After falling in love with the thrilling cities, lovely landscapes, and scrumptious meals of Portugal on my first journey there, I knew I wanted to return to repair a serious oversight from my first go to: not going to the Algarve.
The Algarve is the southernmost area of Portugal, identified for its white-washed fishing villages, dramatic sea cliffs, and beautiful seashores. I did not go on my first 10-day trip to Portugal as a result of I needed to ensure my time in Lisbon and Porto wasn’t too rushed. However after I returned to Portugal this 12 months, it was nearly completely simply so I may get a style of the Algarve.
The primary cities within the Algarve area (from east to west) are:
- Tavira
- Olhão
- Faro
- Albufeira
- Carvoeiro
- Silves
- Portimão
- Lagos
Faro is the biggest metropolis within the Algarve area, with a inhabitants of round 60,000 individuals. There is a small airport in Faro, and direct trains right here from Lisbon. As a result of it is simple to get to, Faro is commonly the place vacationers will base themselves whereas within the Algarve.
However I made a decision to go to one other of the coastal cities as an alternative; I made a decision I needed to spend my time within the Algarve in Lagos.
Why I selected Lagos over different Algarve cities
I solely had about 4 days for my journey to the Algarve (together with journey time), so as an alternative of speeding round to see a number of cities in such a short while, I made a decision to only deal with one. And after doing a bunch of analysis, I settled on Lagos (pronounced “LAH-goash“).
The rationale I selected Lagos over Faro or one other city like Albufeira is as a result of Lagos is normally considered the prettiest city within the Algarve. It is know for its historic city middle, lovely seashores, and entry to a number of the most dramatic elements of the southern coast.
Lagos can be a lot smaller than Faro, and appeared extra “do-able” and not using a automotive. (Oh, did I point out that I did not lease a automotive for this Algarve journey? I figured since my first journey to Portugal was executed and not using a automotive, I ought to proceed that pattern with this one! Plus, I used to be touring solo and did not actually wish to lease a automotive and drive all on my own.)
I finally settled on Lagos as a result of it not solely appeared straightforward sufficient to get to and simple to discover totally on foot, nevertheless it additionally appeared just like the prettiest city with essentially the most actions that I needed to do.
And I didn’t remorse my resolution in any respect!
When to go to Lagos, Portugal
The Algarve area of Portugal has a Mediterranean local weather, which means scorching and dry summers and gentle winters. The Algarve could be very sunny (Lagos will get 300 days of solar per 12 months on common), and it is a well-liked seashore vacation spot due to this.
Excessive season in Lagos and the Algarve runs from late June by way of August. That is when it is the most popular and busiest – and personally I’d not go to right now of 12 months!
I visited the Algarve in March, imagine it or not. I really like low season journey to heat locations, and visiting in March meant cooler temperatures, a really quiet city, and cheaper costs. I had no hassle discovering lodging or going to eating places sans reservations in March.
BUT, I might say the BEST instances to go to Lagos are most likely late April-Could and September-early October if you’d like good climate, fewer crowds, however nonetheless loads of issues to do. There have been some locations nonetheless not open and a few excursions not working in March since March is unquestionably low season. (However should you love low season journey, then November-March is it in Lagos!)
The way to get to Lagos
Driving to Lagos might be the most-recommended choice, because it means you’ll be able to fly into any metropolis in Portugal. The drive from Lisbon to Lagos is about 3 hours, whereas it is only a 1-hour drive from Faro.
However since I wasn’t planning to lease a automotive in Portugal, the practice was the choice I selected.
You possibly can fly into Faro and take the practice to Lagos from there (the native practice from Faro to Lagos takes about 2 hours, with a practice change in Tunes), or you’ll be able to journey by practice to Lagos from Lisbon (whole journey time of about 4 hours, with one practice change in Tunes).
The practice takes a bit longer than driving, however practice journey is my most popular method of touring round Europe. It is a lot much less hectic than aircraft journey, and it is a lot kinder on the atmosphere, too.
You possibly can use Omio to search for train tickets to Lagos (I paid lower than $40 for a roundtrip practice ticket between Lisbon and Lagos).
When you arrive in Lagos, the practice station is a brief stroll or Uber trip from the outdated a part of city (as a result of sure, there are taxis and Ubers there).
3 days in Lagos itinerary
3 days is a superb period of time to spend in Lagos. It permits you to see all of the highlights, with loads of time leftover to loosen up on the seashore.
I spent 3 nights in Lagos (which means I had 2.5 full days there), however I might suggest reserving 4 nights should you can to provide your self a leisurely full 3 days.
And here is the Lagos itinerary I might counsel:
Day 1 in Lagos
On Day 1, I like to recommend ticking off the primary must-do exercise in Lagos and exploring city a bit.
