Benagil

{{Short description|Hamlet in Algarve, Portugal}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Benagil |settlement_type = Hamlet |image_skyline = Praia de Benagil - Portugal 🇵🇹 (53651979938).jpg |imagesize = 280px |image_caption = Benagil |image_map = |map_alt = |map_caption = |mapframe =  |coordinates =  | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Portugal | subdivision_type1 = Civil Parish | subdivision_name1 = Lagoa and Carvoeiro | subdivision_type2 = Municipality | subdivision_name2 = Lagoa | subdivision_type3 = Region | subdivision_name3 = Algarve |postal_code_type = |postal_code = 8400-401 Lagoa |website =  |footnotes = }} thumb|right|Benagil village with its beach '''Benagil''' is a hamlet in Portugal, located in the civil parish of Lagoa and Carvoeiro, on the Atlantic coast of the municipality of Lagoa, in the Algarve region.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Bruxo |first=Michael |date=14 September 2021 |title=Authorities to impose stricter rules on visits to Algarve's iconic sea caves |url=https://www.portugalresident.com/authorities-to-impose-stricter-rules-on-visits-to-algarves-iconic-sea-caves/ |website=Portugal Resident}}</ref> thumb|Above view of Benagil Cave

Up to the late 20th century, the village's economy was based on ocean fishing, but it developed into a tourist area with a widely used beach, Praia de Benagil.<ref name=":1" /> It has few inhabitants but in the summer many people come from abroad. The population is roughly 60. Benagil village and beach are located close to the internationally famous Marinha Beach.{{Cn|date=January 2024}}

The main tourist attraction in Benagil is the Benagil Cave (Portuguese: Algar de Benagil).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=31 Aug 2023 |title=Proposed limits and fees for access to Algarve caves |url=https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2023-08-31/proposed-limits-and-fees-for-access-to-algarve-caves/80963 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=The Portugal News |language=en}}</ref> Out of all sea caves that dot the Algarve coastline between Lagos and Albufeira, the Benagil Cave is the only one that has been eroded both from the side and from the top. This unique natural process has resulted in an opening in the ceiling that allows the sunlight to brighten up the grotto and the beach that it hides.{{Cn|date=January 2024}}

Since 2023, concerns surrounding overtourism and safety were raised, leading to a number of regulations being implemented. Only sanctioned tours are permitted in the grotto and watercraft are no longer been permitted to land on the beach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benagil cave ban in place |url=https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2023-09-25/benagil-cave-ban-in-place/81647 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.theportugalnews.com |language=en}}</ref> Since August 2024, limits have been imposed on the number of vessels in the cave at any one time and visiting time has been capped to a maximum of two minutes per boat.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jorge |first1=Ramos |last2=Benjamin |first2=Drakeford |last3=Joana |first3=Costa |last4=Ana |first4=Madiedo |last5=Francisco |first5=Leitão |date=June 2025 |title=Tracking Tourism Waves: Insights from Automatic Identification System (AIS) Data on Maritime–Coastal Activities |url=https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/6/2/99 |journal=Tourism and Hospitality |language=en |volume=6 |issue=2 |doi=10.3390/tourho |doi-broken-date=10 July 2025 |doi-access=free |issn=2673-5768 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250531043404/https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/6/2/99 |archive-date=2025-05-31 |access-date=2025-07-10 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bruxo |first=Michael |date=June 2, 2025 |title=Benagil caves crackdown pays off, says Algarve tourism boss |url=https://www.portugalresident.com/benagil-caves-crackdown-pays-off-says-algarve-tourism-boss/ |access-date=July 10, 2025 |website=Portugal Resident}}</ref> There have been proposals to set limits and an admission fee for tourists.<ref name=":0" />

== See also == * Caramujeira ==References== {{Reflist}}

{{coord|37|05|15|N|8|25|33|W|region:PT_source:kolossus-ptwiki|display=title}}

Category:Seaside resorts in Portugal