Get prepared for loads of pleasure whenever you discover Lagos, Portugal. Lagos sits on the Algarve coast and is understood for its well-known seashores, full of life nightlife, and pure magnificence. Surrounded by a golden shoreline stuffed with lovely rock formations, there are many sights to see and actions to do making it the proper seashore vacation vacation spot.
Top Things to do in Lagos
Lagos points of interest are diverse and plentiful. You may hike the Seven Hanging Valleys, go to a museum, or take one of many dolphin-watching boat excursions. There are many issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, and this information will cowl the very best.
1. Ponta da Piedade
If you’ve seen footage of Lagos, the possibilities are that you just’ve seen Ponta da Piedade. Ponta da Piedade is a headland of putting rock formations, with caves and grottos solely accessible by water. From land, you’ll be able to hike to the Ponta da Piedade scenic viewpoint, admiring the distinctive formations and snapping the postcard-perfect shot that has grow to be so related to Lagos.
Visiting Ponta da Piedade is well one of many prime issues to do in Lagos. You’ll spot sea stacks and arches and catch glimpses of the caves when visiting Ponta da Piedade from the land. The burnt yellow rock makes Ponta da Piedade much more lovely, and the orange look is attribute of Portugal’s Algarve area. Even in the event you go to Lagos for just some days, prioritize visiting Ponta da Piedade.
2. Take a ship tour from Lagos Marina
So, you could possibly take a ship tour from Lagos Marina to go to the ocean caves and spectacular rock formations of Ponta da Piedade. However, there are many totally different boat journeys you can take, so enterprise down to the marina and decide whichever takes your fancy. A ship journey is among the greatest issues to do in Lagos, Portugal. The sea breeze, attractive shoreline, and pleasant marine life are a successful mixture and swimsuit each traveler and their itinerary.
The dolphin-watching boat excursions are extraordinarily widespread however be sure to select properly. We suggest this tour in the event you’ve by no means seen wild dolphins because it retains a protected distance and doesn’t stress the animals.
Other widespread day journeys embody sundown catamaran cruises and longer, half-day cruises alongside the Algarve Coast. These longer cruises typically embody breaks for swimming and snorkeling and enterprise to pure points of interest just like the Benagil Cave.
3. Praia de Dona Ana
Praia de Dona Ana is among the most lovely seashores within the Algarve. The seashore is positioned on the Ponta da Piedade headland and is surrounded by limestone formations with golden strata. Easy to attain, stuffed with amenities like showers and bogs, and completely beautiful to take a look at, visiting Praia Dona Ana Beach is among the greatest issues to do in Lagos.
You can attain Praia Dona Ana Beach in 20 minutes on foot from Lagos city middle after which climb down from the headland by way of a set of lengthy wood steps. The seashore has calm waters and is superb for much less assured swimmers and households. Praia Dona Ana Beach is your most suitable option out of the Lagos seashores for a soothing seashore day. Just get there early to beat the crowds, because it is among the hottest seashores close to Lagos.
4. Praia da Luz
Fancy exploring additional afield? Praia da Luz is a coastal city simply 10 km west of Lagos, and you may simply take a day journey by leaping on the bus for a twenty-minute experience. Praia de Luz has an enormous seashore with watersports, lifeguards, and cafes – but it lacks the touristy environment of Lagos’ seashores.
Visiting Praia da Luz is a wonderful possibility in order for you to expertise attractive seashores outdoors of Lagos and revel in a unique, extra resort-like environment than the seashores in Lagos. It is simple to attain on public transport and isn’t a secluded seashore – good for a simple day journey.
5. Parque Aventura
Parque Aventura is Portuguese for ‘Adventure Park’, which ought to converse for itself. Parque Aventura is the place to go for an adrenaline rush and enjoyable challenges in Lagos. The park has an intensive excessive ropes course that takes you thru the tree tops. While in the event you want to hold your ft on the bottom, you’ll be able to check your talent with a paintball recreation on the park’s paintball area.
