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Taruga Benagil Tours

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Praia de Benagil

8400-401 Lagoa

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The kayak was cool itself but the tour was horrible. There was no direction on what to do and it was stressful. Not worth the money with this tour. Strongly do not recommend!

USE THEM!!!! Great price. Very amazing tour guides. We had paulo and Rafael and they were great!! We did the traditional tour and worth it!

The best way to see the sea caves is arguably with Taruga Benagil Tour company, and on their best value 75-minute complete traditional tour (available year round). For 25€ per person, you can see 15 to 20 caves and beaches with a bilingual English/Portuguese-speaking skipper who deftly navigates the choppy currents and the jagged cave entrances by moving the body forwards/backwards and from side to side. (They also have the 30-minute express tour for 15€ or private tour for 300€.) The highlight was the awe-inspiring Benagil Cave which was as awesome as expected. Praia do Carvalho, Praia da Marinha, Carvoeiro and other smaller beaches were cool to check out too. Since we went out during high tide, the boat tour did not stop for swimming inside a cave or beach (which is possible when sea conditions are better). The 75-minutes went by quickly and ended with a James Bond-esq beach landing (you'll know what I mean). Book online in advance to confirm a tour and check-in/pay 30 minutes before the tour. They are open year-round but will only go out to sea if conditions are safe. Plenty of free parking nearby. May to September Hours: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm October to April Hours: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm Check the website for the latest information. CASH ONLY

See all photos from Sheley L. for Taruga Benagil Tours

Our family had an absolutely fabulous tour of the Benagil caves thanks to our wonderful guides, Fabio and William. We did the traditional tour and it was well worth it. I would highly recommend the tour and the tour guides to anyone interested.

the worst experience ever. if you are lucky enough to go to benagil, don't let this company ruin such a beautiful place. me and 3 friends rented 2 kayaks to go to the cave and when you get in the cave there is a guy from the company to receive and park your kayak. he doesn't speak portuguese or english and doesn't give any orientation. we took some pictures, and when we went to get our kayak to go back, it wasn't there anymore. when we asked the employee for help he said there was nothing he could do. after 40 minutes stranded in the cave, we had to steal a random kayak to go back to shore. when we got there and complained to the woman in charge, she said it wasn't her responsibility and that they weren't the police for us to be complaining to them. as we were arguing with her, two more guys from the company came to try and intimidate us. last, when a group of tourist girls came to ask me about the kayak experience and I told them not to rent with the company, the same woman responsible for the company came out of her booth and literally pushed me!!! if you want a safe and peaceful trip DON'T rent here.

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Benagil Cave Tour- Review Taruga Benagil Tours

What trip to Algarve, Portugal would be complete without a Benagil Cave Tour? If you enjoy water activities and sports, seeing the most popular of all the maritime caves in Portugal should be at the top of your things to do list on this trip.

However, choosing the best way to go about seeing the Benagil Caves can be overwhelming. While walking in the streets of Lagoa you will see countless stands that advertise boat tours. It’s tough to walk several feet without a stand representative giving you a verbal invitation.

My husband and I chose to book our boat tour through our hotel concierge so we didn’t have to make an impulsive, pressured decision in the street. This proved to be a good choice, since we had a fantastic experience with the recommended company- Taruga Benagil Tours.

If you are planning to do to a Benagil Cave Tour, there are important things you should know before you go.

Benagil Cave Tour Review- How and When to Book

We visited the Algarve the second week of April. From my experience, European countries aren’t ever too hot during that time. The weather we had was in the mid 60’s each day (Fahrenheit), which is fairly mild compared to what registers in the summer months.

Apparently, our trip was just before peak season starts in the Algarve, so it was not too crowded. We were advised by one person at our hotel that since boat tours leave every hour, we didn’t need to book in advance. But on the first day we wanted to go, I decided to check before we drove to Praia de Benagil. On that morning we learned through a phone call to Taruga Benagil Tours that the only available time left was at 3.30 pm. This was too late for us, given we had other places we wanted to see. So, we officially booked a tour for 11.45am the next day.

