Carvoeiro itself is a bustling little town with plenty of small shops and restaurants, steep hills and a small beach. It is nestled in a cleft with high cliffs on either side. There is now an excellent website dedicated to the area with webcam etc.

NB. The main beach car park is "Pay and Display" (except Sundays) so do remember some coins.

There are several other associated villages in the area with Alfanzina and Benagil being two of the most interesting plus a better beach can be found nearby at Centianes. This is situated some 10 minutes to the east towards Rocha Bravo and can only be accessed from the cliffs. (The Centianes beach does have a solitary beach bar for sustenance!) It is also worth driving out further to Armação de Pêra or Alvor for more sand and big waves.

Vale de Milho golf course is good value for money at 2250 esc. (11.223€) (1996) for nine hole golf. This small but pretty course is about a 10 minute drive from Carvoeiro to the east and has a clubhouse that serves quite good food.

Over the years Carvoeiro has become more and more popular with visitors such that now (Aug 2000) it is grossly overcrowded with cars. Parking is a nightmare with spaces near the centre taken very early on in the main season. Driving and parking, unless early or late in the day, is not recommended. If you do drive then also avoid coming in through Lagoa unless you like queues!

See also the adjacent areas of Alfanzina and Ferragudo.

Accommodation (A-Z) 

• Few Entries - can you help?
   
• Algar Seco Parque - 1996
  "A group of some 20 apartments (2 - 8 people) in a beautiful location with a most spectacular view of the Carvoeiro cliffs. It is not the cheapest spot in Carvoeiro but, in my view, the best maintained. They have a large pool area with spectacular views, so you don't need to drive to beaches every day".
   
• Clube Atlantico - 2003
  (May 03) "is an older low-density resort built by the original developers of Carvoeiro and is a short walk from the gorgeous Praia de Carvalho, a secluded and sheltered beach reached by a tunnel through the cliffs. A walk along the cliff tops also takes you to some natural arches and the farol (lighthouse) at Cabo Cavoeiro, which is also a handy landmark for finding your way on the back roads to avoid going into the sprawling village which is very congested in high season. Although spectacular, the cliff path should only be done with children if you can trust them to be responsible as there are no fences and the limestone is crumbly in places.
   
  Most of the houses in Clube Atlantico's 13 hectare complex are large self-contained villas but there is a small number of townhouses for rent. Our townhouse slept 6 people in 3 double rooms so we had a Z-bed in the living room for the extra person at no charge. Half-term kicks off the golf season and a hike in easyJet’s prices but booked over the internet in February, it cost us the low season rate of £50 per day inclusive of weekly cleaning and all utilities. It had all the mod-cons, laundry, dishwasher and two bathrooms plus outdoor eating and lounging areas and a private roof terrace. There was a pool (unfenced) shared only with the other townhouses, crazy golf and a children's’ playground. Compared to the other developments nearby, Clube Altantico was very spacious and secluded. Pearls of Altantico, the Indian restaurant overlooking the pool is apparently owned by a Bollywood star. The on-site reception can make bookings for local events and attractions and advise on most matters and there is a shop at the nearby Rocha Brava resort and a regular bus service into town. Most of the popular attractions nearby run shuttle buses to pick up customers so a renting car is not essential".
   
• Vale de Milho Villas (Cluster Villas) - 1996
  "These are beautiful 2 and 3 bedroom villas each with a private pool overlooking the golf course described above. Each villa has 3 bathrooms (1 en suite), a lounge, dining room, fully fitted kitchen and extensive balcony. They are furnished to a very high standard and must rank amongst the best properties in the Algarve. Maid Service weekdays and welcome pack on arrival. Car Hire is essential".

  "They are owned by a company called Travel Algarve who deal with properties across the Algarve as well as assembling complete DIY packages for prospective visitors. Contact for this in the UK is Deborah Tootell on 01457 820214 (phone and fax)"

Eateries (A-Z)

• O Antonio (Rua do Farol) - 1996
  "No details but recommended by a visitor"
   
• Le Bistroquet - 2000
  "This restaurant makes a special effort to make families feel comfortable; they provide a sketching toy to keep young children busy during the meal and give a small parting gift to each child. Ice creams come with sparklers and for the adults the kebabs are flamed at the table. Food was good and in generous portions and they also offered a drink on the house to finish the meal. Staff were charming, friendly and helpful. We arrived before 7pm and secured a table without reservations but the restaurant quickly filled on both evenings. Recommended for families with young children". (Estrada do Farol, Praia do Carvoeiro, tel (082) 357743)
   
• O Cantinho (Rua do Farol) - 1996
  "Excellent service with good value food especially the fish (bass, swordfish and roast cod) and the saltiboco romana".
   
• Casa do Pao (Rua Dos Pescadores) - 1999
  "Very good - we visited twice and the service and food could not be faulted. Even gave us liquors on the house".
   
• Restaurante Chinese - 2000
  (Opposite O'Cantino). "I have been to Carvoeiro for the last five years on holiday and the family and I must eat at this restaurant about 4/5 nights out of 14 each time. Brilliant Cantonese food and really cheap compared to UK. Lively atmosphere after 7.00pm and excellent service. Try the Crispy romatic Duck or the Lemon Chicken"!
   
• Fonte da Guerreira (Rua do Farol) - 1996
  No details but recommended by a visitor
   
• Happy's - 1999
  (Oct 1999) "owned by an extremely personable Dutchman. Food was always excellent with generous helpings (one of the fish dishes is affectionately known as "Free Willy" due to huge portion!!) and very reasonable. Complimentary liqueur with bill. Warning: best to book as restaurant not huge and owner does not rush you out the door so tables rarely become free! Well worth the forethought though!! Hope others find it as good as we did"!
   
• Mistral (Rua Dos Pescadores) - 1996
  No details but recommended by a visitor
   
• Officina [Bar] -1996
  "A great bar - good atmosphere and music"