Prepare for loads of pleasure whenever you discover Lagos, Portugal. Lagos sits on the Algarve coast and is thought for its well-known seashores, vigorous nightlife, and pure magnificence. Surrounded by a golden shoreline crammed with stunning rock formations, there are many sights to see and actions to do making it the proper seashore vacation vacation spot.

High Issues to do in Lagos

Lagos sights are diverse and plentiful. You could possibly hike the Seven Hanging Valleys, go to a museum, or take one of many dolphin-watching boat excursions. There are numerous 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 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 may hike to the Ponta da Piedade scenic viewpoint, admiring the distinctive formations and snapping the postcard-perfect shot that has develop into 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 stunning, and the orange look is attribute of Portugal’s Algarve area. Even should you go to Lagos for just some days, prioritize visiting Ponta da Piedade.

2. Take a ship tour from Lagos Marina

So, you might take a ship tour from Lagos Marina to go to the ocean caves and spectacular rock formations of Ponta da Piedade. Nevertheless, there are many completely different boat journeys that you would be able to take, so enterprise right down to the marina and decide whichever takes your fancy. A ship journey is likely one of the finest issues to do in Lagos, Portugal. The ocean breeze, attractive 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 be sure you select correctly. We advocate this tour should you’ve by no means seen wild dolphins because it retains a secure distance and doesn’t stress the animals.

Different common day journeys embrace sundown catamaran cruises and longer, half-day cruises alongside the Algarve Coast. These longer cruises usually embrace breaks for swimming and snorkeling and enterprise to pure sights just like the Benagil Cave.

3. Praia da Dona Ana

Praia da Dona Ana is likely one of the most stunning seashores within the Algarve. The seashore is positioned on the Ponta da Piedade headland and is surrounded by limestone formations with golden strata. Simple to achieve, stuffed with amenities like showers and bathrooms, and completely beautiful to take a look at, visiting Praia Dona Ana Seaside is likely one of the finest issues to do in Lagos.

You’ll be able to attain Praia Dona Ana Seaside in 20 minutes on foot from Lagos city heart after which climb down from the headland through a set of lengthy picket steps. The seashore has calm waters and is great for much less assured swimmers and households. Praia Dona Ana Seaside is your most suitable option out of the Lagos seashores for a soothing seashore 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 experience. Praia de Luz has a large seashore with watersports, lifeguards, and cafes – but it lacks the touristy environment of Lagos’ seashores.

Visiting Praia da Luz is a superb choice if you wish to expertise attractive seashores exterior of Lagos and revel in a unique, extra resort-like environment than the seashores in Lagos. It’s simple to achieve on public transport and isn’t a secluded seashore – good for a simple 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 in depth excessive ropes course that takes you thru the tree tops. Whereas should you choose to maintain your ft on the bottom, you may check your ability with a paintball recreation on the park’s paintball subject.

We advise 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 Previous City

For that cobblestone streets expertise, you don’t must enterprise far in Lagos. Lagos Previous City is filled with cobbled streets and colourful buildings, and the historic heart is surrounded by previous metropolis partitions.

Spending a morning in Lagos Previous City is the easiest way to stability time on its finest seashores. There are retailers, bakeries, and small pubs to take a seat al fresco with a pint of Sagres. It is usually 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 Previous City is a good suggestion. And, in case you are caught for alternative, the contemporary seafood is scrumptious.

7. Go to Mercado de Escravos

Mercado de Escravos is one in every of Lagos’ most stunning 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 via partaking exhibitions. In case you are excited about 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’ finest seashores, and it’s best to go to it even in case you are solely in Lagos for just a few days. The small seashore is famed for its distinctive bridges and tunnels, which guests use to entry completely different areas of the seashore. You’ll be able to change between the northern and southern sections of the seashore by strolling via a pure tunnel within the cliff face. Whereas overhead, there may be an previous Roman bridge connecting the cliffs.

The structure of Praia dos Estudantes simply makes it one of the crucial fascinating seashores on the Algarve. That is the most effective seashore for you if you would like a memorable seashore day. Plus, it’s inside strolling distance of Lagos city heart.

9. Go kayaking to the ocean caves

You’ll be able to definitely 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’ll be able to lease a kayak and head out independently or go on a guided kayak tour – all of it will depend on your confidence. Both means, you’ll be capable to rise up shut with the attractive formations alongside the coast and see marine life of their pure habitat. You’ll be able to squeeze via tiny sea caves and tunnels that bigger boats can not match via, providing you with way more alternatives to discover. And, should 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 prime seashores to take a day journey from Lagos. It takes round forty minutes to drive to and is best to go to if in case you have a rental automotive, relatively 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 is usually way more spacious than the small seashores round Lagos. For a heavenly seashore day, it’s properly value a day journey.

11. Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos

Household holidays may be tough, particularly on the subject of retaining little kids entertained. The Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos is completely tailor-made towards households – offering partaking, child-friendly science reveals 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 choice.

The science museum is open from 10 am till 6 pm day-after-day aside from Mondays. It is a superb place to go to, escape the noon solar, or maintain busy if the climate is horrible. The museum additionally has indoor and outside reveals, making the expertise gratifying and diverse.

12. Meia Praia

Meia Praia is the most important seashore round Lagos and stretches over 4 km in size. On a busy day, visiting Meia Praia is a approach 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 choice.

Meia Praia is conveniently positioned simply exterior the Previous City and inside simple strolling distance of the city heart. Visiting Meia Praia is a good concept if you wish to squeeze a seashore day right into a busy day or simply be near many facilities.

