Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, Algarve’s Scenic Hike (Portugal) + Map

by Drifter Planet | Sep 18, 2023 | NEW, Portugal

Sete Vales Suspensos OR the Seven Hanging Valleys

Ever visited a travel destination for a few days but realized that your time there wasn’t enough because there was so much to see?

It happened to me when I went to the Algarve. I loved it so much and realized I wanted to spend more time exploring more areas so I went back again within a year.

Yes, Portugal’s Algarve is one of those regions that is worth visiting at least twice because there’s so much to see and it is all good.

What makes Portugal’s Algarve region really special are the rock formations. They not only add a stunning background to the beaches but also offer multiple hikes and viewpoint possibilities.

My first time in the Algarve was in Lagos and I did the Ponta da Piedade hike every single day to see the sunset. As a result, I found many different viewpoints and spots.

It was during that trip that I discovered the Seven Haning Valleys hike route because I could see people up on the viewpoints and on a trail while I was kayaking to the Benagil Cave.

So yes, I went back to the Algarve just to stay at an amazingly cute fishing village that I saw from the boat – Carvoeiro. That’s where the hike starts!

I went a step further, and stayed at a hotel from where this trail actually starts – Rocha Brava Village Resort.

Introducing the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

The Seven Hanging Valleys trail is a scenic hike in Portugal’s Algarve that goes on for 5.7 km. The hike goes along the coast on the rocks.

This trail goes up and down and one can see many beaches from up above. Not only the beaches but one can also see the holes – or “Algares“.

This walk goes on an almost unbroken line of cliffs, interrupted only by water courses. Historically each hanging valley was associated with a rivermouth flowing into the sea from above. Most of these watercourses flow into the sea from above, creating “hanging valleys”, hence the name.

Each hanging valley shows the effects of erosion that have taken place along the coastline over the last million years. As a result, the cliffs are unique and a predominant feature of this landscape.

There are caves and many algares (or holes) and birds live in many of them, especially bats.

The world-famous Marinha Beach comes at the end of this trail (or the start depending on your direction). It is possible to go down to many of the beaches take a break and then go back up on the trail.

The Seven Hanging Valleys trail also goes on top of the famous Benagil Cave. This cave has a hole on the top of the rocks and the trail will take you there.

Quick Facts about the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

Here are some numbers and figures about the Seven Hanging Valleys hiking trail:

• Length of the entire trail: 5.7 KM (so a round trip is 11.4 KM).
• Average Duration for the trail: 3 hours one way and 6 hours in total. You can definitely do it faster if you don’t take breaks to click pictures.
• Difficulty Level: Medium, only because it can get slippery on some paths. Also, the hiking path isn’t a proper boardwalk, unlike the Ponta da Piedade hike of Lagos (Lagos is also in the Algarve).
• Maximum Height: 45,50 meters for the rocks above Praia do Vale de Centeanes.
• Minimum Height: 7,50 meters at Benagil Beach.
• Recommended seasons: Spring, Summer, and Autumn. (The official website doesn’t mention summer but I did this in summer and it is doable).

I will share tips for doing this hike in an easier and more fun way at one of the later points.

Seven Hanging Valleys Trail Start Point

The starting point for the Seven Hanging Valleys trail is Praia do Vale de Centeanes in Carvoeiro. This beach is close to Rocha Brava Village Resort.

Vale de Centeanes is the best beach in Carvoeiro because it has amazing rock formations. Also, the main beach – Praia do Carvoeiro is busy but Praia do Vale de Centeanes isn’t.

Yes, the trail starts from Praia do Vale de Centeanes but a part of it goes through Rocha Brava Village Resort before the lighthouse.

You can’t start the hike from the beach itself, because you have to climb down to go to the beach and then climb up to go on the path. So, leave a beach day for another day, instead go to “Miradouro do Vale Suspenso” or “Miradouro Vale Centeanes” or just near the lighthouse Farol de Alfanzina to start your hike.

Somewhere here also is a place marked on Google as “the best lunch bench in Algarve”. Note that some parts are fenced off because they belong to Rocha Brava Village Resort, so it can get confusing here.

Seven Hanging Valleys Trail End Point

The Seven Hanging Valleys trail ends at Praia da Marinha, but you can actually go on top and walk a little further because the beach right after Praia da Marinha looks insanely beautiful from the top.

If you notice on the above rocks, there are many viewpoint possibilities and there are so many kinds of different views that one can enjoy from the top on all sides.

Seven Hanging Valleys Trail Map

Here’s a map that I made of the Seven Hanging Valleys hiking trail using Google Maps. I have a habit of making things on Google Maps before I visit a destination so that I don’t miss out on things that I really want to do.

If you look for a “walking map” from point A to B, it will give you a slightly different map from what I have made up above.

Here’s a picture that I clicked at the end point of the Seven Hanging Valleys trail at Marinha Beach with information about every spot on the way

I found the above map to be really useful because it mentions scenic spots but of course, it mentions very few of them and there’s a lot more.

Notable Viewpoints along the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail from Start to End

You will want to save this post because I am now going to mention the viewpoints of the hike from the starting point till the end.

The viewpoints get better towards the end. The best part of this hike is from Benagil Beach to Marinha Beach.

1) Miradouro Vale Centeanes

This viewpoint overlooks the Praia do Vale de Centeanes (translation is the beach of the valley of Centeanes). The Seven Hanging Valleys hike starts from here so this is actually the first viewpoint that you will see on this hike.

