Carvoeiro Beaches

There are many lovely beaches in Carvoeiro, so the choice is yours as to where to spend your lazy days in the Algarve sunshine! Will it be Praia do Carvoeiro or Carvoeiro 'town beach' as it also known, Praia do Paraíso which is just the next beach along, the lovely curved sheltered bay of Praia do Carvalho, Praia da Marinha with a choice of several little bays at low tide or maybe Vale de Centeanes with its spectacular cliffs?

Read on for all you need to know about Carvoeiro beaches! Including which Carvoeiro beaches have lifeguards during the season (normally April to the end of September) and what facilities, car parking and water sports are available at each beach!

As a quick reminder about beach flag safety: A green flag = swimming permitted; Yellow flag = swimming forbidden; Red flag = swimming and entering the water forbidden; Blue and white chequered flag = beach temporarily unattended.

Praia do Carvoeiro

Praia do Carvoeiro is also known as the 'town beach' and it is a small sweep of sand sheltered by cliffs on either side. There are shower and toilet facilities and it is well served by bars and restaurants on the paved area just behind the entrance. Access is easy and level with the paving although there is only a short boarded walkway. There is car parking just behind the beach, but spaces are limited and it can get quite busy in summer, so you may need to park a little further away and walk down.

Praia do Carvoeiro has supervision during the 'beach season' but is not classed as an 'Accessible Beach'

Praia do Carvalho

Praia do Carvalho is a rather small, yet lovely, curved bay, sheltered all around by rocks. You can access the beach from both sides; from one side, entrance is down some steep steps cut into the cliff face. On the other side, you can walk down from the car park and go down some steps cut into a tunnel in the rock. This obviously makes it unsuitable for disabled access.

Unfortunately there are no toilet or wash facilities on Praia do Carvalho and you will need to take food and drinks with you.

Praia do Carvalho is not a supervised beach.

Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha has a big car park at the top with a picnic area, which overlooks the sea offering spectacular views of the coastline. (It is also on a bus route.) To get to the beach you follow the attractive tree-lined path, which winds its way to the top of the steps. It is quite a steep access down the steps but there is a handrail all the way down for support, but it is not suitable for wheelchair access. At the bottom is a restaurant at the entrance to the beach and there are toilet and wash facilities.

Praia da Marinha is a good-sized beach and at low tide you have the choice of several little bays. However when the tide is high, access to these may be limited. There is scuba diving and boat trips available if you don't just want to sit on the beach.

Praia da Marinha is supervised during the 'beach season'

Praia do Paraíso

Praia do Paraíso is the next beach along from Praia do Carvoeiro, accessed by driving up the hill on the western side of Praia do Carvoeiro, following the road round to the right, and then there is a car park on the left hand side, where the restaurant ("Restaurante O Boteco") is. The small, sheltered bay of Praia do Paraíso is reached down a long, winding flight of steps built into the cliffs. There are no amenities on the beach, but Restaurante O Boteco, above, is open all year and has a lovely outside terrace to enjoy a meal while looking out over the cliffs.

Praia do Paraiso is not supervised and has no support facilities.

Vale de Centeanes

Vale de Centeanes is a lovely sheltered, sandy bay with some rocks at the eastern end and is a couple of kilometres to the east of Carvoeiro town. There is a restaurant at the entrance to the beach with toilet facilities and in summertime there is also a hut selling cold drinks and ice-creams.

The road down to the beach has recently been done up with parking areas and a turning area at the bottom. The cliff faces, especially beside the restaurant are showing the effects of the waves constantly rolling in and eroding them, but they look quite spectacular.

The access to the beach from the car park would be suitable for wheelchair users as it is a gentle slope down and the walkway runs across the back of the beach. It isn't classed as an 'Accessible Beach' but is supervised during the 'beach season'.