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Relaxing · Algarve, Portugal

Algarve Beaches & Sea Caves: 7 Days

An ocean-view family room above Carvoeiro beach and Benagil sea caves by boat, with Zoomarine and wild dolphins as optional add-ons. No car needed.

  • 7 days / 6 nights
  • Starts at Faro (FAO)
  • No car needed
Golden cliffs and the beach at Carvoeiro in the Algarve, Portugal

Attractions

What you will see as you travel the route, day by day, and how to make the most of each stop.

4sights on the route
1Benagil sea cave boat trip
3free beach days
6nights at one ocean-view resort
FaroCarvoeiroBenagilPortimãoFaro
1Day 1

Arrive in the Algarve

Settle in by the sea

Carvoeiro village

On your own

Why it is worth itA former fishing village with a small beach between the cliffs, just below your hotel.

Insider tipWalk down for dinner, and take a taxi back up if little legs are tired; the hill is steep.

2Day 2

Benagil sea caves by boat

Into the sea caves

Benagil cave and Marinha beach by boat

Why it is worth itA 90-minute boat trip along golden cliffs to Marinha beach and into the Benagil cave, with its round opening in the roof.

Insider tipBring sunscreen and a light layer; the boat is open to the sun and the spray.

3Day 3

A beach day

A slow beach day

Algar Seco

On your own

Why it is worth itRock arches and natural pools along a cliff boardwalk from Carvoeiro.

Insider tipGo near low tide to see the rock pools at their best, and wear shoes with grip.

4Day 4

A beach day, or Zoomarine

A day of shows and slides

Optional add-on

Zoomarine Tickets

A day at Zoomarine in Guia: dolphin and sea lion shows, pools and rides. A short taxi ride from your resort.

$65 per person

Optional. Not included in the trip price.

5Day 5

Praia da Rocha, or dolphins

A beach lunch, or dolphins

Praia da Rocha

On your own

Why it is worth itA long, wide sandy beach below the cliffs of Portimão, an easy lunch stop after the boat.

Insider tipHave lunch at one of the beach restaurants, then let the kids loose on the sand.

Optional add-on

Dolphin Watching with a Marine Biologist

A boat trip from Portimao with a marine biologist to look for wild dolphins along the coast.

$80 per person

Optional. Not included in the trip price.

The order of stops can shift with the weather, and access to some sites can change with the season or local conditions. See Day by day for the full plan.

Why this trip

The Algarve is Europe's easiest family beach trip: golden cliffs, warm water and short drives. You stay at Tivoli Carvoeiro, on the clifftop above Carvoeiro, in a family room with an ocean-view terrace and pools for every age. One morning a boat takes you along the coast into the famous Benagil sea cave. If you like, add a day at Zoomarine, with dolphins, slides and a beach, or a trip out from Portimao with a marine biologist to look for wild dolphins (both optional add-ons). The rest is pool, beach and long lunches by the sea.

  • Benagil sea caves by boatA 90-minute boat trip from Carvoeiro along the cliffs to Marinha beach and into the Benagil cave (booked).
  • A beach dayNothing booked. Walk the boardwalk to Algar Seco's rock pools, or spend the day at the hotel pools.
  • A beach day, or ZoomarineAnother free beach day. Or add a full day at Zoomarine: dolphin and sea lion shows, slides, rides and a sandy beach (optional add-on).
  • Praia da Rocha, or dolphinsLunch on the beach at Praia da Rocha, or add a dolphin-watching trip with a marine biologist (optional add-on).

Trip at a glance

Length
7 days / 6 nights
Starts / ends
Faro Airport (FAO), round trip
Getting around
No car needed; private airport transfers
Pace
One base, one boat trip and free beach days, with Zoomarine and dolphins as optional add-ons
Best time to go
June and September (July and August peak)
Great for
Families with kids
Accommodations
Comfort Plus
Flights
Not included. You book; timing tips in your pre-trip guide

Day by day

Day 1 and day 7 are travel days. The order of the days in between is flexible and can shift with the weather.

