Explore holidays in Carvoeiro & Central Algarve
There’s been a village and evidence of fishing since Roman times at Carvoeiro, plus a rich history of naval battles and pirate attacks as raiders sought to claim this privileged location for themselves. Whilst there are still a handful of colourful fishing boats moored up on the honey-coloured sand, today the majority of the small craft that potter along the coast are taking visitors to admire the golden cliffs, caves and neighbouring beaches that make Carvoeiro such a desirable place for a villa holiday.
View our collection of villas around Carvoeiro to plan your next Algarve holiday.
A selection of our holidays in Carvoeiro & Central Algarve
* Package prices for UK departures include seven nights’ accommodation, flights and transfers/car hire, based on the lowest rate for maximum occupancy.
Our guide to Carvoeiro & Central Algarve
In this section...
Introduction to Carvoeiro & Central Algarve
This is one of the most sought-after spots in the central Algarve, evidenced by the pristine white properties that claim almost every inch of the impressive headland. Villas and hotels tumble down the hillside and converge on two small streets, where traditional old Algarvian cottages now house beach boutiques, bars, ice-cream parlours and restaurants. The square has a happy holiday buzz in the main summer season, with low key live music to accompany your cocktails or freshly-caught fish, but there’s nothing you could describe as noisy nightlife and the atmosphere is welcoming and appropriate for all ages. The beach is petite by Algarve standards, yet there’s plenty of room for parasols, sunbeds and watersports for those who wish, and gorgeous soft sand for classic bucket-and-spade fun.
The other huge benefit of Carvoeiro is its top notch leisure facilities, including three golf courses plus a big pay-and-play sports club with tennis, padel courts and a gym. If you like your exercise in a more scenic and natural environment, the Seven Hanging Valleys walking trail is a real highlight, or you could take a gentler stroll along Carvoeiro’s beautiful boardwalks for breath-taking views. One thing you can’t escape from in Carvoeiro is hills and steps, but fortunately the Uber taxi network here is very efficient and reasonably priced, a huge bonus if you have kids in buggies, party members who are less mobile or simply don’t fancy the walk back to the villa after a delicious dinner.
Carvoeiro’s premium facilities are a big part of its appeal for a villa holiday, from the abundance of restaurants to the presence of an Apolónia supermarket – the Waitrose of the Algarve – on the outskirts of town if you prefer to self cater. It’s also a great central base for exploring the wider region, including iconic beaches such as Centeanes and Marinha, and the Benagil caves. For something a touch more Portuguese in style, we recommend Ferragudo, an attractive, active fishing town at the mouth of the Arade river with cobbled streets, a square full of restaurants, a beautiful sheltered sandy beach and a highly-rated beach club. The Moorish city of Silves, with its magnificent castle, is an absolute Algarve highlight, with atmospheric streets, small shops and a scenic, easy river walk, plus very entertaining medieval-themed fairs and events throughout the summer.
At a glance
Beaches
Praia de Armação de Pêra
A magnificent 3km sandy beach. This is a joy for all ages as the water is shallow and calm and there are cafés for ice-creams, restaurants for all budgets and a selection of beach clubs for drinks or dinner with a view. Most notable is the fishing section at the eastern end where the catch is still landed fresh daily. A designated Accessible Beach.
Location…
Armação de Pêra
Praia dos Salgados
Also known as Flamingo beach, this is an unexpected natural paradise in the central Algarve. Dunes run the length of the beach, so it can feel exposed on windy days. Bring binoculars to watch the flamingos that feed here year round. Access is straightforward via a boardwalk from the car park through the dunes.
Location…
Between Armação de Pêra and Galé, both about a 10-minute drive
Praia da Galé
There are two Galé beaches: west and east. The west is larger and a little more developed, with sunbeds and a beach bar, while the smaller east beach is narrower, with higher cliffs behind. Low tide reveals rock pools to explore – jelly shoes to protect from sea urchins are a good idea. Access to both is via steps.
Location…
Between Galé town and Armação de Pêra
Praia da Marinha
One of the Algarve's signature beaches, with golden cliffs, rock arches and turquoise water. There’s a car park and a snack bar but no other facilities, and access is via steep cliff steps.
Location…
Between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra.
Praia do Carvalho
A dramatic, sheltered, cliff-backed cove. Very photogenic with beautifully clear water for snorkelling. Access is via steep steps and a rock tunnel, so not well suited to buggies or guests with restricted mobility.
Location…
Close to Benagil
Praia do Vale do Centeanes
The start/end point of the Seven Hanging Valleys trail attracts hikers as well as beach goers. Classic cliffs and sand, with a boardwalk and beach cafes. Access is via steepish slope from the car park.