This time worked perfectly for several reasons. Foremost, it was not too hot by the time we went out to sea on the boat. The sky was slightly overcast, but the sun’s strength was still high. I wish my husband and I had brought sunscreen because we both developed a little red tint the next day from our Benagil Cave Tour experience.

If you are planning to book your tour experience prior to arriving in the Algarve, know that sea conditions can dictate a lot too. It would help to be flexible with your plans. There was a ‘coastal event’ several days prior to our arrival and Benagil Cave Tours were cancelled on those days due to water conditions.

Benagil Cave Tour Review- What to Bring and Wear

This is where we made our biggest mistake. Because we anticipated chilly to mild temperatures when we checked the forecast prior to our flights, we packed mostly jeans and long sleeve shirts. Luckily, each of us threw a pair of rugged shorts and a t-shirt in to our suitcase as a last minute ‘fingers crossed’ effort in packing. That’s what we wore on the tour.

You should plan to wear clothes that could get wet and have water shoes too. You will need to step in to the water to get on and off the boat. If you are lucky enough to stop on a beach in a cave during your tour, you will be on and off the boat more than once.

I didn’t have a backpack so I threw my important stuff in a tote bag I had received from a blogging event. I left my Michael Kors handbag in the car boot during the ride. We didn’t encounter any big splashes, but I wish I had brought something more practical for an outdoor water activity. Luckily I had a plastic shopping bag that I put within the tote bag to use as a liner in the event we got hit with a big splash.

All the photos featured in this blog article were taken with my iPhone 13 Pro. But it’s important to note that I have a case with a ring on the back . Without it, I probably would’ve lost my phone at some point. Taruga Benagil Tours warns you to use your electronic devices at your own risk, for good reason.

Additionally, I used my GoPro Hero to take video during the boat tour. I wish I had brought a monopod stick with it with a wrist band , because it was really risky just to hold it in my hands.

Benagil Cave Tour Review- The Experience

Taruga Benagil Tours required us to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of our tour. At the time we visited, the free parking at Praia de Benagil was easy to locate. The entire car park was nearly empty when we arrived at 11.00am. It was full when we left just after our tour around 1.15pm.

If you arrive early, you can wait on the small beach like we did. There are toilets available too. At the time I visited they didn’t have any hand soap so I was really grateful for the sanitiser wipes that I keep in my handbag for emergencies. We checked in at the ticket booth, paid for our tickets and received paper stubs to use at our tour time.

At exactly 11.45am we were divided in to two groups on the beach with the others who were waiting. Even though our boat could’ve fit 10 tour guests, ours had only 8.

For the promised 75 minutes we rode in the boat along the Algarve coast. Our Captain was very knowledgable in history and geology. As he drove the boat inside various caves he pointed out large rocks that did or didn’t allow boats to pass through depending on the tide. Additionally, he showed us cracks above us and how they were formed.

That was a bit terrifying for me because I have a big imagination. Some of the cracks had developed less than 100 years ago. And some of the rocks had landed around that time too.

If you are at all intimidated by choppy water or being inside dimly lit caves with low ceilings, this experience might not be for you. The ride itself was smooth and the Captain was an excellent navigator through the water.

There were tons of tour boats and other boaters on the sea that day. As indicated previously, they will cancel if the weather conditions prohibit a safe voyage.

When we disembarked the boat to visit the small beach inside a cave I created a Benagil Cave Tour TikTok to show you a little of what your trip with Taruga Benagil Tours could involve.

Benagil Cave Tour Review- Taruga Benagil Tours- Final Thoughts

I would highly recommend Taruga Benagil Tours to anyone visiting Algarve Portugal. They have been operational for 14 years and are very organised. Our tours were €30 each and were for the Traditional Visit, if you are researching options on their website. Please ask me any questions you have about the experience in the comments. I will do my best to answer them.