The walking trail that starts from here isn’t a proper boardwalk but is a narrow path leading through the bushes on top of the rock.

We also saw a bunch of fruiting prickly pear cactuses here or Opuntia here.

For me, the Vale Centeanes beach was lovely to visit because it was like a mini version of the more famous Marinha beach in terms of the rock formations, water clarity, and sand.

2) Best Lunch Bench in Algarve

This is something we found on Google Maps and we realized that to arrive here one has to get inside the resort that was along the hike, and we later realized that was the resort where we were staying – Rocha Brava Village Resort.

We were able to reach this spot because we had the access key to enter the boundary since we were the guests of the resort. If you can’t then you don’t need to make an effort because there are definitely more viewpoints up ahead and some are more interesting.

3) Alfanzina Lighthouse & Around

We reached the Alfanzina Lighthouse at sunset time and the area around looked very good. There are multiple viewpoints and possibilities as you explore the area around it.

There is also a cave that you see from up above, Gruta do Farol de Alfanzina – but we were just two girls here and it was going to get dark. We of course didn’t want to go inside a cave at that moment.

We also saw some locals who were sitting on top of the rocks near the lighthouse to watch the sunset. Apart from them, there was not even a single person around, and definitely not on the trail.

In comparison, the other lighthouse on the Ponta da Piedade hiking trail that I saw was full of people because that’s a famous viewpoint. That’s also in the Algarve but that spot overlooks the sunset directly so I guess it is more popular for sunset photos.

There is also supposed to be a “Paradise Cave” near Alfanzina Lighthouse. We didn’t have the time to try to find it but if you do, please tell me about it.

4) Praia do Vale Espinhaço Viewpoint

This is a super tiny beach and there are steps that go to it. My friend and I were here at sunset time so we didn’t want to go down to the beach because it was just about to get dark. Instead, we found a nice viewpoint to spend some amazing moments.

If you see the above photo, the way to the beach goes from the left side of the rock that we are sitting on.

I highly recommend this spot for stunning sunset photos. I actually haven’t seen even a single photo of this spot on Instagram till now, which is a very good thing.

5) Floating Rock

Floating rock is a tall cliff that has been eroded from all sides and as a result, appears to be a floating piece of rock. There is a beach right behind the floating rock and it was empty at the time of our visit.

All these spots aren’t marked on the Seven Hanging Valleys trek. This is why I say that the Ponta da Piedade hike is better marked because all the viewpoints have gazebos and an information board.

6) Benagil Beach and Cave

Benagil Beach and Cave is where you should take a pause, rent a kayak or a SUP, and go inside the cave. A better part of doing this hike would be to split it. Do the Benagil cave kayaking in the morning and after that hike from Benagil to Marinha to do half of the Seven Hanging Valleys hike.

As mentioned before, I visited the Benagil Cave twice – once in the afternoon on a kayak and then in the morning on an SUP. The cave gets very full in the afternoon, so try your best to do this first thing in the morning.

If you want to see the cave (which you totally should), then check out the below tours that I have handpicked for you:

• Benagil Cave Guided tour: It is a 2-hour kayaking tour that leaves from Benagil Beach.
• Benagil Kayak Rental: If you have enough kayaking experience, then you can rent the kayak and do it yourself. But be careful of the rocks at the entry of the cave.
• Benagil Cave Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP): For me entering the Benagil Cave on a paddleboard was a lot of fun. Try it. It isn’t easy to stand on the SUP because of the waves but was still fun.
• Benagil Cave Sunrise or Sunset Kayaking: It is different from the others because it has super early or late start times so that you can avoid crowds. This also costs EUR 35 per person and starts from Benagil Beach.
• Algarve: Benagil Caves Guided Kayaking Tour: This is pretty similar to the first one on this list and costs the same – EUR 35. But they have 5 different time slots so that you can start super early or late to avoid crowds. It also leaves from Benagil Beach.

If you are an experienced kayaker, then you may not need a tour and can do this on your own. But remember there is a right way to enter the cave and a wrong way.

Because I was always with a guide – even when we did a private SUP tour with just two people, I had professionals telling me which side of the cave to enter from. There was a Spanish couple who were entering it from the wrong side and spent a long time fighting the waves because they kept getting pushed towards the rocks. Ouch!

The Seven Valleys hike doesn’t take you inside the Benagil cave but it goes next to a hole on top of the Benagil Cave. So you have to get off the path at Benagil Beach and rent a kayak from there to go to the cave.

Benagil Beach is tiny, but pretty. Sadly it was full of seaweed so wasn’t fun to walk on it. Note that I’m talking about the “Benagil Cave” beach but the main Benagil Beach.

So unless you are going to the beach to rent kayaks or SUPs, there is no other reason to go to Benagil Beach because it isn’t really worth it. If you are doing the cave on another day then stay on the Seven Hanging Valleys hiking trail and don’t make a stop on this beach.

7) Praia do Carvalho

There are two beaches marked as Praia do Carvalho as per Google Maps. One comes before Benagil and one comes after. This is the one that was after crossing the Benagil beach.

This is one of the beaches that I would have liked to go down to. But of course, I picked a few of them because if I went down on every single beach then the hike would have taken forever.

