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.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Portugal:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Portugal: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Benagil sea cave from Portimao
My favorite excursion from Lisbon: Sintra Pena Palace and Cabo da Roca
My favorite places to stay:
- Lisbon: see best rated hotels – e.g. Santiago de Alfama boutique hotel
- Porto: see best rated hotels – e.g. Descobertas Boutique Hotel
- Lagos: see best rated hotels – e.g. Uma Cas A Beira Sol
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.
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:
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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?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
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
Where to stay in the Algarve?
My favorites:
- Lagos, for the charm : see best rated accommodations
- Portimao, central to explore – see best rated accommodations
- Albufeira without a car – see best rated accommodations
- Alvor with kids – see best rated accommodations
- Tavira, for the east side – see best rated accommodations
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?
I don’t drink coffee 
But I also like other drinks and sweets!
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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 Portugal?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
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
Farol de Alfanzina and sinkholes
To take a break from the beaches, you can also enjoy another short walk around the Alfanzina lighthouse.
Stay on the path to discover the sinkholes!
Want to see more of the best Portugal has to offer?
- 30 Most beautiful landscapes in Portugal – read article
- Best things to do in Portugal – read article
- The best beaches in Portugal – read article
- The best villages in Portugal – read article
- Lisbon vs Porto – where to go? – read article
- Driving in Portugal – read article
- The best of the Algarve region – read article
- The highlights of Sintra and the Sintra-Cascais Nature park – read article
Planning a trip to Portugal?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Portugal thanks to my guide
- 13 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 120+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
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