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Benagil Cave 2024: How to Visit, Best Tours & Useful Tips (Algarve, Portugal)

Benagil Cave 2024: How to Visit, Best Tours & Useful Tips (Algarve, Portugal)

Are you planning to visit the Benagil Cave in Algarve, Portugal, and looking for information and tips on how to do it?

In this article, you can find all the information that you may want to know on how to see the Benagil Cave in Portugal: where it is, how to get there, the best Benagil Cave tours, and also our personal experience with visiting Benagil Cave by boat as well as on foot.

You’ll find information on how to visit Benagil Cave from Portimao, Albufeira, Lagos, and other places. In addition to visiting Benagil Cave with a boat tour, you can also opt for kayaking, or simply walk and see it from above. You can also find some information about swimming to Benagil Cave (and whether it’s a good idea).

We also included the map of the area and some practical tips to help you plan your trip.

Good to know: The best way to see the most beautiful Algarve sea caves, including the Benagil Cave, is by taking a boat tour. Visiting sea caves by boat allows you to experience how special the Algarve coastline really is, and Benagil Cave is just one of the many amazing places that you’ll get to see.

There are lots tour of options from various coastal towns in the Algarve. We took this highly-rated boat tour from Portimao and we also walked to Benagil Cave to see it from above.

TIP: As I’m updating this guide after our most recent visit to Benagil, I have to add that you really should book your Benagil Cave tour at least a few days in advance. In the high season (May-October), these tours always sell out. In the low season, there are fewer options, so it’s wise to plan ahead as well.

Important update: From September 10, 2023, local authorities imposed some restrictions for visitors to Benagil Cave. At the moment of the last update, you can only see the cave from a boat and nobody is allowed to disembark inside. Boat tours run as normal. For updates, please see here: Is Benagil Cave closed?

Further below, you can find all the information you need in order to visit Benagil Cave; no matter where you are coming from or how you decide to do it. Take a look!

How to see the famous Benagil cave in Algarve Portugal
 
 

Why visit Benagil Cave?

Benagil cave, also known as Algar de Benagil, is the most famous and most impressive of all the sea caves of the Algarve region in southern Portugal. It’s one of the must-see places in Algarve, attracting lots of visitors. And yes, it is as beautiful as it looks in the pictures.

However, there is so much more to see along the coast of the Algarve than just the Benagil sea cave! The whole coastline is gorgeous and it’s full of stunning sea caves.

So if you want to see the very best that Algarve has to offer, be sure to take a boat tour to see the amazing sea caves in the Cabo Carvoeiro area! Benagil Cave is just one of the highlights here.

Benagil Cave, Algarve, Portugal
Benagil Cave
 

Where is Benagil Cave & How to Get There

Benagil cave, Grutas de Benagil, is located next to Praia de Benagil (Benagil Beach), between Portimao, Albufeira, and Lagoa. See the map below for the exact location.

While it’s located just around the corner from the nearby Benagil beach (Praia de Benagil), the Benagil cave can only be entered via the sea.

It is possible to drive to Benagil, so on the map, I also indicated the best parking area from which you can easily walk to Benagil Cave.

However, keep in mind that you cannot enter the cave on foot, so you can only see it via the hole from above. Further below, you will find more info about the best ways to see and visit Benagil Cave.

Good to know: One of the best ways to get to the Benagil sea cave is by joining the Benagil Caves boat tour. There are many companies running boat tours in Algarve and especially in high season, you’ll be able to find a boat going to Benagil cave in every village nearby. Below, you can find more info about the best tours and different ways to get to Benagil Cave.

How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

 

Here are the best ways to visit Benagil Cave:

Benagil Cave Boat Tours

By far the best way to visit the Benagil Cave is by taking a boat tour. Small boats can enter the cave (weather- and sea conditions permitting), and that in itself is a very special experience. Plus, the interior of Benagil Cave is stunning!

As already mentioned, boat tours don’t visit just Benagil Cave, but they also take you for a sightseeing tour that includes many other sea caves and stunning beaches of Algarve. Some tours also do their best to find dolphins or foresee some free time for a swim.

Good to know: Boats do not stop or let you disembark inside any of the sea caves (we were told that this is forbidden). They also don’t stay inside Benagil Cave longer than a few minutes and have to leave to make place for the others.

