When traveling in Portugal, visiting Benagil Caves is often one of the highlights of the trip. It must be said that this cave, set in the cliffs of the Algarve, has become in just a few years one of the most famous and must-see spots in Portugal. You only have to look at social media to see how many photos of Benagil Cave are circulating. Since the beach inside is only accessible by sea, you’ll need to go by kayak or choose a boat tour.
How do you get to Benagil Caves ? Where can you rent a kayak to enter the cave ? Where can you take a boat to visit Benagil Caves ? After discovering this iconic site during our Algarve road trip, I’m sharing all the information and my tips in this blog article.
Origin and formation
This natural wonder, now one of the must-see sites in Portugal, has been shaped over millennia by erosion. And although Benagil Cave is the most famous, it’s far from the only one. There are dozens of other sea caves along the Algarve coastline that can only be discovered from the sea, either by kayak or by boat.
Erosion shaped this unusual cave in two ways. At the bottom, the sea gradually eroded the limestone cliff to create an opening where a sandy beach formed. At the top, rainwater seeped into the ground, weakening the rock until it eventually collapsed in the middle. This created the hole you can see today, allowing sunlight to enter and form a beam of light on the cave floor. From the outside, you don’t really realize what’s hidden inside, you truly have to go in to discover the incredible view.
How to get to Benagil Caves ?
The cave is located right next to the former fishing village of Benagil, on Portugal’s southern coast between the seaside resorts of Albufeira and Portimão (coordinates). The village is mainly known for its beach and the cave—there isn’t much else to see there. Benagil is also on the route of the Seven Hanging Valleys trail. From the path, you can glimpse the inner beach through the opening at the top of the cave.
There are two ways to reach Benagil Cave in the Algarve : either drive directly to the village of Benagil or join a tour. There are many boat tours to visit Benagil Cave departing from Algarve tourist cities such as Faro, Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, or Vilamoura (I cover them further below). In this case, everything is included, and you don’t have to manage anything yourself.
Where to park in Benagil ?
There is a large free parking lot located on top of the cliffs east of the village of Benagil (parking coordinates). During our stay in May, there were still plenty of spaces, but in summer (July–August), it can be full. It’s best to come early in the morning or later in the day in that case. From this parking area, you can access the trail that lets you view the cave from above.
To reach Benagil Beach, you’ll then need to walk just under 300 meters downhill along the road.
How to visit Benagil Caves ?
By kayak (rental)
Update : since 2024, local authorities have banned access inside Benagil Caves for unguided kayaks. It is still possible to visit the caves just beyond by renting a kayak. Only boats and guided kayak tours can enter the cave, but without landing on the sand.
Visiting Benagil Caves by kayak allows you to land on the beach inside the cave and take the most famous photo in the Algarve. On the road between the parking area and the beach, you’ll be approached by several rental companies. It’s up to you to compare prices and services depending on your plans. We chose the one with a kiosk directly on Benagil Beach, it was the cheapest option for one hour.
Kayak rental prices depend on duration and provider. In our case, we only wanted to visit Benagil Cave, so we rented a two-person kayak for 1 hour (€20), which is more than enough for a round trip and time to admire the cave. Allow more time if you want to see other caves and don’t mind paddling. The rental includes all equipment (life jacket, kayak, paddle, and dry bag).
From Benagil Beach, the distance is less than 200 meters, which is very short (between 5 and 10 minutes depending on your level). So even if you’re not athletic, it’s easy to reach Benagil Caves by kayak.
Be careful of the many boats entering the cave. By kayak, we stayed to the left, but that’s where the waves are strongest due to the cliff, so we ended up surfing a wave to land on the beach. Fortunately, we didn’t capsize 🙂
Most rental companies will lend you a dry bag (with a deposit) to store your belongings and camera, but it’s quite small. You can also bring your own, we bought this model during our trip to the Philippines. It’s very sturdy and long-lasting, and we’re very satisfied with it.
By stand-up paddle
You’ve probably seen these large boards you stand on and paddle to move forward, they’ve become very popular on beaches in recent years. You can rent one to reach Benagil Cave. Personally, I find it less practical and less stable when there’s wind and waves, so it’s better suited for experienced users. I didn’t see anyone using one (and you move slower than with a kayak), but there are a few available for rent on Benagil Beach.
