Algar Seco (Algarve, Portugal): Cliff walk + cave tips (2023)

The Algar Seco cliff walk in the Algarve, Portugal is a fantastic experience in Carvoiero:
intriguing formations, a blowhole, caves and a great boardwalk along the cliffs!
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with map, tips and photos.

Table Of Contents

Why visit the Algar Seco in the Algarve?

Planning tips and Map - Algar Seco Algarve, Portugal

The pinnacle of Algarve Seco Carvoiero

Algar Seco Caves and Blowhole

The Algar Seco Cliff Walk

Other attractions nearby

In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).

Why visit the Algar Seco in the Algarve?

Is the Algarve Seco worth it?

Overall, yes. The Algarve Seco is worth a visit.
It is quite touristic and crowded, but the work of erosion is impressive.
On this short walk, you can enjoy: a pinnacle, caves and a boardwalk along the cliffs.

Algar Seco cliff walk, Algarve

Algar seco cave

Video - Virtual visit

Below is a video to give you a short overview of what you could see.

More photos after the planning tips.

Planning tips and Map - Algar Seco Algarve, Portugal

Where is the Algar Seco Carvoeiro in Portugal?

On the Algarve Coast,
between Portimao and Albufeira
in the town of Carvoeiro,
East of the Carvoeiro beach
West of the famous Benagil Cave and Beach
Below is a map to help you get oriented:

Location of the Algar Seco Carvoeiro in the Algarve, Portugal - Map

How to get to Algar Seco

You need a car to visit the Algar Seco

Albufeira to Algar Seco = 35min
Portimao to Algar Seco = 25min
Benagil beach to to Algar Seco = 15min

Parking at Algar Seco

There is a carpark near the walk and restaurant.
However, It is small and fills up quickly.
Parking can be really difficult during the day

Need to rent a car in Portugal?

See my 36 practical tipsto choose the best car to rentfrom Lisbon, Porto or Faro for the roads in Portugaland find the best deals

+ read more

or directly see the best deals on my favorite platform

Visit Tips

Plan at least 1 hour
Wear Good shoes to be able to explore the cliffs
43 steps common + 45 to the tunnel under the pinnacle + 50 to the blow hole
Bar restaurant - Good juices!
No free facilities

Algarve Seco Restaurant: Boneca Bar

At the bottom of the stairs, there is a small bar / snack in the middle of the rock formations.
It is the Boneca Bar. Hours vary depending on the season (closed in Winter) - check out their facebook page.
It is a fun place to have lunch or take a break.

Here are my parents enjoying fresh fruits and ham:

Accommodations: Algar Seco Parque

It is funny, because it seems the residence Algar Seco Parque is more famous than this amazing natural site.
It is considered one of the best places to stay in Algarve.
They have self-catering, fully equipped accommodation (studio, bungalows, suites...). Some have views of the ocean.
See photos and availability

Looking for the best place to stay in the Algarve?

See my selection of the 15 best areas to enjoy beach, easy access, attractions...+ fantastic accommodation options

+ read more

The pinnacle of Algarve Seco Carvoiero

Let's start with the most obvious geological feature of the Algar Seco cliffs: the pinnacle. To the left of the boardwalk, just under the Algar Seco Parque are stairs leading to the first level: the restaurant, the pinnacle and the small tunnel / cave.

You first walk down 43 steps. Then if you go right, you reach the restaurant with 35 more steps.

From the staircase you can get really nice views of the pinnacle.

Sadly, there were no explanations about the place, no signs at the time I visited. And I can't seem to find more info like its height... (maybe it is available in Portuguese pages, but I don't speak the language...)

The pinnacle is said to resemble a Doll head from some orientations: a "Boneca".

Algar Seco tunnel & viewpoint

But don't turn left yet.
Walk past the restaurant and down the 10 extra steps to the entrance of the tunnel under the pinnacle.

Go inside! The view is really amazing!
You can see the straight cliffs through 2 openings:

What a great surprise, isn't it?

Algar Seco Caves and Blowhole

Algar Seco is a network of caves, holes and rock formations. The biggest one is accessible from the same staircase. After the first 43 common steps, turn left and walk down 50 more steps.

It is fun to explore but quite difficult to photograph...

At the time I visited, the tide was quite low, so there was not much activity in the hole

Algar Seco Legend

The legend says that Princess Alfanzina fell in love with a poor coaler and they were meeting at Algar Seco, hiding from her father. When the King discovered it, he killed the commoner. The Princess mourned the loss of her sweetheart at the same spot, where her tears fell on the ground and formed the holes in the rocks.

The Algar Seco Cliff Walk

But the staircase is not the only point of Interest at Algar Seco Algarve. Towards the west of the pinnacle is a long boardwalk that takes you along the cliffs to admire all the geological features and other holes.

Thanks to the human construction, the walk is easy and offers great views in all directions.

This is the pinnacle viewed from the Algar Seco Walk:

And you can see in the cliffs all the holes created by the water and the wind.

Sometimes you can get off the boardwalk to explore further some of the cliffs. Make sure you wear good shoes!

Need to rent a car in the Algarve?

See my 36 practical tipsto choose the best car to rentfrom Faro Airportfor the roads in Algarveand find the best deals

+ read more

or directly see the best deals on my favorite platform

Other attractions nearby

You could easily combine the Algar Seco walk with other attractions in the area:

Benagil sea cave and Algarve boat tour

To experience this amazing coastline from another perspective, you should really do a boat tour.
The best ones depart from the Benagil beach and include entering the famous Benagil cave.
Learn more in my article