Do you want to know how to get into Benagil cave? You can walk, swim, or join a boat, kayak or SUP Tour. This is the ultimate guide to getting to the Benagil cave.

The Benagil cave is the most famous sea cave in Portugal. So if you are on holiday in the Algarve, make sure you visit it. We are Benagil specialists, providing over 80 tours to visit this amazing cave.

The region around Benagil is also worth a visit, so why not combine it with a tour along the Algarve coastline or a day trip to the nearby village Carvoeiro? Beautiful caves, beaches and stunning cliffs, we offer the best boat tours in the Algarve.

What is the Benagil cave?

The Benagil cave is a fascinating rock formation with a big eye in the middle. It’s the most famous sea cave in the Algarve.

The hole in the ceiling of the cave allows the sun to shine at the little beach inside the cave. Its beauty is hard to describe and the best way to understand it is to go there and see for yourselves.

The colours of the cave are, just like the entire coastline around it, unique and typical for the Algarve. And to see the clear blue sky through the eye of the cave is simply beautiful!
The cave, is just one of many, there are amazing grottoes and rock formations along the coastline. In the picture below, you can see the arches of Marinha, aren’t those worth a visit too?

Where is the cave?

The Benagil sea cave is located in Lagoa, in the Algarve in Portugal. The grotto can be found just between Praia de Benagil and Praia da Marinha.

In the area, there are also some other towns that are worth a visit. Carvoeiro is one of the most popular destinations in the Algarve for tourists from all over the world. Here you can stroll around the streets, enjoy an ice cream or a nice lunch or dinner after visiting the cave!

Carvoeiro is a typical fishing village, thus don’t forget to taste some delicious fish at our favourite restaurant in Carvoeiro – A Fonte. 

How to get to the Benagil cave?

The best way to get there is definitely by boat. You can go by train, bus or car to any of the departure points of the Benagil tours.

The cave tours depart from Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, Vilamoura, Armação de Pêra, Ferragudo, or Alvor.

To go to the beach, next to the small fishing village, the easiest way is to drive there by car. Easiest is to turn on the GPS or Google maps, although there are many signs, many people find it hard to find.
If you want to go to the beach by public transport, you need to go by train or bus to Lagoa. From there you can get a taxi, which costs around 10€ .

Best way from Albufeira:

Best way from Portimão:

Best way from Lagos:

Can you walk to the cave?

Yes, you can walk there. You can park your can next to the Benagil beach, and walk along the coast east direction. However, this way you can only see the beach and cave from above. It’s also very beautiful. But seeing the famous cave from the cliffs is not nearly as impressive as seeing it from the sea. So even though you can walk there, it’s not the “real”  experience. And of course, you won’t get to take those amazing pictures.

Can you swim to the cave?

Yes, you can swim to the cave, but it’s very dangerous. This is one of the most popular caves in the Algarve. There are many boats going in and out  at the same time, especially at high season. Unfortunately, swimmers can be overseen. 

The sea conditions can make it very risky to swim to the cave. So while some bloggers suggest the best way to get to the cave is by swimming, let us tell you that this is very dangerous. Especially people who are not familiar with the sea and not very good swimmers should definitely not swim.

What is the best way to see Benagil cave?

The best way is by boat, kayak or SUP ( stand up paddle boarding). This way you can get into the grotto and actually stand on the golden sand in the cave.

We offer over 80 tours to Algar de Benagil, so we are sure we can help you find the best choice for you!

If you want to visit this unique place without too much effort, the best way is on a boat tour. We have available bigger and stable boats but also smaller boats, these will allow you to get into the many small grottoes along the coastline.

People who are not comfortable in the sea can feel safe in a boat.
All boat tours include life jackets.  More active people might prefer a Kayak or SUP tour. 

But why only visit the grotto?

Did you know that the entire region around it is full of similar caves and grottoes, and all of them are a lot less frequented by tourists?

Sure, the cave is very impressive and a famous tourist attraction of the Algarve, but actually the caves in the entire Algarve coast around it are equally beautiful! There are also many beautiful beaches to put on your travel bucket list. Check Ponta da Piedade in Lagos!

If you get on a boat trip from Lagos, Portimão or Ferragudo for example, you will see about 15-20 caves. Depending on the tides, your skipper will take you through tunnels and into completely dark caves.

By the time you get to the sea cave, you might not even be so impressed anymore since you have already seen how beautiful the region around it is.

So to make sure you don’t miss out on some other impressive caves of the Algarve, a guided boat, kayak or SUP Tour is the best way to see the cave!

High season is between June and September, so make sure to book in advance to guarantee your seats on a tour to visit this unique place.