Benagil was a small, traditional fishing village and is now a small community living close to a beautiful beach that has many grottoes, natural sandstone arches and many other natural features both to the east and west.
Whether you are planning to live and work in the Algarve, retire or invest, the region has something for all.
Benagil is well placed in central Algarve, being close to an International School, Faro airport, public and private hospitals, and also a motorway network connecting the Algarve to the rest of Portugal and Spain.
Whilst infrastructure is important, so too is lifestyle and in the Algarve you can enjoy whatever pace of life you prefer. The region offers year-round cultural events, an international racetrack, major golfing tournaments and much more for visitors and residents alike. With many of the Algarve’s beaches winning the Blue Flag the coast is an important asset for residents and a major tourist attraction.
Benagil is a small hamlet but has a year-round international community living in its environs. For those enjoying sports there are two tennis clubs, various golf courses a short drive away, cycling routes, walking trails, birdwatching two diving centres, dance groups, various gyms and centres to enjoy yoga, tai chi etc. For those who prefer less energetic activities there are local choirs, amateur dramatic groups, bands and much more to keep you busy.
Most faiths are represented in the region offering the opportunity to worship locally.
Restaurants and bars
There is a small selection of bars, restaurants and cafés in the area offering a choice of different cuisines.
To download a guide to the Algarve’s wine, click here
For a Cataplana recipe book click here
For traditional Portuguese recipes download here
Shopping
There are plenty of shops in Lagoa for your everyday needs and various large supermarkets too. With shopping malls in Portimão to the west and Algarve Shopping in Guia (near Albufeira) to the east shoppers will find all their favourite stores close by. With plenty of seats in the sun, restaurants and cafés and a multi-screen cinema located in Algarve Shopping, the late-night shopping means you can work or relax throughout the day.
Events
Throughout the year there are many fairs, festivals and shows, too many to list however, for up-to-date information on current events click here
History
Benagil itself has little to offer in the way of history however there are some wonderful beaches close by, including the popular beaches of Praia da Albandeira and Praia da Marinha with a few smaller ones that are slightly more difficult to access.
There is an algar (pit cave), to the east, with a beach inside the cave. You can swim to it from Benagil beach or use one of the kayaks for rent. To the west of Benagil you will find various ledges that people jump from on calmer days.
Benagil is situated along the Seven Hanging Valleys trail which is approximately 12kms long.
If you are feeling in need of an active history lesson, an interesting trail to follow in the Algarve is the Umayyad Route, the path which the Arabs travelled throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Europe starting in the 8th century through to the 13th.
For more information on the area click here