Walking the Carvoeiro Boardwalk

During our month-long trip to Portugal as part of our year of travel, I was very excited to visit the Carvoeiro Boardwalk which was on my (rather long) list of things to do in Cavoeiro and the Algarve.

I’d seen pictures of the boardwalk and the amazing Algar Seco caves and rock shapes at the end of the boardwalk online and I couldn’t wait to go see them myself.

From our Airbnb near Porches in the Algarve, we drove out to nearby Carvoeiro ready to explore and spend the day in this beautiful town.

If you’re planning a trip to the Algarve Coast in Portugal then you’re in for a treat when it comes to rock formations and beautiful beaches. It’s definitely one of the best Algarve coastal walks you can do.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Carvoeiro Boardwalk including how to get there, information on recommended tours, what to see and do nearby and where to eat and drink.

Walking the boardwalk Carvoeiro has is a great day trip from wherever you’re staying in the Algarve so make sure you check it out!

How to get to the boardwalk in Carvoeiro

When it comes to how to get to the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, that depends a lot on where you’re staying.

First things first, you’ll need to get from where ever you’re staying to the town of Carvoeiro.

Carveoriro is on the coast, about 10 minutes south of the town of Lagoa (not to be confused with Lagos). It’s around a 40-minute drive from Lagos, 35 minutes from Albufeira and just under an hour from Faro.

The easiest and quickest way to travel in the Algarve is to rent a car. That’s what I did during my trip there as the buses weren’t super regular and this allowed us more flexibility when exploring the beaches, caves and towns up and down the coastline.

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!

If you don’t want to drive, these tours from Lagos include return transport to Carvoeiro, a guided walk and a boat trip which is one of the best ways to fully appreciate the beauty of the coast.

• Lagos: Scenic Cruise to the Benagil and Carvoeiro Caves
• Lagos: Benagil Sea Cave Tour with a Local Guide

Driving to Carvoeiro Boardwalk

Once you’re in Carvoeiro, you can park up in the town and walk straight from the town centre along the coast to the start of the Carvoeiro boardwalk near Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Fort.

There’s also a small car park near the fort, or you can drive all the way down to Algar Seco and find parking near there but this skips out the boardwalk.

Buses to Carvoeiro Boardwalk

You can start by getting a bus from near your accommodation to Carvoeiro. From there, there’s a bus route called Rota das Falesias (cliffs route) that goes in a circle, connecting the towns of Portimão, Carvoeiro, and Marinha Beach.

You can hop on and off this bus and use it for however long a ticket you buy e.g., a single trip or 24 hours.

These buses run every day, starting from 9 am until 6 pm and you can purchase your ticket on the bus (make sure you have cash though!).

Recommended tours and activities for the boardwalk and Algar Seco Portugal

There are many great tours and activities from Carvoeiro and other towns in the Algarve. Here are just a few of them;

• From Carvoeiro: Benagil Caves and Praia da Marinha Boat Trip
• Carvoeiro: Benagil Caves Paddle-Boarding Tour

Walking the Carvoeiro Boardwalk

The Carvoeiro boardwalk begins at the Nossa Senhora da Encarnação fort and ends at Algar Seco. You can choose to walk in either direction, starting or finishing at the fort.

For a Carvoeiro boardwalk map, I suggest using AllTrails but you really can’t get lost. It’s only 600 metres and pretty obvious where it goes.

Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Fort

The Carvoeiro boardwalk begins at Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Fort, or the Fortress and Chapel of Our Lady of the Incarnation.

Though it has a fancy name, the fort isn’t really that much to look at and you wouldn’t even necessarily realise it was a fort.

It was originally constructed in 1670 for use in defence against pirates but was mostly destroyed during the major earthquake in 1755.

In the early 1800s, it was rebuilt to its current form, with only the walls of the military building remaining from the original fortress.

Carvoeiro boardwalk

After the fortress carry on along the road and you’ll come to the Carvoeiro boardwalk.

The boardwalk is about 600 metres long and has some amazing ocean views. There are a few information boards telling you about the flora in the area and the geology as well as some places to sit.

The best bit comes as you continue on to the halfway mark and beyond.