We recommend heading to Parque Aventura later within the afternoon when temperatures are not sky excessive. The park stays open till 6 pm day-after-day, so visiting out of noon warmth shouldn’t be difficult.
6. Spend a morning in Lagos Old Town
For that cobblestone streets expertise, you don’t have to enterprise far in Lagos. Lagos Old Town is stuffed with cobbled streets and colourful buildings, and the historic middle is surrounded by outdated metropolis partitions.
Spending a morning in Lagos Old Town is one of the simplest ways to stability time on its greatest seashores. There are outlets, bakeries, and small pubs to sit al fresco with a pint of Sagres. It can be an atmospheric place to strive some conventional Portuguese delicacies too. If you’re going to splash out on a meal, selecting a restaurant or cafe within the Old Town is a good suggestion. And, if you’re caught for selection, the contemporary seafood is scrumptious.
7. Visit Mercado de Escravos
Mercado de Escravos is certainly one of Lagos’ most lovely buildings, but it additionally holds a few of Portugal’s darkest historical past. Mercado de Escravos was Europe’s first slave market, and the earliest dated slave market held there dates again to 1444.
The museum now educates guests on the slavery tragedy. It reveals the harrowing particulars of the market’s occasions by means of participating exhibitions. If you have an interest in socio-political historical past or need to study extra about Portugal’s extra troubling historical past, Mercado de Escravos must be in your radar.
8. Praia dos Estudantes
Praia dos Estudantes is one other of Lagos’ greatest seashores, and you must go to it even if you’re solely in Lagos for a couple of days. The small seashore is famed for its distinctive bridges and tunnels, which guests use to entry totally different areas of the seashore. You can change between the northern and southern sections of the seashore by strolling by means of a pure tunnel within the cliff face. While overhead, there’s an outdated Roman bridge connecting the cliffs.
The format of Praia dos Estudantes simply makes it some of the attention-grabbing seashores on the Algarve. This is the perfect seashore for you in order for you a memorable seashore day. Plus, it’s inside strolling distance of Lagos city middle.
9. Go kayaking to the ocean caves
You can actually take a ship journey to see these magnificent caves, however the extra adventurous may be tempted by a kayaking journey. Exploring the ocean caves by kayak is a unique expertise and definitely not for the fainthearted or unfit.
You can hire a kayak and head out independently or go on a guided kayak tour – all of it is dependent upon your confidence. Either means, you’ll have the opportunity to stand up shut with the gorgeous formations alongside the coast and see marine life of their pure habitat. You can squeeze by means of tiny sea caves and tunnels that bigger boats can’t match by means of, providing you with far more alternatives to discover. And, in the event you get fortunate, a pod of dolphins would possibly pop up round you.
10. Praia do Vale de Centeanes
Praia do Vale de Centeanes is among the prime seashores to take a day journey from Lagos. It takes round forty minutes to drive to and is best to go to when you have a rental automotive, quite than catching a number of buses. So, why make the journey?
Visiting Praia do Vale de Centeanes is the perfect on a windy day as a result of it’s backed by towering limestone cliffs. It is a dramatic introduction to the Algarve’s attribute cliff-backed seashores. It can be far more spacious than the small seashores round Lagos. For a heavenly seashore day, it’s effectively price a day journey.
11. Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos
Family holidays may be troublesome, particularly when it comes to protecting little youngsters entertained. The Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos is completely tailor-made towards households – offering participating, child-friendly science reveals and actions. So if you’re touring with youngsters and wish to hold them entertained, Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos is a enjoyable, dependable possibility.
The science museum is open from 10 am till 6 pm day-after-day other than Mondays. It is a wonderful place to go to, escape the noon solar, or hold busy if the climate is horrible. The museum additionally has indoor and out of doors reveals, making the expertise satisfying and diverse.
12. Meia Praia
Meia Praia is the biggest seashore round Lagos and stretches over 4 km in size. On a busy day, visiting Meia Praia is a means to assure your self a sunbathing spot. Lagos will get so busy in summer time that Meia Praia turns into a little bit of an emergency possibility.
