Praia do Carvalho is one of the Algarve's best-kept secrets. Completely surrounded by rocks, it would only be accessible by sea or by abseiling down the cliff faces if it wasn't for a 15 metre long hand-carved tunnel. In this tunnel you can see several fossils but you have to be very careful if there is sand on the steps.

The extra effort needed to get to Praia do Carvalho ensures the beach is relatively quiet all year round. There are no hotels or resorts directly on the beach so make sure you bring your own food and drinks. You should also bring a camera to capture a real desert island moment.