Benagil Caves in Portimao: tours, tickets and more

Visiting the caves and being able to explore in depth the interior of these unique rock formations is an experience not to be missed. I show you how to visit them.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

11 min read

Benagil Caves in Portimao: tours, tickets and more

Benagil Caves | ©Jonny Gios

Visiting the Benagil Caves in Portimao is an experience you can't miss if you are in Portugal. There are different options to make this excursion, although the most common are the guided boat tours that take you through the Algarve coast, with breathtaking views of the sea and cliffs.

To visit the Benagil Caves, it is advisable to book in advance, because the demand for this tourist attraction is very high. In addition, in the surroundings you can also find other interesting places to visit, such as Benagil beach or the stunning Marinha beach, so visiting these caves is certainly one of the best things to see and do in Portimao.

How much do the tickets to the Benagil Caves in Portimao cost?

Money in Euros| ©Ibrahim Boran
Money in Euros| ©Ibrahim Boran

As for prices, tickets to the Benagil Caves in Portimao vary depending on the season and the type of tour you select. However, in general, you will have to pay prices ranging from €20 to €30 per person. It is worth noting that discounts are often available if you are traveling with large groups and also if you book in advance.

Book a Benagil Caves Cruise

What types of tickets are there? Are there tickets to the Benagil Caves in Portimao without queuing?

Benagil Caves| ©Daniel Gillaspia
Benagil Caves| ©Daniel Gillaspia

The Benagil Caves in Portimao offer several types of tickets to suit different needs and preferences of visitors, so you can always find the type of ticket that best suits you. One option is that you can book boat tours from Portimao to enjoy the panoramic views from the water, or land tours that focus on exploring the caves on foot.

There are also options to rent kayaks and explore the area on your own, which is one of the best experiences if you want to go in a more private way. But in general, tickets to go to the Benagil Caves can vary considerably in price depending on the type of tour you want to join.

As for the lines, of course you will be able to find tickets without waiting in long lines. The best way to avoid this type of problem is to book your trip and ticket in advance, especially if you plan to travel during the high season, when demand is higher. If you have this type of reservation you will be able to access the caves quickly without waiting in line for a long time.

What to see in Benagil Caves in Portimao

Exterior of the Hallacas| ©David Ceballos
Exterior of the Hallacas| ©David Ceballos

Exploring the cave is the best thing to do once you are there, as it offers a unique and exciting experience. The crystal clear water and fascinating rock formations will provide you with a spectacular environment for swimming and taking amazing pictures. In addition to the cave, you will also have the opportunity to explore the cliffs along the coast, which offer breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic.

Another must-do at the Benagil Caves in Portimao is the boat tours that will take you to explore the cave from the outside and discover nearby cliffs and beaches. The expert tour guides will take you to see this place from a unique perspective, but they will also tell you all you need to know about the natural and historical history of the region as you sail through the calm waters.

You can also choose to visit and explore other nearby beaches such as Carvalho beach and the smugglers' cave, where you have to enter by going down some hidden steps. Praia da Marinha and its cliffs is another option very close to the Benagil Caves.

Another thing you can't miss at the Benagil Caves in Portimao are the boat tours that will take you to explore the cave from the outside and discover nearby cliffs and beaches. Expert tour guides will take you to see this place from a unique perspective, but will also tell you all you need to know about the natural and historical history of the region as you sail through the calm waters.

Book a Benagil caves cruise

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Visit the caves with an excursion

Excursion to the caves| ©photo2go.albufeira
Excursion to the caves| ©photo2go.albufeira

Although you can visit the caves on your own by renting, for example, a paddle surf board, it is always better to do it with an excursion. Hiring an excursion gives you the option of accessing the cave in a comfortable and safe way, with the advantage of having a guide who, in addition to explaining the virtues of the place, will guarantee your safety, since access to the cave can be complicated. There are options to visit the Bengali caves by boat or kayak.