Meia Praia is conveniently positioned simply outdoors the Old Town and inside simple strolling distance of the city middle. Visiting Meia Praia is a superb concept in order for you to squeeze a seashore day right into a busy day or simply be shut to many facilities.
13. Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
If you want staying energetic, strolling the Seven Hanging Valleys is among the greatest issues to do in Lagos, Portugal. The coastal path is a 5.7km out-and-back path that arguably covers probably the most scenic part of the Algarve shoreline. The route begins at Praia da Marinha and ends at Praia de Vale Centeanes, taking round two to three hours to full.
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail passes beautiful vistas, together with many sea caves and spectacular formations. You may hike it a technique, which might take about 2-3 hours, or stroll the trail as an out-and-back path in round six hours. The selection is yours.
14. Praia do Camilo
Looking for a secluded seashore? Praia do Camilo is the one for you. The small seashore is accessed by a wood staircase of over 200 steps – so put together your self for a exercise. Praia do Camilo is completely well worth the effort, although. The seashore has crystal-clear blue-green water and the Algarve’s attribute orange glow in its golden sand and cliffs.
Praia do Camilo additionally has a tunnel connecting two totally different sections of the seashore. You can stroll by means of the pure tunnel and decide your favourite (or the least busy in the event you’re visiting in peak season). Praia do Camilo is a enjoyable, fairly place to go to close to Lagos.
15. Visit Ponta da Bandeira Fort
History lovers, this attraction is for you. Ponta da Bandeira is a Seventeenth-century fortress complicated that now runs as a museum and artwork exhibition venue. Ponta da Bandeira overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and Praia de Batata Beach and was as soon as a stronghold in opposition to enemies attacking the Algarve from the ocean.
Heading over the drawbridge, you’ll have sufficient exhibitions to hold you entertained for at the very least an hour or two. Ponta da Bandeira is among the greatest issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, to get a historic perception into the world.
16. Praia da Batata
So, you’ve visited Ponta da Bandeira. As we talked about above, the fort overlooks Praia da Batata, which is a lovely seashore to go to close to Lagos. And, if topping up your tan underneath a Seventeenth-century fort sounds memorable, it’s price including to your itinerary. The sands are famously delicate and golden, and the waters are calm and ideal for swimming.
Visiting Ponta da Bandeira and Praia de Batata is a wonderful mixture. Start your morning on the fort, after which head to the seashore to get pleasure from some afternoon solar.
17. Spend a day in Faro City
Lagos is stuffed with issues to do, however since you’ll most likely journey to Faro for Faro Airport anyway, it’s price dedicating time to exploring Faro as effectively. You may even plan a day in Faro earlier than you fly dwelling.
Faro is well probably the most well-known metropolis on the Algarve. In reality, it’s thought of by many because the gateway to the area. However, its metropolis middle is a superb place to spend a few hours – which we extremely suggest doing. Walk the Old Town to admire the cobbled streets and neoclassical structure. Then go to the main points of interest just like the Arco de Vila, Faro Cathedral, and the Municipal Museum.
If you haven’t rented a automotive and wish to discover Faro, this tour has you coated. You can even see different cool cities within the Algarve like Olhão, Tavira, and Cacela Velha.
18. Tour inside Igreja de Santo Antonio
Igreja de Santo is an ornate Catholic Church with Baroque structure and a variety of historical past behind it. The church is positioned contained in the Old Town and is well added to a morning within the city middle. Igreja de Santo is believed to be the birthing place of Saint Anthony of Lisbon – which means it holds nice non secular significance, particularly amongst the residents of Lagos.
The church inside is attractive, and you may stroll by means of, admiring the sculptures and no-expense-spared decorations. There’s additionally a small museum, which incorporates reveals and extra details about the church and Saint Anthony of Lisbon. Allow an hour or two to expertise Igreja de Santo completely.
Lagos FAQs
Now that we’ve coated the perfect issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, let’s take a look at some widespread FAQs.