13. Seven Hanging Valleys Path

In case you like staying lively, strolling the Seven Hanging Valleys is likely one of the finest 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 beautiful vistas, together with many sea caves and spectacular formations. You could possibly hike it a method, 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

Searching for a secluded seashore? Praia do Camilo is the one for you. The small seashore is accessed by a picket staircase of over 200 steps – so put together your self for a exercise. Praia do Camilo is completely definitely 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 completely different sections of the seashore. You’ll be able to stroll via the pure tunnel and decide your favourite (or the least busy should 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 Seaside 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 a minimum of an hour or two. Ponta da Bandeira is likely one of the finest 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 ravishing seashore to go to close to Lagos. And, if topping up your tan beneath a Seventeenth-century fort sounds memorable, it’s value including to your itinerary. The sands are famously tender and golden, and the waters are calm and ideal for swimming.

Visiting Ponta da Bandeira and Praia de Batata is a superb mixture. Begin your morning on the fort, after which head to the seashore to take pleasure in some afternoon solar.

17. Day Journey to Portimão

Step again into the Algarve’s regional heritage on the Museu de Portimao; the museum celebrates the area’s sardine fishing and canning traditions. If this sounds fairly area of interest, it’s as a result of it’s. We aren’t certain the place you’ll discover one other museum on sardine fishing and canning. Each practices are central to the Algarve communities although, as you’ll discover out via a spread of partaking reveals. There are artifacts, informative movies, and written shows to absorb.

In case you are staying in Lagos on a Sunday, observe that the Museu de Portimao gives free entrance on at the present time. Why not go to totally free after which spend the day in Lagos’ neighboring city?

18. Spend a day in Faro Metropolis

Lagos is filled with issues to do, however since you’ll most likely journey to Faro for Faro Airport anyway, it’s value dedicating time to exploring Faro as properly. You could possibly even plan a day in Faro earlier than you fly house.

Faro is well probably the most well-known metropolis on the Algarve. In actual fact, it’s thought of by many because the gateway to the area. Nevertheless, 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 key sights just like the Arco de Vila, Faro Cathedral, and the Municipal Museum.

When you’ve got not rented a automotive and need to discover Faro, this tour has you coated. Additionally, you will see different cool cities within the Algarve like Olhão, Tavira, and Cacela Velha.

19. 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 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 – that means it holds nice spiritual significance, particularly amongst the residents of Lagos.

The church inside is attractive, and you’ll stroll via, admiring the sculptures and no-expense-spared decorations. There’s additionally a small museum, which comprises reveals and extra details about the church and Saint Anthony of Lisbon. Enable an hour or two to expertise Igreja de Santo totally.

Lagos FAQs

Now that we’ve coated the most effective issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, let’s have a look at some widespread FAQs.

Learn how to get to Lagos

Lagos is positioned in Southern Portugal on the Algarve shoreline. The simplest approach to attain Lagos is to fly into Faro Airport after which catch public transport to Lagos. You’ll be able to take a shuttle bus straight from the airport or journey into Faro to catch the prepare to Lagos. Enable round three hours for each choices.

Since Lagos sits on the Atlantic Ocean, there are a number of ferry routes should you fancy an journey. You might be finest contemplating catching a ferry if you wish to ferry hop down the Portuguese coast.

As additionally it is positioned in mainland Europe, you might take a street journey to Lagos from Spain, France, and even the UK in case you are feeling notably adventurous. Driving throughout Europe is common, and also you’ll simply must be snug adjusting to completely different driving kinds. Additionally, remember the fact that you’ll want a for much longer timeframe for this, and we’d advocate permitting a minimum of two weeks to street journey to after which take pleasure in Lagos comfortably.

Getting round Lagos

Lagos is a city and has every little thing obtainable 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 prepare station the place you may catch a prepare to close by spots on day journeys. You’ll be able to simply get round Lagos and its surrounding space with out driving a automotive. If you wish to keep native and are solely visiting for just a few days, we propose sticking to strolling and public transport.

After all, you might rent a rental automotive if you would like the liberty to discover additional afield. You’ll be capable to head up the shoreline and even out to the Valley of Guadiana Pure Park. If so, it’s possible you’ll want to e-book a rental automotive to choose up from Faro Airport so to drive to Lagos as a substitute of catching public transport.

Greatest 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 spite of everything, why not profit from Lagos’ stunning 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 resolve? The environment tends to be barely higher in spring when native tourism is excitedly warming up for the height season in summer time. It is usually normally a bit breezier in spring, which is nice 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.

Finances resort: 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 choice 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 resort: Fazenda Viegas

Fazenda Viegas is a privately run resort relatively than a big industrial lodging alternative. The good thing about 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.

Company can select to remain in an condo or villa, and whenever you aren’t swimming within the outside pool, you may head to the closest seashore – about 2km away.

Luxurious resort: 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 might need. Company select between townhouses and villas, so neglect about cramped resort rooms or small condo complexes. There’s additionally a shared rooftop terrace, infinite leisure actions, and an indoor heated pool. Whereas for additional pampering, you may head to the spa to take pleasure in a sauna, steam room, sizzling tub, and gymnasium.

To Conclude

A visit to Lagos is likely one of the finest seashore holidays you might absorb 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 possibility to expertise as a lot of this stuff as potential.

When you’ve visited Lagos, it’s best to discover the remainder of the Algarve area. There are numerous wonderful cities in Portugal, plus the Douro Valley and Obidos should you journey additional up north. Belief us, you’ll want a return journey.