Prepare for loads of pleasure once you discover Lagos, Portugal. Lagos sits on the Algarve coast and is thought for its well-known seashores, energetic nightlife, and pure magnificence. Surrounded by a golden shoreline crammed with lovely rock formations, there are many sights to see and actions to do making it the right seashore vacation vacation spot.
Prime Issues to do in Lagos
Lagos points of interest are diversified 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 a lot of issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, and this information will cowl the best possible.
1. Ponta da Piedade
When you’ve seen photos of Lagos, the probabilities are that you just’ve seen Ponta da Piedade. Ponta da Piedade is a headland of hanging 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 develop into so related to Lagos.
Visiting Ponta da Piedade is definitely 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 possibly can 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 you can take, so enterprise right down to the marina and decide whichever takes your fancy. A ship journey is among the finest issues to do in Lagos, Portugal. The ocean 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 in style however be sure you select properly. We suggest this tour in the event you’ve by no means seen wild dolphins because it retains a secure distance and doesn’t stress the animals.
Different in style day journeys embrace sundown catamaran cruises and longer, half-day cruises alongside the Algarve Coast. These longer cruises typically embrace breaks for swimming and snorkeling and enterprise to pure points of interest just like the Benagil Cave.
3. Museu de Portimao
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 positive 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 by means of a spread of participating reveals. There are artifacts, informative movies, and written shows to soak up.
In case you are staying in Lagos on a Sunday, notice that the Museu de Portimao presents free entrance on at the present time. Why not go to totally free after which spend the day in Lagos’ neighboring city?
4. Praia da Dona Ana
Praia da 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. Simple to achieve, filled with amenities like showers and bathrooms, and completely beautiful to take a look at, visiting Praia Dona Ana Seashore is among the finest issues to do in Lagos.
You possibly can attain Praia Dona Ana Seashore in 20 minutes on foot from Lagos city middle after which climb down from the headland through a set of lengthy wood steps. The seashore 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 seashore day. Simply get there early to beat the crowds, because it is among the hottest seashores close to Lagos.
5. 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 seashore with watersports, lifeguards, and cafes – but it lacks the touristy environment of Lagos’ seashores.
Visiting Praia da Luz is a wonderful choice if you wish to expertise attractive seashores outdoors of Lagos and revel in a unique, extra resort-like environment than the seashores in Lagos. It’s easy to achieve on public transport and isn’t a secluded seashore – good for a straightforward day journey.
6. 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 in the event you want to maintain your toes on the bottom, you possibly can take a look at your ability with a paintball recreation on the park’s paintball discipline.
We propose heading to Parque Aventura later within the afternoon when temperatures are now not sky excessive. The park stays open till 6 pm every single day, so visiting out of noon warmth shouldn’t be difficult.
7. Spend a morning in Lagos Outdated City
For that cobblestone streets expertise, you don’t should enterprise far in Lagos. Lagos Outdated City is filled with cobbled streets and colourful buildings, and the historic middle is surrounded by outdated metropolis partitions.
Spending a morning in Lagos Outdated City is one of the simplest ways to stability time on its finest seashores. There are outlets, bakeries, and small pubs to sit down al fresco with a pint of Sagres. Additionally it is an atmospheric place to strive some conventional Portuguese delicacies too. If you’ll splash out on a meal, selecting a restaurant or cafe within the Outdated City is a good suggestion. And, if you’re caught for selection, the recent seafood is scrumptious.
8. Go to 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. In case you are keen on socio-political historical past or wish to study extra about Portugal’s extra troubling historical past, Mercado de Escravos ought to be in your radar.
9. Praia dos Estudantes
Praia dos Estudantes is one other of Lagos’ finest seashores, and you need to go to it even if you’re 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 possibly can swap between the northern and southern sections of the seashore by strolling by means of a pure tunnel within the cliff face. Whereas overhead, there’s an outdated Roman bridge connecting the cliffs.
The format of Praia dos Estudantes simply makes it one of the vital fascinating seashores on the Algarve. That is the perfect seashore for you if you need a memorable seashore day. Plus, it’s inside strolling distance of Lagos city middle.
10. Go kayaking to the ocean caves
You possibly can 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 possibly can hire a kayak and head out independently or go on a guided kayak tour – all of it depends upon your confidence. Both manner, 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 possibly can squeeze by means of tiny sea caves and tunnels that bigger boats can’t match by means of, supplying you with far more alternatives to discover. And, in the event you get fortunate, a pod of dolphins would possibly pop up round you.
11. 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 you probably have a rental automotive, moderately 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’s a dramatic introduction to the Algarve’s attribute cliff-backed seashores. Additionally it is far more spacious than the small seashores round Lagos. For a heavenly seashore day, it’s nicely price a day journey.
12. Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos
Household holidays will be tough, particularly in the case of protecting little kids entertained. The Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos is totally tailor-made towards households – offering participating, child-friendly science reveals and actions. So if you’re touring with kids and wish to hold them entertained, Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos is a enjoyable, dependable choice.
