Contents:

Algar Seco

Carvoeiro Boardwalk

The Famous Benagil Cave

Praia da Marinha beach, famous “M”-shaped rock formation

Albuferia

We didn’t rush through our last full day in the Algarve. The morning started slowly and peacefully, and this time we set out to explore the charming seaside town of Carvoeiro, near Portimão, along with the nearby natural wonder of Algar Seco.

Algar Seco – Nature’s Own Masterpiece

Algar Seco lies just about one kilometre from Carvoeiro. We parked at the end of the Carvoeiro Boardwalk closest to Algar Seco and began our walk along the wooden coastal path towards the town.

This dramatic landscape of cliffs, caves, natural pools and rock formations looks almost lunar. Shaped by the sea and wind over centuries, the eroded limestone cliffs create a truly unique scenery that makes Algar Seco one of the highlights of the Algarve coast.

Along the path stands the picturesque Boneca Bar, which was still closed when we passed by around 10 a.m., but it’s worth walking down to it anyway — from here you can access a tunnel leading to the Gruta da Boneca (“Doll’s Cave”).

Descending into the cave, two natural “windows” open up before you, framing a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of Carvoeiro’s most famous viewpoints. As the sunlight filters through the rock, the cave’s interior glows in warm golden hues. We were lucky to have the place entirely to ourselves for a few minutes — just enough time to admire the view and take some photos in peace.

Family-Friendly Walk on the Carvoeiro Boardwalk

Since we were travelling with a young child, we decided not to venture further into the rugged cliffs — those steep, uneven trails are better suited to experienced hikers. Instead, we continued along the Carvoeiro Boardwalk towards the Forte e Capela de Nossa Senhora da Encarnação (Fort and Chapel of Our Lady of the Incarnation).

This small seaside fort and chapel once formed part of Carvoeiro’s coastal defences. From here, you get a beautiful view over Carvoeiro Bay and the surrounding rock arches.

The boardwalk is very well maintained, easy to walk, and ideal for families. There are benches, scenic viewpoints, and shaded resting spots where you can pause to soak in the endless ocean views. The Carvoeiro Boardwalk turned out to be perfect for a relaxed morning stroll.

Cliffs, Views and the Beach of Carvoeiro

As we continued along the wooden path towards the town, we stopped several times to take in the panoramic views of Carvoeiro’s beach and whitewashed houses. The combination of golden sand, turquoise sea, and charming coastal village created a picture-perfect scene. From the viewpoints we also noticed several boat tours departing from the beach — including trips to the famous Benagil Cave.

If you’re planning a boat, kayak or SUP tour, it’s best to book online in advance, for example via GetYourGuide or Tiqets, to avoid queues and secure your preferred time slot.

Near the beach entrance, along the boardwalk, there are plenty of cosy cafés, bars and restaurants. We stopped for a coffee and ice cream, enjoying the sunshine and salty sea breeze before wandering back to our car through the lively streets filled with souvenir shops and colourful storefronts.

The Famous Benagil Cave

Our next destination was the world-renowned Benagil Cave (Algar de Benagil) – one of Europe’s most impressive natural wonders. This massive sea cave, carved by the power of the Atlantic, features a circular opening in its ceiling known as “the eye,” through which sunlight illuminates the sandy beach inside.

During the summer months, the area is extremely popular, and we did encounter some traffic on the road leading to the beach. Parking is limited, so it’s worth arriving early. When we got there, the main car park was already full, so we found a spot along the roadside a bit farther away and walked about eight minutes on a marked path to reach the top of the cave.

From Praia de Benagil, it takes roughly five minutes on foot to reach the upper viewpoint. For safety reasons, the top of the cave is fenced off — it’s important to stay behind the barrier, as the ground can be unstable. Although there are many warning signs, most people ignored them and took photos from inside the fence.

Even from outside the fenced area, we had an excellent view of the cave’s famous “eye” and the sandy beach below.

Since the beach was clearly very crowded, we decided not to go down with our little one. Instead, after admiring the cave from above, we headed back to the car and continued on to another iconic spot: Praia da Marinha, often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Tip: If you want to visit Benagil Cave by boat, kayak or SUP, make sure to book online in advance through platforms like GetYourGuide or Tiqets. Tours sell out quickly — especially for morning and sunset slots, which are the most popular. Booking ahead not only guarantees your spot but often means smaller groups and more flexible departure times.

Relaxing at Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha is often described as one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal – and even in the world. And it truly deserves that reputation. The golden sandy cove, the dramatic limestone cliffs, and the deep blue Atlantic Ocean create a picture-perfect view that often graces the covers of travel magazines.

You reach the beach via a long staircase that becomes quite steep towards the end – something to keep in mind if you’re visiting with a young child. We parked in the designated car park, where a cosy food truck offered coffee, ice cream, and hot dogs – the perfect little stop before heading down to the beach.

At the top of the stairs, there’s a viewpoint where we paused to admire the panorama. The view over the cove, framed by rugged cliffs and the shimmering ocean, was simply breathtaking.

