experienced the Algarve in winter and all the things you can do.

We think Carvoeiro is a lovely town and can imagine there is a lively atmosphere in the late spring and summer. There is enough choice in restaurants and shops and the town center is nice to walk around. It is a town you should visit when exploring the Algarve.

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