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.

Heading further eastwards:-

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.

Heading westwards:-

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.