Prepare for loads of pleasure while you discover Lagos, Portugal. Lagos sits on the Algarve coast and is understood for its well-known seashores, energetic 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 seaside vacation vacation spot.
High Issues to do in Lagos
Lagos sights are diversified and plentiful. You might hike the Seven Hanging Valleys, go to a museum, or take one of many dolphin-watching boat excursions. There are lots of issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, and this information will cowl the best possible.
1. Ponta da Piedade
In case you’ve seen footage of Lagos, the probabilities are that you simply’ve seen Ponta da Piedade. Ponta da Piedade is a headland of placing rock formations, with caves and grottos solely accessible by water. From land, you possibly can hike to the Ponta da Piedade scenic viewpoint, admiring the distinctive formations and snapping the postcard-perfect shot that has change into so related to Lagos.
Visiting Ponta da Piedade is well one of many high 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 when you go to Lagos for only a few days, prioritize visiting Ponta da Piedade.
2. Take a ship tour from Lagos Marina
So, you may take a ship tour from Lagos Marina to go to the ocean caves and spectacular rock formations of Ponta da Piedade. Nonetheless, there are many completely different boat journeys that you may take, so enterprise all the way down to the marina and choose whichever takes your fancy. A ship journey is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Lagos, Portugal. The ocean breeze, beautiful shoreline, and pleasant marine life are a profitable mixture and swimsuit each traveler and their itinerary.
The dolphin-watching boat excursions are extraordinarily common however ensure you select properly. We advocate this tour when you’ve by no means seen wild dolphins because it retains a protected distance and doesn’t stress the animals.
Different common 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 sights just like the Benagil Cave.
3. Praia de Dona Ana
Praia de Dona Ana is likely one of the most lovely seashores within the Algarve. The seaside is positioned on the Ponta da Piedade headland and is surrounded by limestone formations with golden strata. Straightforward to achieve, stuffed with amenities like showers and bogs, and completely gorgeous to take a look at, visiting Praia Dona Ana Seashore is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Lagos.
You may attain Praia Dona Ana Seashore in 20 minutes on foot from Lagos city heart after which climb down from the headland through a set of lengthy wood steps. The seaside has calm waters and is superb for much less assured swimmers and households. Praia Dona Ana Seashore is your best option out of the Lagos seashores for a soothing seaside day. Simply get there early to beat the crowds, because it is likely one of 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’ll simply take a day journey by leaping on the bus for a twenty-minute trip. Praia de Luz has a large seaside with watersports, lifeguards, and cafes – but it lacks the touristy ambiance of Lagos’ seashores.
Visiting Praia da Luz is a wonderful possibility if you wish to expertise beautiful seashores outdoors of Lagos and revel in a special, extra resort-like ambiance than the seashores in Lagos. It’s easy to achieve on public transport and isn’t a secluded seaside – good for a straightforward day journey.
5. Parque Aventura
Parque Aventura is Portuguese for ‘Journey Park’, which ought to communicate 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. Whereas when you favor to maintain your ft on the bottom, you possibly can take a look at your talent with a paintball sport on the park’s paintball area.
We propose heading to Parque Aventura later within the afternoon when temperatures are now not sky excessive. The park stays open till 6 pm day by day, so visiting out of noon warmth shouldn’t be difficult.
6. Spend a morning in Lagos Previous City
For that cobblestone streets expertise, you don’t need to enterprise far in Lagos. Lagos Previous City is filled with cobbled streets and colourful buildings, and the historic heart is surrounded by outdated metropolis partitions.
Spending a morning in Lagos Previous City is one of the simplest ways to steadiness time on its greatest seashores. There are retailers, bakeries, and small pubs to sit down al fresco with a pint of Sagres. It’s also an atmospheric place to attempt some conventional Portuguese delicacies too. If you’ll splash out on a meal, selecting a restaurant or cafe within the Previous City is a good suggestion. And, in case you are caught for alternative, the recent seafood is scrumptious.
