Summer in the Algarve (un)officially begins with a giant party on the beach! Carvoeiro’s Black & White Night has become THE first “don’t miss” event of the season. For 2017, the party is scheduled for Saturday, 17 June. Everyone is invited to join the summer fun in the Carvoeiro city center, from the beach (Largo da Praia), along Rua do Barranco, and down Estrada do Farol. The dress code, of course, is black and white.

Carvoeiro is a tranquil part of the Algarve that stems from humble beginnings as a small fishing village. It has a small, secluded, sandy beach where life spins round the cities’ main square.

Carvoeiro is home to a great natural harbour and remains sheltered from the winds due to its location between rocky headlands and thus ideal to spend your Algarve sun holidays.

The close beach is not big, but extraordinarily clean and beautiful, with neighbouring beaches within easy walking distance. The resort has maintained plenty of its character from when it was only a tiny fishing town and this makes it perfect for families looking to relax on a golden beach.

There is quite a lot to do in the region, with one highlight surely being the astonishing rock formations around the shore that can be admired from boat trips round the Algar Seco.

The nightlife here is pretty lively, as is the shopping district with lots of stores providing quaint products – perfect for mementos, or as gifts to family and friends.

Topped off by some exquisite restaurants that cater to all palates Carvoeiro is a perfect place for those who want to enjoy all the Algarve has to supply in a more tranquil, peaceful setting.

Carvoeiro is a brilliantly positioned resort on Portugal’s Algarve coastline that’s great for relaxed breaks with the kids, as a couple, or just with friends. It’s not the largest or busiest resort in the area, but if you want to enjoy a spectacular coastal spot, with all the facilities you need for an amazing break, holidays in Carvoeiro are perfect.

Once a small, traditional fishing village, Carvoeiro has retained much of its original charm, and the sheltered sandy bay is beautifully situated between dramatic cliff faces jutting out into the water. Fishing boats still bob about on the water, and, while the town centre does have shops, bars and restaurants for holidaymakers to enjoy, tourism hasn’t spoilt the natural landscape, with fantastic walking trails to be found.

Book your break to this charming Algarve holiday spot and look forward to a laidback escape within easy reach of the area’s attractions

Picturesque with a delightful sandy beach, Carvoeiro is becoming ever more popular, not unsurprisingly so, considering its many charms. Still a quaint fishing village with a working fleet, the main beach and little nearby coves benefit from the shelter of high surrounding cliffs, creating a picture-postcard Algarvian setting. Within the resort, you’ll find a healthy selection of cafés, bars and restaurants and a handful of shops for hunting down souvenirs. Great for families and couples who want to relax in a pretty location. Great bases for exploring are tranquil and unhurried Salicos, whilst Sesmarias, another tranquil location, is a friendly, pretty picturesque fishing village.

Escape to the Algarve this year for Easter and enjoy mid 20˚C temperature at Studio Calisto & Apartment Destino in Carvoeiro Village, a holiday for the whole family.

Easter is just around the corner and it’s the perfect time to escape with the family. Whether you’re looking for a short Easter break or a week’s holiday Studio Calisto & Apartment Destino Carvoeiro could be the ideal place for your holiday. Positioned right next to the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and bordered by Portugal’s finest beaches enjoy the tranquility the area offers alongside the many on site and off site activities.

Accommodation

Our two Boutique apartments feature a range of different accommodations from a unique and luxurious 650 sq. ft. T0 / studio apartment to a luxurious one bedroom 1000 sq. ft. apartment with balcony the width of the apartment facing south/east. Each come with full kitchen, lounge and can cater for a variety of size groups and families.

