The Ultimate Guide to Tour Benagil Cave in The Algarve, Portugal [2024]

Find out how to get into Benagil Sea Cave with this detailed guide. This post shares everything you need to know to visit the stunning sea caves in the Algarve, Portugal.

Benagil Cave is one of the top things to do in the Algarve region of Portugal. Find out where Benagil Cave is located and how to get inside the cave. Keep reading to learn all of my travel tips and how I was able to experience Benagil Cave.

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What is Benagil Sea Cave?

Benagil Cave is one of many stunning caves on the Algarve coastline in Southern Portugal. When you are inside the cave, the top above has a giant opening where sunlight floods in. To experience this scene has become a top bucket list item for travelers around the world.

I want to emphasize how amazing the cave is. Benagil Cave was everything I imagined it to be and more. It’s one of those places where I find myself in silence, staring and asking, “How does this even exist?” Nature is magical, y’all.

The Algarve is a gorgeous region in Portugal overall. I highly recommend it if you can fit it into your Portugal trip itinerary.

Where is Benagil Sea Cave?

Benagil Cave is next to Praia de Benagil (Benagil Beach) in southern Portugal. This region of Portugal is the Algarve, known for its beautiful beaches and dramatic cliffs.

Getting to Benagil Cave from Lagos: Benagil Cave is 27 miles east of Lagos. Driving from Lagos to Benagil Cave will take about 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take this boat tour directly from Lagos to Benagil Cave.

Getting to Benagil Cave from Albufeira: Benagil Cave is 15 miles west of Albufeira. The trip would take about 30 minutes by car. You can also take a boat cruise from Albufeira to Benagil Cave and the surrounding area.

Getting to Benagil Cave from Portimão: Bengail Cave is 10 miles east of Portimão. Driving from Portimão to Benagil Cave will take about 25 minutes. This boat tour from Portimão to Benagil Cave also passes other points of interest along the way.

Getting to Benagil Cave from Faro: Benagil Cave is 37 miles west of Faro. It takes about 45 minutes to drive to Bengail Cave from Faro.

Getting to Benagil Cave from Lisbon: Benagil Cave is 168 miles south of Lisbon. The drive takes about two and a half hours.

Spend a few days in the Algarve region; you will not be disappointed. I booked an Airbnb in Lagos, which was the perfect location to explore the region by car.

How Do You Get Into Benagil Cave?

There are several different ways to get into Benagil Cave: kayak, stand-up paddle board, boat tour, or swim.

The cave’s entry is on the other side of a massive rock that sticks out into the ocean at Praia de Benagil. You must access the entry from the ocean to get into the cave.

Kayak

Renting a kayak to get into Benagil Cave is one of the most popular options. From Praia de Benagil, it takes about 10 minutes to kayak to the cave.

On my visit, there was a vendor on-site at the beach where visitors could rent a kayak. When the beach is busy, rentals often sell out, so booking in advance is wise. Here is a place where you can book a two-hour kayak experience to Benagil Cave.

I planned to enter the cave in a kayak, but this was not an option on the day of my visit. The ocean current was very strong, and the kayak rental vendors would not let guests rent them.

Stand-Up Paddle Board

A stand-up paddle board is another way to get into Bengail Cave from Praia de Benagil. This is the option that I went with.

There was over an hour wait for a stand-up paddle board rental at the beach. If I were to visit again I would plan ahead and book a rental in advance. Here is a guided stand-up paddle board tour of Benagil Cave that you can book before your trip.

I was initially nervous to use a stand-up paddle board to get into the cave. This would be my first time using one and it seemed risky to learn on ocean waves. The guided experience is especially helpful for newbies like myself, since it covers safety and how to use it.

The rental company assured me that the stand-up paddle board was actually the easier option. They advised me to paddle on my knees to adjust and have a bit more balance than if I were to stand.

I really wanted to take my camera into the cave, a big reason I felt like kayaking would be a better option. Luckily the rental company also had waterproof dry bags for rent so I was able to safely transport my camera gear and my phone.

The waterproof dry bag was so clutch, I ended up purchasing one for myself. You can check out options and pricing here, which is super useful for trips where you will be around water.

Take a Boat Tour

Organized boat tours are another popular way to get into Benagil Cave. The nice thing about the boat tours is that they depart from various coastal cities throughout the Algarve region. This make it easy to visit the cave if you do not have a car.

During my own planning process I found so many great tours. If you are staying in Albufeira then this tour is a great option for seeing the coastline as well. You start in a jeep exploring the Algarve coast, then make your way to the cave.

This 2.5-hour boat tour offers pick-ups in Carvoeiro or Portimao. The boat explores more than 20 caves and often dolphins are spotted.

During my time in the Algarve I used the town of Lagos as my home base. If that is where you plan to stay as well, check out this cave tour that departs from Lagos.

Swim

You can swim to get into Benagil Cave, but I personally do not recommend it.

Many locals warned of the often strong undercurrent that has caused swimmers to drown. After doing a quick online search, I also found that swimmers have been stranded in the cave after swimming there and are unable to swim back due to rising tides.

Even if it looks fine, that’s not always the case. Often water looks calm on the surface but you are unable to see the strength of what is going on beneath. Please be safe and do not swim to the cave. If you insist on doing so, wear a lifejacket. The ocean is no joke.

To access the cave you have to get around this rock (photo below) that sticks out into the ocean.

Can You Walk to Benagil Cave?

Praia de Benagil, the beach where the cave is, is a bit away from the towns where most people stay in the Algarve, so driving is the best way to reach the cave.

You cannot walk to get into Benagil Cave. To get inside the cave, you need to enter from the ocean. You can walk to the top of the cave and look down inside.

Places to Stay Near Praia De Benagil

Praia de Benagil is near several popular tourist towns in the Algarve region. All are within driving distance. Here are a few accommodation options in the area.

LAGOS, PORTUGAL: Lagos is a famous town for travelers in the Algarve. This is the town that I stayed in while I was in Southern Portugal. The Old Town is charming, but there is also a backpacker vibe, and many can be seen passing through town.

A few highly-rated hotels and hostels in Lagos are Vila Gale Lagos, Uma Casa a Beira Sol, and Camone Hostel.

ALBUFEIRA, PORTUGAL: Like Lagos, Albufeira is a common place for tourists to stay. Albufeira seems to have a bit more of an upscale vibe than Lagos.

Falesia Hotel, Clube Humbria by 3HB, and Velamar Boutique Hotel are popular places to stay in Albufeira.

Tips for Visiting Benagil Cave

• Pack one of these waterproof dry bags. I must have one when I’m going on a trip where I will be in the water.
• Stop by the market beforehand to buy snacks and water. There isn’t really anywhere to eat around the beach, so water is essential!
• Visit in the morning if you want to avoid the crowds, especially if you are there during summer/peak season.