| Beaches
The picturesque fishing village
of Carvoeiro nestles in a dip between two hills, next to a cove, which
is flanked on either side by cliffs. (The Portuguese word for beach is
“Praia”).
Carvoeiro
This is a small, sheltered
beach immediately in front of the village and you can walk straight onto
it. It is a mere 3 minutes walk from Casa Rustica and you couldn’t be more
central than this!
Centianes
This beach is either a very
short drive or a 10-15 minute walk from Casa Rustica (along the road heading
eastwards from the village center). There is a beach bar and restaurant
on the beach.
Carvalho
This is also known as Smuggler’s
Cove and is a pretty little cove that can be reached by a long flight of
steps and a tunnel below the car park at the Club Atlantico development
- at the very end of the road that runs east out of Carvoeiro. You will
be able to park closer if you approach it from the other side along a track
from Benagil.
Benagil
This beach is a veritable
suntrap backed by cliffs. You are able to walk onto the sand by making
your way past beached fishing boats. The only parking you will find is
on the roadside of a steep, hairpin bend. You can walk up and over a hill
to Carvalho.
Marinha
You can park your car at
the top and get a good view of the beach before venturing down the steps
to reach the long beach at Marinha which is on a particularly spectacular
stretch of coastline. You will find some afternoon shade at the far end
. Drive east out of the village, continuing up the hill past Benagil until
you reach the Marinha signpost. There is a beach bar operational here during
the summer months.
Albandeira
This is a cosy two-part
beach amid some rocks at the end of a 3km track signposted between Benagil
and the Algarve International School on the N125. From the parking area,
it is a few steps down and a minor clamber over rocks to reach the sand.
You will find a quaint beach bar serving home made crepes and ice cream
run by a French couple.
Paraiso
You can find Paraiso down
a long flight of steps from the clifftop, located immediately west of the
village and Carvoeiro beach. You can swim off either sand or rocks and
there is a small car park at the top.
Caneiros.
Taking the road heading west
out of Carvoeiro en-route to Ferragudo, you will find the lovely beach
at Caneiros. It is at the end of a cul-de-sac and you can park along the
roadside. The beach is flanked by cliffs and provides some afternoon shade,
there is a friendly beach bar and restaurant and you will also find a kiosk
selling fruit, snacks and drinks.
Pintadinho
Continuing westward you will
find this popular beach outside the breakwaters at the mouth of the Arade
river. There is a parking area from where you can walk straight onto the
sand and you will be able to enjoy some afternoon shade.
Praia Grande, Ferragudo
As it’s name suggests, this
is a big beach located within the breakwaters at the mouth of the River
Arade. It is on the bank opposite the Santa Catarina fort at the eastern
end of Praia da Rocha. It also has a watersports center. You can park in
the car park or on the approach road and go down a few steps to get to
the beach. |
