Carvoeiro and the Lagoa region boast a glorious coastline with towering cliffs, turquoise waters, and picturesque beaches.

This stretch of coastline is dominated by giant limestone cliffs, with the pretty sandy beaches hidden within sheltered coves or river valleys.

The beaches of the Lagoa region differs from those in central Algarve (Albufeira to Quarteira) in that they are not vast expanses of sand, but tend to be smaller, enclosed by cliffs, and immensely more scenic. All of the region’s beaches provide soft golden sands, safe and clean seawaters, and are perfectly suited for families.

Although there are many beaches within the Carvoeiro region, most visitors tend to visit the same ones, which can become crowded in the summer months. If you are willing to explore, you will discover idyllic beaches, free of tourists and set within stunning natural scenery.

This guide will detail the region’s finest beaches and help you find the perfect one for your beach trip.
Related articles: Carvoeiro introduction – Day trips from Carvoeiro

The best six beaches of the Carvoeiro and Lagoa region are:
6) Praia Grande - A wide, sweeping beach sitting along the Arade Estuary, close to the village of Ferragudo. The water here tends to be much calmer than the open coast.

5) Praia do Carvalho – A beautiful small cove reached through a tunnel carved in the rock. The clear waters and sheltered location make it popular for snorkelling.

4) Praia de Carvoeiro – The main beach Carvoeiro, combines natural beauty with excellent amenities. Lively in summer, it's perfectly-suited for families while maintaining its traditional Portuguese charm.

3) Praia dos Caneiros – A pristine beach, away from the tourist crowds and any development.

2) Praia do Vale de Centeanes – Dramatic limestone cliffs tower behind this golden sandy beach, creating one of the region's most impressive coastal settings.

1) Praia da Marinha – One of the best beaches of Portugal, turquoise water, rock pools and a double sea arch.

The interactive map below shows all beaches in the Carvoeiro and Lagoa region, stretching from Ferragudo in the west to Praia da Marinha in the east. (Note: Zoom in or out to see all of the points.)

legend: 1) Praia da Angrinha 2) Praia Grande 3) Praia do Pintadinho 4) Praia do Molhe 5) Praia do Torrado (part of Caneiros beach) 6) Praia dos Caneiros 7) Praia da Afurada (inaccessible) 8) Praia do Paraíso 9) Praia de Carvoeiro 10) Praia de Vale Covo 11) Praia do Vale de Centeanes 12) Praia do Carvalho 13) Praia de Benagil 14) Benagil cave beach (boat needed) 15) Praia da Corredoura (inaccessible) 16) Praia da Marinha

Most visitors head to Praia de Carvoeiro (9) as it is the main beach of Carvoeiro and is easily accessible from Lagoa. This popularity means that Praia de Carvoeiro can get very busy in the summer. If it is too crowded, a suitable alternative is Praia do Vale de Centeanes (11).

For somewhere less crowded, consider Praia dos Caneiros (6) or Praia do Carvalho (12), but a car (or taxi or Uber) is needed to reach them. The beaches near Ferragudo and along the Arade Estuary are popular with the Portuguese but rarely visited by foreign tourists.

If you are with children, the Praia de Carvoeiro (9) is the best option due to its calm waters and supervision by lifeguards.

Note: If you are on holiday in Lagoa or Estômbar the beaches of Ferragudo may be a better choice, as they have larger car parks. These beaches are detailed at the end of this article.

The Praia de Carvoeiro - 50 meters from central Carvoeiro
Praia de Carvoeiro is the main beach of Carvoeiro and where most visitors spend their beach time. The setting is picturesque, with the beach naturally formed into a triangular shape by two rocky headlands that shelter it from the sea.

Traditional fishing houses, now converted into restaurants and bars, line the beach's edge, adding to its charm. The beach is ideal for families, with calm waters and minimal tides making it safe for young children. Its central location means there's a wide selection of cafes and restaurants within easy reach.

The beach's popularity does come with two drawbacks: it can become very crowded during summer months, and like the rest of Carvoeiro town, parking is extremely limited.