If you see the above photo of the beach, the seaweed has taken over the entire beach. That’s sadly the problem with some of Algarve’s smaller beaches and I also noticed it on a tiny yet lovely Praia do Pinhão, in Lagos which was sadly full of seaweed.

8) Cão Raivoso Beach, Cave and Viewpoint

I don’t know exactly the name of this cave but I’m using the name of the nearby beaches. As mentioned before, there are many holes in the rocks around this area and as a result lots of caves.

The time that I visited Benagil Cave, we visited a few other caves after Benagil but I didn’t write the names down. I specifically remember one cave that was called the Dark Cave.

The above picture was clicked right after the hole in the rock from where you can see the cave. If you miss this spot, don’t fret because there are lots of holes in the rocks all around. They are called algares in Portuguese.

9) Heart Shaped Rock / Elephant Rock Viewpoint

So lately pictures of a heart-shaped rock formation on the Seven Hanging Valleys trail have been taking social media by storm. There isn’t actually a heart-shaped rock but three rocks that give an illusion of a heart-shaped gap.

This illusion is actually formed by the “Elephant Rock” which I saw a year back while kayaking to Benagil Cave. I also kayaked under the arches of the Elephant Rock in 2022 and I did the same round on SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) in 2023.

Wondering where to find it? Read on.

No matter which kayaking or SUP tour you do to reach the Benagil Cave, most likely they will take you here because that’s the typical route.

How to find the Heart Shaped Rock Viewpoint on the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail?

In order to find the heart-shaped hole in the rock viewpoint, you need to first find the Elephant Rock, or “Rocha do Elefante”. It is right before the Arco Natural and the Marinha Beach viewpoint.

This spot comes right before you reach Marinha Beach. So, in case you missed it, you literally have to walk from the Marinha Beach Parking to the viewpoint that’s before the beach and overlooks it.

You will see a path that’s fenced off and at the corner where the Elephant Rock is visible, you have to go under the fence and a few steps till it appears that the rocks in front are forming a heart with the elephant rock. The above picture where I am sitting is close to it.

So many people miss this spot that it’s unbelievable! As my friend and I stood there, we saw so many people who clicked a picture of the other viewpoint and didn’t even notice the heart.

So, I really hope you find my website before you do the hike so that you can find this heart shape and click the most amazing pictures.

We liked this spot so much that we went back the same day to see the sunset here.

10) Viewpoint of Praia da Marinha

There isn’t one but many viewpoints of Marinha Beach. The most famous one is what comes right before the beach on the hike and is next to Arco Natural, the next viewpoint.

This picture was clicked in the peak daylight, so just imagine how stunning it would look at time of golden hour during sunrise or sunset.

Another amazing viewpoint of the Marinha beach is the one that comes right before one enters the beach from the parking spot.

Just like I told you to take a break at Benagil Cave, another spot for you to take a break is Marinha Beach. It is often called the most beautiful beach in Europe and it is totally worth the hype.

Praia da Marinha has amazingly clean water, soft sand, interesting rock formations, and arches. This beach is a perfect place to enjoy a beach day, you wouldn’t want to leave.

There is also an affordable beach bar and restaurant where I had two meals and loved them. The sangrias here were just EUR 3 per glass, which is an unbelievable price considering it is right on the beach and one that looks so pretty.

Another amazing viewpoint of Praia da Marinha is after you cross the beach and walk beyond the end of the Seven Hanging Valleys trail. It is worth it because you will also see another lovely viewpoint that comes after, which I mention in the next point.

11) Praia da Malhada do Baraço

This is the viewpoint after the Marinha Beach and isn’t “officially” on the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail but I think it is worth mentioning because the water here looks very smooth and blue from the top.

The beach Praia da Malhada do Baraço looked breathtaking from up above and we could see just one couple on it who kayaked to the beach as we hiked up above.

Pro Tip – Split the Seven Hanging Valleys / Sete Vales Suspensos Hike

You don’t need to do the entire Sete Vales Suspensos trek in one go, it is more fun to split it. That way you can see more sunsets here at different spots, spend longer time on the beaches and have a more relaxed holiday. This is the same thing that I suggested for my Ponta da Piedade hike.

Benagil Beach is the middle point of the Sete Vales Suspensos hike, which makes it easier to split it with a break. If you decide to split it, here’s how I suggest you do it.

Arrive via Uber to Benagil Beach (Uber is so cheap in Portugal, was EUR 7 from Carvoiero to Benagil) and from here kayak to the Benagil Cave.

Come back to Benagil Beach to return the kayak and then hike from Benagil to Marinha Beach. This is the best part of the hike. Spend the rest of the day at Marinha and take an Uber to go back.

Spend a day at Praia do Vale de Centeanes – the pretty beach that’s the starting point. Then do the sunset hike to Benagil. Or, arrive at Benagil and hike back from Benagil to Praia do Vale de Centeanes and spend the rest of the day here.

Stay Safe: Don’t do this hike after dark. There are many holes in the rocks and every single one of them was fenced off but you never know. It is easy to miss a step when it is dark so please don’t do this hike after the sunset.

The Hiking Path is Unsafe at Some Points

If you are like me and would like to see the sunset from one of the viewpoints, then plan in a way that you have enough time to hike back. When in doubt, just UBER it back to your hotel. Uber is very cheap in Portugal and we never paid more than EUR 7.

