The Algar Seco is a dramatic limestone headland whose twisted and weathered formations more closely resembles a Martian landscape than southern Portugal.

The limestone rocks, which are coloured Devonian era reds and oranges, have been weathered down by rain and powerful winds to form this otherworldly landscape. Found within the headland are grottos, intricate rain-channels, a towering pinnacle, and a series of caves.

The most famous of these caves is A Boneca (The Doll), a short passageway that ends with two natural window-like openings overlooking the sea.

The Algar Seco and A Boneca lie to the east of Carvoeiro and are reached by a scenic clifftop footpath - the Passadiços do Carvoeiro (Carvoeiro Boardwalks). This raised wooden pathway snakes along the clifftops for over 600m from the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Encarnação.

The boardwalk ends at the Algar Seco but the cliff top footpath continues to the Praia de Vale Covo beach (450m) and the beautiful Praia do Vale de Centeanes (1km) and the start of the stunning Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos hiking route.
Related articles: Carvoeiro introduction

The Algar Seco headland

The twin “windows” of A Boneca cave

The Passadiços do Carvoeiro heading towards the Algar Seco

The Algar Seco is located to the east of Carvoeiro at GPS 37.093, -8.465 (link to google maps). There is a small car park at the top of the cliffs (Google maps), which is at the end of the of the Estrada do Algar Sêco, but it is often full during the summer months.

Commonly most people walk from the centre of Carvoeiro either along the Estrade do Algar Sêco or along the Passadiços do Carvoeiro. It is a 12 minute walk (750 meters) from the Largo da Praia de Carvoeiro - the main plaza in Carvoeiro. When walking from the town centre walk up the road to the left (east) of the beach, the Rampa Senhora da Encarnação, this leads to the little fort (the Forte de Nossa Senhora de Encarnação) where the broad walk starts from. For those preferring not to walk, a taxi journey costs €5-6, while Uber/Bolt services are slightly cheaper at €3-4.

Accessibility: Visitors should note that exploring Algar Seco requires moderate fitness. There are 70 steps from the cliff top to the base, and the rock surfaces are uneven throughout.

At Algar Seco is an excellent bar/restaurant, the Boneca Bar, which serves highly recommended food. The restaurant’s quality and popularity means it is often busy, and a reservation is needed for a table – don’t just go expecting to have space for lunch.
Boneca Bar - www.restaurantebonecabar.com/
Google reviews of Boneca Bar maps.app.goo.gl/Qwtr

The limestone cliffs of Algar Seco were formed during the Devonian period, roughly 419 to 359 million years ago. The distinctive reddish-orange colouring that characterises these cliffs comes from iron oxide minerals present in the limestone.

The jagged cliffs down to the blow hole

Over millions of years, these iron minerals have oxidised (rusted) when exposed to air and water, much like iron rusts when exposed to the elements. The intensity of this colouring varies with some areas showing deeper red hues depending on the concentration of iron minerals in the original rock formation.

The gnarled formations and deep channels in the solid rock have been eroded away by rain. When rain combines with carbon dioxide in the air, it forms a weak acid that slowly dissolves the limestone, creating the intricate patterns visible across the rock face.

Along the sea edge powerful waves have carved out the sea caves and grottos. The constant battering of waves gradually weakens the limestone, creating these hollow spaces within the headland. This sea erosion is most intense during winter storms, when waves can reach heights of several metres.

This ongoing process continues to shape the headland today, making Algar Seco a spectacular example of how natural forces can transform a coastline into a remarkable geological feature.

The entrance to the "A Boneca" cave

The view out of the doll's eyes, just expect it to be much more crowded in the summer months!

Local legend tells that the Algar Seco was formed by the tears of Princess Alfanzina, who never stopped grieving for her lost love.

The tale speaks of Princess Alfanzina, daughter of a powerful Moorish king, who fell deeply in love with a humble charcoal maker - a 'carvoeiro' who supplied coal to the kingdom.

Their love was destined to remain secret, and they would meet in hiding among the dramatic red cliffs of Algar Seco.

Their happiness was short-lived. When the king discovered their secret liaisons, he waited at their meeting place. As the young charcoal maker arrived, the king struck him down and cast his body into the churning seas below.

Heartbroken, Princess Alfanzina returned daily to Algar Seco. Legend says her endless tears fell upon the limestone cliffs, slowly carving the intricate channels and caves we see today.

Standing guard over Carvoeiro beach is the historic Fort of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação (Fort of Our Lady of the Incarnation). Built in 1670, this small fortification was part of an extensive defensive network along the Algarve coast designed to protect fishing communities from pirates and raiders who frequently targeted these shores.

The fort's strategic position on the headland provided clear views of approaching ships and defended the beach below. However, much of the original structure was destroyed by the catastrophic earthquake in 1755, with only a small section of the original walls remaining today.

The whitewashed building visible today is the result of reconstruction work completed in 1825. While it no longer serves its defensive purpose, the former fortress has found new life as a nursery.

Although visitors cannot enter the building, the site offers spectacular views over Carvoeiro beach and the coastline.

The original wall of the fort and the decorative gateway are all that remain from prior to the earthquake

The Passadiços do Carvoeiro is a raised wooden footpath that meanders along the cliff tops between the Nossa Senhora da Encarnação fort and the Algar Seco.

The pathway is approximately 600m and provides wonderful views over the cliffs and ocean, while protecting the nest sites and delicate coastal environments from trampling tourists. The wooden path means that it is suitable for all and is perfect for less mobile visitors or families.

The dramatic cliffs of Carvoeiro provide perfect nesting sites for several seabird species. The most commonly spotted are Yellow-legged Gulls, whose loud calls echo around the cliffs as they soar on the sea breezes. During spring and summer months, you'll often see both Common and Alpine Swifts darting and swooping around the cliff faces where they nest in small crevices.

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