If you’re looking for an extra special holiday, why not stay at Studio Calisto & Apartment Destino for a unique and luxurious experience for a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

Local Attractions

There are plenty of things to do and see in the local area. Studio Calisto & Apartment Destino Carvoeiro is the perfect base for visiting and experiencing everything the Algarve has to offer. From safaris to water parks to shopping centers and much more. Studio Calisto & Apartment Destino is located in the heart of Carvoeiro Village which is a thriving tourist orientated town with plenty to offer including restaurants, bars and shops with handmade crafts and goods. Take a stroll on the boardwalk in Carver overlooking the Atlantic that leads from the beautiful little church of Carvoeiro to the spectacular rock formations of “Algar Seco”. A more challenging walk is the famous “7 hanging valley walk” starting in Carvoeiro up to the famous “Praia da Marinha”, along cliff paths with the most spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Beaches

Praia do Carvoeiro is also known as the ‘town beach’ and it is a small sweep of sand sheltered by cliffs on either side. There are shower and toilet facilities and it is well served by bars and restaurants on the paved area just behind the entrance. Access is easy and level with the paving although there is only a short boarded walkway. There is car parking just behind the beach, but spaces are limited and it can get quite busy in summer, so you may need to park a little further away and walk down.

There are several absolutely stunning and family friendly beaches available so you can spend the day relaxing on white sandy shores surrounded by the incredible background of towering stone cliffs and sparking, crystal clear waters. If you’re looking for something more adventurous there are plenty of other shores to explore that are a little less accessible if you’re looking for an adventure.

Golf

The Algarve prides itself on its selection of championship golf courses. There are plenty to choose from in the area and close by to the resort. Find out more about the local courses.

Book your holiday today and join us at Studio Calisto & Apartment Destino Carvoeiro for your Easter getaway!

The Algarve Carnival is a popular event in the region, which is held each year to celebrate Mardi Gras. This big festival attracts large crowds from around the world who are keen to witness the large Brazilian-style carnival, which has been running for well over 100 years. The main fiesta is in Loule, where the carnival originates, but there are parties held throughout the region during these dates. It dates back to the celebration of the beginning of Lent and `Carnevale` literally translates as `to put away the meat`. Restaurants in the area serve plenty of seafood and other local delicacies and the streets are decorated in colourful fashion and animated floats parade through the streets to encourage the party atmosphere. Most of the streets in the Algarve will be filled with singing and laughter, with plenty of live music and dancing. Many of the boat owners even decorate their boats in lively fashion to join in the region’s celebrations.

Carvoeiro a pretty fishing village, but has now grown into a small lively town, which still retains its charm with many pretty Algarvian cottages nestling around the central beach. The picture postcard beach setting with its colourful fishing boats is a delight and the boats are still used on a daily basis to catch the local fish which can be purchased from the market.

Although now a small town it has not become an impersonal commercialized tourist town.  It is still quaint with many small cobbled backstreets weaving amongst the small prettily painted Algarvian cottages. Sitting alongside are a multitude of fantastic restaurants which cater for many different tastes. Of course there are the obvious Portuguese restaurants which serve local dishes and many different types of delicious seafood.  There are also Spanish, Indian, Chinese, Italian and Moroccan cuisines on offer.

Princesses, smugglers and one local family – the story behind one of Carvoeiro’s most famous spots

The spectacular cliffs of Algar Seco have long been a landmark in Carvoeiro, but that’s not just because of their natural beauty. They also hold a story that’s very much a part of the town itself.
Legend has it that, long ago, there lived a beautiful princess called Princess Alfanzina, who fell in love with a poor coaler (a carvoeiro). Her father disapproved of the relationship between his daughter and a commoner, so the youngsters would meet in secret at Algar Seco. It’s said that the king learnt of their secret meetings and, upon finding the two lovers, killed the Carvoeiro with a dagger and his body fell into the sea. Broken-hearted, the princess would return to the spot and mourn the loss of her lover. As her tears fell to the ground, they formed the holes in the rocks that we see today.

