Free walking tours in Carvoeiro and what to see

Must-sees

Carvoeiro is a former fishing village tucked into a small Algarve cove, with white houses climbing the slopes on both sides of the beach. Fishing boats still line up on the sand, and from the viewpoint by the Church of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação you can see the whole bay.

A short distance away is Algar Seco, a group of rocks, arches and natural pools reached by steps. A wooden boardwalk runs east along the clifftops, and the Seven Hanging Valleys trail leads to Marinha beach and Benagil, whose cave is one of the most famous images of the Algarve.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Carvoeiro: the village is small and you can see it in a short while. The most booked activities are boat trips, including private ones, along the coast and its caves, Benagil among them.

There are also tours combining Carvoeiro, Benagil and Ferragudo with wine tasting, 4x4 routes through Portimão, Ferragudo and Silves, and day trips to Sagres, Cape St Vincent and Silves.

How long to spend

The village can be seen in a morning, but Carvoeiro is a place for several days of beaches and walks. With three or four days you can walk the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, take a boat trip to Benagil and visit Silves and Lagos. In August the village beach is small and fills up early.

Where to stay

In the centre, by the beach, there are small places to stay with everything on foot, though with hills. The slopes and developments around have apartments, villas and resorts with a pool, roomier and quieter, better with a car. Towards Benagil and Marinha you sleep in a more natural setting.