An opening in the ceiling (notice that 2 persons standing near the edge of the opening above) that allows the sunlight to brighten up the grotto and the beach that it hides.
The first glimpse of Algar de Benagil ⭐⭐ feels almost unreal. Sunlight pours through a perfect circular opening in the cave’s ceiling, illuminating the hidden beach below like a natural spotlight. From above, you might notice two tiny figures standing near the edge of the skylight — a reminder of just how massive this sea‑carved chamber truly is.
Benagil Cave is one of the Algarve’s most iconic natural wonders, shaped by three openings: two wide arches facing the Atlantic and a third, round skylight about 20 meters across. When the sun is high, its rays spill into the grotto, turning the sand gold and the water a luminous green. It’s no surprise this place has become a symbol of Portugal’s southern coast.
Whispers of the Old Benagil, Where Old Magic Still Lingers #portugal #benagil #boat(YouTube link)
Getting There: Boats, Trails, and Weather Surprises
Reaching Algar de Benagil isn’t as simple as walking up to a viewpoint. The cave is accessible only by boat or by hiking the surrounding cliffs along the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail — a spectacular route that traces some of the Algarve’s most dramatic coastline.
As I learned during my winter visit, boat tours are at the mercy of the weather. Trips can be canceled at any moment if the ocean turns rough, and even on calm days the Atlantic can surprise you. Lagos, where I started, isn’t the ideal departure point because it sits farther from Benagil than towns like Portimão or Carvoeiro. That distance means only speedboats make the journey efficiently — and yes, the ride can get bumpy at full throttle.
Photo Gallery
On June 1, 2023, I was lucky. The ocean settled into a gentle rhythm, and tours resumed after being canceled the day before. Under a bright, cloudless sky, we set off from Lagos Marina toward the open sea.
Departure Pier at Lagos
All boat trips departing Lagos Marina from the same waterway
A Quiet Day in a Berlin Park, 1933 In the early 1930s, Takehisa Yumeji's studio became a hub for artists, inspiring ventures like the Mt. Haruna Art Research Institute. In 1931, Yumeji began a journey to the United States and Europe, supported by exhibitions of his work. While in the U.S. for 16 months, he continued to paint, creating pieces like Nude on the West Coast. Afterward, Yumeji taught in Berlin until the school was closed by the Nazis. He returned to Japan in 1933, his overseas experiences shaping his final works. His last exhibition was held in Taipei that year. Yumeji passed away from tuberculosis in 1934, leaving behind a legacy of beauty and cultural exchange. Read more: Prints in Collection—Takehisa Yumeji (1884-1934) Kuronosuke 黒の助: a Legacy Little Black Cat (YouTube link ) Photo Gallery The Yumeji Art Museum in Okayama exhibits many black cat paintings because the artist, Yumeji Takehisa , frequently featured them in his work, particularly in his bij...
This is a passageway leading to Nankai-Namba Station. Be aware that underground passages in Japan can be quite complex for visitors. When you arrive at Kansai International Airport (symbol: KIX) and try to reach your destinations via trains, sometimes you need to make connections at Namba Station (see Fig. 2). Namba Station is one of the main connection points (the other two are Umeda and Tennoji Stations). But, Namba Station actually means 4 different stations on Google map (see Fig. 3&4) : Namba Station (Subway): This station provides access to the Osaka Metro lines: Midosuji (see Fig. 4), Sennichimae , and Yotsubashi . These lines can take you to popular destinations like Osaka Station, Koreatown, Honmachi, and Nippombashi. JR-Namba Station: This smaller station has only four tracks and two platforms. It's located within the Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT) building, and the entrance can be easy to miss. Thankfully, it's connected to the ...
Koyasan (高野山), a popular pilgrimage destination for centuries, has been connected to the outside world by a network of pilgrimage trails. While most visitors enter the mountain by cable car nowadays, many of the pilgrimage trails still remain in use. Koyasan Travel—Temple Lodging (Shukubo; YouTube link ) Part of the pilgrimage trails, the Fudozaka Trail (不動坂; click the map to enlarge), leads to Koyasan from Gokurakubashi Station, the lower station of the Koyasan Cablecar. The steep, paved trail is 2.5 kilometers long and takes about an hour to ascend and less time to descend. The trail ends at the Nyonindo temple (女人堂). [1] On 11/27/2016, I have decided to descend from Fudozaka Trail instead of riding the cable car. I was the only person on the trail at beginning. However, in the middle of the trail, another young blonde girl passed me by swiftly with a big smile on her face. I was really surprised to see another soul on that rainy day. Althoug...