The science museum is open from 10 am till 6 pm every single day aside from 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 pleasing and diversified.
13. 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 solution 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 choice.
Meia Praia is conveniently positioned simply outdoors the Outdated City and inside simple strolling distance of the city middle. Visiting Meia Praia is a good thought if you wish to squeeze a seashore day right into a busy day or simply be near many facilities.
14. Seven Hanging Valleys Path
When you like staying energetic, strolling the Seven Hanging Valleys is among 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 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.
15. Praia do Camilo
Searching 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 completely different sections of the seashore. You possibly 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.
16. Go to Ponta da Bandeira Fort
Historical past lovers, this attraction is for you. Ponta da Bandeira is a Seventeenth-century fortress advanced 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 among the finest issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, to get a historic perception into the world.
17. Praia da Batata
So, you’ve visited Ponta da Bandeira. As we talked about above, the fort overlooks Praia da Batata, which is a phenomenal seashore to go to close to Lagos. And, if topping up your tan below 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 seashore to take pleasure in some afternoon solar.
18. 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 nicely. You could possibly even plan a day in Faro earlier than you fly house.
Faro is definitely probably the most well-known metropolis on the Algarve. The truth is, it’s thought of by many because the gateway to the area. Nonetheless, its metropolis middle is a good place to spend a few hours – which we extremely suggest doing. Stroll the Outdated City to admire the cobbled streets and neoclassical structure. Then go to the foremost points of interest just like the Arco de Vila, Faro Cathedral, and the Municipal Museum.
If in case you have not rented a automotive and wish to discover Faro, this tour has you lined. 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 loads of historical past behind it. The church is positioned contained in the Outdated City and is definitely added to a morning within the city middle. Igreja de Santo is believed to be the birthing place of Saint Anthony of Lisbon – that means it holds nice non secular significance, particularly amongst the residents of Lagos.
The church inside is attractive, and you’ll stroll by means of, admiring the sculptures and no-expense-spared decorations. There’s additionally a small museum, which accommodates reveals 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 perfect issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, let’s take a look at some frequent FAQs.
get to Lagos
Lagos is positioned in Southern Portugal on the Algarve shoreline. The best solution to attain Lagos is to fly into Faro Airport after which catch public transport to Lagos. You possibly can 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 in the event you fancy an journey. You’re finest contemplating catching a ferry if you wish to ferry hop down the Portuguese coast.
As it is usually positioned in mainland Europe, you possibly can take a highway journey to Lagos from Spain, France, and even the UK if you’re feeling significantly adventurous. Driving throughout Europe is in style, and also you’ll simply must be comfy adjusting to completely different driving kinds. Additionally, remember the fact that you’ll want a for much longer time-frame for this, and we’d suggest permitting at the very least two weeks to highway journey to after which take pleasure in Lagos comfortably.
Getting round Lagos
Lagos is a city and has every little thing out there inside strolling distance. Among the most picturesque seashores within the area are only a brief stroll from Lagos city middle. Plus, there’s Lagos practice station the place you possibly can catch a practice to close by spots on day journeys. You possibly can 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 advise sticking to strolling and public transport.
In fact, you possibly can rent a rental automotive if you need 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 so, you could want to e book a rental automotive to select up from Faro Airport with the intention to drive to Lagos as a substitute of catching public transport.
Finest time to go to Lagos
The most effective 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 benefit from Lagos’ lovely seashores?
Might and June are the perfect months to go to Lagos in spring, whereas September and early October are the perfect months in fall. Nonetheless, 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 season. Additionally it is often a bit breezier in spring, which is sweet for out of doors 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.
Price range resort: Outdated Faculty Visitor Home
Lagos has hostels, however it’s higher to remain on the Outdated Faculty Visitor Home for a bit further. 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 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 enjoyable.
Mid-range resort: Fazenda Viegas
Fazenda Viegas is a privately run resort moderately than a big industrial lodging selection. The good thing about that is that there are considerate touches like on-site wine tasting classes, a welcome drink, and unbelievable sporting amenities like a soccer pitch and volleyball courts.
Company can select to remain in an condominium or villa, and once you aren’t swimming within the out of doors pool, you possibly can head to the closest seashore – about 2km away.
Luxurious resort: Boavista Golf & Spa
In order for you luxurious, say no extra. Boavista Golf & Spa is a five-star property with all of the indulgent amenities you possibly can need. Company select between townhouses and villas, so overlook about cramped resort rooms or small condominium complexes. There’s additionally a shared rooftop terrace, limitless leisure actions, and an indoor heated pool. Whereas for further pampering, you possibly can head to the spa to take pleasure in a sauna, steam room, scorching tub, and gymnasium.
To Conclude
A visit to Lagos is among the finest seashore holidays you possibly can 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 prospect to expertise as a lot of this stuff as doable.
When you’ve visited Lagos, you need to discover the remainder of the Algarve area. There are a lot of wonderful cities in Portugal, plus the Douro Valley and Obidos in the event you journey additional up north. Belief us, you’ll want a return journey.