I’d like to say that wear comfortable shoes but I did this hike in flip-flops. I can’t wear closed shoes in summer but if I ever take my child on a hike like this, I’d never let her wear flip-flops.

Where to Stay near the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail?

I have mentioned this already in my Algarve Road trip itinerary and Carvoeiro posts – the best base for the Seven Hanging Valleys trail is Carvoeiro. In Carvoeiro, pick a place that’s close to the start of the trail, so somewhere near Vale de Centeanes beach.

For that reason, we stayed at Rocha Brava Village Resort. It is a beautiful resort with villas, apartments, restaurants, supermarkets, a bakery, man-made waterfalls, sports centers, swimming pools, and play areas, and is close to the beach.

Our apartment was less than EUR 100 per night for two and had a kitchen too. This way we saved money by cooking two meals per day ourselves.

Another option for a great place to book nearby is Tivoli Carvoiero. It is a super stunning property with a view of the sea and cliffs on both sides. It overlooks Vale Covo and has pools with a view that’s unmatched.

FAQs about hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys

Closing Thoughts on Setes Vales Suspensos Trekking or Seven Hanging Valleys Hike

The main beauty of the Algarve is the rocks. So beaches aren’t the only places where you can enjoy the rocks but also hikes like these ones where one can see stunning sights.

Make sure you read my Algarve itinerary so that you can maximize your time here based on my expert times since I visited this area more than once.

If you like hiking, don’t miss Lagos. You can hike from one beach to another and explore the entire coastline to see all the beaches of Lagos. Don’t miss the Ponta da Piedade hike because that’s truly out of the world.

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Visiting Carvoeiro, Algarve’s Prettiest Destination (Portugal)

by Drifter Planet | Aug 6, 2023 | NEW, Portugal

I visited the Algarve twice and here’s my travel guide for Carvoeiro Algarve.

If you have a thing for stunning beaches, then most likely you have heard of Portugal’s Algarve region. Did you know that the Algarve region easily has 10+ destinations?

The most popular destination in the Algarve is Albufeira and that’s where most of the people go. But you know me, I avoid overly crowded places but I don’t compromise on the landscape beauty.

Some of the other destinations in the Algarve are Lagos (which I absolutely love), Portimao (which I didn’t like), Faro (the airport is here), Tavira, Sagres, Silves, Olhão, Quarteira, Loulé, and Vila Real de Santo António to name just a few.

The destination that I saw from the water and instantly fell in love with was Carvoeiro. Do you want to know why?

Introducing Carvoiro, Portugal

First, let me explain what makes the Algarve so special. Yes, the Algarve has the perfect warm Mediterranean climate but that’s not it.

It’s the stunning landscape caused by the rock formations. The unique sea cliffs are around most of the beaches in the Algarve and as a result, they look spectacular.

One can hike from beach to beach in the Algarve and there are many viewpoints. The most famous hike is Ponta da Piedade in Lagos. Back in 2022, I did this hike every day because it was super stunning.

Carvoeiro is even more special because not only are there rock formations, but these rocks create thousands of caves here. So some spots reminded me of Cappadocia!

I have visited the Algarve twice. I actually went back the second time after a year just so that I could spend time exploring the caves of Carvoiro that I saw from the water while I was on the way to Benagil cave from Portimão. Carvoiro is between Portimão and Albufeira

So now that you know what and where Carvoeiro is, let me tell you about the amazing places to visit here.

Things to do in Carvoeiro Algarve Portugal

1) Algar Seco Caves

Algar Seco caves are the reason why I revisited the Algarve. It is a network of caves that face the sea, and you can walk from one cave to another.

Seriously, this part of the Algarve made us feel like we were on another planet. There is a boardwalk that goes along the Algar Seco caves but to visit many of the caves, one has to walk on the rocks.

The entire Algar Seco Caves walk stretches for a few hundred kilometers along the coast in Carvoeiro. Years have erosion have created these stunning grottos on the rock along the water.

The Algar Seco caves are on one of the most popular walking trails in Carvoeiro, which is the Carvoeiro boardwalk.

This area is famous for its bottlenose dolphins but we didn’t see any. I have also read that a Blue Whale was spotted here in 2011.

As mentioned before, you should ideally wear proper shoes but I always do such hikes in flip-flops. I know it isn’t the safest thing to do but I can’t wear closed shoes in summer.

2) Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (sete vales suspensos)

I have mentioned the Seven Hanging Valleys trail already in my Algarve itinerary post and it starts right here in Carvoeiro. I also have an entire post about the setes vales suspensos / Seven Hanging Valleys hiking trail, please check it out.

This trail starts at Praia do Vale de Centeanes, which is a stunning beach, and ends at Praia da Marinha, which is often called Portugal’s prettiest beach. The trail also goes on top of the Benagil Cave.

The entire Seven Hanging Valleys has one viewpoint after another and Algares (holes) that are thankfully marked. You can look inside some of them from the top and see small private beaches.

The entire trail takes up to 3-4 hours if you stop many times to click photos. The best part obviously is at sunrise time or sunset. You don’t have to do the entire trail in one go, it is a better idea to split it.

We did the part from Benagil Beach to Marinha Beach one day, and then once again for sunset. We hiked the part from Vale de Centeanes to Benagil Beach during the day on another day.

The part from Benagil Cave to Marinha Beach on sete vales suspensos is the prettiest. Right on top of Marinha Beach, one can also see a heart shape that’s created with overlapping rocks.