7. Go to Mercado de Escravos
Mercado de Escravos is one in every 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 way of participating exhibitions. If you’re fascinated by socio-political historical past or need to be taught extra about Portugal’s extra troubling historical past, Mercado de Escravos needs to 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 in case you are solely in Lagos for a number of days. The small seaside is famed for its distinctive bridges and tunnels, which guests use to entry completely different areas of the seaside. You may swap between the northern and southern sections of the seaside by strolling by way of a pure tunnel within the cliff face. Whereas overhead, there may be an outdated Roman bridge connecting the cliffs.
The structure of Praia dos Estudantes simply makes it probably the most fascinating seashores on the Algarve. That is the most effective seaside for you if you’d like a memorable seaside day. Plus, it’s inside strolling distance of Lagos city heart.
9. Go kayaking to the ocean caves
You may definitely take a ship journey to see these magnificent caves, however the extra adventurous is likely to be tempted by a kayaking journey. Exploring the ocean caves by kayak is a special expertise and definitely not for the fainthearted or unfit.
You may lease a kayak and head out independently or go on a guided kayak tour – all of it is determined by your confidence. Both approach, you’ll have the ability to stand up shut with the attractive formations alongside the coast and see marine life of their pure habitat. You may squeeze by way of tiny sea caves and tunnels that bigger boats can not match by way of, supplying you with way more alternatives to discover. And, when 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 likely one of the high seashores to take a day journey from Lagos. It takes round forty minutes to drive to and is best to go to in case 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 most effective on a windy day as a result of it’s backed by towering limestone cliffs. It’s a dramatic introduction to the Algarve’s attribute cliff-backed seashores. It’s also way more spacious than the small seashores round Lagos. For a heavenly seaside day, it’s effectively price a day journey.
11. Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos
Household holidays will be tough, particularly with regards to maintaining little kids entertained. The Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos is totally tailor-made towards households – offering participating, child-friendly science displays and actions. So in case you are touring with kids and need to maintain them entertained, Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos is a enjoyable, dependable possibility.
The science museum is open from 10 am till 6 pm day by day aside from Mondays. It is a wonderful place to go to, escape the noon solar, or maintain busy if the climate is horrible. The museum additionally has indoor and outside displays, making the expertise satisfying and diversified.
12. Meia Praia
Meia Praia is the most important seaside round Lagos and stretches over 4 km in size. On a busy day, visiting Meia Praia is a option to assure your self a sunbathing spot. Lagos will get so busy in summer season that Meia Praia turns into a little bit of an emergency possibility.
Meia Praia is conveniently positioned simply outdoors the Previous City and inside straightforward strolling distance of the city heart. Visiting Meia Praia is a good concept if you wish to squeeze a seaside day right into a busy day or simply be near many facilities.
13. Seven Hanging Valleys Path
In case you like staying energetic, strolling the Seven Hanging Valleys is likely one of 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 a few hours to finish.
The Seven Hanging Valleys Path passes gorgeous vistas, together with many sea caves and spectacular formations. You might 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
On the lookout for a secluded seaside? Praia do Camilo is the one for you. The small seaside 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 seaside 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 completely different sections of the seaside. You may stroll by way of the pure tunnel and choose your favourite (or the least busy when you’re visiting in peak season). Praia do Camilo is a enjoyable, fairly place to go to close to Lagos.
15. Go to Ponta da Bandeira Fort
Historical past 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 Seashore and was as soon as a stronghold towards enemies attacking the Algarve from the ocean.
Heading over the drawbridge, you’ll have sufficient exhibitions to maintain you entertained for at the very least an hour or two. Ponta da Bandeira is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, to get a historic perception into the realm.
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 fantastic seaside 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 mushy and golden, and the waters are calm and ideal for swimming.
Visiting Ponta da Bandeira and Praia de Batata is a wonderful mixture. Begin your morning on the fort, after which head to the seaside to get pleasure from some afternoon solar.
17. Spend a day in Faro Metropolis
Lagos is filled with issues to do, however since you’ll in all probability journey to Faro for Faro Airport anyway, it’s price dedicating time to exploring Faro as effectively. You might even plan a day in Faro earlier than you fly house.
