Carvoeiro

Travel Guide

Marinha Beach which includes rugged coastline and general coastal views
Benagil Beach which includes a sandy beach, general coastal views and rocky coastline
Benagil Beach which includes general coastal views and a beach as well as a small group of people
Benagil Beach showing rugged coastline
Marinha Beach which includes a sandy beach, rocky coastline and general coastal views

This fishing village turned holiday resort presents a lovely scene of whitewashed houses centred around a picturesque sandy bay that’s ideal for sunbathing, swimming and watersports. 

While much of Portugal’s premier tourist region, the Algarve, has been heavily developed to accommodate tourists, the small, low-rise village of Carvoeiro has managed to retain its old-world character. Lounge on the small beach, embark on challenging hikes along coastal trails and enjoy meals at clifftop restaurants overlooking the coast.

Historically, Carvoeiro was a fishing community with most of the locals earning a living by catching tuna. The peaceful little settlement has had a relatively uneventful past, except for one major occurrence: In 1554, a naval battle took place in the bay here between a Portuguese fleet and a Turkish privateer.

Life in this town revolves around Praia do Carvoeiro (Carvoeiro Beach), a small strip of sand around which cliffs rise, providing shelter. Lay out on the golden sand, cool off during a swim in the sea or rent Jet Skis or a paddleboat and venture out onto the water. On the surrounding slopes there are restaurants and bars with views of the beach.

Follow hiking trails along the coastal cliffs near Carvoeiro. Look for the ruins of the 17th-century Fort of Senhora da Conceição and the still-working Lighthouse of Cabo Carvoeiro, which stands on a bluff overlooking the coast.

Rent a kayak and paddle around the coast, looking for holes in the cliffs. These holes, known as “algares,” are the result of erosion.

Carvoeiro makes a great base for exploring the Algarve. Families may want to spend a day at the nearby Slide and Splash waterpark at Lagoa. Also worthy of a daytrip is the town of Silves, which has a Moorish castle. The town is just a 30-minute drive from Caroveiro.

Find Carvoeiro on Portugal’s Algarve coast, just east of Portimão. To get here, fly into Faro Airport and then drive or arrange for a transfer to take you 40 miles (65 kilometers) west to Carvoeiro.

The village is compact and easy to traverse on foot, but if you want to visit other regional attractions or are staying in the hills outside town, having a car will make it easier to get around.

Where to stay in Carvoeiro

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Benagil

If you're spending some time in Benagil, Carvalho Beach and Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos are top sights worth seeing.

Benagil
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Areias Dos Moinhos

While there might not be top attractions in Areias Dos Moinhos, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Vale Centeanes Beach and Carvoeiro Beach.

Areias Dos Moinhos
Tivoli Carvoeiro
Tivoli Carvoeiro
5 out of 5
Apartado 1299, Vale Do Covo, Praia do Carvoeiro, Lagoa
The price is €363 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
€363
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,014 reviews)
"Nice location and view. Friendly staff. Good restaurants"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Tivoli Carvoeiro
Hotel Carvoeiro Plaza
Hotel Carvoeiro Plaza
3 out of 5
Praia do Carvoeiro, Lagoa
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €148 per night from 10 Jul to 11 Jul
€148
10 Jul - 11 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (317 reviews)
"Loved the reception team! I got to know them quite well as I was traveling solo so I’d chat with them before I headed out for the day and when I got back each evening. They were all fantastic!"

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Hotel Carvoeiro Plaza
Monte Santo Resort
Monte Santo Resort
5 out of 5
Monte Santo Aldeamento Turistico, Rua Joao Paulo II, Lagoa
The price is €282 per night from 5 Jul to 6 Jul
€282
5 Jul - 6 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 5 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (457 reviews)
"Very nice property 15 minutes walk to town (downhill) cheap Uber back. Had only a couple of small issues. They do need to change the music in the bar/restaurant. 5 songs in the entire loop."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Monte Santo Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pestana Palm Gardens
Pestana Palm Gardens
4 out of 5
Vale De Centeanes, Lagoa
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Carvoeiro Beach and Benagil Beach ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (307 reviews)
"10 minute walk to an amazing beach. Quiet patio for morning coffee. Allowed late checkout."

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

Pestana Palm Gardens
Placid Village
Placid Village
4 out of 5
Sitio Dos Moinhos, Lagoa
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Lagoa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (236 reviews)
"This is beautiful place very clean with Friendly people highly recommended"

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2025

Placid Village
Colina Village
Colina Village
3 out of 5
Poco Partido, Lagoa
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free parking, room service, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Carvoeiro Beach and Benagil ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (99 reviews)
"Friendly personnel. Can’t wait to stay again!"

Reviewed on 22 May 2025

Colina Village
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Carvoeiro

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
52
5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
30
4 - Good 34%
3 - Okay
5
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice but parking a bit difficult. Shops and restaurants ok

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful little town, lovely restaurants, nice beach and sights.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great area, out of season this place is fantastic. At high season this area of the Algarve can get very crowded.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

not much to do! but great for the Sandcity which is a must on your visit

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Quiet small village

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The bach was lovely and only a 5 minute drive from the hotel