Therefore we recommend going to Benagil Cave as early in the morning as possible or taking one of the last tours of the day. If there are not too many boats waiting to get inside, your captain will usually stay a bit longer giving you more time to admire the cave.

The first time we took a boat tour to Benagil Cave was at 10 am in the low season. There was just one other boat when we arrived at the cave, so we could stay inside and admire it longer. However, just a few minutes later, there was a queue to get in… We couldn’t believe the number of boats waiting to enter.

Anyway, there are boat tours to Benagil Cave from all the bigger and smaller towns in the area, from Faro in the east to Lagos in the west. However, there are differences in departure times, prices, the boats that they use, or what’s included.

TIP: We highly recommend that you do some research and book a tour in advance! That way, you know exactly what you are paying for and what to expect. Plus, you are sure to have a spot reserved at the time when you want to go.

Here are our hand-picked recommendations for some of the best Benagil Cave tours:

Benagil beach and Benagil caves as seen from a boat
Benagil Beach and Benagil caves as seen from the outside.
 

Kayak & Stand-Up Paddle Board Tours

A nice way to visit Benagil Cave is by kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP). If you want to be able to get out of the boat inside Benagil Cave, then this is by far the best way to visit.

We were told by local guides that it is forbidden to disembark in the Benagil cave if you come by a big boat, but people who come by kayak or paddle boat can do it.

Good to know: Since kayaking in the ocean can be a bit challenging, most Benagil Cave kayak tours start just nearby, at Benagil Beach. But it’s also possible to book kayak tours from several other places in the area. In that case, they cover bigger distances by big boat and then you transfer to kayaks when you get closer.

Here are the best options for visiting Benagil Cave by kayak/SUP:

READ ALSO: Most Beautiful Places for Kayaking in Algarve

Kayaks inside Benagil Cave
Kayaks and boats inside Benagil Cave.
 

How to Visit Benagil Cave by Car + Walking

As already mentioned, it is possible to walk to the opening of Benagil Cave on foot. For that, you will need to take one of the many paths on the cliffs east of Praia Benagil.

If you are visiting Benagil Cave by car, park it at the big parking area on top of the hill in Benagil (we indicated it on our map above). From there, locate any wider path leading toward the sea, and use any online maps app on your smartphone to navigate in the direction of Benagil Cave.

In just a few minutes, you will likely already see a lot of people standing around a big fenced hole – that’s the famous Benagil Cave.

We took the path at the very end of the car parking, turn right after a while, and then saw the caves in the distance already. The walk from the car parking to Benagil Cave took us just 4 minutes.

It doesn’t look very impressive from a distance; after all, it’s just a big hole. Plus, the cave is really deep and in order to avoid accidents, there is a wooden fence around it. You will have to do your best and stand on your toes to catch a glimpse of the bottom of the cave from here. It’s nice to see, but incomparable to the experience you get when you visit Benagil Cave inside.

Good to know: You can see Benagil Cave from above when hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. Benagil Cave is just one of the many amazing places that you can see on this hike. So if you have a few hours to spare, it’s well worth it!

LEARN MORE: Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

Benagil Cave hole view from the top
Benagil Cave as seen from above. You will need to hold your camera really high in order to get this view. If you have a smartphone stick, bring it so that you can prolong your reach.
 

Swimming to Benagil Cave

Update: Swimming inside Benagil Cave has been recently forbidden again. It’s not yet certain if and when this will change. In any case, we strongly discourage anyone from swimming to this sea cave.

Since Benagil Cave is located literally behind the corner from Benagil Beach, yes, it’s possible to swim there. If you walk to the far end of the beach, then it’s ‘just’ a 5-10 minute swim.

However, beware that the ocean can be rough here and even the best swimmers should be very careful. If you decide to do it, it’s best to go at low tide and only when the sea is really calm.

Depending on the sea conditions, swimming to Benagil Cave could be really dangerous. Not even to mention the fact that there are boats going in and out of the cave all the time.

Benagil Beach (Praia de Benagil), Algarve, Portugal
Benagil Beach. The cave is located just behind this corner, however, the sea can be really dangerous here.
 

Benagil Cave Boat Tour: from Portimao or from Albufeira?

