2. Itinerary

We spent 3 days in Algarve soaking in the sunny weather, lazing at the beach and enjoying amazing seafood. Though quite touristy in nature, its charm is captivating. The amazing limestone cliffs and beautiful rock formations are most unique feature of this region.

Day 1

A) Carvoeiro Boardwalk

You can get one of the most spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean along the Carvoeiro boardwalk. Enjoy a 20-minute walk on this wooden pathway from Nossa Senhora da Encarnação Fort to Algar Seco with lots of photo opportunities along the way. There are also multiple spots along the way from where you can access the limestone cliffs and grottos. The rock formations in this area are literally stunning. 

B) Algar Seco

This is a beautiful collection of natural rock formations at one end of the Boardwalk (the opposite end of Praia de Carvoeiro). It is amazing to see how erosion of the rocks has created such lovely forms. There is a cave called 'Boneca' in this region which is especially popular as a scenic photo spot. Do note that it's a narrow cave with little space inside, so we had to stand in queue for quite a while before our turn to click the picture arrived.

Day 2

C) Seven Hanging Valleys Hike

This is probably the most picturesque trail in the Algarve region and should definitely be on your to-do list if you don't want to miss the best views of Algarve coastline. The trail stretches for a distance of roughly 6 km between Praia de Marinha in the east to Vale Canteanes in the west. In terms of difficulty, it is easy to moderate.

D) Sunset from Carvoeiro Boardwalk

After enjoying the breathtaking scenery along the 'Seven Hanging Valleys', it was time to relax in the evening on the Boardwalk by watching the beautiful sunset over the horizon accompanied by the sound of crashing waves along the shore.

Day 3

E) Boat ride  

A boat trip along the Algarve coast is a must to view the amazing rock formations and caves from the sea. During this trip of 1.5 hours, you will visit the famous Benagil caves and pass across hidden coves, numerous beautiful rock carvings and a number of beautiful beaches along the way.

F) Beach time  

It goes without saying that we had planned some beach time to soak in the sunny vibes of Praia de Carvoeiro and bathe in the ocean. However, we were a bit scared to go deep due the presence of large quantity of seaweeds just near the seashore. Hence we decided to just dip our feet in the water a little and then lazed in our sunbeds the remaining time!

We later learnt that these seaweeds (Asian origin seaweeds) are thankfully not toxic. Nevertheless, it's better to check for cleanup updates online before you travel to know if there are any cleanup operations in progress.

G) Carvoeiro Tourist Train

The Carvoeiro tourist train is a 30 minute fun ride around the town and an easy way to explore the surrounding areas with kids. It generally departs every 40 minutes from the square near the beach. The cost per person is approximately 4-5 Euros. If you have time, then hop on to this train and enjoy a relaxing ride!

3. Useful Tips

• Local Cuisine: Fresh seafood and prawns are again a must in Algarve 😀

• Boneca Bar: Enjoy the views of Algar Seco from this lovely bar while sipping on a cocktail or having some delicious seafood. You will need to reserve beforehand since this restuarant is very busy.

4. Goodbye

Hope you enjoyed this blog on Algarve and if you have any questions feel free to contact me for more details! Till then happy travels!