The Portuguese coastline offers a stunning feast of eye-candy as well as opportunities to get familiar with the many hidden coves and caves. Some caves and grottoes are only accessible via the sea, others can be reached by land from the beach itself, and they’re all amazing.
There’s something about a cave that fascinates humans, maybe because caves were among our ancient ancestors’ safest places to live. These curious openings in the ground, cliffs, and rocks have all sorts of origins, from volcanic activity to water and wind erosion, and on the Algarve many caves are called algars, a word unique to the region. If you find a cave with a hole in the roof, whether inland or on the coast, it’s called an algar.
Obviously every cave comes with risks. The rock isn’t always stable, simply because many coastal caves are still developing, made bigger and wider and higher by the force of the ocean’s waves and tides, by the wind and the temperatures and the weather. Rockfalls still happen, and they can be lethal.
The best way to experience many of Portugal’s spectacular caves is via a guided tour. It isn’t just safer. Your guide will be able to reveal the cave’s secrets, from its ancient geology to the people who maybe once lived, sheltered, partied or even hid in it.
You’ll need non-slip shoes whether you go it alone of follow a guided tour, and because caves are dark and unlit, a decent torch will make you feel safer. Finally, bear in mind that caves tend to be cool, so bring something warm to banish the damp and the chill. And if there are safety recommendations, follow them.
Arcos de Marinha, Lagoa
The beach here is officially one of the most beautiful beaches of the world, and it’s also home to one of the coolest caves in Portugal. The stunning rock formations have been eroded into two massive golden archways, perfect for Instagrammers.
- Location – Praia Marinha, Estr. da Caramujeira, Lagoa
Ancient Gruta do Escoural, Montemor-o-Novo
Gruta do Escoural has an extraordinary history, one of the most dramatic caves in Portugal. This is where you’ll see ancient Palaeolithic rock art, making this amazing cave a fascinating historical landmark. Humans have lived and spent time here for 50,000 years and the art they left behind brings you into intimate contact with these ancient people.
The first occupants were Neanderthal hunter-gatherers, who sheltered here when hunting. Experts have found the bones of animals like aurochs, deer and horses inside and there’s some evidence that it was once used for funerals. At the end of the copper period, there was a settlement inside.
- Location – M370, 7050-556, Portugal
Volcanic Algar do Carvão, Azores
Fancy a 900 mile journey offshore? The Azores, in the middle of the Atlantic, belong to Portugal so quality for this guide. The remarkable volcanic cave, Algar do Carvão, is on the island of Terceira in the Azores, and its name means ‘Cavern of Coal’. It started life after a massive eruption called the Pico Alto, made from an ancient lava tube with a massive hole in the roof, a typical algar. The site was first opened to the public in the late 1900s and is a favourite with mountaineers and cavers.
The mouth of the cave is a 45m vertical passage leading to the interior, followed by another decline to reach the amazingly clear waters of the rainwater-fed 15m deep pool inside, which can completely dry up in summer. The cave is stuffed with dramatic rock formations.
- Location – Porto Judeu, 9700-000 Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira island
Dramatic Vale de Centeanes Beach, Carvoeiro
The beach itself is glorious, a slice of perfect golden sand backed by dramatic sandy cliffs, and it’s only an enjoyable 20 minute walk from the town of Carvoeiro. There’s a fleet of four small boats offering official cave trips. Praia do Carvoeiro is a typical fishing village, and the area’s magnificent marine caves are a big attraction. You’ll board your boat at the beach of Praia via a ladder. Prepare for ‘amazing’ as your boat dips in and out of these magical caves, some of which are dramatic algars.
- Location – Sitiu Praia de Vale Centeanes, Carvoeiro
World-famous Elefante, Lagos
The elephant rock must be one of Portuguese best-loved landmarks, called Elefante and a distinctive landmark of the Algarve coast. It sort of looks like an elephant but that requires some imagination. Instead, just marvel at the powerful natural forces that made it so. This unusual rock formation is a popular spot for boat tours. No wonder Elefante one of the most popular caves in the area.
- Location – Ponta da Piedade, Lagos
Inaccessible Gruta do Capitão, Lagoa
Famously tricky to access, reachable only by boat but worth the effort, Gruta do Capitão lies between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra, nicknamed the Captain’s Cave. It’s literally an awe-inspiring sight with its huge mouth and dramatic arch, the perfect guided boat tour. Low tide and calm waters make the boat trip safe but it’s not possible when the tide is high and the seas rough. The boat trips don’t tend to go ahead in those conditions and you can’t get to the cave by swimming.
- Location – Praia da Estaquinha, Lagoa
Incredible Santo Antonia Caves
Head to Marinha Beach to find a collection of fabulous rock formations and crystal clear blue waters, with caves formed more than 150 million years ago stacked with stunning stalagmites and stalactites. Back in 1955 two men found the entrance and discovered the caves are home to dinosaur footprints. Inside the caves are as deep as 40m, extend to 6,000 m2, and are separated into ‘rooms’ full of stalagmites and stalactites and bats. There’s lighting, safe steps and stepping-stones, and they play background music in there to enrich your experience.
- Location – Arrábida Natural Park, south of the Setúbal Peninsula
One of Portugal’s seven wonders – Caves of Mira de Aire, Mira
The Caves of Mira de Aire is Portugal’s biggest cave network. The whole network spans more than 15km but 600m is the extent of the official tour. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal, the cave network is very popular thanks to the amazing stalactites and stalagmites, weird rock formations, underground rivers and lakes. The tour through the cave system takes you deep underground into the depths, down dizzying flights of stairs and via artificial tunnels lit up by thousands of lights.
- Location – Av. Dr. Luciano Justo Ramos 470, 2485-050 Mira de Aire
Volcanic São Vicente Caves on Madeira Island
Formed 890 thousand years ago, there’s a 700m official underground trail for people wanting to explore these incredible volcanic caves. The São Vicente Caves were created by a violent volcanic eruption in Paul da Serra, which formed these bizarre volcanic tunnels. First opened to visitors in 1996, they offer a remarkable journey to the earth’s strange interior, and the interesting Volcanism Centre on the site tells the story. Expect a feast of stalactites, underground lakes and spooky tunnels.
- Location – Sao Vicente
Paradise is yours at Zorreira Cave, Carvoeiro
This wonderful sea cave close to Carvoeiro Beach is nicknamed ‘paradise cave’, only accessible by boat and close to the biggest and best-known of all, Benagil Cave. Zorreira Cave is a place of vivid deep waters full of fish, perfect for divers. Go deeper to find amazing coral gardens filled with marine life and stunning underwater rock formations.
- Location – Largo da Praia do, 8400-513 Carvoeiro
Massive Benagil Cave, Carvoeiro
The most famous and potentially the most breathtaking Portuguese cave, Benagil Cave is best approached by boat. Some people try to swim, kayak, or paddleboard but it’s dangerous. This cave began to form more than 20 million years ago and the effect you get when the sun shines through the opening – usually from 10am and 4pm – attracts huge crowds.
2024 saw new rules applied by National Maritime Authority and several other tourist and conservation organisations put in place to help conserve this magical place. You can’t swim to access the cave, nor can you kayak there without a guide. There’s a limit to the number of boats and kayaks allowed inside at one time, and a maximum time limit for tours. And don’t forget, you can’t land a kayak or stand on the sand inside the cave.
- Location – 8400-401 Lagoa
Which Portuguese cave will you visit first? You could even base your holiday on them, give your Portugal holiday experience an exciting structure.
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