The Benagil Cave boat tour is undoubtedly the best way to see the Algarve coastline. However, depending on where you are coming from – west (Portimao, Lagos) or east (Albufeira, Vilamoura, Faro), you will get to see some different scenery along the way.

It’s hard to say which tours are best since the coastline is absolutely stunning pretty much all the way. The more coastline you cover, the more sea caves you’ll see. The closer you get to the Benagil Cave, the more boats there are.

No matter which Algarve sea cave tour you book in the Portimao – Albufeira area, Benagil cave is always on the itinerary. However, if you take one of the tours that start closer to Benagil Cave, you’ll likely cover less ground and thus see a bit less of the coastline.

That being said, the nicest stretch of the Algarve coast is located more or less between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra with Benagil Cave being right about in the middle. So most boat tours will bring you to the nicest sea caves in this area, no matter from which side you arrive.

On our first visit to Algarve, we chose this highly-rated boat tour departing from Portimao. It not only gave us the possibility to visit the famous Benagil Cave but also to see the whole beautiful coastline on the way to it. Stunning!

Most beautiful sea caves in Algarve Portugal
Just one of the many sea caves we visited
 

On that tour, we saw the coastline between Portimão and Praia de Benagil, whereas boat tours starting in Albufeira visit the other side – between Albufeira and Benagil. Both sides are just as nice.

As our guide said before we departed, you’ll see so many beautiful villages and so many stunning sea caves, that Benagil Cave is just the cherry on the cake. And it’s true – the scenery along the coast and the many sea caves near Cabo Carvoeiro is simply stunning.

Good to know: There is always a possibility that due to rough sea conditions, the boats can’t enter one or the other cave. While the opening is very big, Benagil Cave is not always accessible either. However, it doesn’t even matter even if you wouldn’t be able to enter Benagil Cave due to very rough conditions. You’ll see so many other beautiful places and sea caves that it’s always worth a trip anyway.

Update: On our recent visit, we opted for this amazing speed boat tour from Albufeira. In addition to visiting Benagil Cave and other stunning areas along the coast west of Albufeira, it also actively looks for dolphins. And yes, there are lots of dolphins in the area, so it’s quite likely you’ll get to see them.

I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of these Benagil Cave tours. Pick one that best fits your itinerary or that starts closer to your accommodation. In addition, check what else is included and at what time the tour runs – that way, you not only visit Benagil Cave but also see some dolphins or a beautiful sunset, etc.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Albufeira

Farol de Alfanzina - Alfanzina lighthouse near Cabo Carvoeiro in Algarve Portugal
Alfanzina lighthouse near Cabo Carvoeiro
 

Is it possible to visit Benagil Cave from Lagos, Vilamoura, or Faro?

The best way to get to Benagil Cave is by taking a boat tour from Portimao or Albufeira – the two biggest towns nearby. However, it’s also possible to visit Benagil Cave from Lagos, Vilamoura, or even Faro.

Obviously, if you are coming from further away, boat tours take a little bit longer (and cost a bit more), but it’s definitely possible.

The price difference is usually not big so it’s not worth taking a car to Albufeira or to Portimao first. If you are staying in Lagos, Faro, or Vilamoura, simply take a boat tour to Benagil cave from there.

TIP: Here you can find the best Benagil cave tours from Lagos. Here – from Vilamoura. And here – from Faro.

READ ALSO: Top Places to See & Things to Do in Lagos

 

Our experience with the Benagil Cave boat tour from Portimao

As I said, the first time we visited Benagil Cave (and when this article was originally written), we took this highly-rated small boat tour on a speed boat departing from Portimao. The whole trip was just a sequence of one highlight after another.

There were just 12 people on the boat and everybody was super excited and mesmerized by the beauty of the places that we visited.

The sea was quite rough on the day we did this boat tour (we were in Algarve in April) and we were happy to be on a small speed boat. These boats go faster, you never get seasick in them, and they also have much bigger chances to be able to enter the sea caves.

We visited so many sea caves that I lost count of them all. Despite the rough sea, we could enter every single one of them. Our guide was extremely skilled and he made sure that we had a safe ride with lots of thrills along the way. He also told us a lot about the places that we saw and gave quite some tips on the best places to visit along the Algarve coast by car afterward.

