Here are the top things to do in the Algarve when you only have a few days to spend there. For a small sampling of the Algarve’s beauty, here is how to make the most of 3 days in the Lagoa area, including visiting one of the most beautiful sea caves in the Mediterranean!
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3 Days in Algarve Itinerary
Visiting Portugal without visiting the Algarve and its spectacular coast is like going to Italy and not trying the pasta.
Day 1 – Tour the coastal grottos and Benagil Cave
If I had you at ‘most beautiful sea cave’, wait until you actually see Benagil Cave for yourself.
For starters, the cave is massive enough to have its own beach, which you only reach by sea, entering through either of two large rock arches.
Inside, far from being gloomy or dark, the cave is bathed in sunlight through a naturally-formed circular ‘skylight’ in the rock ceiling almost 100 feet above the beach.
The sunlight streaming in through this opening creates an Oscar-worthy spotlight in the middle of the cave, while illuminating the turquoise waters that cast green reflections onto the rock walls. It is nothing short of spectacular.
Currently, only motorized boat tours can enter Benagil Cave. Kayakers and Paddle Boarders are banned due to some recent incidents and overcrowding. It is not clear if this will change, but as of now, there is no swimming in the cave or getting out to enjoy the beach. This tour is similar to the speed boat tour we booked through our hotel and entered Benagil Cave as well as other caves along the Algarve Coast.
Hotels in the Algarve
Tivoli Carvoiero – We stayed at the Tivoli Carvoiero overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Grotto. This 5-star hotel has the best location in the Algarve within walking distance to the Seven Hanging Valleys Walk. Plus shuttles to Marinha Beach, (The start of the Seven Hanging Valleys) town and beaches. TripAdvisor / Booking.com
Hotel Baia Cristal – Cliff Hotel overlooking the ocean. Midrange hotel Vale de Centenaes Beach. Check out Availability & Prices Trip Advisor / Booking.com
Epic Sana Algarve – Luxury hotel located between Vilamoura and Albufeira. Check out Availability & Prices Trip Advisor / Booking.com
Day 2 – Carvoeiro to Praia da Marinha
Hike any or all of the cliff-top trail between Carvoeiro and Praia da Marinha
Benagil is mid-point between the resort town of Carvoeiro, and Praia da Marinha beach (one of the Algarve’s most beautiful), between which there is a 12km clifftop hiking trail that offers panoramic views of this stunning piece of the Algarve coastline.
Whichever piece you decide to explore, or whichever direction you choose to hike, there are incredible vantage points all along the trail, where every undulation in the coast reveals yet another beautiful bay or secluded beach.
Praia da Marinha
At the eastern end of the trail is Praia da Marinha, one of the larger coves in the area, with carved-rock formations and sea stacks that punctuate the jewel-coloured ocean, as well as a popular sandy beach for swimming.
Luckily, this part of the Algarve is nowhere near as crowded or developed as some of the larger beaches, making Praia da Marinha feel more like a local beach than a resort playground.
Of course, it also means there are few facilities here, and access is via stone steps down the side of the cliff.
Algar Seco
Hiking west and just before you reach the town of Carvoeiro, you’ll discover Algar Seco, a piece of the coastline known for its rock formations that have been hollowed out and sculpted by both water and wind.
Here you can walk around the rocky ledges, exploring the eroded and hollowed-out landscape with its organic ‘windows’ that look out onto the Mediterranean.
There’s even a restaurant and bar nestled in between the rocks if you want to break up your hike with a very civilized rest stop (read ‘cocktail’!)
Carvoeiro
Just past Algar Seco at the western end of the hiking trail is Carvoeiro, a resort town that is small enough for it to feel local, but large enough to offer the amenities tourists want.
And if you time your hike so that you arrive in Carvoeiro in time for sunset, the top of the town offers a pixel-perfect vantage point for capturing one of the Algarve’s famous sunsets. Check out: Visit Lisbon in under 5 Euros
Day 3 – Road trip to Praia da Rocha beach
For a change of pace from the small, hidden coves near Benagil, drive west for an hour or so to Portimao, to see one of the larger resort and tourist areas in this part of the Algarve.
Portimao signals the start of a string of beaches including Praia da Rocha, where you’ll find a very different type of Algarve beach with huge expanses of sand that attract both locals and tourists by the thousands in peak season.
Beaches line the coast here for kilometers, giving this area a busy resort feel, and the main strip above Praia da Rocha is filled with bars, shops, restaurants and hotels.