If you’re interested, I recommend this guided stand-up paddle tour of Benagil Cave. The excursion lasts 2 hours with a small group (maximum 10 people).
By kayak with a guide
This is now the only way to enter Benagil Cave by kayak. Among the available tours, I recommend this guided kayak tour of the Benagil caves. During this 2-hour excursion, you’ll paddle along the Algarve cliffs to see Benagil Cave as well as a few hidden spots known by your local guide. The guided kayak tour includes all equipment (including a dry bag) and is accessible to children from age 5. The starting point is Benagil Beach. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, so don’t hesitate to book, especially in summer.
By boat
This is the ideal option if you don’t have a vehicle to get to Benagil or if you want to depart directly from your hotel. Boat tours are often combined with visits to other caves and sometimes dolphin watching. If you’re wondering where to take a boat to visit Benagil Cave, there are several options I mention later in this article. For example, this one departing from Albufeira is very popular.
Before choosing your boat tour, check whether it enters Benagil Caves, as the view from the sea doesn’t look the same in photos. Boats won’t drop you off on the sand, but from the deck, you can still take a nice photo of the beach and the cave with its opening in the ceiling.
You’ll find many tours via the links below. Click on one to find the option that best suits your needs.
Can you swim to Benagil Cave ?
Update : since 2024, local authorities have banned swimming inside Benagil Caves.
Although there are no warning signs on the beach, it is not recommended and can be dangerous to swim to Benagil Caves. First, because of strong sea currents, and especially due to the heavy boat traffic in the area. Opt for a kayak or boat trip instead. If you’re a strong swimmer and still want to try, check the weather and tides beforehand.
Benagil Caves walk (view from above)
The Seven Hanging Valleys trail passes by Benagil Cave. If you’re interested in this hike, I talk about it later in the article. However, there’s no need to walk for hours to see the cave from above, as the parking area is very close.
From the main Benagil parking lot, head south (toward the ocean), where you’ll find a small path leading to the hiking trail. It’s not marked, so feel free to use Google Maps and GPS. The goal is to reach this point.
The cave is surrounded by a wooden fence to prevent accidents. Since you can’t see much from behind the barrier, most people climb over it to get closer to the opening at the top of the cave and take photos. Be extremely careful if you do this, it’s dangerous (don’t bring children). I took my best photos using a drone.
That said, the view is completely different, and honestly, I recommend entering Benagil Cave by kayak, it’s much more beautiful than from above. Just to repeat : it is impossible to enter Benagil Caves on foot.
How to see the beach inside the cave ?
Update : since 2024, local authorities have banned landing on the beach inside Benagil Cave (by swimming, kayak, or boat). Guides can still enter the cave by boat or kayak, which allows for photos.
As mentioned at the beginning of this guide to Benagil Cave, the best photos are taken from the beach inside. To do that, the only option is to come by kayak or stand-up paddle. By standing far enough back and using a wide-angle lens, you can capture the cave, the opening above, and the two arches facing the sea in the same shot. As for Instagram influencers, they all climb onto the rock in the middle to take photos.
Forget the idea of being alone in the cave, unless you come at 7 a.m. in the off-season. We visited in May, and it was already very crowded. I knew it was a popular destination, but I didn’t expect to see so many kayaks on the sand and boats arriving. In the end, once inside, you don’t stay long. It’s impossible to enjoy the beach, it’s basically a landing zone for all the tourists arriving.
If you want the sunlight to illuminate the inside of the cave and create that beautiful light beam, you need to come when the sun is at its highest. I took the photo below at noon in May.
Visit Benagil Caves from Albufeira
Albufeira is one of the most popular seaside resorts on Portugal’s southern coast. Its lively atmosphere, bars, and beautiful beach make it a top destination for tourists looking for all-inclusive holidays. Many activities are available, including the very popular visit to Benagil Cave. All departures are from Albufeira Marina.