One of the advantages of taking a boat tour to the caves is that you can choose to visit other nearby beaches and caves on the same excursion and you are guaranteed to save yourself the usual waits to visit the caves especially in high season.

Some tourist passes include discounts on excursions, tours in Portimao and local activities, which sometimes include a visit to the caves, but in general this option is more sought after if you want to visit several attractions in the city. In any case, it is advisable to book tickets in advance to avoid waiting in lines and ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience at the Benagil Caves.

Book a kayak tour

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Are there tickets that include the guided tour of the Benagil Caves in Portimao, and is it worth it?

Inside the caves| ©Leo Hidalgo
Inside the caves| ©Leo Hidalgo

The Benagil Caves in Portimao offer the option of guided tours along with the entrance fee, which would be a more complete and educational experience that you will surely love to enjoy. By opting for a guided tour, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the history, geology, flora and fauna of the caves. You will also have the opportunity to hear interesting anecdotes and curious facts about them.

While the cost of tickets that include the guided tour is higher, it is worth paying a little more to get a better quality experience. The tour guides are local experts who will provide you with more detailed information about your tour, and the tours may last longer compared to tours where you explore the caves on your own.

Are there discounted tickets for the Benagil Caves in Portimao?

Exploring the caves| ©Mariska
Exploring the caves| ©Mariska

If you want to visit the Benagil Caves and you go in a group, with children, seniors, among other characteristics, you will surely wonder if there are discounted tickets available to visit this special place. The truth is that some tours and travel agencies offer special discounts on tickets, especially for large groups or for those who book in advance.

Another option is to choose tour packages that may include discounted tickets to the Benagil Caves, along with other attractions in the region. You also have to know that discounts and offers may vary according to season and demand, so depending on the low season you can probably find better prices to buy tickets for the Benagil Caves in Portimao.

Are there special tickets for children to the Benagil Caves in Portimao?

Boat and caves| ©Sinparardeviajar.com
Boat and caves| ©Sinparardeviajar.com

The Benagil Caves in Portimao are a destination you will love to visit if you travel with your family to Portugal. So if you are traveling with children and you want to know if there are special tickets for them in the Benagil Caves, you have to know that the ticket prices do not vary according to age, but children pay the same price as adults. However, some tours and tour packages may offer discounts for families with children, so this is certainly a good option you should choose if you want to save money.

Children can enjoy this experience as much as adults, mainly because they will have the opportunity to learn about the geology and nature of the place thanks to the effective company of the tour guide. In general, you need to know that although there are no special tickets for children available, any child can enjoy a visit to the Benagil Caves and learn about the natural beauty of this tourist attraction. There are other related activities that children can also enjoy, such as a cruise emulating a pirate ship through these caves.

Book a pirate ship cruise through the caves

Why is it worth buying tickets to the Benagil Caves in Portimao online instead of at the ticket office?

Book Online| ©Glenn Carstens-Peters
Book Online| ©Glenn Carstens-Peters

Buying tickets for the Benagil Caves in Portimao online instead of at the box office has several advantages. First of all, by buying online, you would be avoiding the long lines at the ticket office and saving valuable time that you can then use to enjoy the natural space that the caves have to offer. In addition, online tickets are often cheaper than at the ticket office, so you can save money as well.

It is also clear that by buying tickets online, you will have the opportunity to enjoy more flexibility, because you will be able to book the exact date and time that best suits you, so that you avoid overlapping with other plans for the day. Also, if you want to know about buying tickets at the ticket office, you should know that there are not exactly ticket offices to buy these tickets, but you will have to buy them online expressly.

Opening hours of the Benagil Caves in Portimao

Clock| ©Cats Coming
Clock| ©Cats Coming

The caves are open to the public all year round, from morning to evening. However, the exact opening hours may vary depending on the season and the day of the week, i.e. during the summer the opening hours may be much more flexible than during the winter. In addition, some tours and travel agencies may offer special visiting hours or night excursions, which will allow you to enjoy a unique experience.