TIP: Be prepared for a bit of a hike down the stairs to the Praia da Rocha beach, but once there you’ll find plenty of amenities on the beach.
Whether your vision of the Algarve is discovering secluded coves and hidden beaches while hiking along a spectacularly beautiful coastline, or being part of a hopping beach scene in a resort town, this small piece of Portugal’s famous coastline near Lagoa can offer it all – and still leave you time to enjoy it.
Getting around the Algarve
To make the most of your time and to have the most flexibility, rent a car to get around in the Algarve, especially if you want to visit places like Benagil which are tiny and don’t have direct access by bus or rail.
Fortunately, driving in Portugal isn’t as crazy as some people may think, and the main highways are easy to navigate and well-maintained.
Selected Tours in the Algarve
Get your Guide – is a great company for day tours and discounts
Benegal Caves – 2-Hour boat tour to the Benigal Caves
1,3 or 7-day scooter rental – We love renting a scooter. It’s the best way to get around an area like the Algarve
Surfing Lessons – The Algarve is a great place to learn to surf. Give it a shot with this 3 hour lesson
Golden Coast Cruise – See the spectacular Algarve coast on this four hour cruise.
What to Pack for your Trip to the Algarve
Lonely Planet Algarve – When it comes to guide books, we don’t leave home without Lonely Planet.
Flip Flops – You can’t go to the beach without flip flops. Tevas are comfortable and durable.
Hiking Shoes – There are a lot of hikes in the Algarve. Keen hiking shoes are made with waterproof leather and breathable mesh uppers. My kind of shoe.
Universal Plug Adapter – This all in one adapter is great for all countries and you aren’t stuck with trying to find a different plug for each new destination.
Portable Water Filter – It’s important to stay hydrated when traveling in hot climates especially. Take care of the environment and fill up safely with the LifeStraw.
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Nice article on adorable Algarve. The mysterious coastline of Algarve is quite addictive and limestone formation is quite exceptional. Your pictures make your article impressive.
Your photos look so amazing! What camera did you use? My favorite would be the Bengail Cave!
Which lens did you use to take landscape pictures?
I have a Canon T3i Rebel and I’m looking for recommendation for my next trip.
Thank you,
Hi, thanks a lot for sharing this interesting route. any details about the budget?
Tavira doesn’t look to be on the ocean. Are there good swimming beaches by Tavira and not over run with tourism?
Tavira sounds like a very interesting spot and not over run with tourism. Are there good beaches an swimming nearby?
Awesome blog with pics. very nice..
Hi Where is the best place to stay we are in the algarve for 3 days and I cannot decide. I want to see the beaches and the benagil caves.
The Taruga Benagil Tour company is no longer allowed to drop off passengers inside the cave. While they still offer boat tours into the cave, the law no longer allows passengers to exit the boat.
The Benagil cave is the most amazing part of the Algarve. Nowhere else in the world would you see such beauty! The Praia Da Marinha beach too are simply breathtaking!
if you ever go to the Algarve I agree, these are two places you must visit.
Adam
Why does everyone think that the coast of Portugal is on the Med, It’s on the Atlantic coast.
Try the snails next time your in a Portuguese bar.
ALGARVE IS MAINLY KNOWN FOR ITS MEDITERRANEAN BEACHES. THESE LANDSCAPES ARE MINDBLOWING.
Great article except the Algarve is on the Atlantic Ocean, rather than the Mediterranean Sea.
We just visited Benagil and found it easier to swim over to the first cave rather than kayak.
Beautiful views and lovely shells.
Wow!!! This Rocha beach is wonderful !!! Charmed!!!
Congratulations on the site, the landscapes and beaches are very beautiful.
Congratulations for the post, helped me a lot like reading
Congratulations on the site, the photos and the landscape is very beautiful is a portigal is a werent good pis to spend the holidays with family.
Very beautiful this landscape and the photos is to leave with water in the mouth
Oh, how this place can be so awesome. Really incredible photos of Carvoeiro and one of the most famous cave – Benagil Cave that inspire me.)
Wow Benagil Cave was so awesome and looking so beautiful
Thanks for sharing your post and pictures
Thank you for promoting the Algarve. It´s an amazing place to live.
=)
Benagil Cave seems so catchy through eyes from top and ground view
Thank you for the information.
Wow! Gorgeous photos. Simply stunning. Thanks for sharing.