Unlike the Ponta da Piedade hike, the Seven Hanging Valleys trail doesn’t have a proper boardwalk but a hiking path instead. At several places, it looks like the path is closed off with “Danger” signs but they are about the holes in the rocks, which are called Algares.

3) Benagil Cave & Beach

Imagine a secret beach with a hole on top for light, and the only way to visit is by water. It will give you Indiana Jones vibes when you finally enter this stunning cave because it is an adventure.

I have visited the Benagil Cave twice – once on a kayak in 2022 and then on a SUP in 2023. In 2022 I visited the cave from Portimão because I was staying in Lagos. It was a catamaran and we got onto our kayaks a little before Benagil beach. In 2023 directly from Benagil Beach.

I had a different experience on both occasions because one was at the peak visiting time and the second was at the earliest time possible. The first was a group tour and the second was a private tour – they both costed the same EUR 40 per person, but the private one was obviously better.

So should you do a tour or rent a kayak/paddleboard and reach the Benagil Cave on your own? If you have a lot of experience kayaking or SUPing, then, by all means, do it without a guide.

I have shortlisted a few tours for you to book:

• Benagil Cave Guided tour: It is a 2-hour kayaking tour that leaves from Benagil Beach.
• Benagil Kayak Rental: If you have enough kayaking experience, then you can rent the kayak and do it yourself. But be careful of the rocks at the entry of the cave.
• Benagil Cave Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP): For me entering the Benagil Cave on a paddleboard was a lot of fun. Try it.

Yes, I have done a lot of kayaking too but I didn’t want to do it without a guide because of the rocks. The cave entry spot gets tricky because of the waves and I didn’t want a big wave to throw me against the rocks.

4) Marinha Beach

Praia da Marinha or just the Marinha beach is not only one of the most famous beaches in Portugal but Europe. It is super close to Carvoeiro, so you can visit it literally every day like we did.

If you are doing the Seven Hanging Valleys trail then you will definitely get to visit the Marinha beach. You can do the hike early and then spend a day on Marinha Beach to relax.

Alternatively, you can use Uber to reach Marinha Beach from Carvoeiro, it costs just EUR 7. Of course, the normal taxis are more expensive.

Praia da Marinha is the perfect beach with soft sand, clear water that’s cold, and stunning rock formations. There are arches, and you can swim around them for a fun experience.

The rock formations provide a decent amount of shaded spots for you to put up your mat. This is also one of the reasons why I love the beaches of Algarve.

Praia da Marinha has a restaurant at the entry area with surprisingly delicious and affordable food. We ate here twice and loved the sangrias. There is also a WC behind the restaurant.

5) Praia do Vale de Centeanes

If you are looking for an amazing beach to spend most of your time without too many people, then this is it. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in Carvoeiro.

Praia do Vale de Centeanes was right behind our resort so we ended up visiting it and spent a day here. This beach is a smaller version of Praia da Marinha, it is similar but also a bit different.

Vale de Centeanes has an arch towards the end of the beach and you can sit right under it for a perfect partially shaded spot with the ocean in front of your eyes.

The water at the entry point had seaweed but just after a few meters, it was super clean. So, if you enter and see seaweed, don’t be instantly disappointed but walk a bit further.

The water is very after you cross the initial seaweed area and it is a delight to swim here. The sand is also perfectly soft and doesn’t have too many pebbles.

There is a restaurant/bar at the entry point of Vale de Centeanes, and also a WC. So, grab a beer or another drink as soon as you enter, walk further set up a spot with your mat, and enjoy your chilled drink.

We spent an entire day at Vale de Centeanes and we didn’t ever feel that it was crowded.

6) Carvoeiro Boardwalk

One of the best things to do in Carvoeiro to enjoy an evening is to do the entire Carvoeiro Boardwalk. As the name suggests, it is a wooden walkway along Caroeiro’s rocky coast, so expect viewpoints and pretty sights.

We actually combined the Carvoeiro Boardwalk with the Algar Seco cave walk and it was a fun experience. It is a 570-meter-long boardwalk so is tiny.

We saw the sunset at Algar Seco caves and walked the Carvoeiro Boardwalk during the golden hour. Algar Seco comes halfway in the middle when you see a restaurant called “A Boneca”.

This walk ends near Forte de Nossa Senhora da Encarnação, and from there you can walk a bit further to Miradouro da Senhora da Encarnação.

From Miradouro da Senhora da Encarnação, you can see the main beach – Praia de Carvoeiro. From here you can walk down to the main town area of Carvoeiro, which has restaurants, bars, and many other places that can be found in typical summer destinations.

Praia de Carvoeiro is a busy beach and so is the Carvoeiro town area that’s next to it. This is why we decided to spend most of our time on quieter beaches like Vale de Centeanes and Marinha.

How to Reach Carvoeiro?

The closest airport to Carvoeiro is in Faro, but you can also land in Lisbon and do the journey to Carvoeiro by bus.

Carvoeiro doesn’t have a train station so arriving here isn’t such a breeze, unlike Lagos which you can directly reach by train from Faro or Lisbon.

In order to reach Carvoeiro from Lagos, you have to arrive at Lagoa (not Lagos) or Albufeira by train or bus, from there just get on a taxi to reach Carvoeiro. It is cheaper if you Uber it from Lagoa instead of getting on a “normal” taxi.