Location…
Between Carvoeiro and Benagil
Praia de Carvoeiro
Small beach at the heart of Carvoeiro village, with cliffs at either end. Wide selection of restaurants, beach shops and cafés immediately behind the beach, making it one of the most accessible in the area. A designated Accessible Beach.
Location…
Carvoeiro
Praia dos Caneiros
Calm sandy beach with good facilities, including sunbed rental, showers and a beach restaurant. It is sometimes possible to walk from here to Praia do Torrado at low tide – check with the life guard before setting off.
Location…
South of Ferragudo
Praia Grande, Ferragudo
Enjoying a sheltered position near Ferragudo village at the mouth of the Arade river, this is a great family spot with calm water and golden sand, plus cafes, a playground and car parking.
Location…
A short walk from Ferragudo village
Things to do
SUPs, sea canoes and snorkelling
The clear waters and dramatic rock formations all along the Algarve coast are exciting to explore, with the iconic cave formation at Benagil one of the absolute highlights. Join a group for the best routes and views.
Golf
There are three good courses near Carvoeiro: Gramacho, Vale da Pinta and the 9-hole Vale de Milho, a compact course ideal for a shorter round when the weather is hot.
Tennis
Carvoeiro is home to one of the Algarve’s longest-established clubs, featuring multiple tennis and padel courts, plus a gym, swimming pool and restaurant.
Carvoeiro boardwalk
Wheelchair accessible and buggy friendly, this 570m-long decked path is an easy way to enjoy sea views, sunsets and the stunning rock formations of Algar Seco. For the more adventurous, you can take the steep cliff paths down to the sea.
Seven Hanging Valleys trail
A more demanding walking trail with plenty of up and down, highly rated for ocean views and classic cliffs. It’s a 12km round trip, taking in Praia da Marinha, Benagil and Alfanzina Lighthouse (at 5 km) before you arrive at Praia do Vale de Centianes.
Salgados Lagoon nature reserve
Discover up to 50 species of birdlife as you stroll along the wooden boardwalks. It’s possible to walk all the way to Armação de Pêra in about an hour and a half, where you can have lunch by the beach and catch an Uber back.
Wine tasting
Algarve wines are hard to find in the UK so this is a great opportunity to try some. Most wineries offer tastings: one of the oldest is Quinta do Morgado da Torre near Portimão, while Quinta do Francês in Monchique is one of the most scenic.
Coasteering
If you’ve a head for heights and a yearning for adventure, the Algarve is the perfect place to try coasteering, which involves jumping off cliffs and exploring caves with a qualified guide. Over 16s only, adrenaline rush guaranteed.
Head for the hills
Escape to cooler air in the Serra de Monchique, a lush, forest-clad range of hills with Fóia being the highest peak in the Algarve at 902 metres above sea level.
Towns and Villages
Ferragudo
If you’re looking for a taste of Portugal before tourism, you’ll find it in Ferragudo. The riverside village still has an active fishing harbour, backed by a charming jumble of whitewashed, red roofed buildings that have changed little in 100 years. The heart of the village is the square, lined with small restaurants grilling whatever the fishermen have brought in that morning.
Silves
The Moorish castle at Silves is the best-preserved in the entire region, artfully restored to story-book perfection and guaranteed to thrill any junior knights, pirates or princesses. You can walk all the way around the castle walls for fabulous views over the town, and try to leave time to wander its quirky narrow streets and discover charming shops and lunch stops.
Porches
Porches is the pottery centre of the Algarve, and ceramics have been produced here since the time of Moorish rule. Porches style is all about bright colours and natural motifs, and has become emblematic of the entire Algarve coast. Here you can buy genuine hand-made pieces direct from the producers, with the chance to see the crafts people at work in some of the workshops.
Armação de Pêra
This is a large and fairly unremarkable spot at first glance but the beach is spectacular, well worth a visit for its cool combination of swanky beach clubs and original wooden fishing huts in the Bairro dos Pescadores, where fishing access is protected and you can see this timeless profession going on as it has for hundreds of years.
Alcantarilha
Alcantarilha is a pretty and typical Algarve village with a rather macabre attraction: its Capela dos Ossos or bone chapel was constructed from some 1,500 human skulls. Also noteworthy is the ornate gilded ceiling of the small church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, and the castle ruins on a hill above the village.
Alte
Alte is famous for its natural springs, the largest of which – Fonte Grande – transforms into a swimming pool in the summer. If you visit in spring, the waterfall a short walk up steep steps just outside the village is an impressive sight. The village itself is a picturesque mix of cobbled streets, red tiles and ornate chimney stacks adorning almost every roof. There are a handful of shops selling genuinely local arts and crafts; perhaps more unexpected are the vibrant murals dotted on walls all around the village which all add to the slightly alternative atmosphere.
