Benagil's world-famous ocean cave was originally known as "Algar de Benagil." The cave of Benagil in Portugal is one of the world's most beautiful sea caves. This popular ocean cave in Portugal was named one of the "Top 10 Coolest Caves" in the world by American magazine The Huffington Post in 2014. If this is a well-known cave around the world, it is undoubtedly one of Portugal's most stunning caverns. Benagil, located between the major tourist locations of Praia do Carvoeiro and Armaço de Pêra on the central Algarve's southern coast, has long been a favorite with locals eager to enjoy the pleasant summer weather on the beach or explore the caves and rock formations.

The amazing Benagil sea cave is difficult to reach. The grottoes can only be reached via boat, kayak, SUP, or swimming if you're a strong swimmer. If you're up for an adventure and want to swim to the Benagil cave, make sure the sea is calm. Getting inside the caves by boat is already a thrilling experience. The most secure way to go to the grottoes is by boat, which is ideal for people of all ages. Daily boat cruises to Benagil leave from the beaches of Carvoeiro, Lagos, Portimo, Alvor, Albufeira, Faro, and Armaço do Pêra.

Length: 2,400 m
Address: 8400-401 Lagoa, Portugal

The cave Zorreira is the second most spectacular cave in the Algarve, second only to the "Cave of Benagil." Both of these caves are very close to each other, so they are often visited together during travel trips. This is one of the most beautiful caves in Portugal.

The Zorreira cave is undoubtedly one of the most impressive of the about 20 caverns that are part of the boat tours to the Benagil cave. Fortunately, it's stunning in its own way, and no two caves are alike because they're all natural wonders. The most convenient method to get there is to take one of the boat cruises that leave from Carvoeiro or Benagil beach. These tours travel along the shore while visiting some of the Algarve's most spectacular caverns. Although Zorreira is sometimes overlooked as a bonus on a caves boat tour, it is rather impressive in its own right and should not be overlooked.

Length: unknown

This spectacular grottoe in the Algarve, known as the Captain's cave by locals, is also one of our favorites. Between Carvoeiro and Armaço de Pêra, this cave can be found. Praia da Estaquinha and Praia do Barraquinho are nearby. It is considered one of Portugal's most beautiful caves.

Because access is extremely difficult, the only way to get here is by boat. In fact, being able to visit this Algarve cave is a privilege because it is only accessible by boat and cannot be reached by foot or swimming. This cave is difficult to reach even by boat. The cave of Capitan can only be seen up close if the ocean conditions are ideal. The optimum circumstances for visiting the Captain's Cave in the Algarve are low tide and no waves.

The Caves & Dolphins boat excursion leaves from the Marina of Albufeira and includes a visit to this Algarve cave. This boat excursion is one of the most popular in the Algarve since it combines two activities: dolphin viewing and visits to the Algarve's magnificent coastline. In tiny fishing boats, most cave tours in the Algarve visit this cave.

Length: unknown

Address: 8500-345 Portimão, Portugal

The cave "Elefante" is located in the Ponta da Piedade neighborhood of Lagos. Lagos is a charming fishing hamlet (or city). The "Elefante" is one of the must-see attractions in Lagos. It is one of the most beautiful caves in Portugal. Local fishermen and boat tour skippers in Lagos agree that the Elefante is one of Portugal's most stunning ocean caves. So, if you're in the Western Algarve, make a point of visiting Ponta da Piedade.

There is no sand to lay on at Ponta da Piedade, hence it is not a beach. Instead, Ponta do Piedade is a magnificent spot where huge granite cliffs plunge into the deep blue water from the blue sky. Many grottoes can be visited on a boat tour, kayak tour, or standup paddle tour around Ponta da Piedade.

The "Elefante" rock formation in Lagos is a cave in Portugal that you should not miss, as it is one of the most magnificent series of caverns in the country. The "Elefante" is without a doubt a favorite among the children who enjoy recognizing these figures in the rock formations. Seeking for figures in the Lagos rock formations, for example, is similar to looking for figures in the clouds. This is a great game for the kids. As previously stated, "Elefante" is the cave of Portugal that should not be missed, according to local experts.

Length: unknown

Address: Ponta da Piedade, Lagos, Portugal

The Algar do Carvão (Coal Cavern) is an ancient lava tube or volcanic vent in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, located in the middle portion of the island of Terceira. It is located in the municipality of Angra do Herosmo, under the civil parish of Porto Judeu. It is also one of the most beautiful caves in Portugal.

The cavern's presence has been known for a long time, but the cavern's depth and lack of ambient light made any descent difficult due to the vertical plunge, delaying any genuine research. It was feasible to re-examine the observations first-hand, including the most distant and tiny areas of the cavern, thanks to the invention of portable illumination systems. In the late twentieth century, the site was open to the public for weekly arranged tours (excluding weekends and holidays) throughout the summer (from May to September). Access to the location is also available through the Montanheiros (Mountaineers) organization, which is in charge of Algar-related problems.

