Get prepared for loads of pleasure while 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 stuffed with stunning rock formations, there are many sights to see and actions to do making it the right seashore vacation vacation spot.
Top Things to do in Lagos
Lagos sights are diversified 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 simply’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 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 definitely 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 stunning, and the orange look is attribute of Portugal’s Algarve area. Even when 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 completely different boat journeys you could take, so enterprise down to the marina and decide whichever takes your fancy. A ship journey is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Lagos, Portugal. The sea breeze, beautiful shoreline, and pleasant marine life are a profitable mixture and go well with each traveler and their itinerary.
The dolphin-watching boat excursions are extraordinarily widespread however be sure to select correctly. We suggest this tour when you’ve by no means seen wild dolphins because it retains a secure 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 usually 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 without doubt one of the most stunning seashores within the Algarve. The seashore is situated on the Ponta da Piedade headland and is surrounded by limestone formations with golden strata. Easy to attain, stuffed with services like showers and bathrooms, and completely gorgeous to take a look at, visiting Praia Dona Ana Beach is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Lagos.
You can attain Praia Dona Ana Beach in 20 minutes on foot from Lagos city heart after which climb down from the headland by way of a set of lengthy picket steps. The seashore has calm waters and is great for much less assured swimmers and households. Praia Dona Ana Beach is your best option out of the Lagos seashores for a calming seashore day. Just get there early to beat the crowds, because it is without doubt 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 seashore with watersports, lifeguards, and cafes – but it lacks the touristy environment of Lagos’ seashores.
Visiting Praia da Luz is a superb choice in order for you to expertise beautiful seashores exterior of Lagos and revel in a special, 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 straightforward 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 in depth excessive ropes course that takes you thru the tree tops. While when you choose to hold your ft on the bottom, you possibly can take a look at your talent with a paintball sport on the park’s paintball discipline.
We recommend heading to Parque Aventura later within the afternoon when temperatures are not sky excessive. The park stays open till 6 pm daily, 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 filled with cobbled streets and colourful buildings, and the historic heart is surrounded by previous metropolis partitions.
Spending a morning in Lagos Old Town is one of the simplest ways to steadiness 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 alternative, the recent seafood is scrumptious.
7. Visit Mercado de Escravos
Mercado de Escravos is one among 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 by partaking 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 ought to be in your radar.
8. Praia dos Estudantes
Praia dos Estudantes is one other of Lagos’ greatest seashores, and it’s best to 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 completely different areas of the seashore. You can change between the northern and southern sections of the seashore by strolling by a pure tunnel within the cliff face. While overhead, there’s an previous Roman bridge connecting the cliffs.
The structure of Praia dos Estudantes simply makes it one of the crucial attention-grabbing seashores on the Algarve. This is the very best seashore for you in order for you a memorable seashore day. Plus, it’s inside strolling distance of Lagos city heart.
9. Go kayaking to the ocean caves
You can actually take a ship journey to see these magnificent caves, however the extra adventurous could 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 can lease a kayak and head out independently or go on a guided kayak tour – all of it is determined by your confidence. Either approach, you’ll have the option to stand up shut with the gorgeous formations alongside the coast and see marine life of their pure habitat. You can squeeze by tiny sea caves and tunnels that bigger boats can not match by, providing you with far 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 without doubt 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 automobile, fairly than catching a number of buses. So, why make the journey?
Visiting Praia do Vale de Centeanes is the very best 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 properly price a day journey.
11. Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos
Family holidays might be tough, particularly when it comes to retaining little youngsters entertained. The Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos is completely tailor-made towards households – offering partaking, child-friendly science reveals and actions. So if you’re touring with youngsters and need 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 daily other than Mondays. It is a superb 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 gratifying and diversified.
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 season that Meia Praia turns into a little bit of an emergency choice.
Meia Praia is conveniently situated simply exterior the Old Town and inside straightforward strolling distance of the city heart. Visiting Meia Praia is a good 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 without doubt 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 three hours to full.
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail passes gorgeous vistas, together with many sea caves and spectacular formations. You may 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 alternative 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 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 can stroll by the pure tunnel and decide 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. 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 towards enemies attacking the Algarve from the ocean.
Heading over the drawbridge, you’ll have sufficient exhibitions to hold you entertained for no less than an hour or two. Ponta da Bandeira is without doubt one of 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 fantastic 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 comfortable and golden, and the waters are calm and ideal for swimming.
Visiting Ponta da Bandeira and Praia de Batata is a superb mixture. Start your morning on the fort, after which head to the seashore to take pleasure in some afternoon solar.
17. Spend a day in Faro City
Lagos is filled 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 properly. You may even plan a day in Faro earlier than you fly residence.
Faro is definitely 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 heart is a good 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 key sights just like the Arco de Vila, Faro Cathedral, and the Municipal Museum.
If you haven’t rented a automobile and need to discover Faro, this tour has you lined. 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 whole lot of historical past behind it. The church is situated contained in the Old Town and is definitely 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, 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. Allow an hour or two to expertise Igreja de Santo completely.
Lagos FAQs
Now that we’ve lined the very best issues to do in Lagos, Portugal, let’s take a look at some frequent FAQs.
How to get to Lagos
Lagos is situated 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 when you fancy an journey. You are greatest contemplating catching a ferry in order for you to ferry hop down the Portuguese coast.
As additionally it is situated in mainland Europe, you could possibly take a street journey to Lagos from Spain, France, and even the UK if you’re feeling notably adventurous. Driving throughout Europe is widespread, and also you’ll simply want to be snug adjusting to completely different driving kinds. Also, remember that you’ll want a for much longer time-frame for this, and we’d suggest permitting no less than two weeks to street journey to after which take pleasure in Lagos comfortably.
Getting round Lagos
Lagos is a city and has all the pieces out there inside strolling distance. Some of probably the most picturesque seashores within the area are only a brief stroll from Lagos city heart. Plus, there’s Lagos prepare station the place you possibly can catch a prepare to close by spots on day journeys. You can simply get round Lagos and its surrounding space with out driving a automobile. If you need to keep native and are solely visiting for a couple of days, we propose sticking to strolling and public transport.
Of course, you could possibly rent a rental automobile in order for you the liberty to discover additional afield. You’ll have the option to head up the shoreline and even out to the Valley of Guadiana Natural Park. If that is the case, it’s possible you’ll want to ebook a rental automobile to decide up from Faro Airport with the intention 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 benefit from Lagos’ stunning seashores?
May and June are the very best months to go to Lagos in spring, whereas September and early October are the very best 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 season. 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 go well with 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 just a little further. It is 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 services. 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 fairly 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 services like a soccer pitch and volleyball courts.
Guests can select to keep in an house or villa, and while you aren’t swimming within the out of doors pool, you possibly can 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 services 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, infinite leisure actions, and an indoor heated pool. While for further pampering, you possibly can head to the spa to take pleasure in a sauna, steam room, sizzling tub, and gymnasium.
To Conclude
A visit to Lagos is without doubt one of the greatest seashore holidays you could possibly absorb 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 possibility to expertise as lots of this stuff as attainable.
Once you’ve visited Lagos, it’s best to discover the remainder of the Algarve area. There are many superb cities in Portugal, plus the Douro Valley and Obidos when you journey additional up north. Trust us, you’ll want a return journey.