An accessible Algarve escape
Small but full of fun, Carvoeiro is a beach town slap-bang in the heart of the Algarve coastline. Less than an hour’s drive from Faro airport and surrounded by beautiful beaches, coves and local fishing towns, Carvoeiro holidays promise a lively resort base with plenty of opportunities for exploration further afield. The town is nestled between two sizeable hills, and it’s well worth strolling up from either side of Carvoeiro beach to take in the views across the bay and along the coast.
Or jump on a boat ride from the beach to enjoy a trip to nearby caves and other impressive natural rock formations. Alternatively, you could just lie back and soak up those rays from the sand, where there are also family-friendly lifeguards in high season. When you’re in need of refreshment, holidays to Carvoeiro offer an impressive number and variety of restaurants, ranging from local places specialising in grilled fish to upmarket international fine-dining establishments. And for a nightcap, you can’t beat one of the bar terraces overlooking the sea.
Your Carvoeiro questions, answered
June to August is peak season, when Carvoeiro is hot and at its most buzzing. Beaches are quieter, but still warm, during the shoulder months of April-May and September-October – and winters are mild, too.
Carvoeiro is mostly geared towards families, but there are a few lively bars that stay open until the early hours. Head to nearby Praia de Rocha for more options.
Hiring a car will make visiting the area’s many unspoilt beaches a doddle. However, Carvoeiro is well-connected to its neighbouring towns by bus, and taxis are affordable and readily available.
Best things to do in Carvoeiro
Stroll the boardwalk
This elevated wooden path will take you from the top of the hill above the beach to the Algar Seco viewpoint, with its fascinating, ochre-coloured rock formations. There’s also a bar down below.
Tour the caves
There are various boats available from the beach, for a reasonable price, which will take passengers to some of the coastline’s best caves and wild beaches that are inaccessible on foot.
Spot dolphins
The summer months bring hundreds of dolphins to the Algarve coastline, and boats from nearby Ferragudo and Portimao are manned by excellent tour guides who are adept at spotting them.