Faro is well probably the most well-known metropolis on the Algarve. In reality, it’s thought-about by many because the gateway to the area. Nonetheless, its metropolis heart is a good place to spend a few hours – which we extremely advocate doing. Stroll the Previous City to admire the cobbled streets and neoclassical structure. Then go to the main sights just like the Arco de Vila, Faro Cathedral, and the Municipal Museum.
In case you have not rented a automotive and need to discover Faro, this tour has you lined. Additionally, you will 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 number of historical past behind it. The church is positioned contained in the Previous City and is well added to a morning within the city heart. 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 beautiful, and you’ll stroll by way of, admiring the sculptures and no-expense-spared decorations. There’s additionally a small museum, which accommodates displays and extra details about the church and Saint Anthony of Lisbon. Enable an hour or two to expertise Igreja de Santo completely.
Lagos FAQs
Now that we’ve lined the most effective issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, let’s have a look at some frequent FAQs.
How you can get to Lagos
Lagos is positioned in Southern Portugal on the Algarve shoreline. The simplest option to attain Lagos is to fly into Faro Airport after which catch public transport to Lagos. You may take a shuttle bus straight from the airport or journey into Faro to catch the practice to Lagos. Enable round three hours for each choices.
Since Lagos sits on the Atlantic Ocean, there are a number of ferry routes when you fancy an journey. You’re greatest contemplating catching a ferry if you wish to ferry hop down the Portuguese coast.
As it is usually positioned in mainland Europe, you may take a street journey to Lagos from Spain, France, and even the UK in case you are feeling significantly adventurous. Driving throughout Europe is common, and also you’ll simply must be comfy adjusting to completely different driving kinds. Additionally, take into account that you’ll want a for much longer time-frame for this, and we’d advocate 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 the whole lot out there inside strolling distance. Among the most picturesque seashores within the area are only a brief stroll from Lagos city heart. Plus, there may be Lagos practice station the place you possibly can catch a practice to close by spots on day journeys. You may simply get round Lagos and its surrounding space with out driving a automotive. If you wish to keep native and are solely visiting for a number of days, we propose sticking to strolling and public transport.
After all, you may rent a rental automotive if you’d like the liberty to discover additional afield. You’ll have the ability to head up the shoreline and even out to the Valley of Guadiana Pure Park. If that is so, you might want to ebook a rental automotive to choose up from Faro Airport so to drive to Lagos as a substitute of catching public transport.
Finest time to go to Lagos
One of the best 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. In any case, why not benefit from Lagos’ lovely seashores?
Could and June are the most effective months to go to Lagos in spring, whereas September and early October are the most effective months in fall. Nonetheless, struggling to determine? The ambiance tends to be barely higher in spring when native tourism is excitedly warming up for the height season in summer season. It’s also often a bit breezier in spring, which is sweet for outside actions.
The place to remain in Lagos
Final 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.
Funds lodge: Previous College Visitor Home
Lagos has hostels, however it’s higher to remain on the Previous College Visitor Home for slightly additional. It’s 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 heart.
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 business lodging alternative. The good thing about that is that there are considerate touches like on-site wine tasting classes, a welcome drink, and implausible sporting amenities like a soccer pitch and volleyball courts.
Friends can select to remain in an residence or villa, and while you aren’t swimming within the outside pool, you possibly can head to the closest seaside – about 2km away.
Luxurious 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 may need. Friends select between townhouses and villas, so overlook about cramped lodge rooms or small residence complexes. There may be additionally a shared rooftop terrace, countless leisure actions, and an indoor heated pool. Whereas for additional pampering, you possibly can head to the spa to get pleasure from a sauna, steam room, sizzling tub, and fitness center.
To Conclude
A visit to Lagos is likely one of the greatest seaside holidays you may soak up Europe. Between the gorgeous 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.
When you’ve visited Lagos, you must discover the remainder of the Algarve area. There are lots of superb cities in Portugal, plus the Douro Valley and Obidos when you journey additional up north. Belief us, you’ll want a return journey.