You can choose between a simple cave visit including the boat ride or a coastal cruise combined with dolphin watching. If you’re traveling with children, I recommend the dolphin cruise to see them in their natural habitat. Here are the tours from Albufeira that I recommend (free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance) :
- Albufeira: Dolphin Watching and Benagil Cave (1.5 hours)
- Albufeira: Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching (2.5 hours)
- From Albufeira: Benagil Hidden Caves Tour by Kayak (2.5 hours with cave visit)
Visit Benagil Caves from Portimão
This is another major tourist city in the Algarve. You’ll have no trouble finding a tour to Benagil Caves. Several options are available, including sunset or twilight tours. Follow this link to book and choose your option.
To combine a visit to Benagil Caves with dolphin watching from Portimão, choose this excursion.
Visit Benagil Caves from Lagos
Lagos was one of our favorite places in southern Portugal. The old town surrounded by walls is much more pleasant and charming than the larger seaside resorts mentioned earlier. It’s a great base for exploring western Algarve. You can visit Benagil Cave directly from Lagos harbor. Here are some excursions I recommend (price per person, free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity) :
- Lagos: Combo Dolphin and Benagil Tour with Marine Biologist (2.5 hours)
- From Lagos: Benagil Caves Speedboat Adventure (2 hours)
- From Lagos: Benagil Caves Catamaran Cruise (2.5 hours)
Visit Benagil Caves from Faro
The Algarve capital, Faro, is quite far from Benagil Cave (60 km and 55 minutes by car). If you don’t have a vehicle, a cruise from Faro is a good option to discover the Algarve coastline caves. Tours are longer due to the distance, making it a pleasant day at sea with swimming stops on beaches. Adventure Cave Tour – Benagil Cave offers a 7.5-hour cruise.
Other caves in the Algarve
Benagil Cave is the most famous (and the most spectacular), but it’s far from the only cave on Portugal’s southern coast. The Algarve cliffs are full of cavities carved by the sea. If you join one of the cruises mentioned above, the captain will show you several of them.
By kayak, if you continue past Benagil Caves, you’ll discover more caves as well as beaches only accessible by sea. You’ll also see natural arches like Arco da Praia da Letra (100 meters after the cave). Continuing east, you’ll reach the beautiful Corredoura Beach, accessible only by kayak. And 1 km further, you’ll arrive at the two arches visible from the famous Praia da Marinha. You can then turn back.
Benagil Beach
Praia de Benagil is the starting point for reaching Benagil Cave by kayak. This is where you’ll find the main rental companies. Facing the sea, head left to find a beautiful stretch of sand at the foot of the karst cliffs. It’s a great place to relax before or after your kayak trip and enjoy a swim in the ocean.
Benagil Beach is similar to others along the Algarve’s southern coast between Lagos and Albufeira. I list my favorite beaches in this area later in the article. As everywhere in the Algarve, don’t place your towel too close to the cliffs, rockfalls can occur. Signs on each beach indicate high-risk areas (red) and moderate-risk areas (yellow).
What to do around Benagil ?
Praia da Marinha
This is the most beautiful and well-known beach in the area. It’s ranked among the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world. It’s located less than 10 minutes by car from Benagil. I recommend stopping here during your visit to the cave. Since it’s very popular and the free parking fills up quickly (even in May we had trouble finding a spot), it’s best to come early in the morning or later in the day. It’s also a great place to enjoy a beautiful sunset. The parking lot is also used for the Seven Hanging Valleys hike.
Praia da Marinha features the typical Algarve beach scenery with huge ochre-colored karst cliffs and the azure blue ocean. At the bottom of the stairs leading to the beach, there’s a bar-restaurant where you can rent kayaks if you want to explore nearby caves (you can also paddle here from Benagil if you’re a strong paddler).
Praia do Carvalho
Another beach not to be missed nearby. By kayak from Benagil Cave, it’s just 650 meters (easy for two people), or about a 10-minute drive toward Portimão. The beach is much smaller than Marinha, with a more intimate feel. That said, I can’t guarantee you’ll be alone in August !
To access Praia do Carvalho, you need to go through a tunnel carved into the rock. If you’re arriving by car, van, or camper, there’s a free parking lot on site (GPS coordinates). Nearby, a snack bar sells sandwiches and drinks.
