Benagil Cave From Lagos: Your Complete Guide

Last Updated on July 29, 2025

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Planning to visit the Benagil Cave from Lagos? This guide covers everything you need to know about how to get to Benagil Cave, and other tips for exploring the incredible Algarve region.

I went kayaking to Benagil Cave Algarve (Algar de Benagil in Portuguese) on my most recent trip to the Algarve, the region I headed to after spending 4 days in Lisbon. Despite visiting in December, when temperatures tend to be cooler, I had a great experience.

The sun was shining, the water was sparkling, and I was out on the water exploring not just Benagil, but other caves along the Algarve coast.

Here’s how you can have the same experience! Read on to learn how to visit Benagil Cave from Lagos, independently, or with a tour. Plus, I’ve included tips for your visit, based on my personal experience.

*This Algarve guide is based on my personal experiences as a visitor traveling the region. As with all travel, I recommend connecting with locals, either casually or by hiring local guides, to learn more about the Algarve from the perspective of those who live there.

What is the Benagil Cave in Algarve? 

Benagil Cave is the most famous sea cave in the Algarve. It’s a fascinating rock formation with a big hole in the middle of its roof, which some people call “the eye.” Light streams into the cave through the eye, creating a beautiful effect inside the cave.

Benagil Cave is quite large, and when the tide is low, there is a small beach inside that visitors can stand on. From the beach, you can admire the cathedral-like shape, and take epic photos of the natural cave.

The only way to access the inside of Benagil Cave is by going on an Algarve boat tour or by renting equipment, like a kayak. Most tours and rental companies operate from Benagil Beach, which is a beach quite close to the cave’s entrance. 

This means if you visit Benagil Cave from Lagos, you’ll need to first get yourself from Lagos to the beach that tours depart from. 
I’m going to cover how to get to Benagil Beach from Lagos, and then later in this guide, I’ll cover types of tours and the best ones to book. 

How to Get to Benagil Cave From Lagos

The access point to Benagil Cave is Benagil Beach, which is just outside the Algarve town of Carvoeiro. From the center of Carvoeiro, it’s just a 15 minute drive to the beach. 

The simplest way to get to Benagil Cave from Lagos is to drive. The last two times I was in the Algarve, I got a car rental, and I did not regret it.

Lagos is a perfect home base for exploring other Algarve towns and regions, and having a car makes day trips from Lagos convenient. For example, with a car you can visit Ferragudo from Lagos, and day trip to Silves, too.

Need a car rental for your Algarve adventures? Discover Cars compares the prices for a vehicle from a variety of suppliers to ensure you get the cheapest rate, and you can reserve your car rental in advance. Reserve your  car rental here!

Opening Hours For Benagil Beach and Cave

If you’re visiting the Benagil Cave from Lagos, opening hours shouldn’t be an issue.The natural park where you can visit Benagil Cave is open all year round. Visiting the cave is typically possible during daylight hours, depending on time of year, and the tides.

Each company operating Benagil Cave tours will run their tours according to the best tide times so you don’t need to worry about planning around that. 

Best Time of Year to Visit Benagil Cave

During the summer there are tons of tourists in the Algarve region. Our kayaking guide told us visiting Benagil in midsummer can be frustrating because there is so much traffic entering and exiting the cave.

According to our guide, the best time to go is in the shoulder or off season, so from late September to May. This way, you avoid the crowds, and help reduce the impact of overtourism.

I went on a kayaking tour to Benagil Cave in early December. December is winter in the Algarve, but I actually found it to be a great experience because there were barely any other people there.

The one caveat about the Algarve in December is that sometimes, the weather can be a bit chilly and it occasionally rains. 
But, there are also beautifully sunny days. Given this, we booked our tour based on the weather forecast, and so we were able to ensure we had a sunny day for our visit to the cave.

The Best Benagil Cave Tours

You now know how to get yourself to the departure point for Benagil Cave. The next step is to book a tour to take you the rest of the way – out onto the water, and into the cave! 

