A complete guide to Carvoeiro, Portugal
My guide to a week in Portugal’s Algarve region
We spent a week soaking up the sun in Carvoeiro, a charming coastal town in the Algarve. If you’re looking to relax as a family, it’s an ideal base.
Our days were blissfully unstructured – just sunbathing on the beach, indulging in lots of delicious local food, and exploring the picturesque surroundings. The goal was pure relaxation, and it did not disappoint!
You can fly into Faro from Norwich, so it’s a super convenient destination if you live in Norfolk! Sometimes you just need to switch off from the get-go, and not worry about the travel side of things. This trip was perfect for that.
A perfect beach holiday
Portugal has been on my bucket list for the longest time. I adore Cornwall and its rugged coastline, so I’ve always been told that Portugal’s beaches and cliffs would appeal. They certainly didn’t disappoint – I’d seen photos, but they don’t do the beaches justice. The coastline is spectacular!
You can really unwind and switch off here, but there are plenty of activities and adventures to be had if you want to mix it up a bit.
Top three highlights
1. Hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys trail
If you love nature, this hike is a must. The Seven Hanging Valleys trail is one of the best hikes in Europe, and the views were nothing short of breathtaking. The 6km trail stretches from Praia de Marinha to Praia de Centeanes and offers spectacular views of the rugged coast, limestone cliffs, picturesque beaches and natural caves.
2. Boat trip to Benagil Cave
Another highlight was our boat trip to the famous Benagil Cave. It was an incredible experience exploring the cave’s majestic rock formations and crystal-clear waters. Definitely one of the most memorable moments of our trip!
3. Sunset walk on Carvoeiro boardwalk
We took a leisurely sunset stroll along the Carvoeiro boardwalk, which offered gorgeous views of the coastline and the setting sun. It was the perfect end to several beautiful days.
Where to stay
We stayed at the Rocha Brava village resort in Carvoeiro, which was perfect for our needs. We opted for a 2-bedroom garden villa, which came with two bathrooms – ideal for our teenage daughters.
The resort is about a 30-minute walk from Carvoeiro and 15 minutes from the beach, with a free shuttle service running three times a day. Facilities include four pools, a restaurant, a café, playgrounds, a kids’ club, and tennis courts. The grounds were beautifully kept, making it a wonderfully relaxing environment.
Places to eat
The best meal we had was definitely at Pizzeria Cazuza; a homemade stone-baked pizza made from a pizza oven, sitting on a hillside overlooking Benagil beach. As for our other favourites, I highly recommend checking out:
Mona Lisa
in Carvoeiro for great Italian fare.
O Stop
on Praia de Centeanes beach for a casual bite.
Gelados & Companhia
in Carvoeiro for some of the best ice cream you’ll ever taste!
Who should visit?
Carvoeiro and the Algarve region is ideal for families, couples, and even groups celebrating special occasions. With so much to offer, it caters to all kinds of travellers.
My top tips
Uber over taxis: For affordable transport, download the Uber app. We used it for a 30-minute drive to Portimao, which only cost 10 Euros!
Fast track security: Faro airport was extremely busy coming home. I would recommend purchasing a security fast track when you get to the airport. There is a self service machine where you can buy your tickets just before security and it’s around 8 Euros per person.
Discover Portugal with us
I’m already looking forward to my next adventure – I’ll be heading to Cornwall in a few weeks and then setting sail on a European cruise for a special birthday celebration in September. If Portugal sounds like it could be a good fit for your next adventure, don’t be afraid to take the plunge and reach out.
I can’t recommend Carvoeiro and its surroundings highly enough – get in touch with the team at Oyster Travel. Or use the link below to book a consultation and I can craft a bespoke itinerary for your own perfect Portuguese getaway!