You can see regular things to do in London and travel to places from London adventures on my social media, including TikTok . To make sure you never miss any Sunny News about London, it would be best to subscribe to the email list.

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17 Top Tourist Attractions in Moscow

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on May 4, 2024

The capital of Russia is an incredible place to explore. Visitors to Moscow come away spellbound at all the amazing sights, impressed at the sheer size and grandeur of the city. Lying at the heart of Moscow, the Red Square and the Kremlin are just two of the must-see tourist attractions; they are the historical, political and spiritual heart of the city – and indeed Russia itself.

A fascinating city to wander around, stunning cathedrals, churches, and palaces lie side-by-side with bleak grey monuments and remains from the Soviet state. In addition to its plethora of historical and cultural tourist attractions, Moscow is home to world-class museums, theaters and art galleries.

Renowned for its performing arts, fantastic ballets and amazing circus acts, catching a show while in Moscow is a must. The wealth of brilliant restaurants, trendy bars, and lively nightlife means there is something for everyone to enjoy.

See also: Where to Stay in Moscow

17. Tsaritsyno Palace

Once the summer residence of Catherine the Great, the stunning Tsaritsyno Palace is now a museum-reserve. The architecture is magnificent and there is a lovely park surrounding it for visitors to explore.

Located in the south of Moscow, the palace was commissioned in 1775 and recent renovations mean its lavish interior looks better than ever before with its elegant halls and beautiful staircases.

The exhibits on display look at the life of the empress as well as the history of Tsaritsyno itself. The huge palace grounds are also home to some other delightful buildings with the elegant opera house and wonderful brickwork of the Small Palace being particularly impressive to gaze upon.

Starting out in 1935 as the ‘All-Union Agricultural Exhibition’, VDNKh has slowly morphed over the years into the fascinating open-air museum of today. Remarkably, over 400 buildings can now be found within its confines.

The huge park complex has numerous pavilions representing former Soviet republics on show, such as those of Armenia and Turkmenistan and the distinctive architecture of each of the buildings is always interesting to gaze upon. In addition to this there is the fascinating Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics which is dedicated to space exploration and the fun Moskvarium aquarium even offers you the chance to swim with dolphins.

With lots of eateries scattered about and numerous entertainment options such as horse-riding and zip-lining, there is something for everyone to enjoy; the Friendship of Nations fountain truly is wonderful.

15. Kremlin Armoury

One of the oldest museums in the city, the Kremlin Armoury has a wealth of treasures; highlights include the ornate Grand Siberian Railway egg, the historic Cap of Monomakh and the stunning Imperial Crown of Russia which often has a crowd of tourists around it, jostling to take a photo.

Once the royal armory, there are loads of fascinating objects on display. Perusing the many sabers, jewelry, armor and more is as interesting as it is educational and entertaining and the swords are so finely crafted that you’ll almost wish you could pick up one and wield if yourself.

Established in 1851, the museum is situated in the Moscow Kremlin.

14. GUM Department Store

Standing for ‘Main Universal Store’ in Russian, GUM is stunning. Its wonderful skylights and beautiful facades mean it doesn’t look out of place alongside its illustrious neighbors on Red Square.

With over 200 shops, boutiques and upmarket eateries inside, it is a shopaholic’s heaven and concerned partners will be glad to find more affordable options alongside luxury brands such as Dior and Prada.

The main department store in the city, GUM was opened in 1893. The stunning architecture makes it well worth a visit even if shopping isn’t your thing.

13. Moscow Metro

It’s not often that public transport looks like a work of art. So many stops on the Moscow Metro will astound visitors with their beauty and elegance.

Decked in marble and with frescoes covering the walls, the stations are amazing to gaze upon and are part of one of the longest metro systems in the world, with the first stations opened in 1935.

Using the metro is the quickest and easiest way to get around Moscow and braving the crowds of commuters is well worth it for the beauty all around you.

12. Arbat Street

An elegant yet lively street, Arbat is full of impressive architecture and was once a popular place to live for aristocrats, artists, and academics.