How to get to Lagos
Lagos is positioned in Southern Portugal on the Algarve shoreline. The easiest method to attain Lagos is to fly into Faro Airport after which catch public transport to Lagos. You can take a shuttle bus straight from the airport or journey into Faro to catch the prepare to Lagos. Allow round three hours for each choices.
Since Lagos sits on the Atlantic Ocean, there are a number of ferry routes in the event you fancy an journey. You are greatest contemplating catching a ferry in order for you to ferry hop down the Portuguese coast.
As it’s also positioned in mainland Europe, you could possibly take a street journey to Lagos from Spain, France, and even the UK if you’re feeling significantly adventurous. Driving throughout Europe is widespread, and also you’ll simply want to be snug adjusting to totally different driving kinds. Also, remember the fact that you’ll want a for much longer timeframe for this, and we’d suggest permitting at the very least two weeks to street journey to after which get pleasure from Lagos comfortably.
Getting round Lagos
Lagos is a city and has every part obtainable inside strolling distance. Some of probably the most picturesque seashores within the area are only a brief stroll from Lagos city middle. Plus, there’s Lagos prepare station the place you’ll be able to catch a prepare to close by spots on day journeys. You can simply get round Lagos and its surrounding space with out driving a automotive. If you need to keep native and are solely visiting for a couple of days, we recommend sticking to strolling and public transport.
Of course, you could possibly rent a rental automotive in order for you the liberty to discover additional afield. You’ll have the opportunity to head up the shoreline and even out to the Valley of Guadiana Natural Park. If that is the case, chances are you’ll want to e book a rental automotive to decide up from Faro Airport to be able to drive to Lagos as a substitute of catching public transport.
Best time to go to Lagos
The greatest time to go to Lagos is in its shoulder seasons – early fall or late spring. The trick is to keep away from the crowds however nonetheless get good climate. After all, why not profit from Lagos’ lovely seashores?
May and June are the perfect months to go to Lagos in spring, whereas September and early October are the perfect months in fall. Still, struggling to determine? The environment tends to be barely higher in spring when native tourism is excitedly warming up for the height season in summer time. It can be normally a bit breezier in spring, which is nice for out of doors actions.
Where to keep in Lagos
Last however not least, the place do you have to keep in Lagos? There are a great deal of high-quality choices to swimsuit all budgets, however these are our absolute favorites.
Budget lodge: Old School Guest House
Lagos has hostels, however it’s higher to keep on the Old School Guest House for a bit further. It is the highest-rated budget-friendly possibility in Lagos, and every visitor will get a double or twin room. It additionally has a central location in Lagos city middle.
You’ll have a shared kitchen, free bikes, complimentary wi-fi, and even BBQ amenities. There’s additionally a paid airport shuttle to make your airport expertise extra stress-free.
Mid-range lodge: Fazenda Viegas
Fazenda Viegas is a privately run resort quite than a big industrial lodging selection. The advantage of that is that there are considerate touches like on-site wine tasting periods, a welcome drink, and improbable sporting amenities like a soccer pitch and volleyball courts.
Guests can select to keep in an house or villa, and whenever you aren’t swimming within the out of doors pool, you’ll be able to head to the closest seashore – about 2km away.
Luxury lodge: Boavista Golf & Spa
If you need luxurious, say no extra. Boavista Golf & Spa is a five-star property with all of the indulgent amenities you could possibly need. Guests select between townhouses and villas, so overlook about cramped lodge rooms or small house complexes. There can be a shared rooftop terrace, countless leisure actions, and an indoor heated pool. While for further pampering, you’ll be able to head to the spa to get pleasure from a sauna, steam room, scorching tub, and fitness center.
To Conclude
A visit to Lagos is among the greatest seashore holidays you could possibly soak up Europe. Between the beautiful landscapes and vibrant Portuguese tradition, there are such a lot of issues to do in Lagos, Portugal. We hope you get the prospect to expertise as lots of this stuff as attainable.
Once you’ve visited Lagos, you must discover the remainder of the Algarve area. There are many wonderful cities in Portugal, plus the Douro Valley and Obidos in the event you journey additional up north. Trust us, you’ll want a return journey.