This was a very small intimate fishing village that has lost any resemblance to its modest origins. In 1965 a foreign resident wrote about the place “ The mode of living remains essentially medieval”. Then there came the tourists and the money. Today, the village spreads to the east and west with expensive villas and comfortable holiday apartments. The one and only village street has now become three, each lined with bars, smart restaurants and tourist shops. Happily, there are still examples of the older quaint small houses tucked in between the more recent ones. A 36-Hole Golf & Holiday Complex can be found to the west of the village together with a well run Tennis Centre. To the east and on the outskirts is a further 9-Hole Course. The choice of this location for the tourist to acquire property was also because of the variety and attractiveness of its many small beaches. High cliffs surround most of these, and some of which have eroded to create beckoning dark caves. Most of them are mainly accessible only at low tide. Beaches to visit are Praia de Centianes, Praia de Carvalho, Praia de Benagil, Praia de Marinha and Praia da Albandeira.
Near to Carvoeiro is the village of Ferragudo, still an unspoilt fishing village. Lagoa the area administrative town is also close to the home of the 11th Century Arab poet "Ibn Ammar". Inland is the unspoilt small village of Porches. Another place that is a must to visit is the inland historic and interesting city of Silves with its fine remains of its castle.
