Benagil: where is it, how to get there, what to do?

Benagil is an incredible place. Owner of ancient landscapes that man has visited since the dawn of time, it is a place that everyone who visits Portugal should visit.

So, to discover more about this incredible place, continue reading until the end.

What is Benagil and where is it?

Benagil is a small coastal village in the municipality of Lagoa, a region located in Algarve, in the south of Portugal. The village is known for its natural beauty and tranquility, with traditional white houses and narrow streets that wind through the landscape. 

Furthermore, Benagil is a very popular place among the Portuguese and tourists, who go there for their holidays to take advantage of the local offer of beautiful beaches, magnificent scenery and tranquility.

Benagil beach is one of the most beautiful and popular in the Algarve region. It is a golden sand beach surrounded by impressive cliffs, and its crystal clear waters invite you to swim in the sea.

However, the beach is very safe and suitable for both families with children and couples and groups of visitors who want to enjoy the local beauty. You can go boating, kayaking, sport fishing and diving.

What is the Benagil cave like?

Firstly, it is interesting to discuss the subject of the cave that borrows the name from the local village: Benagil.

Therefore, the Benagil cave is an impressive sea cave located on the coast of the Algarve, in Portugal. Famous for the round-shaped crack in the ceiling of the cave, which allows natural light to enter the interior, creating a unique and surreal atmosphere.

The cave is formed by sandstone rocks carved by the action of the sea over the centuries. With more than twenty meters in height and a width that extends another twenty meters, the place has colossal proportions just like its beauty.

This round-shaped crack in its roof – which you can just call a hole – is the local geological highlight, it allows sunlight to enter and create a show of lights and shadows inside. It's beautiful.

Inside this impressive cave you will see irregular rock walls that form a complex maze of passages, holes and niches. The sea enters the cave, creating natural pools of crystal clear blue waters that are very popular with visitors.

The Benagil cave is an incredible place to visit. However, it is often considered one of the most beautiful caves in the world and is therefore a very popular destination. Even though it is 'natural' from a small and bucolic region of Portugal.

However, it is very interesting that the tour is done with experienced guides. The place is dangerous for visitors because in addition to facing the open sea, it is a large cave, with a hole at the top. Therefore, dangerous.

What are Algares?

Another important detail to clarify is the type of geographical feature that the Benagil cave is.

Therefore, the algar, singular of algars, is conceptualized as a natural cavity with predominantly vertical development. In Portugal it is also called algarão or algarocho.

They can originate in several ways. However, the most common occur when they are excavated by rising and falling water – as in the case of the Azores. They can be produced by the fluid movement of lava that advances and retreats, in some cases leaving such holes.

Sinks are normally formed on specific rock floors where, due to erosive agents, the rock erodes, thus forming a cavity. They can be divided, according to their form of creation, into:

• Dissolution pit – shaped like a well, resulting from the vertical dissolution of the rock;
• Slump hole – shaped like a bell, as its origin comes from the slump at the base of its gallery;
• Mixed sinkholes – is a mixed form of both, with the surface undergoing dissolution and the base undergoing the slump version.

The Benagil cave, therefore, has the classification of dissolution.

And the village of Benagil, what is it like?

Benagil is a fishing village in the Algarve known for its stunning beaches and beautiful caves close to the sea.

However, next to Benagil beach, you will find the huge Algar de Benagil: with a hole in the roof and a small strip of sand, the cave can only be accessed by boat or kayak.

The village, with the same name as the other natural attractions, is a small fishing community located on the Algarve coast, which is in the Faro region, in Portugal.

Benagil is surrounded by high cliffs and has a quiet beach, which is mainly frequented by tourists who want to enjoy the region's clear, calm waters.

Furthermore, the village is full of whitewashed houses, which spread across the hillside and offer panoramic views of the sea. There are also some convenience stores, bars and restaurants serving fresh seafood and typical Portuguese dishes.

Therefore, see Benagil as a quiet village. It has a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, which attracts visitors looking for a refuge away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Maintaining authenticity and original charm, with narrow, winding streets that lead to the beach.

How to get to the Benagil cave?

Getting to the Benagil cave is not difficult, it is about 150 meters from the beach that bears the same name. Being in the Algarve, but specifically in the parish of Carvoeiro, to get to Benagil by car you will have good parking to park your car.

However, this parking lot will not be in front of the beach. It is on top of a small hill, two hundred meters from the beach.

Furthermore, you can reach the beach inside the cave in different ways: boat, kayak, stand up paddle, and even swimming.

What to do in Benagil?

Benagil is a wonderful place with many activities for visitors. So there is a lot that can be done there with you as a visitor. The following list indicates some of these activity options for you in Benagil:

1. Visit the Benagil cave – being one of the main attractions in the region, the grotto is an incredible cave with a large opening in the ceiling that allows natural light to enter and a spectacular view of the sea;
2. Discover Benagil beach – the beach that surrounds the village is one of the most beautiful in the region. So expect crystal clear waters and golden sands. There is an ideal place to relax and catch some sun;
3. Visit the village – the small village is charming, with narrow streets and whitewashed houses. Walking around the region is a great thing to do;
4. Take a boat trip – you will find several local companies that promote these types of tours. Therefore, expect to visit, across the sea, the caves at times of high tide, where you can see dolphins or opt for fishing;
5. Practice water sports – there are many water activities available in Benagil, such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling. However, the ideal is that you rent the equipment and hire a guide for this;
6. Local cuisine – the Algarve region is known for its delicious cuisine, with many fresh seafood dishes and other Portuguese specialties. There are many restaurants and bars in Benagil and neighboring towns for you to try;
7. Visit nearby attractions – there are several attractions close to Benagil that are worth visiting, such as the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Rocha, Algar Seco in Carvoeiro and the historic city of Silves. So feel free to explore them.

These are some of the options you will find in the Benagil region. However, you must take into account that this article is a time frame, so some of this information may change in the future. So stay tuned.

Conclusion

In short, visiting Benagil is not just a tip that you can receive, but it is, in essence, a great idea for you if you are going to visit Portugal and want some type of tour that does not directly involve touring the emblematic Portuguese cities.

Application Updated on February 14, 2025