Best way to see Algarve coast and the sea caves is to take a boat tour
Algarve coast is simply stunning!
 

Benagil Cave boat tour with kids

During the first visit years ago, we did the Benagil Cave boat tour in Algarve with our three kids (ages 7, 7, and 9). At first, we were a bit worried that they might get bored sitting on a boat watching rocks. But the kids were just as excited as we were!

All three boys loved the fast and bumpy boat ride and were super excited about the boat entering the caves and passing through the narrow openings in the rocks. None of them got bored and they kept on saying that this was the best boat ride ever.

In fact, they loved it so much that a few days later we did a whale-watching tour in Madeira with a speed boat as well.

From what I see, there is no age limit for kids on most Benagil Cave boat tours, so it’s a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy together.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Algarve with Kids

Benagil Caves in Algarve Portugal
Benagil Cave
 

Where to stay close to Benagil Cave?

As you can see, there are so many tours to Benagil Cave that you really don’t have to stay nearby in order to visit here.

That being said, this area is stunning and you could easily spend a few days exploring the sea caves, hiking on coastal cliff paths, enjoying beaches, and local food.

If you want to stay close to Benagil Beach, you can find the best accommodation options here. However, keep in mind that there are no big hotels here and privately rented apartments and villas get booked up months in advance.

Alternatively, stay in Corvoeiro, which is just nearby. It’s a beautiful little town with an even more beautiful coastline. There are quite a few hotels here. One of the nicest hotels in this area is Tivoli Carvoeiro.

READ ALSO: Best Places to Stay in Algarve

Tivoli Carvoeiro hotel and coastal scenery as seen from the Benagil Cave boat tour
Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel is located in one of the most beautiful areas in the Algarve!
 

Practical information & tips for visiting Benagil Cave

  • For fewer crowds, visit Benagil Cave early in the morning.
  • If you want to see Benagil Cave from above, you can easily do it by yourself, no need to take a tour. But if you want to see it from the inside, it’s best to join a boat tour.
  • Most Benagil Cave boat tours take 2 to 3 hours and cost around 25-40 EUR/pp (price varies depending on the season, duration of the tour, size of the boat, etc.). You can find and book Benagil cave tours here.
  • Make sure to do your research and book a small boat tour. Smaller boats have fewer people, they go faster, and they can enter the caves easier.
  • In summer, many Benagil Cave tours also offer an option to swim in the ocean, so you may want to wear your swimsuit and take a towel.
  • Don’t forget a sun hat and sunscreen lotion. We didn’t think to apply any as it was a rather grey and cold day in early spring, and we all got red noses in just two hours.

READ ALSO: Algarve Travel Tips

The best way to see the stunning Algarve coastline is by boat
A boat tour is the best way to see the beautiful Algarve coast
 

Taking the boat tour to Benagil Cave will be one of the highlights of any trip to the Algarve.

Whether you are in Algarve for just a day or a week, seeing the sea caves and the beautiful coastline from the water is really a must. Highly recommended!

Benagil Cave FAQ

How do you get into Benagil Cave?

The best way to get inside Benagil Cave is by taking a boat tour from one of the nearby towns. You are no longer allowed to swim or disembark inside the cave.

Can you walk to Benagil Cave?

There is a big hole at the top of the Benagil Cave and it’s possible to walk to that hole from the shore. You cannot access the cave itself on foot, but you can see the cave via this hole from above. Just be careful!

Where is Benagil Cave?

Benagil Cave is located in Algarve, Portugal, along the coast between the towns of Portimao and Albufeira. The closest beaches near Benagil Caves are Praia de Benagil and Praia da Corredoura.

When is Benagil Cave open?

Benagil Cave has no opening hours and is always open. However, depending on the sea conditions and the wind, sometimes it’s very difficult to enter the caves via the small opening. So it does happen that boats cannot get inside the cave and that you cannot visit, but that is difficult to predict in advance.

When is the best time to visit Benagil Cave?

Depending on the weather and sea conditions, Benagil Cave can be visited the whole year and in all seasons. The best time to come is when the sea is calm and there are few boats/people. For that, it’s best to go very early in the morning or very late in the afternoon. The sea is usually calmer in the morning.