Seven Hanging Valleys hike
If you enjoy walking, the Seven Hanging Valleys hike is a great way to explore the Algarve coastline and, at the same time, visit Benagil Cave by kayak. The starting point is the Praia da Marinha parking lot, ending at Praia do Vale de Centeanes (13 km round trip – 4h40).
However, you don’t have to do the entire hike, just the first section already offers great scenery. Benagil Beach is only 2.7 km from Praia da Marinha with almost no elevation gain. Since the trail is fully exposed to the sun, bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. The advantage is that you can cool off on the beaches when it gets too hot.
During our trip to the Algarve, we were unlucky as sea fog covered the entire coastline. We turned back because we didn’t want to complete the hike without seeing anything. The fog cleared around noon. I don’t know how often this happens—it was probably due to the season and the temperature difference between the sea and the air (we were there in May).
Albufeira
Want to party during your Algarve stay ? Then head to the seaside resort of Albufeira, mainly frequented by British tourists on all-inclusive holidays. Here, traditional Portuguese restaurants have largely disappeared, replaced by international restaurants and pubs broadcasting football matches. Those looking for a lively atmosphere and bar hopping should head to “the strip,” where music fills the entire street.
Albufeira has an old fishing village of which not much remains (the visit takes less than 10 minutes) and a beautiful beach at the foot of the town center. It’s less wild than the beaches along the cliffs but ideal for those who like everything close by.
To discover everything there is to do in the city, check out my article on things to do in Albufeira.
Silves
I recommend leaving the coast to explore the Algarve countryside and the charming town of Silves. Dominated by a superb fortress—one of the best preserved in the Algarve—the town, with its whitewashed and colorful houses, will appeal to travelers seeking authentic landscapes away from the coastal crowds. Silves also has a beautiful cathedral and an archaeological museum built on a former Almohad cistern from the 12th and 13th centuries.
The town is located 25 minutes by car north of Benagil Cave. To discover everything there is to do, check out my article on what to do in Silves.
Where to stay in Benagil ?
As part of an Algarve road trip or a multi-day stay in the region, you can stay in Benagil or nearby. It’s a great option for visiting the cave early in the morning. Here are some accommodation options I recommend. For many houses and villas, the minimum stay is one week.
- 88 € : Hakuna matata, this one-bedroom apartment located 1.5 km from the beach is the cheapest option for staying in Benagil. It features a garden view, a terrace, and a fully equipped kitchen. Bonus: a jacuzzi.
- 113 € : Casa Sereno, a lovely property located 2.6 km from Marinha Beach. Tastefully decorated, it offers a terrace or balcony depending on the option, as well as free parking. Outdoor pool and barbecue.
- 122 € : Casa Blue Benagil, a sea-view apartment for 4 people (perfect for families with children or couples of friends), ideally located 200 meters from Benagil Beachand 600 meters fr om Carvalho Beach.
- 141 € : Beach House Casa Dolce in Benagil, this beautiful beachfront house can accommodate 2 to 4 people with its two bedrooms. Private pool, garden, barbecue, and balcony with a view ensure a dream vacation in Benagil.
Tips for visiting Benagil Caves
Best time to visit Benagil Caves
Benagil Cave can be visited year-round, with boat tours running from January to December. Kayak and paddle rentals are also available year-round, although I’m not sure they are available directly on the beach in low season (book online).
The tourist season runs from May to October, with a peak in July and August. During this period, I recommend booking your tours in advance rather than waiting until the same day, it’s safer. For kayak rental, we went directly on-site at our preferred time and had no problem getting one (but it was May).
What equipment and clothing should you bring ?
For kayaking, all equipment is provided, including a dry bag for your belongings. As for clothing, a swimsuit is enough in summer, possibly with a UV-protection shirt. The rental company advised me not to bring sunglasses in case I lost them—but I still have them 🙂
For boat tours, bring clothing appropriate for the season, including a light jacket, as it can feel cool at sea even in summer due to the wind and sea air. Sunscreen, a swimsuit for swimming stops, a hat, and sunglasses are also essential. If you take a speedboat, be careful with waves and your electronic equipment. I lost my DSLR camera this way in El Nido in the Philippines (a big wave damaged it).
You now have all the information and tips you need to visit Benagil Cave in Portugal. If you still have questions, feel free to leave a comment on the blog.