The town of Carvoeiro extends around the beach

Praia do Paraíso beach - 400m from Carvoeiro
Praia do Paraíso is Carvoeiro's second beach, but its small size means it's no real alternative to Praia de Carvoeiro. The beach sits at the base of towering cliffs, and the small patch of sand is almost entirely covered by the high tide – not quite the paradise (Paraíso) that its name suggests.

To reach the beach from central Carvoeiro, take the right (western) cliffside road; it's about 400m from Praia de Carvoeiro. Since the beach lies at the bottom of the cliffs, there's a long set of stairs down to the sand, making it unsuitable for elderly visitors or those with limited mobility.

The Praia do Paraiso is beautiful, but not suited or large enough for a day on the beach…

Praia do Vale Centeanes - 2km from central Carvoeiro
Praia do Vale Centeanes lies in a natural valley carved into the limestone cliffs, creating a semi-sheltered cove. The golden sand stretches beneath massive, imposing cliffs, forming a spectacular beach setting. During peak summer months, however, its beauty attracts hundreds of visitors, which can somewhat diminish its charm.

Praia do Vale Centeanes is considered Carvoeiro's second main beach and is a fantastic alternative if Praia de Carvoeiro is too busy. To reach the beach from Carvoeiro, follow the Estrada Do Farol a 20-minute/2km walk.

Vale Centeanes marks the starting point of the stunning Sete Vales Suspensos hiking trail. This dramatic coastal path winds along clifftops for 5.5km, offering spectacular ocean views and passing hidden coves before reaching Praia da Marinha.

The Praia do Vale Centeanes

Praia do Vale Covo - 1.3km from central Carvoeiro
The Praia do Vale Covo is a small and secluded beach, which overlooks a huge sea cave. This tiny beach is reached by following the clifftop walk that extends from the Algar Seco cliff formation.

The Praia do Vale Covo

The following set of beaches are a little further from the centre of Carvoeiro but can be reached by a short drive, taxi or Uber.

Praia do Carvalho - 4.5km from Carvoeiro
Praia do Carvalho ('Oak Beach') is an outstanding beach and an excellent choice for those seeking to explore beyond the centre of Carvoeiro.

While Carvalho Beach may not be as renowned as Praia da Marinha, it offers all the same appealing features: stunning scenery, crystal-clear waters and golden sands. The beach is accessible only through a man-made tunnel carved through the rocks – whilst passing through, take time to observe the fossils embedded in the walls.

The beach is surrounded by sheer cliffs which provide shelter from strong waves and frequent sea breezes. On the western cliffs, a narrow footpath has been chiselled into the rock face, which has become popular with adventure seekers for cliff jumping. The jump is 6m high, and appropriate caution should always be exercised.

The calm, crystal-clear waters of Carvalho make the beach ideal for snorkelling.

The Praia do Carvalho

Praia de Benagil - 5km from central Carvoeiro
The Praia de Benagil is one of the larger beaches along the coastline and is the closest beach to the famed Benagil Caves.

Praia de Benagil is a beautiful beach and is always a hive of activity, with tour boats filled with tourists being pushed into the sea or returning at speed to beach the boats high up on the sands.

Behind the beach is the village Benagil, which was once a fishing community but has since been taken over by tourism.

Praia de Benagil beach

The Benagil Caves are only a 300m walk from the harbour, and the opening at the top of the cave can be seen from the cliff walk.

Swimming to the caves, though tempting, is extremely dangerous and has resulted in several fatalities each year.

Tour boats at Benagil Caves

Praia do Vale Espinhaço - 3.5km from central Carvoeiro
The Praia do Vale Espinhaço, another pretty cove beach, which can only be admired from the top of the cliffs. This beach lies in the shadow of the Farol de Alfanzina lighthouse and is close to the village of Alfanzina.

The only real reason why visitors will pass the beach is that it is mid-way on the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos hiking route. Another notable feature is the massive sinkhole between the beach and the lighthouse.

The Praia do Vale Espinhaço may be very pretty but only birds can embrace the tranquillity!

These beaches are much further from Carvoeiro and to reach them, they either need to be driven to or a taxi/Uber needs to be caught.

Praia da Marinha beach - 6.5km by road from Carvoeiro
The Praia da Marinha was voted as one of the top ten beaches in the world, and it is easy to understand why it was awarded this accolade.

