When we think of the Algarve Region - Portugal, we always associate the countless beaches in this region, but the Algarve has a lot to offer, in addition to the beaches.

Along the coast and inland Algarve, there is a vast heritage ranging from beaches, castles, fauna, flora, gastronomy to handicrafts. Around this heritage that the region offers us, there are treasures to discover and one of them has become very famous, worldwide, over the last few years, the Benagil Cave, in Carvoeiro.

Benagil Cave

The Benagil Cave, also known as Algar de Benagil, is located on the beach that gives it its name. According to some historians, the name “Benagil” is a combination of the Arabic word “Ben” and the Christian name “Gil”, which means “Son of Gil”.

The cave, excavated by sea erosion over the centuries, has increasingly attracted people from all over the world, having been, in 2015, considered one of the 10 natural wonders of the world by the British newspaper The Guardian.

This cave, made up of two openings, contains a small private beach inside, where it is possible to contemplate the sky through a huge “window”, being one of the few places where it is still possible to be in contact with nature. In 2016, it was dubbed by AnOther magazine as one of the most beautiful natural cathedrals on the planet.

From sunrise to sunset, light effects are created inside the cave, making it unique, giving the feeling of a magical environment, transforming the Benagil Cave into a palette of colors in constant change, these colors coming from the crystalline waters, of the sun and the rocks.

Credits by: National Geographic

To reach the interior of the Benagil Cave, you can either go swimming (if the tide is calm) or by boat, with AlgarExperience being very famous for providing several boat excursions with stops at the Benagil Cave. On the other hand, if you are an adventurer, you can also rent a kayak in the “neighbor” Praia de Benagil.

For those who want to visit the top of the cave, they can also do so, however it is necessary to take a short walk from the parking lot, as the trail at the top of the cave is part of the Seven Hanging Valleys Route.

Given the popularity of the Benagil Cave, parking is usually quite complicated and scarce for the existing demand, so it will be much easier and simpler if you have a scooter. For more information on booking a scooter, click here.