A historic place, it is down Arbat Street that Napoleon’s troops are said to have headed on their way to capture the Kremlin.

Nowadays, there are many cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as various monuments and statues to former residents such as Alexander Pushkin who was reputed to be a lover of the Russian Empress due to his massive influence in court.

11. Novodevichy Convent

Drenched in history, the Novodevichy Convent is located in a striking building that was once a fortress. This captivating place is well worth visiting when in Moscow.

Founded in 1524, the convent houses four cathedrals; Smolensk Cathedral is the undoubted highlight due to its delightful 16th-century frescoes.

Wandering around the grounds is like stepping back in time. The Novodevichy Cemetery is where many famous leaders of the Soviet Union are buried, such as Yeltsin and Khrushchev.

10. Pushkin Museum

Despite its name, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts actually has no connection at all to the famous poet other than that it was named in his honor after his death. A delight to visit, its extensive collection focuses on European art with masterpieces by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and van Gogh all featuring.

Sculptures, graphic art, paintings and more can be found in its beautiful galleries; various sections look at themes and epochs such as the Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, and Byzantine art.

Among the many highlights are the clownish characters which can be found in Cezanne’s Fastnacht (Mardi Gras) and the twirling ballerinas who look so elegant in Degas’ Blue Dancers. Picasso’s Young acrobat on a Ball is also well worth checking out for its interesting use of shapes and colors.

9. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This gorgeous Russian Orthodox cathedral is located on the banks of the Moskva River, just a stone’s throw away from the Kremlin.

The church as it stands today was consecrated in 2000, as the original church that stood here was destroyed on the command of Josef Stalin in 1931 due to the anti-religious campaign.

With its delightful golden dome, spires and dazzling white facades, the Christ the Savior Cathedral is stunning. The interior is just as captivating to wander around, with its beautifully tiled floors and impressive altar.

8. Lenin Mausoleum

Opened to the public in 1924, Lenin’s Mausoleum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Moscow. The red granite structure is located at the heart of the city in Red Square.

Lenin’s embalmed body lies in a glass sarcophagus; it is a somewhat eerie experience walking past the former leader of the Soviet Union but is well worth doing as you understandably can’t do it anywhere else in the world.

After visiting the mausoleum, head to the Kremlin wall right next to it for more graves of important communist figures such as Stalin and Brezhnev.

7. Tretyakov Gallery

Home to the most extensive and impressive collection of Russian fine art in the world, the State Tretyakov Gallery is definitely worth visiting when in Moscow for the wealth of amazing art pieces that it has on display.

Having started out as the private art collection of the Tretyakov brothers, there are now over 130,000 exhibits. Highlights include the iconic Theotokos of Vladimir which you will almost certainly recognise despite probably not knowing the name and Rublev’s Trinity which is considered to be one of highest achievements in Russian art.

An absolute must for art lovers, the State Tretyakov Gallery will delight visitors with all that is has to offer.

6. Kolomenskoye

Once a royal estate, Kolomenskoye is now a museum-reserve and lies a few kilometers outside of the city center. A captivating place to visit, there is a plethora of history on show and the site overlooks the Moskva River.

Consisting of four historical sites, there are extensive gardens for visitors to explore, as well as loads of interesting old buildings, the former village of Kolomenskoye itself and the impressive Palace of the Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich – once considered the Eighth Wonder of the World by contemporaries.

Among the many stunning sights, it is the brilliantly white Ascension Church that is the undoubted highlight – dating back to 1532.

5. Gorky Park

Lying alongside the Moskva River, the huge Gorky Park is a lovely place to visit. Its extensive gardens are home to numerous cultural institutions and visitors should definitely check out the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art and while the eclectic exhibits may not always feature such incredible sights as a balloon-covered rider on a zebra; they certainly always succeed in pushing back the boundaries of art.

Pop-up exhibitions and festivals can be found from time to time in the park itself and there is an open-air theatre and numerous eateries alongside a plethora of leisure activities.