Day 1Arrive in the Algarve
Land at Faro. Your private minivan takes you to Tivoli Carvoeiro (about 50 minutes). Swim, then dinner in Carvoeiro village below the hotel.
Stay: Tivoli Carvoeiro (night 1 of 6).
Day 2Benagil sea caves by boat
A 90-minute boat trip from Carvoeiro along the cliffs to Marinha beach and into the Benagil cave (booked). The afternoon is pool time.
Stay: Tivoli Carvoeiro (night 2 of 6).
Day 3A beach day
Nothing booked. Walk the boardwalk to Algar Seco's rock pools, or spend the day at the hotel pools.
Stay: Tivoli Carvoeiro (night 3 of 6).
Day 4A beach day, or Zoomarine
Another free beach day. Or add a full day at Zoomarine: dolphin and sea lion shows, slides, rides and a sandy beach (optional add-on). Take a taxi there and back (about 20 minutes, not included).
Stay: Tivoli Carvoeiro (night 4 of 6).
Day 5Praia da Rocha, or dolphins
Lunch on the beach at Praia da Rocha, or add a morning dolphin-watching trip from Portimao Marina with a marine biologist on board (optional add-on).
Stay: Tivoli Carvoeiro (night 5 of 6).
Day 6A free day
Ideas: Ponta da Piedade's sea arches, Lagos old town, or the hilltop castle at Silves (optional).
Stay: Tivoli Carvoeiro (night 6 of 6).
Day 7Home
Your private minivan takes you back to Faro for your flight home.

What’s included

Included

  • 6 nights in a Family Deluxe room with an ocean-view terrace at Tivoli Carvoeiro (breakfast included), with the local tourist tax
  • A private minivan from Faro airport to the resort, and back
  • A Benagil sea caves and Marinha beach boat tour
  • A day-by-day plan, and one point of contact from booking to landing

Not included

  • International flights
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Local taxis (Zoomarine, Portimao)
  • Optional extras
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending

Optional add-ons: Zoomarine Tickets ($65 per person), Dolphin Watching with a Marine Biologist ($80 per person). Add them in the booking box or in Attractions.

Your hotels, experiences, transfers and guides are booked for you. Flights are up to you, and your pre-trip guide includes timing tips.

Questions

What if I need to cancel?
Plans change. If you need to cancel, you'll receive trip credit toward another itsTripEasy trip: within 24 hours of payment, 100% trip credit, so you can swap to a different destination; 90 or more days before your trip start date, 100% trip credit; less than 90 days before, no trip credit, unless you added Flexible Cancellation: with it, you get 100% trip credit if you cancel at least 10 days before your trip start date, for a trip you take within 12 months. Other trip credits never expire. To cancel or change your dates, use the cancellation request form. For a date change, choose the reason "I'd like to change my dates".
How many people can share a room?
Online booking is for 1 or 2 people per room, so a group of 3 or 4 is booked into 2 rooms. The ocean-view family room sleeps 2 adults and up to 2 children; to book it for a family, use Plan My Trip. For a bigger family, use Plan My Trip.
Do I need a car?
No. A private minivan meets you at Faro (about 50 minutes) and takes you back. The Benagil boat leaves from Carvoeiro beach; the dolphin trip, if you add it, leaves from Portimao, and Zoomarine is a short taxi ride.
Are flights included?
Flights are up to you, and your pre-trip guide includes timing tips so your arrival and departure fit the plan.
Can the trip be customized?
Yes, right in the booking box: add up to 3 extra nights at the start or end of your trip and choose how many travelers share each room.

Good to know

  • Weather and nature. Weather, road and natural conditions are outside anyone’s control and can change quickly. They may change the plan, close roads, or delay, shorten or cancel tours and activities, and the order of days may shift.
  • Your choices. You are responsible for your own decisions, safety and choices while traveling, including which activities you take part in, and following local guidance, posted warnings and your guides’ instructions.
  • Photos. Photos on this page are for inspiration. They may not show the exact location, hotel, season or conditions of your trip.
  • Not included. Flights aren’t included; you book those yourself.
$11,978
2 travelers · 7 days / 6 nights
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