If you are traveling to the Algarve with a group of people, then it makes sense to rent a car from Faro or Lisbon and travel internally within the country. Somehow the car rental prices are so much lower in Portugal as compared to Italy.

The second option is to book a transfer on the “SunTransfers” website. I actually did a lot of research and it seemed to be the only affordable option.

When I say affordable, I mean cheaper than a taxi but definitely more expensive than a bus. Unfortunately, I didn’t book in advance and there wasn’t any slot available just a day before traveling.

Another option would be to book a direct bus from Lisbon to Albufeira, and from there do the remaining journey by local bus or taxi. We got onto Flixbus from Albufeira to reach Lisbon and the journey took just 3 hours.

Rocha Brava Village – Best Place to stay in Carvoeiro with Villas, Apartments

We stayed in a place called Rocha Brava Village Resort and it was breathtaking. It was massive and the entire complex had bungalows, villas, low-rise apartments, and many kinds of accommodations with interesting architecture. It felt like a mini village and not just a resort.

The entire resort complex has paradisical landscaping – waterfalls, ponds, flowery arches, tropical trees, and much more.

We had an entire apartment to ourselves with a kitchen, dining area, balcony with sun loungers, bedroom with AC, bathroom, and a dressing area. Unlike AirB&B, there was also a cleaning service because it is a resort.

The reason we had booked Rocha Brava Village Resort was that slightly away from Carvoeiro’s busy area and super close to the stunning Vale de Centeanes beach, from where the Seven Hanging Valleys trial starts.

At the start of the trail, there’s a spot that’s marked on Google Maps as the “Best lunch bench in Algarve”, which is actually inside Rocha Brava village resort.

There were a few swimming pools, hot tubs, sports centers, restaurants, bars, and supermarkets, inside Rocha Brava Village resort and it made it perfect for families.

So, if I ever go back to Carvoeiro again with my family, I will book this same place.

Where to Eat in Carvoeiro Algarve

Because we had an entire apartment with a kitchen, we cooked some of our own meals ourselves, but we made it a point to at least eat one meal outside.

Portugal is one of those places where I enjoy every single meal because they don’t shy away from cooking with flavor. They can be bigger restaurants or even simple home-run kitchens but the freshness of ingredients, herbs, etc ensure a good experience.

Below are the restaurants that I recommend:

Boneca Bar

Boneca Bar is right at the entry of “A Boneca” cave in the Algar Seco cave walk area. So, the best part of this restaurant/bar is the location. If you are going to watch the sunset at Algar Seco cave walk, then eating dinner here with a glass of wine makes a lot of sense to save time.

Order grilled fresh fish, house wine, and calamari rings, and enjoy a nice meal here. But be prepared to spend because this is a high-end place.

Pashmina

I just did an Indian thing and recommended an Indian restaurant. I had a madras-style prawn curry with tandoori roti and it totally hit the spot.

Marinha Beach Snack Bar

This was so good that we went back for another mean. I ordered a big plate of prawns and I loved them because they were perfectly herby and delicious.

Closing Thoughts about Carvoeiro Algarve, Portugal

Trust me when I say this, when a destination is enough to bring me back to the same region year after year, then you should take my word for it and travel to it.

Unlike many other parts of Europe, Carvoeiro is still not busy and one can truly enjoy a summer vacation here with beaches, good food, and amazing hikes.

FAQs about traveling to Carvoeiro Algarve, Portugal

PS: Drifter Planet contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a little commission at no extra cost to you. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Lisbon Instagram Spots: 15 Photo Spots in Lisbon, Portugal

by Drifter Planet | Jul 12, 2023 | NEW, Portugal

I have said it before and I will say it over and over again – I absolutely love Lisbon. It is super pretty, warm, unique, and has the cutest public transport (Ola Tram 28) and amazing food & drink scene.

Lisbon’s warmth kept me bringing back to Portugal and I have done now five trips to this amazing country.

Moreover, Lisbon photographs really well because it is built on nine hills. To make things better, there are pastel-colored houses with sometimes grandmas peeping out from the windows. Especially if you’re in Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood.

Lisbon’s prettiest streets are sloped and the adorable yellow tram 28 makes its way at a slow pace. The city has endless viewpoints so if you’re a sucker for views then you will absolutely go crazy like I did.

Recommended: Steal my Algarve Itinerary

I did a lot of research to optimize my four to three days in Lisbon to hunt for the best photo spots so that I can write this list and make it easy for you. Also, some photo spots mentioned on the internet and on Google Maps weren’t good enough so I didn’t include them.

So, this is a curated list of photo spots that aren’t far away from each other, so you don’t have to make so much effort. This is why my Instagram location guides are so famous!

Lisbon Instagram Spots

1) Miradouro de Santa Luzia

Ever seen pictures of Alfama’s pastel houses from an observation deck that’s covered with Bougainvillea? That’s Miradouro de Santa Luzia – perhaps the best viewpoint in Lisbon.

There is a sitting area and loads of pillars. The walking area in the middle has a nice arch, so the photo possibilities here are many. Not just Alfama but you can also see the Tagus River from here.

The best part is that the sitting area is curved, so you can get a slightly different view from each opening.

Because it is so good, it is usually crowded at sunset time. But hey, the best time to visit this is actually sunrise because this spot faces the East.