There are several different types of Benagil Caves tours. Most of these tours depart from Benagil Beach, but there are a limited few Benagil Cave from Lagos tours that include transport to and from the beach, like this Benagil Cave Boat Tour + Guided Coastal Walk. 

The most common ways to tour to Benagil Cave are by speed boat, paddleboard, or kayak. Below are four well-rated tours you can choose from. 

1. Benagil Cave Boat Tour + Guided Coastal Walk

This Benagil Cave Boat Tour + Guided Coastal Walk is at the top of the list because it includes transport to the Benagil Cave from Lagos, and back. If you don’t have a car and want to see Benagil Cave without having to go on public transport, I would book this tour. 

The other great thing about this tour is that it combines your cave visit with a guided coastal walk! This tour starts with pickup from your accommodation in Lagos, Praia da Luz, or Meia Praia. From there, you’re brought to Carvoeiro Beach where you’ll get on board a traditional style boat.

You’ll first visit Benagil Cave, before heading to the gorgeous Marinha Beach. Along the way you get to take in scenic views of cliffs, rock formations, grottoes and sea caves.

After the boat cruise, you’ll go for a leisurely walk along Algar Seco boardwalk. From there you’ll have incredible coastal views, and get to see natural pools that form from the rising and falling tides.

The reviews for this tour all rave about how knowledgeable and fun the guide is. Guides can truly make or break a tour experience, so this Benagil Cave tour from Lagos is an easy yes. 

The Benagil Cave Boat Tour + Guided Coastal Walk includes pickup and drop-off from Lagos, Praia da Luz, or Meia Praia, a professional driver and guide, a boat tour of Benagil Cave, and a walking tour. 

2. SUP Board Tour to Benagil Cave

• RATING: 4.9 out of 5 stars | TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours

On this Benagil Cave tour, you’ll explore the Algarve coast on a paddleboard. Don’t worry if you’ve never paddle boarded before. The tour includes a quick lesson on stand-up paddle boarding, before you get out on the water. 

Your guide will bring you to small caves, grottoes, hidden beaches, and stone arches that are only accessible by kayak or paddle board. You’ll learn about fossils that are on the coastal rock faces and inside caves. 

This tour includes a stop inside Benagil Cave, with 30 minutes spent there. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the cave, take photos, and even go for a quick dip in the ocean. 

The SUP Board Tour to Benagil Cave includes a paddling lesson, your equipment, an expert guide, wetsuits (if needed) and a dry bag. 

3. Benagil Cave Tour With Dolphin Watching

• RATING: 4.8 out of 5 stars | TOUR LENGTH: 2.5 hours

The Benagil Cave tour with dolphin watching departs from Portimão. Your cruise will set sail along the Algarve coast, with a visit to Marinha beach as well as Benagil Cave. Along the way, your marine biologist guide will teach you about the area’s geology and marine life.

After seeing the coast, you’ll sail off into the Atlantic to watch dolphins. You’ll see these playful sea creatures jumping and swimming around the boat before returning to the mainland.

This tour is a great way to combine two amazing experiences on the Algarve coast: Caves, and dolphins! This tour has tons of positive reviews which rave about how comfortable and clean the boat is, and how knowledgeable the guide is. 

The Benagil Cave Tour With Dolphin Watching includes a safety briefing, life jackets, dolphin watching, a visit to Benagil Cave, and more. 

How to See Benagil Cave From Above

You can walk to the top of Benagil Cave from Benagil Beach Parking or via the trail that connects Praia da Marinha to Benagil.
 
Benagil sea cave has a big hole in it’s roof (the eye!), and so it’s possible to look down into the cave from above. To see the cave this way doesn’t require a tour or water equipment, it’s totally free. Just be careful as you peer inside!

From the top of Benagil Cave, you can see Praia de Benagil below and also Praia do Pego which has a beautiful cove with clear waters. 

The walk to the top of Benagil is part of the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, which goes from Centeanes Valley Beach to Marinha Beach. You can do the entire trail, or you can just do the small section of it that goes up to the top of Benagil.