More travel inspiration for the Algarve region:

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

How to visit Benagil Cave in Portugal
How to see the best sea caves of Algarve Portugal including the famous Benagil cave
 

More travel inspiration for Portugal:

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PK

Wednesday 22nd of January 2020

Hi Jurga, This has been one of the best blog i have read recently that gives a very simple yet powerful description of how to approach a destination. Thanks for the details.

Can you please share the speed boat company name or website link that you used. I have clicked on the one that you mentioned above in the description but it takes me to cruise trip with about 100+ people on it, I want to have that 12 member speed boat because we are 3 families (12 people) going this April. Please share their contact details too.

FYI - we are going to stay in Albufeira

Thanks in advance

Jurga

Thursday 23rd of January 2020

Hi, glad you found the blog useful. The tour that we did was this one and it's linked to in the article, so I'm not sure where exactly you clicked. But anyway. If you are with a group of 12 people, why don't you just book a private boat like this. It's just perfect for 12 and I think it costs about the same if not cheaper than booking just a regular one. It's the same company that runs both of these and they start in Portimao (about 40 min drive from Albufeira). There are all kinds of tours from Albufeira area too, but I don't have any personal experience with those. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

Manuela

Thursday 13th of June 2019

I just returned from the Algarve region this week and also highly recommend you see the Benagil caves! We took the kayak tour, which allows you to dock the kayak and spend some time in the cave, whereas boats are not permitted to dock. Note, the Benagil beach is close enough, where some people entered the cave via swimming or paddle boarding. One more quick tip. While in the Algarve, don't miss out on the 'Seven hanging valley walk' in the Algarve which is a coastline walk that starts in Praia do Marinha and ends in Praia de Vale Centeanes (it's 3.7 miles one way, so 7.4 miles roundtrip). The views are truly breathtaking! I can't say enough about it. Enjoy!! BTW, the Algarve coastline is on the cover of the 'National Geographic' magazine this month. :)

Bindi

Friday 16th of August 2019

Hi Manuela, We are traveling to Algarve next week and I was looking into kayak options to Benagil caves. How was the kayak experience itself. Was it tough and how long did it take? Also, do you know if they allow kids on the kayaks?

Jurga

Saturday 15th of June 2019

Thank you for sharing your experience, Manuela. Happy travels!

Heather

Wednesday 15th of May 2019

Hello, great info and pics! Do you know of any companies that do private boat charters? Thank you

Jurga

Wednesday 15th of May 2019

Hi Heather, yes, the same company that we went with also offers a private tour - you can find more details and book it here.

Shah

Wednesday 17th of April 2019

Thanks a lot for sharing this useful and easy to get information

Jurga

Thursday 18th of April 2019

Enjoy your trip, Shah!

Ravi

Sunday 14th of April 2019

Hello Jurga, This is a very informative post. We will be travelling to Algarve with our 4 year daughter in the last week of August 2019 for 3N/4D. I have gone through many blogs online and is confused if I should stay at Lagos, Albufeira or near Praia da Rocha. Can you please provide some tips in this regard. We want to see mainly the beautiful beaches and caves. Also is it possible to travel within Algarve without car, Thanks..

Jurga

Friday 19th of April 2019

Hi Ravi, all these areas are nice in their own way and there is not one best answer where to stay. Staying in Portimao (Praia da Rocha) has the benefit of being more central and if you like touristy busy beach towns, I think it's a good choice. I hear that Albufeira area is also very nice and in Lagos you have some of the most beautiful beaches of Algarve too. Stunning area, but if you stay close to e.g. Praia Dona Ana or Praia do Camilo, there's not much else there, but the beach and a few restaurants. So it's really about what you are looking for... We ourselves stayed in Sagres. It's a bit far from everywhere else, but we loved that off-beat feeling and the area is so nice too. It's a really tough choice. If you are mostly interested in sightseeing, I think Lagos or Portimao are the two best places because they are close to the bigger roads, so it will take you less time to get somewhere... If you are looking for specific accommodation tips, please check this article about the best beaches in Algarve, where I also indicated the nicest accommodations near each beach. And yes, I really recommend renting a car if you are planning to travel around. I guess you could also take a few boat tours too, but it's also about getting there. Check this website for best car rental deals. It's usually quite cheap in Portugal (we paid just 18-25 EUR/day for a big car every time we rented (always in April though)). Hope this helps.

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