Due to its unique volcanological properties and natural habitat, the 40.5-hectare area was designated as a Regional National Monument. The Algar's mouth consists of a 45-meter (148-foot) vertical entrance to the interior, which leads to a rubble and gravel slope. From here, a steep descent leads to the clean waters of the internal pool, which is about 90 meters (300 feet) below the level surface. The pool is fed by rainwater and can reach a depth of 15 meters (49 feet) during the summer months when there is little or no precipitation. The cave's silicate stalactites are notable for their unusual mineralogical properties.

Length: 100 m

Location: Terceira Island (Azores), Portugal

The Gruta do Carvao (Grotto of Coal) is an ancient lava tube on the island of So Miguel in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, located on the borders of the municipality of Ponta Delgada (in the civil parish of Santa Clara). The Gruta do Carvao was designated as a Regional Natural Monument on May 11, 2005, due to its scientific, educational, and touristic significance, as well as its natural qualities.

The cave is located near the western part of Ponta Delgada and spans for 1,650 meters, making it the largest lava tunnel on the island of So Miguel (5,410 ft). Rua de Lisboa (or Secadores de Tabaco), Rua do Paim, and Rua Joo do Rego are the three portions. Older documentation and field investigations, on the other hand, imply that the tube is actually longer, maybe reaching a length of 5 kilometers (3.1 mi). The part at Rua do Paim is roughly 557 meters (1,827 feet) long, with an internal cavity that is 6.4 meters (21 feet) high and 8 meters (26 feet) wide at its highest extent.

Speleological features such as lateral benches, lava bridges, branching galleries, lava balls, stalactites, stalagmites, columns, spongy lavas, glazing, and tree moulds can be seen along the cavern walls. The walls and ceiling are multi-colored (orange to yellowish) due to basalt oxidization, aside from a few cracks. The walls and ceiling are also covered in conical-shaped stalactites, secondary mineral deposits of silica, and earthen deposits. Many of the stalagmites are 25 centimetres (9.8 in) long and have extensive sections of soda-straw, conical ring-type tubes with pitted pockets overlaid on top.

Length: 1,650 m

Address: R. do Paim, 9500-230 Ponta Delgada, Portugal

The Grutas de So Vicente (Sao Vicente Caverns in Portuguese) are caves in the parish and county of So Vicente, Madeira. Adult admission is €8, although the museum has been closed since March 2020. This is one of the most beautiful caves in Portugal.

A volcanic eruption near Paul da Serra created these caves some 890,000 years ago, and they ran down to the sea. As a result, the outside, which was exposed to lower temperatures, froze quickly, but the inner liquid continued to flow with many gases, generating a series of lava tubes that are now known as the So Vicente caverns. Locals found the caverns in 1885, and alerted James Yate Johnson, an English naturalist in Madeira, who went on to study them further. The caverns were first opened to the public on October 1, 1996, and were one of the first caves of volcanic origin in Portugal.

You may go through the lava tubes and caves of Sao Vicente, and at the end of the journey, visit the Volcano Center, which provides an informative viewpoint on the geological marvel. The Sao Vicente Caves and Volcanic Center is open from 1000 to 1800 hours seven days a week. There is a cost to enter. They're in the valley, and you can't miss them if you're staying in town or just visiting Sao Vicente for the day.

Length: 1,000 m

Address: Sao Vicente, Portugal

The lava cave Gruta das Torres is a volcanic geological structure caused by the flow and cooling of subterranean magma rivers. This formation is located on the western flanks of the island of Pico, outside the parish of Criaço Velha, in the municipality of Madalena. The cave system was produced by a series of phoehoe lava flows that originated around 500 to 1500 years ago from the Cabeço Bravo parasitic cone. It stands between 1.1 and 15 meters (3.6–49 feet) tall and is 300 meters above sea level (980 ft). It is the longest lava cave in the Azores, with an estimated length of about 5.2 kilometers (3.2 miles). The Mountaineering Association was in charge of cave access.

The cave's distinctive feature is its amazing drainage system, as evidenced by the existence of more than seven layers on the walls, as well as lateral benches and three cornices. Gruta das Torres is one of the 30 caverns chosen for the Azores as a whole, and is one of the 17 caves (out of 28) discovered on Pico Island.

A Working Group on Azorean Volcanic Caves, with the help of the Azorean Speleological Inventory and Classifying System database, has selected 30 volcanic caves of rank A on the islands of Graciosa, Pico, So Jorge, So Miguel, and Terceira for inclusion in the UNESCO List. Pico Island features the most volcanic caves in the proposal, with 17, including Gruta das Torres, of the 30 volcanoes considered for UNESCO designation. The caverns were chosen for the list based on their scientific worth, tourism potential, approach conditions, anticipated risks, data base, and conservation standing.

Visitors accompanied by a guide can walk the first 450 meters (1,480 feet). Guided access to the cave is provided by a tourist center made in basalt rocks and attractively blending with the landscape. Since 2005, the public has been able to visit Gruta das Torres. Visitors are allowed in groups of 15 at a time, and each is given protection gear in the form of a helmet with lights to see the dark interior. Audiovisual presentations in English and Portuguese provide information about the cave at the visitor center. In 2011, the tours were scheduled at 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 13:30 p.m., 15:00 p.m., and 16:30 p.m. for the months with the most visitors.

Address: Caminho da Gruta das Torres Criação Velha, 9950-000 Madalena, Portugal