Algar Seco on the Carvoeiro Boardwalk Portugal

One of the best things to do in the Algarve of Portugal is to visit Carvoeiro and walk the Carvoeiro boardwalk down to Algar Seco; a stunning series of rock formations, caves, sinkholes and more.

This magical place is within easy walking distance of the town of Carvoeiro which has some stunning beaches and great restaurants.

If you’re staying in the Algarve then planning a day trip to Carvoeiro is well worth it.

During my trip to the Algarve from Lisbon I spent a day wandering the pretty streets of Carvoeiro, discovering the beaches and, of course, checking out Algar Seco.

This was one of my favourite parts of my trip there, and Algar Seco was (in my opinion) much more worth it than Benagil Caves.

If you’re looking for things to do in the Algarve, then be sure to read on to learn more about Algar Seco including how to get there and the best things to do once you’re there.

How to get to Algar Seco Portugal

Renting a car is definitely the easiest way of getting around the Algarve, Portugal. While there are. some buses they’re not super regular and don’t necessarily go to all the hidden beaches and towns along the coast.

When we were planning our trip to the Algarve we found what was a 15-minute drive became 1.5 hours by bus!

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

When it comes to getting to Algar Seco in Carvoeiro, there’s a bus route called “Rota das Falesias” or cliffs route that connects Algar Seco with Algarve towns including Portimão, Ferragudo, Benagil Beach, and Praia da Marinha.

To see Algar Seco you can either park in the town of Carvoeiro (there are free car parks around), park along the streets near the Nossa Senhora Fortress, or park towards the end of the Carvoeiro boardwalk near A Boneca Bar and Algar Seco.

Buses to Carvoeiro Portugal

This bus operates on a hop-on-hop-off system, meaning you can get on and off at different stops along the route. They run every day from 9 am to 6 pm and you can buy a 1-day ticket which allows you to use the bus as much as you like for 24 hours. If you’re staying in Portimão, Ferragudo, or Carvoeiro and don’t have a car, you can still visit the main attractions in the area by using this bus.

There’s also bus number 107 that connects Carvoeiro with Portimão and Lagoa. There are more buses during the week than at the weekend so you might need to plan ahead a bit more if you’re visiting Algar Seco at the weekend.

What to see at Algar Seco

Now you know how to get there, what exactly is there to do at Algar Seco?

The legend of Algar Seco

According to legend, there is a story about Princess Alfanzina who fell in love with a poor coaler. They would secretly meet at Algar Seco, hiding from the princess’s father.

Unfortunately, when the King found out about their relationship, he tragically killed the commoner. Devastated by the loss of her beloved, the Princess grieved at the very spot where they used to meet.

It is said that her tears fell on the ground and created the holes in the rocks that we see today!

A Boneca

One of the main things people come to see at Algar Secon is the ‘A Boneca’ which is a small cave that some people say looks like a doll’s head when viewed from the sea.

This is one of the best Algar Seco caves and it has two big holes that resemble the eyes of a doll. To enter the cave, you need to go through a small tunnel in the rock and then you’ll come out at the two ‘eyes’ with super impressive views out onto the ocean.

You can visit A Boneca at any time of day and there’s no need to book a tour to get there. It’s publicly accessible and you’ll walk through the Boneca restaurant to get there.

Carvoeiro boardwalk

The Carvoeiro boardwalk starts (or ends) at Algar Seco. It’s a short walk along the 600 m wooden boardwalk that goes along the cliff top and has some information boards about the flora and rocks in the area as well as a few places to sit.

It goes out to an old fortress closer to Carvoeiro and is well worth adding to your visit to Algar Seco.

Rock formations, tunnels and cliff walks

At Algar Seco, the main thing to do is explore the fascinating rock formations, tunnels, and cliffs which are accessible via some staircases.

There are two sets of stairs, one that goes down to A Boneca Cave and the restaurant, and the other which goes towards the sinkhole and gives you a short cliff walk to some beautiful views and plenty of interesting rock formations.

Just take an Algar Seco cliffs walk (with care) and see what you can find!

It’s definitely worth walking the Carvoeiro boardwalk as there are some super cool rock formations about half way down the boardwalk that can be a bit quieter than Algar Seco.

Algar Seco swimming pool

One of the other things to do at Algar Seco is swim in the natural rock pool there but only attempt this at high tide and if the water is calm as otherwise it’ll be dangerous.

