We understand that planning your travel itinerary can be overwhelming with so many fantastic things to do in Algarve. In spring 2024, we had the chance to visit one of the most beautiful destinations in Algarve. Even though we did our research and planned our itinerary, there are just too many things to explore there. Therefore we write this post of Benagil Cave: Your Complete Itinerary, to help you find everything you need to know to visit this stunning landscape.
What Is Benagil Cave?
Benagil Cave, also known as Algar de Benagil. Benagil Cave is a sea cave. The cave has two openings from the sea and a skylight at the top. Inside the cave, there is a small beach. These various entrances, together with the beach and blue water make this one of the most picturesque sites to visit in Portugal.
It took millions of years of geological processes combined with the relentless power of coastal erosion. You can see that the cave is distinguished by a limestone-dominated coastline, which had an important part in its construction.
Where Is It Located?
The Benagil Cave is located in the Algarve, on Portugal’s southern coast. It is situated near the coastal town of Benagil. This cave is just beside the Praia de Benagil (Benagil Beach).
Restriction
When we did our research on whether we could enter the cave or not, we came to an update from the Portuguese government. The restriction is to limit how visitors can go to the cave. This is due to an extraordinarily busy summer, with several boat excursions, kayak tours, and people swimming to the cave, resulting in several accidents putting visitors at risk.
The restriction is that you can only enter the cave by using tour boats However, it seemed like the rules were just in writing because we did see a kayak in the cave. In our opinion, if you choose to go there with a kayak, then it will be at your own risk. In case you know of any updates, please share them in the comment section below.
How to Get There
There are a few options to get to the Benagil Cave. Here is the list for you:
- From Lagos: Driving from Lagos to Benagil Cave will take approximately 40 minutes. As an alternative, you can take a boat tour straight from Lagos to Benagil Cave.
- From Albufeira: The Cave is located 24 kilometres (15 miles) west of Albufeira. The trip would take around 30 minutes by car. You can also take a boat excursion from Albufeira to Benagil Cave and its surroundings.
- From Portimão: Benagil Cave is located 16 kilometres (10 miles) east of Portimão. Driving from Portimão to Benagil Cave takes about 25 minutes.
- From Lisbon: Benagil Cave is 26 kilometres south of Lisbon. The drive takes about two and a half hours. If you want to rent a car, you may check here.
There is a parking spot nearby called Free Parking Benagil on Google Maps. We parked our rental car over there and walked towards the Benagil Cave. If you enjoy being active and adventurous, you can reach Benagil Cave by doing the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is one of Portugal’s most picturesque walks. This hike is 5.7 kilometres (3.5 miles) one way and will take you from 2 to 3 hours.
How to Get Into Benagil Cave
i) Boat Tours
Boat tours will offer different views not limited to only Benagil Cave. You can see white sandy beaches, other sea caves and arches along the coastline. This tour will take about 2 hours. Here we provided some options for you to choose from.
ii) Kayak
The visitors can also get into the Benagil Cave by renting a kayak. From Praia de Benagil (Benagil Beach) it takes about 10 minutes to reach there. There are a few places on-site at the beach where people can rent kayaks. Please note that rentals frequently sell out when the beach is busy, so making a reservation in advance is recommended.
On the other hand, if you like to start with kayak activity, we recommend the tour below. In our opinion, they would know the best condition to go to the Benagil Cave by kayak.
iii) Stand-Up Paddle Board (SUP)
Stand-Up Paddle Board is also one of the ways to get into the caves. You can rent it at the nearby beach.
iv) Swimming
Yes, you read it right. You can swim to the caves however, it is not recommended. Many locals warned about the dangerous undercurrents that have caused swimmers to drown. The blue water may appear calm on the surface, but you cannot see what is going on beneath. Please be careful and if you insist on doing so, use a life jacket.
Nearby Places to Stay
- Albufeira: Albufeira is one of the tourists’ choice to stay in Algarve. We also stayed in Albufeira during our trip.
- Lagos: It has old-town vibes with beautiful cobblestone walks and beautiful buildings. It is a place suitable for families with kids.
- Carvoeira: If you like a traditional Portuguese resort town, then Carvoeira is the place to choose.
???? Alternatively, you can check here for more choices on accommodations in Algarve.
Tips for Visiting Benagil Cave
- Bring waterproof dry bags to secure your stuff.
- Pack some snacks and water. We always do this during our trips.
- Watch out for the big boats if you go there by kayaking or stand-up paddle board.
- Obey all the rules. During our visit, so many people walked inside the fence at the top of the Benagil cave even though there was a signboard to prohibit such behaviour.
- Respect the nature.
Best Time to Visit
The Algarve region receives a large number of tourists throughout the summer months. Visiting Benagil in midsummer might be frustrating due to the high volume of visitors entering and departing from the cave. If you love to avoid the crowd like us, go early in the morning or off-season which runs from May to late September.
We hope that this post about Benagil Cave: Your Complete Itinerary will help you plan your trip to Benagil Cave. It’s a must-visit location in our opinion when you visit Algarve. Don’t forget to share your experience with us in the comment section below.
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