Beach time with a toddler – what to keep in mind

The water here gets deep rather quickly, so with our little girl we stayed close to the shore, splashing in the shallows. The beach was perfect for building sandcastles, collecting pebbles, and looking for seashells – all simple joys of a family beach day.

A fun coincidence made the morning even better – we ran into a lovely couple and their little boy we’d already met a few days earlier on another beach.

We spent about an hour and a half enjoying the sun and sea before starting the climb back up the stairs. Before returning to the car, we walked over to the famous “M”-shaped rock formation, a natural arch that locals call “the cathedral.” From a certain angle, it even forms a heart shape, and it’s one of the most iconic photo spots in the Algarve.

Hiking Opportunity: Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos – The “Seven Hanging Valleys” Trail

From Praia da Marinha starts one of the Algarve’s most scenic coastal hiking routes, the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos – or Seven Hanging Valleys Trail – which runs between Carvoeiro and Praia da Marinha. The full trail is about 6 km one way (12 km round trip) and follows the top of the cliffs, offering spectacular ocean views.

It’s a moderate hike, with some steep ascents and descents. With a young child, I wouldn’t recommend doing the entire route, but shorter sections – such as the stretch from the beach to the “M” rock – are pleasant and very manageable. We took turns carrying our daughter and still fully enjoyed the scenery.

If you plan to tackle the longer section, make sure to wear good walking shoes, bring plenty of water, sun protection, a hat, and a charged phone with GPS or a map. For anyone hiking with a toddler, a baby carrier is strongly recommended.

The full trail takes around 3–4 hours, depending on how many stops you make for photos and breaks along the way.

Onward to Albufeira

After leaving the beach, we drove to Albufeira, about a 30-minute journey – just long enough for our daughter to nap in the car.

We arrived in Albufeira around 4:30 p.m. and quickly found parking. Since we approached the town from this side, our first stop was the Pau da Bandeira viewpoint, which offers a fantastic panoramic view of the Old Town, the Praia dos Pescadores (Fishermen’s Beach), the fishing boats, and the endless sea. Benches line the terrace, so we sat down for a few minutes simply to take in the view before riding the escalator down to the Old Town.

Dinner in Albufeira

The lively charm of the Old Town captured us immediately – cobbled streets, bustling squares, and restaurants in every direction. Since we were already hungry, we stopped at Kebab Albufeira before exploring further – and it turned out to be our best meal of the entire trip!

The doner kebab was fresh, delicious, and perfectly seasoned. The staff were friendly, quick, and helpful, even offering suggestions on what to choose. The prices were very reasonable, especially for the quality. The restaurant was in a quiet side street, so it was peaceful and relaxed – ideal for dining with a child – yet still just a short walk from all the main attractions.

Evening Stroll through the Old Town

After dinner, we wandered through the Old Town’s charming streets, the perfect setting for an evening stroll. The atmosphere was a mix of relaxation and liveliness – peaceful artisan shops tucked away in narrow alleys, and musicians, restaurants, and cheerful crowds in the squares. Sometimes perhaps a bit too cheerful…

In recent years, Albufeira has become well known for its party scene, and while that wasn’t what we came for, we could already feel the energy building in some areas — louder groups, upbeat music, and colourful cocktails. We preferred the city’s historic side – the calm walks, sea views, and family-friendly atmosphere – so this other vibe felt a bit out of place for us. Fortunately, Albufeira is diverse enough that everyone can find their own favourite corner.

Our first stop after dinner was the Torre do Relógio (Clock Tower), one of the town’s landmarks, just a short walk from the restaurant. Once part of a former mosque’s minaret, the tower’s bell still marks the passing of time and stands as a reminder of Albufeira’s multicultural history.

We continued our walk toward Largo Duarte Pacheco, a lively square that serves as the heart of the town, filled with cafés, restaurants, concerts, and street performances. From here, we wandered into the narrow side streets branching off in every direction.

Rua da Igreja Velha – the Street of the Old Church – was one of our favourites, a narrow cobbled lane where you can truly feel the Portuguese charm, lined with tiny artisan shops and local crafts.

In the heart of the Old Town stands the Church of St. Anne (Igreja de Santa Ana), a small 18th-century church. Behind its simple white façade, you’ll find baroque details and a peaceful interior that offers a quiet moment away from the lively streets.

On our way back, we passed by the Portal de Villa, a stylish bar at the edge of the historic centre. The terrace is said to offer lovely sea views, although we didn’t go up this time. Many people start their evenings here before heading into Albufeira’s nightlife.

We then walked towards Praia dos Pescadores – the Fishermen’s Beach, which used to be a working beach for local fishermen and is now a vibrant stretch of golden sand, loved by both locals and tourists. Behind it lies a maze of restaurants, bars, and winding streets of the Old Town.

That was enough for us for one evening. We took the escalator back up to the viewpoint, looked back one last time to take in the stunning night panorama, and said goodbye to the city.

We arrived back at the hotel around 8 p.m., happy and tired. Luckily, we didn’t have to pack yet – check-out wasn’t until noon the next day.