Visiting the Benagil Caves in Portimao is an incredible and unique experience that you will enjoy no matter your age. When planning a visit, I recommend getting updated information about the specific times the Benagil Caves will be open to the public. The opening times rarely vary according to the days of the week, meaning that they are open to the public every day, but their opening times almost always vary according to the season of the year.

How much time do you need to visit the Benagil Caves in Portimao?

View from the boat| ©Sinparardeviajar.com
View from the boat| ©Sinparardeviajar.com

The duration of the visit to these caves may vary according to personal preferences, the agreement you reach with the tour guide and the time available. In general, you should know that a typical visit to the caves can last about an hour, or an hour and a half. However, you will always have the opportunity to explore the cave in more detail, and if so you can opt for an extended tour that includes more exploration time and an experienced guide to help you find your way around inside the cave.

Regardless of how long it takes you to tour the entire site, it is always important that you prepare yourself with everything you need to feel comfortable walking and climbing stairs, keeping in mind that the Benagil Caves require a moderate level of physical activity. Also, no matter the amount of time you will be at the site, one of the recommendations you should keep in mind is that you should wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing to comfortably enjoy your visit.

Best time to visit the Benagil Caves in Portimao

Inside the caves| ©Francois Olwage
Inside the caves| ©Francois Olwage

The best time to visit the Benagil Caves in Portimao may vary depending on what you expect to find and the weather conditions that prevail at different times of the year. As a general rule it is best to travel to this place during the summer, when the weather is warm and dry and the days are longer, allowing you to enjoy more hours of natural light and a more pleasant experience in the water.

What you have to keep in mind if you travel in summer is that the Benagil Caves are a very popular tourist attraction, so you may find bigger crowds in this season than in other times of the year. On the other hand, you also have the possibility of visiting the caves in low season, during the cooler and rainier months of the year, which is going to allow you to avoid the crowds and enjoy a quieter and more relaxed experience.

Although going to the caves in low season can put you in a less predictable situation, because you won't know how the weather is going to be and if you are going to be able to enjoy the scenery and adventure to the fullest, but if you have an adventurous spirit, this can add an extra dimension to the experience.

How to get to the Benagil Caves in Portimao

Touring the caves| ©777 S
Touring the caves| ©777 S

Getting to the Benagil Caves in Portimao from central areas can be an easy and comfortable task. If you have a rental car or your own, you could easily reach the caves through the N125 and the A22, and you could find several parking lots available very close to the area. If you don't have a private car to get around Portimao, you can get there by cab or bus from the city center, with several routes available that go directly to the caves.

If you prefer to use public transport, the bus is a convenient and economical option, and you can get several lines that go directly to the Benagil Caves from the center of Portimao.

There is also the option of taking a boat trip from Benagil beach, which gives you a relaxing and scenic tour of the region's abundant cliffs. Another option is to request a private transfer from Portimao to the caves.

Tips for visiting the Benagil Caves in Portimao

Detail of the entrance to the caves.| ©Ignacio Correia
Detail of the entrance to the caves.| ©Ignacio Correia

To have a satisfactory and safe visit to the Benagil Caves in Portimao, I recommend you to follow some valuable tips that will help you to enhance the experience. First of all, I recommend you to wear non-slip shoes or water shoes to avoid injuries on the rocky seabed and to be able to walk around the cave or even swim. I also recommend bringing sunscreen and a waterproof bag to protect your belongings and electronic equipment.

In addition, it is important to hire a guided tour to navigate through the crystal clear waters and thus enjoy a more complete and safe experience. Another thing you should know is that it is essential to respect the rules and regulations of the area so as not to damage the ecosystem. I also recommend you to visit the Benagil Caves early in the day to avoid the large number of people in the place and have the opportunity to enjoy the cave in its purest and most natural state.