Considered one of the best viewpoints in Portugal and the landmark of Carvoeiro, the Algar Seco Algarve offers amazing formations, a blow hole, caves and a great boardwalk along the cliffs... A walk of nature art created by erosion. Discover it in photos and video.
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Algar Seco - The Pinnacle
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.
This is what makes the area so famous. But there is more to see.
Below is a video to give you a short overview of what you could see.
More photos after the planning tips.
INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Algar Seco Algarve
How to get to Algar Seco Carvoeiro Portugal
- On the Algarve Coast, between Portimao and Albufeira
- Algar Seco is located in the town of Carvoeiro, east of the Carvoeiro beach and West of the famous Benagil Cave and Beach
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Visiting Algar Seco Portugal
- 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
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. Check availability and prices
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 Cave and Blow Hole
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
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 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!
View towards the East
At the top of the staircase, you can also go left towards a bench with a nice view of the coast looking East.
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