Carvoeiro Holidays – Low-rise and leisurely

A holiday in Carvoeiro is ideal for all the family and couples looking for relaxation with a bit of exercise thrown in. It is a resort without the hustle and bustle of too much noisy nightlife but with plenty to do if you feel like a break from the beach. Without a high-rise apartment block to break the skyline, this is exactly how you imagine the Algarve to be – a traditional white-painted fishing village with cobbled streets, but in this case bursting with restaurants, cafes and shops.

If you take a walk along the cliff tops you will be rewarded with views of coves and grottoes. To have a reverse view, local fishermen offer trips along the coast in their brightly painted boats when they are not out casting their nets.

For sporty types there are two diving schools that will you equip to discover life under the Atlantic, and jet-skis and pedaloes can be hired for on-surface entertainment. For more energetic water sports, nearby Slide and Splash is a water playground of slides, chutes and spirals that is equally as popular with teenagers and adults as it is with kids.

When to go to Carvoeiro

Most of the beaches around Carvoeiro tend to be small coves, which can get quite crowded during high season, so school holidays are best avoided if you want space on the sand. You will also find them pretty packed on the national holidays of 25th April and 1st May. Even in the cooler months from November to March – although the can still be comfortably warm – there is still plenty to do and see; a drive to the lovely medieval fortress town of Silves, canoeing in the Rio Arade (for the braver souls), or simply enjoying the emptiness of the beaches and the hillside walks.

Getting the best deal in Carvoeiro

A large amount of the holiday accommodation in Carvoeiro is self-catering in the beautiful villas that border the old town. Even if you are limited to holidays during high season, Easter and Christmas, you can still enjoy an affordable vacation, and there are plenty of shops to cater for your every need. Obviously there will be better deals available if you can travel outside these periods. The comfortable year-round temperatures mean that you can make the most of any deals available during the low- and mid-seasons while still having sun-filled days.

For the best deals in Carvoeiro, check below or visit our late deals offers.

Air transport and travel need to know

If you have set your heart on a holiday in Carvoeiro you should have no difficulty getting there as there are regular low-cost flights from most regional airports in the UK and Ireland (www.faroairportsguide.com).

Transfer from Lagos airport (the only one in the Algarve that has international flights), is just over an hour by taxi or shuttle bus. To shave a few euros off the 65€ (£53) a metered taxi will cost you, try booking a fixed-price taxi on-line or reserving seats with one of the shuttle bus services that operate from the airport to almost all the resorts. A taxi will carry a surcharge of 20% for night, weekend and bank holiday hires, which is why it is best to pre-book and arrange a fixed fee.

Eva Transportes (www.eva-bus.com) runs regular bus services through the Algarve; Comboios de Portugal (www.cp.pt) is the national rail service, with their site in English.

The best beaches in Carvoeiro

Most of the beaches in the area tend to be lovely small coves, but you need to prepare yourself for a bit of a climb up and down cliff steps get to them. 

The Blue Flag beach of Carvoeiro is one of the favourites because it is right beside the town centre. It is especially appreciated by families with younger children because you walk directly onto the sands (it is the only beach in the locality that has wheelchair access), the waters are calm, there are toilet and shower facilities, and there is a lifeguard on duty during the holiday season. The beach gets busy during the summer, so take heed of the warning notices and do not stretch out under the cliffs, which are susceptible to rock fall.

Centianes beach has also been awarded the Blue Flag, and is the closest large beach to Carvoeiro, within walking distance. It is sheltered and there are plenty of beach activities and places to snack during the summer months. Restaurante O Stop is a beach bar with toilet facilities for beach users. Sun beds are available for hire.

Praia da Marinha, about eight kilometres from Carvoeiro, has supposedly been voted one of the best beaches in the world, and is worth a visit at some time during your stay. Being such a beautiful beach also makes it very popular, although even during high season it isn’t usually overcrowded. The water is of a high standard and is excellent for swimming, and there is a large sheltered area that is perfect for less experienced swimmers and anyone wishing to do a spot of snorkelling. If you don’t like sand in your sandwiches, there is a picnic area in the car park with plenty benches and tables.

Useful links

www.mycarvoeiro.com