For me, Miradouro de Santa Luzia is really the best Instagram spot in Lisbon because one can easily include not just the landscape but also a person in a perfect 5 x 4 photo frame.

If you are like me and can’t wake up early enough to catch the sunrise, don’t worry and just come here at sunset time. You will eventually find a nice spot to sit as you enjoy the view.

2) Portas do Sol

Guess what, Portas do Sol is just 70 meters away from the first viewpoint, Miradouro de Santa Luzia. It is literally one floor above but the experience is different.

Portas do Sol is more open and there are plenty of options to grab a bench and find uninterrupted spots for photos without people.

The best part is that there’s even a bar here so you can sip your cocktail or beer and spend a few hours here like we did.

This way not only you have some amazing pictures but also an amazing evening as you watch the beauty of Lisbon during the golden hour and then the purple hour and eventually as the sky gets dark.

We ordered Caipirinha cocktails here and they were very enjoyable.

3) Rua da Bica / Elevador da Bica / Bica Funicular

Do you have a thing for pretty streets? Lisbon has many of them but this is definitely the best.

Rua da Bica is a super pretty narrow street that’s heavily slanted. There are pastel houses on each side. Cars can’t go in, because there are only tram tracks and sidewalks – the result is breathtaking.

If you are looking for a spot to photograph the adorable yellow tram 28, then this street is actually the best spot because there are no cars and the slant creates interesting possibilities. Yes, it is a famous Lisbon Instagram spot and is worth all the hype.

When I visited this street with my friend, there were a bunch of people photographing the slow-moving yellow trams as they went up and down the Elevador da Bica. That’s when we realized that the real celebrity of Lisboa is not any person but Tram 28. Wherever it goes, the paparazzi follow it.

4) Torre da Igreja do Castelo de São Jorge / Saint George’s Castle Church Tower

Can I tell you about a Lisbon travel hack? One of the most famous places to visit in Lisboa is Castelo de São Jorge – or Saint George’s Castle.

The line to enter the S. Jorge castle is always long and the entry fee is EUR 15 per person. But, you can just skip the castle, walk for a few hundred meters, and then you will reach Torre da Igreja do Castelo de São Jorge. Surprise – no line and just EUR 5 entry fee.

I have visited Lisbon twice – in 2016 and 2023. I couldn’t see Saint George’s Castle the first time because of the line, and then I was disappointed when the line was even longer on my second trip to Lisbon.

Thankfully I just crossed the line and kept walking to photograph the streets but I saw a sign to enter the church tower of Saint George’s Castle. I was so happy because my main reason to visit Castelo de São Jorge was to see the view from the top.

So I paid EUR 5, which also included a free drink of my choice. A glass of port wine later, I climbed up the spiral steps of the tower and I was standing next to a giant bell.

5) Miradouro da Graça

At first, all the viewpoints in or near Alfama appear to be the same but if you look closely, there’s something different about each one of them.

Technically, it isn’t in Alfama but in Graça. This viewpoint is near the Church of Our Lady of Grace, super close to Alfama.

I loved Miradouro da Graça because it is quieter than the first two viewpoints that I have mentioned on this list. Also, it is a bit higher than the others so one can also see the Castle up close.

You have to climb up a lot of steps to reach Miradouro da Graça, but it is so worth it because the walls around the steps are covered in graffiti and even from there you can see the view! (there are two entry staircases for Miradouro da Graça and they are both different)

The best part is that it isn’t as crowded as Miradouro de Santa Luzia or Portas do Sol. There is also a bar/cafe here on top. There’s the garden Jardim da Cerca da Graça right next to the viewpoints that also has a public toilet which was surprisingly clean.

There’s an artist that sits next to this viewpoint and I ended up buying a lovely painting of a street in Lisbon from here.

Graça viewpoint is amazing during sunset too, so make sure you make the most of your visit and not miss the golden hour here.

6) Pink Street

We all can agree on one thing by now – Lisbon is super pretty. But there’s more. This pastel city also has a Pink Street!

I will be honest – I like Lisbon’s traditional areas so much that for me Pink Street wasn’t so special. It is just a street that’s for restaurants and nightlife and is dotted with bars.

But I did realize that a few of my pictures on the pINK street turned out to be amazing.

There’s a historical arc – Arcos do Marquês that goes over the end of the Pink Street and I made my friend stand under it and clicked a few pictures. They turned out really well.

7) Santuário de Cristo Rei

There is a big statue of Jesus Christ that overlooks Lisbon from the other side of the Tagus River.

If you go there, you can also ride the elevator that goes on top and see how it looks from there. The elevator closes at 6 pm (thankfully we were there at 5:45 pm!).

The funny thing is, that this sort of reminded me of Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

And from here you can see the nearby Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. It looks just like the Golden Gate Bridge of San Fransisco. So, if you are standing at this spot, it is funny to notice how Lisbon looks like different places in different directions.

After a while, you can also walk around the garden in this area.

Suggested: Like viewpoints and Portugal? See my Ponta da Piedade hike post

8) Miradouro do Recolhimento

Wait, what – another viewpoint? Yes, because some of the best photographs one can make in Lisbon are of views and streets.

Miradouro do Recolhimento is one of the lesser visited viewpoints because it is actually a children’s park! There are a few benches and a nice sitting area that faces the view and it is a really nice view.

