If you’re visiting Lagos this summer, don’t miss the most mind-blowing sea cave in the Algarve region.
But how to get to Benagil Caves from Lagos?
It’s exactly why we’ve created The Ultimate Lagos to Benagil Cave Travel Planner to enrich your holiday.
Browse through our breakdown of select routes, prices and need-to-knows for a smoother journey.
Just 43 kilometres from Lagos, the Benagil Cave is a short swim from the not-so-sleepy fishing village, Benagil. Today the Benagil beach is a launchpad for travelers who want to reach the sea cave – otherwise known as Algar de Benagil.
Leftover from 20 million years of erosion, it’s a must-explore from the Atlantic Ocean and land alike.
If you’re happy taking public transport, let me warn you about travelling in the Algarve.
Despite being 2023, there is still no direct bus or train service from Lagos to the famous cave.
But with the right planning, you can make it work
For the shortest bus route along the Algarve coast, Google Maps gives you a two-bus journey to the Benagil sea cave.
You could take the 57 at 8.30 am from Lagos (Terminal Rodoviario) and ride 4 stops to Lagoa bus terminal.
Estimated time of arrival? At 9.20 am.
Here, change to the 77 bus, leaving at 9.57 am, until Praia da Marinha (X).
Next, walk 16 minutes along the road until you reach Benagil Cave.
If your bus is on time and you don’t miss your connection(s), you should arrive 1 – 2 hours after leaving Lagos.
But you’ll still need to organise a tour to arrive inside the Benagil Cave after your final stop.
Available from the ticket office in Lagos bus terminal only.
Card and cash accepted.
If you’re not road-tripping in Portugal this summer, hiring a car might be your answer to how to get to the Benagil Cave from Lagos.
In the town centre, you can choose from at least 10 car hire agencies with star-studded reviews.
Groups can rent a bigger car and split the cost.
Hiring a car for the day on rentalcars.com costs the same as an Uber journey.
You’re free to go to all the stunning beaches when you please.
You can choose from a fleet of roadworthy cars for your trip to the Algarve cave.
It only costs travelers 24.51 euros to use for one day – bargain!
The truth is, taking an unfamiliar car on the opposite side of the road in a country with foreign road laws, unfamiliar signs and unspoken road rules is stressful.
You’re competing for parking with hundreds of tourists who visit the area every day.
During the afternoon in July and August, it’s impossible to find parking near the cliffs or Praia de Benagil forcing some visitors to backtrack towards the main road.
You’ll get charged more if the location, collection and drop-off details are not the same as agreed.
You’ll pay a 300 euro deposit plus hidden fees from insurance, fuel, taxes, and road tolls. All on credit card.
55 minutes max.
Journey time depends if you drive on/off the toll road.
4 seater for 24.51 euros near the Lagos Marina plus 300 deposit.
The most popular option from Lagos is to take a Benagil Cave boat tour from the Marina.
After which you’ll race for 11 nautical miles along the Faro coastline to your destination.
Lagos Marina has 10 boat tour agencies offering tours with live commentary on the area’s amazing caves and different types of rock formation.
You might glimpse sea wildlife like dolphins, orcas, porpoises, and more if your Benagil boat tour is between June and September.
You’ll get a life jacket on most boat tours and some even provide a windproof jacket too.
Though check before you book!
Besides seeing the Benagil Cave, you’ll also witness the beautiful Algarve coastline from the sea: like Meia Praia, the seven Hanging Valley trail, and the eye-catching Carvoeiro Beach.
You’re responsible for keeping all your items dry throughout your tour.
Boats can’t go inside the cave, let alone onto the beach, and you’re forbidden from leaving the vessel.
You’re jammed in a small boat with a group of travelers all trying to take photos at the same time.
Your tour can be cancelled because of unpredictable sea conditions.
Yes – even in the summer!
40 euros for 2 hours.