If you see staircases, go down them!

You’ll come out to some incredible limestone cliffs which have been shaped and carved by the ocean and the wind over time leaving behind caves, holes and cool patterns.

I have to admit to being pretty fascinated by the shapes and by all the shells that are embedded into the rocks!

Once you’re done in this area, continue on the boardwalk to Algar Seco.

Algar Seco

Algar Seco is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible cliff areas in the Algarve there’s no need to get a boat ride or take a kayak trip to this one, unlike the Benagil Caves!

Although relatively small in size, you can easily spend an hour exploring, taking photos, and admiring the breathtaking views.

As you descend the stairs from the road, you have the option to go right or left.

It doesn’t really matter which way you go first but make sure you do go both ways so you can check out the caves with the cool windows, the pools and all the other cool features.

Algar Seco Cave

If you go to the right as you come down the staircase, you’ll come across a restaurant where you can enjoy a drink or grab a bite to eat. It’s pretty pricey and I think there are some better ones (shared below), but it’s definitely a cool spot for a drink!

On your way down, you’ll also catch sight of the renowned pinnacle known as “Boneca,” named after the Portuguese word for “the doll.” Many say it resembles a doll in its appearance.

Just a few steps further, you’ll reach the famous tunnel that leads to Algar Seco Cave.

Inside the cave, you’ll be greeted by two large holes in the rock that look a bit like natural windows. Out of these, you get such a cool view of the Atlantic Ocean!

Algar Seco Natural Pool

Algar Seco Natural Pool is down the stairs to the left. Though some people say you can swim in here I personally wouldn’t recommend it. The tides can come in fast and the waves could easily throw you against some rocks.

Swim at your own risk, and definitely not at low tide when there’s barely any water in there!

Once you’re done exploring all the amazing sights along the boardwalk, you can grab a drink or something to eat nearby (see below for my recommendations), check out some more walks and trails nearby, or just head back along the boardwalk to head home or explore the town of Carvoeiro some more.

Where to eat and drink nearby

Grab a drink at 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.

It’s 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 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.

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.

Levels, Carvoeiro

Back in town, Levels is a great place for food and drink.

Considering its beachside location, the prices were surprisingly reasonable and they serve food throughout the day being particularly popular for brunch.

I had a fantastic coffee here which I’d been missing during our time in Portugal up until then. It’s definitely one of the more trendy Carvoeiro restaurants. However, it’s worth noting that the service was a bit slow, so it might not be the best choice if you’re in a hurry.

Other things to do in Carvoeiro

Besides the Carvoeiro Portugal boardwalk, there are plenty more things to do in this area. Below are some of my favourite things we did during our trip.

Walk the 7 Hanging Valleys Trail

If you’re looking for a long walk along the cliffs, then you could add on The 7 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.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

Take a boat tour or kayak to Benagil cave

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

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 to Benagil, you’re best off hiring from one of the companies in Benagil itself which is a short drive from Carvoeiro.

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

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.

When is the best time to visit Carvoeiro Boardwalk?

You can visit the Carvoeiro boardwalk all year round and it’s most popular in the summer from mid-May to September.

During the summer months, visiting the Carvoeiro boardwalk in the early morning is best since it gets so hot and can be super busy.

Sunset is also a great time to go as you can get amazing colours in the sky but you should expect it to be busy.

I visited the boardwalk in mid-late April and though there were plenty of people about it didn’t feel too busy and nor was it too hot (though do pack sun cream!).

FAQs about the Carvoeiro Boardwalk

Final thoughts on visiting the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, Algarve Portugal

The Carvoeiro boardwalk is one of the best things to do in the Algarve and it combines a nice walk with some incredible sights.

From the picturesque Carvoeiro Beach to the fascinating Algar Seco, every step along the boardwalk is beautiful.

While summer months may bring larger crowds, early morning visits are typically a bit quieter (everyone is on holiday after all). Sunset is nice since the temperatures cool off, but do expect it to be a bit busier. My favourite time is definitely towards sunrise and earlier in the morning.

Make sure to add this to your Algarve itinerary during your trip to Portugal as it’s definitely one of the best Algarve walks.