What’s so special about Miradouro do Recolhimento is that it is higher. As a result, you can see more of the water of the Tagus River. Moreover, there are multiple spots from where you can look down, so there are more possibilities to capture unique photos.

There is also a hexagonal sitting frame where one can sit and pose for a photo. I was alone so I only clicked selfies here!

Miradouro do Recolhimento is close to Torre da Igreja do Castelo de São Jorge, and I just found it by chance. I was lured in by the nice smelling lavender bush that’s in this park and I also found a few lemon trees.

Suggested: Itinerary for Lagos in Algarve, Portugal

9) Calçada da Graça

Calçada da Graça is a pretty street that’s slanted down. You can see the blue water at the end of the street.

Calçada da Graça is close to the Graça viewpoint. Get out from there and walk to the street called Calçada da Graça and keep walking towards the direction of the water.

The street gets prettier because suddenly you will see bright pastel houses all together – yellow, pink, and blue and they are all slanted. You can click the houses along the slanted street or also the view of the street with water at the end.

10) Ler Devagar Book Store in LX Factory

There’s something about pictures clicked in bookstores. They usually blow up on Instagram because people love them.

It happened with the pictures of Carturesti Carusel in Bucharest, and then Livraria Lello in Porto, and it started in the summer of 2023 with Ler Devagar Book Store in LX Factory. But still, this place wasn’t as crowded as the Lello Bookstore in Porto (thank god) and it was actually a very good experience spending an hour here.

Not only books but Ler Devagar also has old records, art, and a printing press on the top floor.

11) Rossio Square

I liked photographing the different sides of Rossio Square much more than the nearby Praça do Comércio and Arco da Rua Augusta.

If you like playing with geometry in your shots, then the paint pattern on the road and the slanted streets give amazing results.

Rossio Square is big and the streets nearby are fun to photograph as they open into the square. There is also a water fountain in the middle and more statues everywhere.

There are tuk-tuks around, trams, and interesting roadside stands. There is also a Ginjinha stall (Portuguese sour cherry liqueur) where you can have a shot for a euro. Yes, we had more than one each!

12) Arco da Rua Augusta & Praça do Comércio

Arco da Rua Augusta is an arch that’s over a main street called “Rua Augusta”, which leads to Praça do Comércio and then the waterfront.

The Augusta arc looks different front and back. The side that faces the street has a big clock and the one that faces the sea has biblical statues.

There are yellow buildings on each side of the Augusta Arc, and with the background of blue sea water, this spot looks good even when it is crowded, which it usually is.

This entire area is full of tourists and it has high-end restaurants on both sides of the road. The historic bakery Fábrica da Nata is also here on this street where you can eat the famous creamy custard tarts of Portugal – Pastel de Nata. Honestly, they taste good in also the smaller bakeries.

The walking promenade also has an arched ceiling, so you can click some really awesome photos if you have time.

I don’t have one of me standing here because I didn’t want to ask my friend after every 10 steps to click a photo of me, because Lisbon is really such kind of a place where there’s one Instagram spot after another.

13) Terreiro do Paço

Terreiro do Paço is a ferry terminal and is elegantly designed. It has giant arched windows and from them, you can see the water.

Inside and outside, every aspect of the Terreiro do Paço building is designed in a beautiful way without being overly “frilly”. You can also sit outside as you face the Taugus River and soak in the sun.

It is a nice place to escape the crowds or the heat after walking in Lisboa. There is also a nice bar in Terreiro do Paço building and it is obviously stunning.

We actually just entered this building to use the toilet but we ended up spending a while here because it is lovely. After my visit, I was curious about this spot so I opened Google Maps and was surprised to see similar thoughts like mine reflected back by other travelers who were impressed with this place.

14) Rua de Santa Justa

Rua de Santa Justa is a pretty street in Baixa, that’s iconic because of the view of the historical Elevador De Santa Justa.

I’m not asking you to go up on the Santa Justa lift, but to admire the view of this Neo-Gothic lift tower from the street because it looks lovely.

In order to go up, you have to stand in a long line, and Lisbon already has so many viewpoints that it doesn’t make sense to stand in such a long line for one.

You can visit the area upstairs without the lift too if you walk up the steps behind the monastery. Also, the main thing here to photograph is the tower itself, which you cant do when you are up on it, right?

Elevador De Santa Justa was designed in the 1900s so that the residents of Lisboa could move from Baixa to Chaiado. The cost per person is EUR 5.60 in 2023.

15) Ponto Final, Almada

Ponto Final was made famous by Phil of “Somebody Feed Phil“, a Netflix travel series because he had an epic meal with a view here.

After that, this restaurant blew up on Instagram too.

Ponto Final is across the river on the other side of Lisbon, so you have to take a ferry to reach just like visiting Christo Rei statue. Because this restaurant faces West, it is an amazing spot to enjoy the sunset in Lisbon.

There are two restaurants by the name of Ponto Final, so you have to look for the one in Almada. It is closed on Tuesday so keep that in mind before you plan your visit.

Overall thoughts about Lisbon Instagram Spots

Lisbon has many historical landmarks, streets, and viewpoints – but I have included just 15 of the best spots which I think are the best for the purpose of photography. I haven’t included places like the Belem Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, etc.

I haven’t included Sintra because that’s outside of Lisbon and that’s a day trip away.

PS: Drifter Planet contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a little commission at no extra cost to you.   We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.