A network of rock pools and caves, the formations at Algar Seco – legend aside – are pretty spectacular, but none are more iconic than the large formation that, from the sea, is said to resemble a doll’s head: A Boneca. Officially named A Boneca (the doll) on April 26, 1974 – the day after the Portuguese Carnation Revolution – it was a reference point for the smugglers coming ashore, who used this spot at low tide to unload and store goods that were prohibited during the Salazar dictatorship, such as cigarettes and perfumes. A Boneca was the code name for the contraband hotspot, and the stairs carved into the rocks – the Escadinhas – were created by the smugglers themselves.
“The customs guards were really strict on contraband in Carvoeiro, which was extremely poor in those days. But when they heard people talking about the Boneca, they assumed they were referring to the brothel that existed near Alfanzina,” explains Carla Carvalho Kröhnert, whose family history is inextricably linked to the history of Algar Seco itself.

Just like the day her grandfather carved the name A Boneca into the rockface the day after the Revolution, each story has been passed down through the generations. The land belonged to Carla’s grandmother, who was born in Carvoeiro, and became the meeting point for the local fishermen who would play cards over a few drinks. It was the ’70s and few tourists had discovered this picturesque fishing village – these were the days of traditional fish stews still made with seawater and when their first grill was a car rim.

In those days, the restaurant now known as Boneca Bar was a temporary structure, rebuilt every summer after the winter had taken its toll. It was only in the early 1980s that it gained more permanent foundations, when Carla’s parents took over the restaurant. Even the access down towards Algar Seco would wash away every time it rained. “Our friends made the steps using tree trunks in return for a case of beer,” laughs Jorge Carvalho, who now runs the family restaurant with his sister. Having spent their summers here and working at Boneca from a young age, alongside cousins and close friends, the brother and sister took over the restaurant, keeping it a family business at heart but adding a more stylish touch to this pretty spot. “It was always our dream to keep it going,” says Carla, adding that the focus remains on fresh fish and grilled specialities. “You give everything you have, you work hard and it drives you crazy at times, but when you’re not here, you miss it.” Even today, Carla’s eldest son works here alongside the school friends he grew up with.

For the Carvalho family, A Boneca is more like a family member, and Carla remembers the day her father rang her with some bad news back in 1990, the year her second son was born. “I heard his tone and as my grandmother was ill at the time, I feared the worst. He was actually ringing to tell me that a giant wave had taken away the arch,” explains Carla, referring to the arched rock that until then had been a prominent feature in Algar Seco.

Of course Algar Seco is not only special to this family; it’s also close to the hearts of many other residents and tourists who have visited year after year for decades. A great vantage point for spotting dolphins, the Boneca itself is also the location of choice for young couples, wedding proposals and even the setting for wedding photographs, with the two holes sculpted into the cliff looking out to the horizon and framing a view like very few others. Jorge and Carla are certainly right when they say that “it’s the magic of the place”.

Restaurant Boneca Bar | 282 358 391

Praia do Carvoeiro is situated in a sheltered cove and is just perfect for sunbathing and swimming. The beach spreads out in front of the town square, where there are many bars and cafes. There is wheelchair access to the beach and also a selection of stalls around the square should you need anything for your day at the beach. Pedaloes and jet skis are available at the beach so there is plenty to keep everyone occupied.

As Carvoeiro is so popular, it has many shops to cater for its visitors so you should be able to find what you are looking for. There is also a large supermarket on the outskirts of the town which offers a wider range of products.

There is no shortage of bars, cafes and bars in the resort so you should find something to your liking. Many of the bars and restaurants are within easy walking distance of the centre and offer a wide range of food. You will find many traditional Portuguese restaurants but as the resort is very family orientated, there will be plenty of options for little ones too. There is a very good  selection of pubs, music bars and discos to choose from but if you want a wider choice then head to nearby Portimao, where you will find plenty of lively music bars, nightclubs and even casinos.

The summer can be very busy in Carvoeiro and there are lots of festivals going on from June through to September. The festivals celebrate a whole range of things but you can certainly ensure there will be plenty of entertainment, live music and fun for all the family.  

During Easter week, fairs are held across the whole of the Algarve featuring the renowned Folar cake. As traditional to Portugal as the Easter Egg is to Northern Europe, the cake is sweet, moist and topped with a hard boiled egg still in the shell.  Sugared almonds are another Easter favourite and are given as gifts for children – adults too munch their way through as many of them as they can.