To reach the pool, you’ll need to take the staircase on the left. As you descend, you’ll notice rocky stairs that lead directly to the water.

If you visit in the morning, the pool will be in the shade, making the water a bit chilly for swimming. But, as the day gets going this refreshing pool becomes a nice place to cool off.

Algarve Seco Restaurants

A Boneca Bar

The A Boneca restaurant is in Algar Seco, right next to A Boneca Cave among the rocks and caverns. It’s definitely one of the best Carvoeiro boardwalk restaurants if you’re looking for a great view since it’s right in amongst the rocks.

The Algar Seco bistro is an undeniably cool place to get a drink or some food but it’s quite pricey and I think there are better places.

If you are going to come here, then time it with the sunset as the view is incredible. Just be sure to book to get a spot as it’s a popular place, especially in the summer!

Algar Seco Parque Residencial

At the end of the boardwalk, just before you head down the stairs to A Boneca and the caves, there’s a fancy-looking hotel and restaurant/bar called Hotel Algar Seco Parque Residencial.

It’s open to the public and has a great view and a relaxing vibe. It’s a great place to stop for something to eat or drink with a view once you’re done with your walk along the boardwalk.

If you’re looking for an Algar Seco hotel, this is the place to stay!

Earth Shop & Cafe

Despite being very busy during lunchtime when we went, the wait was worthwhile.

The food served was fresh, delicious, and incredibly satisfying and the interior of the restaurant has super impressive views with a view tables outside.

The cafe has a bunch of local products for sale too so you can pick up a souvenir from your trip.

Other things to do in Carvoeiro nearby

Benagil sea cave and Algarve boat tour

One of the best things to do in the Algarve is to kayak or take a boat tour out to the Benagil Caves (Algar de Benagil).

Just don’t do this on a windy day like we ended up doing as trying to launch your kayak to leave the cave is pretty intimidating. The beach is steep and the waves are super powerful so you feel a bit like you’re doing to get sucked under (and I say that as someone with coastal kayaking experience!).

On a calm day, I’m sure it’s super relaxing!

From Carvoeiro, you can hire a boat to the caves and if you want to kayak Benagil Caves, you’re best off hiring from one of the companies in Benagil itself which is a short drive away and one of the best places to visit near Carvoeiro Portugal.

• Carvoeiro boat tour to Benagil Caves and dolphin watching
• From Benagil: Benagil caves kayaking experience

Read more: Check out the best kayaking tours in Lagos here

Relax on Carvoeiro’s beaches

Don’t miss the opportunity to relax on Carvoeiro Beach right in the town. This sandy beach is surrounded by limestone cliffs and is super close to the boardwalk. Chances are you walked from the beach up to the boardwalk after parking in Carvoeiro anyway!

Another of my favourite beaches in Carvoeiro is Praia do Paraíso. There’s a long staircase down here and there’s not much beach at high tide, but it feels super secluded in comparison to Carvoeiro beach and it’s just beautiful.

Walk the 7 Hanging Valleys Trail

If you’re looking for a long walk along the cliffs, then you could add on The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail which is 1 km from the above Carvoeiro cliff walk, or you can drive to either end of the trail and start from there.

The trail can be walked from either direction and is one of the best Carvoeiro hiking routes (and in the whole of The Algarve!)

I started from Marinha Beach where there’s a fairly large car park (though it was full when I finished my return hike around 10 am), but you could also start from Praia do Vale Centianes which is closer to Carvoeiro.

The trail is a 10 km return trip but there’s not a huge amount of elevation besides some staircases to navigate. I think the best views are from Praia do Marinha, so recommend making sure you do that section!

Hike the Trail of the Headlands 

Another option is the Trail of the Headlands, which is a coastal walk in the opposite direction.

This trail starts at Praia do Paraiso, located 1 km west of the boardwalk.

If you’re up for a long walk, you can connect both routes, creating a trail along the coast from Marinha Beach, through Carvoeiro, and ending at Praia do Molhe in Ferragudo! This walk from Carvoeiro to Ferragudo can be seen on the AllTrails+ app.

FAQs about Algar Seco Carvoeiro Portugal

Final thoughts on visiting Algar Seco Algarve

Algar Seco is one of the best places to visit on the southern Algarve coastline.

The rock formations are super cool to see and the caves and cliff walks are worthwhile.

Add a walk along the Carvoeiro boardwalk to your trip to Algar Seco, or explore the town of Carvoeiro to make af un day trip in the Algarve.