After leaving the beach, go up the hill to the right and go towards the edge of the cliff and you will find the beginning of the trail next to the restaurant O Algar. You will see the parking lot, and a dirt road. Just head down that dirt road, and you’ll find the path.

Once you’re on the path, follow it to the right until you reach the crater of Benagil Cave. You’ll recognize it right away because the crater is fenced off. All around the hole are tall, wooden fences to keep people from getting too close to the hole.

Don’t climb over the fence! It’s there because the ground around the crater is very unstable. Walking on it could cause it to collapse. Please be careful.

Can You Swim to Benagil Cave?

It’s possible to swim all the way from the beach at Praia de Benagil to the cave, but I don’t recommend it. The swim is quite long (20-30 minutes), and because of the tides and currents, is quite dangerous.

Rather than risking the swim, go by boat and save the swimming for Benagil Beach, where swimming conditions are much safer.

11 Tips For Visiting Benagil Cave Responsibly

Before heading to Benagil to explore the beach, cave, and trails above, be sure to note these tips! They cover practical knowledge, as well as how you can be a responsible tourist when visiting this famous sea cave. 

1. Stay out of the water while inside the Benagil Cave.

Only experienced swimmers should enter the water since waves can be strong and unpredictable in certain weather conditions or times of year. While I was visiting in December, the waves were so intense, I saw them knock people over as they got out of their kayaks. Be careful!

2. Bring a bathing suit, change of clothing, and towel.

Especially if you go by kayak or SUP, you might be getting dripping wet after visiting Benagil Cave. Be sure to bring a dry clothing and towel so that you can get changed and comfortable after exploring the cave.

3. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water on your Benagil Cave tour.

This is Portugal. The sun shines all year long, so make sure you protect yourself from the harsh rays of the sun! You might also want to bring a hat to shield your face from the bright light, and a bottle of water to stay hydrated. If you forget water, you can swing by the restaurant on Benagil Beach to grab some.

4. Take off any jewelry or other valuables.

This goes for most water activities! You don’t want to risk losing anything of value while exploring the Algarve coast, so it’s best to leave the fine jewelry at home (especially if you’re paddling yourself).

5. Bring water shoes or plan to go barefoot.

I almost lost my flip flop when an unexpected wave interrupted me as I posed for a photo inside the Benagil Cave. Don’t make my mistake! If you’re kayaking, just go barefoot, or wear water shoes.

6. Bring a dry bag for your valuables.

If you are going by kayak or SUP you will need a dry bag to protect your phone, wallet, and any other valuables you might bring. If you go with a tour company, they will likely provide you a dry bag for free (the company I went with did!), or you’ll have the option to rent one.

7. Should you bring your camera to Benagil Cave?

I debated this before going for my kayak tour to Benagil Cave Algarve. Because my camera is expensive, and my baby, I decided against bringing it on the kayak with me *just in case* I capsized.

I might have been able to fit it in my dry bag, but that felt a bit risky. I opted to bring just my phone, which has a decent camera. I know plenty of folks who have brought their camera gear into the cave though, so it can be done!

Want to reduce your impact when visiting not just Benagil Cave, but Portugal in general? Here are a couple tips you can keep in mind for your trip. 

8. Visit Benagil Cave Algarve in the off-season.

Traveling off peak, or in the low season, means you travel to a place at the time of year that is the least busy. This helps to reduce overcrowding. In Portugal, the off-season is from October to May. 

9. Shop, eat, and stay local in the Algarve.

Do your best to support local businesses so that local Portuguese people benefit. By putting your dollars towards local restaurants, cafes, and other businesses, you can help ensure that tourism remains a force for good.

10. Travel as slowly as possible in the Algarve.

Rather than ticking off as many destinations as possible in a trip to Europe or Portugal, spend a few extra days at every stop. This way you can engage more with the communities that you visit, see more of a place, and invest more tourism dollars into local businesses.

11. Pack in and pack out while exploring Algarve’s nature.

“Packing in and packing out” is the practice of leaving no trace when out in nature. Avoid leaving any litter behind in Benagil Cave and out on the water, even if it’s organic. If you have any litter while out on your adventure, hold onto it and dispose of it properly later.