Whether it’s cycling, table tennis or yoga that you are after or beach volleyball and rowing, Gorky Park certainly has it. In winter, there is a huge ice rink for visitors to enjoy.

4. Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is the main theater in the country. The amazing opera and ballet performances it has put on over the centuries go a long way in explaining Russia’s rich history of performing arts.

While the Bolshoi Ballet Company was established in 1776, the theater itself was opened in 1825. The glittering, six-tier auditorium is lavishly and decadently decorated; it is a fitting setting for the world-class performances that take place on its stage.

Spending a night watching a performance of such classics as The Nutcracker or Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theatre is sure to be a memorable experience and the beauty all around you only adds to the sense of occasion.

3. Moscow Kremlin

This famously fortified complex is remarkably home to five palaces and four cathedrals and is the historic, political and spiritual center of the city. The Kremlin serves as the residence for the country’s president. It has been used as a fort, and this fact is made clear by its sheer size. The Kremlin’s outer walls were built in the late 1400s.

Under Ivan III, better known as Ivan the Great, the Kremlin became the center of a unified Russian state, and was extensively remodeled. Three of the Kremlin’s cathedrals date to his reign that lasted from 1462-1505. The Deposition Church and the Palace of Facets were also constructed during this time. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower was built in 1508. It is the tallest tower at the Kremlin with a height of 266 feet (81 meters).

Joseph Stalin removed many of the relics from the tsarist regimes. However, the Tsar Bell, the world’s largest bell, and the Tsar Cannon, the largest bombard by caliber in the world, are among the remaining items from that era. The Kremlin Armory is one of Moscow’s oldest museums as it was established more than 200 years ago. Its diamond collection is impressive.

The Kremlin’s gardens – Taynitsky, Grand Kremlin Public and Alexander – are beautiful. The Kremlin has also served as the religious center of the country, and there is a tremendous number of preserved churches and cathedrals here. The collections contained within the museums include more than 60,000 historical, cultural and artistic monuments. Those who enjoy the performing arts will want to consider attending a ballet or concert at the State Kremlin Palace. Completed in 1961, it is the only modern building in the Kremlin.

2. Red Square

Lying at the heart of Moscow, Red Square is the most important and impressive square in the city. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions due to its wealth of historical sights and cultural landmarks.

Drenched in history, the huge square is home to incredible sights such as the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum, among others. Consequently, it is not to be missed when in Moscow as it really is home to the city’s most stunning monuments.

It is here that many important moments in Russian history took place; the former marketplace has hosted everything from Tsar’s coronations and public ceremonies to rock concerts and Soviet military parades. Wandering around the massive square is a humbling experience and undoubtedly one of the highlights the city has to offer.

1. Saint Basil’s Cathedral

Located in the impressive Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral is gorgeous; its delightful spires appear as if out of a fairytale. The most recognizable building in the country, the cathedral is very much a symbol of Russia. No visit to Moscow is complete without having taken in its unique and distinctive features.

Ivan the Terrible ordered the cathedral’s construction in the mid-16th century, and legend holds that Ivan put out the architect’s eyes so that he would be unable to build another cathedral more glorious than St. Basil’s. Designed to resemble the shape of a bonfire in full flame, the architecture is not only unique to the period in which it was built but to any subsequent period. For various reasons, both Napoleon and Stalin wanted to destroy the cathedral but fortunately did not succeed.

Known for its various colors, shapes and geometric patterns, St. Basil’s Cathedral houses nine different chapels that are all connected by a winding labyrinth of corridors and stairways. On the lower floor, St. Basil’s Chapel contains a silver casket bearing the body of St. Basil the Blessed.

Throughout the cathedral are many beautiful murals, frescoes, wooden icons and other art works and artifacts. Outside the cathedral is a lovely garden with the bronze Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, who rallied an all-volunteer Russian army against Polish invaders during a period of the late 16th century known as the Times of Troubles.

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