- You can only see inside from the water, on a boat, kayak or SUP tour
- Swimming to the cave and landing on its beach are not allowed
- Go early morning or in shoulder season for calm sea and fewer boats
- The free clifftop viewpoint looks down through the skylight
- Type
- Nature
- Where
- Algarve
- Time needed
- 1-3 hours
- Admission
- boat tours from about €20-35, kayak tours from about €35 (2026)
The Algar de Benagil is a sea cave carved into the golden limestone cliffs of the central Algarve, close to the fishing village of Benagil in the municipality of Lagoa. Waves have hollowed out a dome-shaped chamber with two sea entrances and a near-perfect circular hole in the roof, which throws a spotlight of sun onto the sandy floor below. It is one of the most photographed places in Portugal.
What you'll see
From the water, you round a headland and slip into a vaulted chamber of striped rock, with light pouring through the skylight. The colours are best on a sunny day around the middle of the morning. Most tours also pass other caves, arches and secluded coves along this stretch of coast, including the area around Praia da Marinha.
Access rules
To protect the cave and reduce overcrowding, the local authorities have tightened the rules in recent years. You can no longer swim out to the cave or step onto its inner beach, and the number of vessels allowed in at once is controlled. Rules can change from season to season, so check with your tour operator before booking.
Practical information
- Boat tours: the quickest option, leaving from Benagil beach, Portimão, Carvoeiro, Armação de Pêra and Albufeira. Short trips from Benagil cost from about €20-35 per adult in 2026.
- Kayak and SUP tours: guided trips of around two to three hours cost from about €35. They are the most memorable way to visit when the sea is calm.
- Clifftop viewpoint: a free path from the village leads to the top of the cave, where you can look down through the skylight. Stay behind the fences; the cliff edges are unstable.
- Getting there: about 10 minutes by car from Carvoeiro and 55 minutes from Faro airport. Parking in the village is very limited in summer.
- Best time to go: May, June and September offer warm water with fewer crowds. Book the first departures of the day in July and August.
Trips are cancelled when the swell is up, which happens more often outside summer. Keep a spare morning in your plans in case you need to rebook.
Pair the visit with the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, a cliff walk of about 6km between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes.
Where is Benagil Cave?
Open in OpenStreetMap · 37.08710, -8.42360
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim into Benagil Cave?
No. Swimming to the cave is no longer allowed, and you cannot land on the beach inside. You must go with a boat, kayak or SUP operator.
Do boat tours go inside the cave?
Most short boat tours enter or approach the cave when the sea allows, but conditions and current rules decide. Kayak tours generally get you closest.
Is Benagil Cave good for children?
Boat trips suit most ages and are short. Kayak tours usually have a minimum age, so check with the operator.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
More from AnnaOpening times and ticket prices change often; check the official website shortly before you visit.