More to See Near Benagil Beach

You might find that you’ve got time before or after visiting Benagil Cave to fit in some of the other sites in this region of the Algarve. 
When I went on my kayaking tour of the cave, my friend and I got an early start to the day, and before our tour, we  fit in a visit to Algar Seco.

After our tour, we headed to Portimao. It made for the perfect day trip from Lagos!If you’re looking for a place to eat after exploring the cave and hanging on Benagil  Beach, I recommend Casa Lamy (which is also known as Beach Shack) located on Benagil Beach.

The restaurant has great food and drinks, as well as a nice beach view. There are more restaurants just up the road from Benagil Beach (a 5 minute walk), so there’s plenty to choose from!

Here are details about a couple of other places you can visit while in the Benagil region:

Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

The Seven Hanging Valleys hike is one of the most popular hikes on the Algarve. This out and back hike takes you along the coast, serving up beautiful views of the ocean, beaches and coastal rock formations. While the full trail is 7 miles / 11.4 km to do out and back, it’s possible to hike just a portion of it.

Or, hike the trail in one direction and then grab a bus, taxi or Uber to bring you back to where you started (and left your vehicle). The trailhead starts at either Praia da Marinha or Praia do Vale de Centeanes. Praia da Marinha is just a 6 minute drive from Benagil Beach, making this hike convenient to do either before or after visiting the cave.

Explore the Algarve town, Carvoeiro

Carvoeiro is an Algarve fishing village turned tourist hot spot! The town is built into steep red sea cliffs, and is surrounded by a beautiful hilly landscape. It’s a quieter town than some of the other popular towns in the Algarve, like Lagos and Portimao.

While in Carvoeiro, you can see the ruins of an old  fort, which was built in 1670. Very little of the fort survived, but the site is also home to the shrine of Nossa Senhora, a chapel that looks out over the sea, and apparently pre-dates the fort!

See interesting rock formations at Algar Seco

Just outside Carvoeiro is Algar Seco. This natural monument is a small stretch of coast that is made up of interesting rock formations, rugged caves, and natural pools. In some parts of Algar Seco, the holes in the rocks create natural balconies and windows.

At Algar Seco you’ll find the famous rock formation known as “Boneca” (“the doll”). If you view this rock formation from the sea, it looks like a doll! You’ll follow a path through a natural tunnel to reach a small cave that has two naturally formed windows that provide beautiful views of the sea.

Visit one of the Algarve’s cities, Portimao

Portimao is one of the Algarve’s larger cities. It has a bustling center as well as great cuisine, a busy nightlife scene, and beaches.

Portimao is also known as the sardine capital of the Algarve, owing to its countless restaurants that serve this popular fish. Pop into one to taste grilled sardines with local Portuguese wine and fresh bread.

Hang out on the beautiful beach, Praia da Rocha

This large, beautiful beach stretches a good long distance so you won’t have a problem finding a quiet spot to lounge for the day. Behind the beach is a boulevard with shops, bars, clubs and a casino.

Ponta da Piedade is a cluster of rock formations that rise up to 20 meters above the Atlantic Ocean, creating natural arches, caves, and towers that make for beautiful coastal views.

From the top of Ponta da Piedade, you have incredible views of the rock formations, grottos, ocean, and Algarve coast. You can also descend 200 steps to water level for a different viewpoint.

Final Thoughts: Is Benagil Cave From Lagos Worth It?

It’s absolutely worth it to visit Benagil Cave from Lagos. Kayaking from Benagil Beach along the Algarve coast, and then into the cave was one of the highlights of my most recent trip to Portugal. I would go back in a heartbeat. The water, the views, the info from our kayaking guides, it was all stunning!

More from Pina Travels:

• Your Essential 4 Days in Lisbon Itinerary 
• Algarve in Winter: What to Expect & Things to Do
• Algarve in Fall: 12 Best Things to Do 
• Hiking the Coastal Fisherman’s Trail Portugal

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