The coastline of Algar Seco is an area of stunning cliffs, incredible rock formations, caves, blowholes, and natural pools located near Carvoeiro in the Algarve. It’s a place of amazing scenery where you can hike, swim in natural rock pools, take boat trips along the coast, or even just simply relax with an ice-cold drink! Algar Seco is a unique place that offers something for nearly every tourist coming to the Algarve!
Keep reading to find out my personal tips on how you can have the best trip to Algar Seco!
What is the Algar Seco?
Algar Seco refers to the spectacular collection of rock formations along a small section of coastline near Carvoeiro. It’s a natural environment created by the sea eroding the limestone cliffs of the region which are dated to over 24 million years old! Along this coastline it’s possible to find fossils and even evidence of dinosaurs but the Algar Seco’s main attraction is the scenery. To some, the sandy trails, tall stacks, and array of caves have even been described as an alien environment!
How to Access Algar Seco?
Algar Seco is located in the beach town of Carvoeiro in the Algarve. It’s around 500m from the town and easily walkable. There’s plenty of roadside parking and a small car park available, if the car park is full most people park on the streets around the area. Parking is free. From the main road of Estrada do Algar Sêco there are three entrances to the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, you’ll need to walk along the boardwalk to the main access point of Algar Seco. A smaller offshoot set of stairs.
Map Showing Algar Seco’s Entrance and Boardwalk Location
In the below map you can see the start and end point of the boardwalk, the car parking, and Algar Seco’s entrance.
The Carvoeiro Boardwalk – Passadiços do Carvoeiro / Caminho do Algar Seco
The Carvoeiro Boardwalk is where the Algar Seco really begins, and you can really get to appreciate the coastline. This is a 570m wooden board that follows the top of the cliff, along the way you’ll find informational displays detailing the local flora and fauna of this part of the Algarve. The Carvoeiro boardwalk is an excellent place for young kids, adults with strollers and even people with mobility issues that still want to get up close to the stunning scenery! Along the way are several rest areas and benches. Your visit can actually stop here and it would still be well worth the trip!
Algar Seco Starting Point
For the adventurous, Algar Seco begins around halfway along the boardwalk, with a slight detour down an at first a wooden staircase, and then a staircase carved out from the cliff. It’s a stunning introduction to the Alien landscape as you pop out of the carved tunnel! From here you can head in multiple directions, straight ahead leads you to several large stacks and a popular cliff jumping spot. Take a left and you’ll head through tight tunnels, small walkways and discover several large openings and caves.
Boneca – The Doll Cave
The most famous viewpoint here is Boneca, which translates to The Doll. Why the doll you ask? Supposedly the inner viewpoint resembles the view from inside a dolls head. To large openings form the eyes that look out to see! Despite its fame, for us it’s not the best view, or even the best part of the Algar Seco – it is the most famous though. Most tourists will spend some time trying to capture the iconic photos of looking out to see from one of the openings. That’s one of the reasons we prefer elsewhere, it can get very busy at this particular cave, when there’s actually many many others for you to explore!
To access Boneca Cave there’s a second staircase located in the car park, the same set of stairs that will lead you to Restaurante Boneca Bar. A great bar to get a refreshment and take in the scenery!
How to Get to Algar Seco with Public Transport
The main route to get to Algar Seco using public transport is to head to Carvoeiro first. From the town, it’s a short walk up the left (eastern) side of the cliff next to Praia do Carvoeiro. To get to Carvoeiro you’ll need to use a local bus service, there are no nearby train stations in this part of the Algarve. You can either use the #107 or the summer Cliffs Line service from EVA, full details are available on the Vamus website.
The Cliffs line operates between Zoomarine and Armação de Pêra, making its way along the coast to Ferragudo, Portimão, Praia da Rocha and Alvor. So, if you’re staying in any of those places during the summer it’s a good option. The 107 is a bit more limited in that it operates only between Portimão and Praia do Carvalho with a stop in Carvoeiro – it is a year-round service though. We often recommend a rental car to really explore these parts of the Algarve that are less connected!
Refreshments at Algar Seco?
The one bar directly on the waterfront is Restaurante Boneca Bar. It’s located at the car park end of Algar Seco and accessed through a different set of stairs. Alternatively, you can head down into Carvoeiro and check out the town and its options!
Popular Attractions Nearby
The top attraction is the beach town of Carvoeiro, depending where you parked it might be less than a 5 minute walk! Parking is tight in the town so if you found parking near the boardwalk, it might be a good idea to leave your car there. Carvoeiro is a great place for lunch or dinner, with a wide variety of local and international restaurants. It’s also fantastic for a day on the beach if you want to relax after exploring the footpaths of Algar Seco!
Alternatively, you can visit Praia de Vale Covo. It’s a short hike across the beautiful cliffs in the eastern direction. It’s a smaller much less commercial beach that is also stunning!
Boat tours and Trips – Algar Seco
Anyone walking along the boardwalk or exploring the caves is bound to notice many of the boats that come along the coasts. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Carvoeiro, many boats depart the beach and head along the coast.
Many of these boats will work their way along the coast, through the stacks, arches and even sea caves in the area. The most famous sea cave being Benagil, but if you take a boat trip you’ll find many many others you can discover. Additionally, you’ll find kayak and SUP rental available if you want to take a more active and personal trip along the coast. Just be aware that it can get very busy in some parts!
Here’s a quick list of our favourite boat tours and activities from Carvoeiro that will help you discover the coastline!
- From Carvoeiro: Benagil Caves and Praia da Marinha Boat Trip
- Carvoeiro: Benagil Caves Paddle-Boarding Tour
- Carvoeiro: Carvalho Beach SUP Rental
- Algarve: Carvoeiro and Benagil Walking Tour and Cruise
Top Tip: When browsing various tour websites looking for boat tours and trips in the region, it’s really important to make sure to check if the departure point is Carvoeiro. The bigger ports of Albufeira and Portimão generally have a much wider variety, and sometimes cheaper selection of tours, but these will rely on you traveling to the marinas yourself and not nearby Carvoeiro.
How Much does visiting Algar Seco Cost?
Access to Algar Seco is completely free. Additionally, the street parking is also free!
When is Algar Seco Open?
Algar Seco is open 24 hours. There is no gate or fence. You can access the cliffs and caves any time of the day. The access is free.
Should You Visit Algar Seco?
Algar Seco really is one of the Algarve’s natural wonders. It’s a great opportunity to get up close and really explore the iconic cliffs that dominate many of the post cards of the region! Nearby is Carvoeiro, so it can easily be combined with a day on the beach!
Follow Us!
