The Benagil Cave is one of the most popular Instagram spots in the Algarve, which means it gets incredibly crowded—especially during peak season. But good news! Even in the busiest months, you can still take stunning photos without the crowds. Here’s how we did it.
What is the Benagil Cave?
Chances are, you’ve seen this cave on Instagram before. It’s a stunning sea cave with a large circular opening in the ceiling, allowing sunlight to pour in. Located in Portugal’s Algarve region, it sits between Praia de Benagil and Praia da Marinha, near the town of Lagoa. Its popularity comes down to its unique and picturesque appearance.
If you take the breathtaking Seven Hanging Valleys hike, you’ll walk above the cave. There are fences to prevent you from getting too close to the edge, but you’ll still get some fantastic views. With its dramatic rock formations and scenic coastal cliffs, it’s easy to see why this spot is a must-visit.
Of course, seeing the cave from above is one thing—but actually setting foot inside is another experience entirely. And that’s where the challenge begins. Everyone wants to enter the cave, and since it’s only accessible by water, it gets packed during the day, especially in summer.
Visiting the Benagil Cave at Sunrise
The only time the Benagil Cave is truly peaceful is at sunrise. The downside? Kayak rentals don’t start that early. You could swim to the cave, but the currents make this a risky choice.
Luckily, we found one of the few tours that depart at sunrise. We’d never done a guided kayak tour before and initially wanted to go on our own, but this turned out to be a great experience.
We met at Benagil Beach at 7:00 AM. Normally, the parking area is packed, but at this hour, it was completely empty. Around 7:30 AM, we headed into the water with a small group of early risers. Our car keys and valuables were safely stored at the rental kiosk.
Kayaking Through Sea Caves
Our first stop was the famous Benagil Cave, where we had plenty of time to walk around and take photos. Apart from a few locals in their own kayaks, we had the cave almost to ourselves. The guides even took pictures of us—a rare treat since we’re usually behind the camera!
But the adventure didn’t stop there. We explored four more hidden caves that we hadn’t even heard of before. While none were as breathtaking as Benagil, it was still amazing to paddle through these natural formations and take in the views of the towering cliffs.
The guides were enthusiastic and made sure we had a great time. Want to experience the Benagil Cave without the crowds? Book this sunrise tour via GetYourGuide — you won’t regret it! Plus, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance if your plans change.
Got any questions? Drop them in the comments!