Though it’s too far to Kayak from Lagos to the Benagil Cave, you can kayak from the Benagil Beach with the help of guides like the ones we present here, who provide kayaks for rent.
If you’re not confident swimming in the water but want to have a boat to yourself, being in a kayak strikes the perfect balance.
You get to explore the glowing Algarve coastline: its grottos, hidden beaches and the Benagil Cave all-at-once.
You’re guided by an experienced tour guide from Praia de Benagil to Benagil’s sandy beach.
You need to have the maximum energy and fitness to steer a kayak through sea currents to multiple places.
Your kayak is at risk of flipping over when landing or taking off from the Benagil Cave because of the waves, so you need to be ready for anything.
Your tour might be cancelled if the sea conditions are too dangerous for kayaks.
On average, 35 – 40 euros to rent a kayak
If you’re not a keen sailor, you can reach the Benagil Cave by Uber or with a taxi transfer from Lagos.
You can order a bigger car and split the cost if you’re travelling in a group.
You’ll have a local driver who knows the best route to the famous Benagil Cave – an easy option if you don’t want to drive on your summer break.
If you can’t get an Uber, a taxi from a local agency is more reliable.
You can order a taxi from just outside your accomodation and bring a beach bag for some well-earned sun rays.
You’ll need to book travel from the Benagil Caves to Lagos at the end of the day.
Not so fun when you have to wait an extra 30 minutes for the taxi to arrive because all Uber drivers are unavailable.
Your Uber driver can cancel when they please which is really annoying when you’ve been waiting for 15 minutes on the cliffs.
Once you arrive by taxi, you can only reach the cave with a separate tour from the Benagil beach.
A taxi costs 45 – 50 euros for one journey but an UberX Saver only costs 23.92 euros.
Not exactly – it takes 7 hours to walk the 43 kilometres: Benagil from Lagos.
Though a boat tour won’t let you leave the boat, using public transport and/or a car gives you plenty of flexibility to walk some of the Seven Hanging Valley’s Trail that surrounds Benagil.
So instead of taking the bus from Estombar-Lagoa, you can order a taxi/Uber to Carvoeiro Beach, walk along its walkway until Praia do Vale de Centeanes where the Hanging Valley’s trail starts.
From here, it’s a 1-hour hike to the Benagil Cave along a wooden path.
If you’re not able to do a tour from Lagos, don’t worry!
Your final option is en route back to the airport, in Faro.
Where you can swim inside Benagil Cave on a bodyboarding tour with Algarve Beauties.
In a yellow van, your tour guide takes you from Faro Marina to minutes from the Benagil Cave and its sandy beach – the first step in your tour!
• You can easily book online for the fixed price of 56 euros per tour. While the price for a private tour is tailored to your needs.
• You get a 5-hour guided tour of the Benagil Cave AND the Marinha beach from Faro.
• Led by a Benagil expert, you’ll swim inside one of Portugal’s natural greats until your standing on the Benagil Beach.
• You can look into the cave from land, peering down onto the luminous cave beach: your next destination.
• You can swim into the Benagil Cave with our bodyboarding gear whilst your belongings are secured in a watertight bag – carried by your guide – till you reach dry sand.
• You get value for money with added bonus, the Marinha Beach, one of the Algarve’s most sought-after destinations for its crystal waters and curious rock formations. And even the hidden beach, Praia do Buraco.
• Even if it’s too rough to bodyboard, you’ll enjoy a just-as-exciting day out on land, visiting the Algarseco boardwalk, with far-flung Atlantic views to Lagos: the perfect lookout for dolphin watching.
The Benagil Cave tour leaves at 10h00 and 15h30 every day.
55 euros total, travel included in the cost.
Whether you choose to sail from Marina de Lagos, cruise to Benagil’s grottos by car, or brave the bus, our handy Travel Planner helps you find the best route for you.
Authorities have closed the Benagil Cave until further notice.
We’ve got an alternative adventure just as fun and you still get to see the cave.
