Praia de Carvalho

One of the more secluded beaches in Carvoeiro. An easy walk to many of the villas that are for rent nearby in Vale de Milho Carvoeiro. It is also in close proximity and easy walking distance to Rocha Brava Resort. You have to walk down lots of steps to get to the beach. People with less mobility may pass on this beach. Two tunnel were carved into the cliff to provide visitors access to the beach. You might have to give way so that a single person can pass going down or up in the tunnel.

While rock falls rarely happen in the summer it is worth considering not laying your blanket next to the cliffs just to be safe. The beach has a large iconic cliff column jetting out in the middle of the beach area.

Good to know

Where to eat?

While the Praia de Carvalho doesn't have a restaurant, there are usually food trucks at the entrance area of the beach. You can buy drinks, ice cream and sandwiches there.

Parking

Praia de Carvalho has very limited parking. The street access is through a residential area and very narrow which also limits street parking. Come early to get a parking space in the summer.

Surf

Good for cooling off and families to enjoy the water. The beach is rather small and deep into the cliff side which means waves tend to be smaller than other cliff beaches. It also means that that seaweed tends to pile up sometimes on the beach making it difficult to get into the water to go for a swim.

How Busy

Like some other cliff beaches it can get tight for a place to lay your beach blanket in the summer, especially during high tide.

Activities

Plenty of activities to do at Carvalho beach.

Swimming:
Sun Bathing: Be very careful walking along the cliffs as very few areas are actually fenced.
Picnicing: Is available on the beach
Watching sunsets: Climb to the top of the beach cliffs to see the sun setting.
Walks: It is a short walk to Benegil beach from here. Consider going there by foot along the cliff walks if there is too much seaweed. This beach is one the ones you will hike through on the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
Cliff diving: It isn't allowed but I have seen many young men cliff diving off the cliffs in Praia De Carvalho. They climb around the fence tha blocks the entrance to the carved out rock passage ways that lead to deeper waters. The cliff jumpers usually wait for the boat tour excursions that who egg the jumpers on to jump. When they finally get the courage to jump, you can find their girl friends or mates recording the even on their mobile phone.