The beach has the regions characteristic weathered cliffs, golden sands and turquoise sea waters, but there is an abundance of small marine life hidden between the submerged rocks while at the western end of the beach is the distinctive double sea arch (or “M” arch). Praia da Marinha is an outstanding beach in the low season, but during the summer it will be busy.

Marinha beach is at the end of the Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos hiking route and the beach is a worthy goal for the 6km hike.

The beautiful Praia da Marinha

The following are the beaches of the pretty fishing town of Ferragudo, which makes for a pleasant day trip from Lagoa or Carvoeiro.

Praia Grande (Ferragudo) - 7km by road from Carvoeiro
The Praia Grande, as the name implies, the largest beach in the Lagoa region and on the western side of the Arade River. The beach is within the Portimão harbour defences and there are virtually no waves or currents, making it a safe beach for children and families.

Even though the waters are a combination of the Arade River and the ocean, the waters are clean and suitable for swimming (always check the water quality update on the board leading to the beach).

The beach is a vast expanse of sands, and it is the only beach of the region to have enough space during the summer months. At the southern end, there is a cliffside footpath while at the northern side there is a selection of good beach restaurants.

While much of the Algarve coastline is packed with foreign tourists the Praia Grande tends to attract more Portuguese.

The Praia Grande in Ferragudo

Praia dos Caneiros - 6km by car from Carvoeiro
The Praia dos Caneiros is the hidden gem of the Lagoa coastline, and our favourite beach listed in this article. The beach is far enough away from any major town to keep it significantly quieter than all of the other beaches, while its scenery and setting is as good as the Praia da Marinha.

The setting is magical, with powerful Atlantic waves rolling onto the golden sands, while out to sea is the Ilheu da Boa Sorte, a large limestone pinnacle and home to numerous sea birds. Further along the cliffs is the Ponta do Altar Lighthouse and the navigational tower.

The Praia dos Caneiros beach overlooks the Ilheu da Boa Sorte island

Praia do Molhe beach
The Praia do Molhe is a tiny beach but is noteworthy for the long seawall and wonderful views from the top of the cliff. The sea defences gives two distinct sides to the beach, one section buffeted by powerful waves while the other side is perfectly calm.

The Praia do Molhe is a beach of two very different sides, divided by the Portimão harbour wall

Praia do Pintadinho
Praia do Pintadinho is yet another attractive beach which is widely touted as the beach that only locals know and go to.

This reputation is mainly due to it being a long way from the town centre and the walking route passes the Praia Grande (where most tourists stop).

Pintadinho has a pretty setting, with a large sea cave to the north of the beach and sea waters that are clear and calm. This is another beach that is ideal for children.

The Praia do Pintadinho

Praia da Angrinha Ferragudo
The Praia da Angrinha is in an interesting location but it’s not a beach for a classic day on the beach. To the rear of the beach are ramshackle fishing huts while to the south side is the Fort of São João do Arada.

The Angrinha beach faces the harbour and docks of Portimao, which are on the opposite side of the Arade River, and watching the river traffic is an enjoyable activity while on the beach.

The Praia da Angrinha

• The weather is suitable and warm enough for spending time on the beach from May until the end of September.
• The sea waters are always cold, even at the height of the summer, when they only reach a chilly 21°C.
• Be wary of the crumbling cliffs, and never stay too close to the edge to get that perfect selfie
• Only ever swim in supervised and designated areas.
• The beaches and seas are safe for children and, surprisingly have some of the calmest waters of the Algarve coastline.
• There are no good surfing or body boarding beaches (only options are the Praia do Molhe or the Praia dos Caneiros), for surfing head west to Lagos or Sagres.
• Bring a snorkel (wetsuit and fins) as there is an abundance of sea life in the waters of the Praia da Marinha, Praia do Carvalho and even the small Praia do Paraíso.
• Car parking is very limited in the summer, don’t even try to get into Carvoeiro. Praia da Marinha, Benagil and Praia do Carvalho has more parking, but it quickly fills up. The town of Ferragudo has the most car parking and this is why it has been included in this guide.

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