Morning: Boat journey
The primary factor to do in Lagos is to take a ship cruise out to Ponte da Piedade, which is a headland just below 2 miles from the middle of Lagos identified for its dramatic cliffs, grottos, and sea arches.
Boat journeys out to Ponte da Piedade depart from the marina close to the practice station, and are very reasonably priced. You possibly can take a 75-minute sightseeing boat tour for lower than $25, which can embody crusing by way of some sea arches and into some very cool grottos. (I booked this boat tour and liked it.)
It is a must-do in Lagos, and a ship tour is the simplest technique to do it. I like to recommend going within the morning for a number of the greatest mild.
You can too guide a guided kayaking tour to the identical space should you go to through the summer time months. These excursions are a bit longer, and normally embody kayaking and time to swim.
After your boat tour, there are a number of nice eating places across the marina for lunch, or you’ll be able to wander again throughout the pedestrian bridge into the primary a part of city. A pair spots I favored for lunch/brunch embody The Inexperienced Room (for tacos) and the Black and White Espresso Store.
Afternoon: Discover Lagos
The middle of Lagos is small and charming, with white-washed buildings and cobbled streets. And whereas there are hills, they don’t seem to be practically as brutal as those you will discover in Lisbon or Porto.
You possibly can simply see all of the highlights of Lagos in only a couple hours. The primary issues I like to recommend doing embody:
- Visiting the Markthalle seafood market close to the marina
- Strolling by way of the Museu de Lagos, contained in the Igreja de Santo António church (the Baroque altar is effectively value seeing)
- Searching for attention-grabbing avenue artwork and fairly squares
- Admiring a number of the outdated structure just like the Porta de São Gonçalo, Castelo de Lagos, and Forte da Ponta da Bandeira (although be aware the “fort” and “fort” right here aren’t essentially the most thrilling issues to really go to)
- Watching a sundown from Miradouro Praia da Batata
You additionally would possibly wish to cease by to go to the Mercado de Escravos, a museum devoted to the historical past of slavery in Lagos and Portugal. It is situated on the positioning of the town’s former slave market.
I am actually glad that this museum exists (the matters of slavery and colonialism are very entwined with the historical past of Portugal, in any case), and on the floor it seems to be like a tidy little museum with some artifacts and multimedia displays. Nevertheless, to me the museum felt very random and disjointed, and the message acquired misplaced a bit within the presentation. However with an entry payment of only a couple euros, it’s best to go to for your self.
Go to close by seashores at low tide
The preferred seashore in Lagos known as Praia da Batata (which, sure, interprets to “Potato Seashore”), and it is principally only a few steps from the town middle. At low tide (which varies from everyday; try a tide table here), you’ll be able to stroll from this seashore to different smaller seashores which are related by rock tunnels.
At low tide (and I don’t counsel making an attempt this at excessive tide), you’ll be able to stroll to Praia dos Estudantes, the place you’ll be able to admire the Ponte do Antigo Forte do Pinhão, a tall stone bridge.
Simply bear in mind that the cliffs across the seashores listed below are fairly brittle, and rock falls are potential.
Night: Drinks and dinner on the town
Lagos has a variety of nice meals choices, relying on what you are hungry for!
I like to recommend beginning with drinks at Bon Vivant, which has a rooftop tiki bar. Then you’ll be able to seize dinner at one among these spots:
- Cantinho Algarvio (good native meals)
- Tasca Jota Lagos (tapas-style)
- Nah Nah Bah (unbelievable burgers)
- Empanadas & Co. (all types of tasty empanadas)
Day 2 in Lagos
We’ll head again out to Ponte da Piedade in the present day, by way of one other well-known Lagos seashore!
Morning: Coastal hike
Professional tip: Deliver a swimsuit, sunscreen, a hat, and loads of water with you in the present day! The path is usually uncovered (therefore the necessity for solar safety), however you may as well cease for a swim at a number of seashores.
Yesterday you noticed Ponte da Piedade from the water. However in the present day you’ll be able to see it from some completely different angles by mountaineering to it alongside the coast.
There was a winding strolling path that stretched from the top of Lagos city alongside the sting of the cliffs all the best way out to Ponte da Piedade. Erosion and landslides have made this path unsafe, nonetheless – and elements of it are literally fully washed out now.
However fortunately they have been engaged on making this stroll straightforward to do as soon as once more with the assistance of a wood boardwalk system.
You possibly can stroll just a little methods alongside the coast previous Praia da Batata, however finally you will have to show inland and stroll alongside the street to Praia de Dona Ana. Praia de Dona Ana is one other highly regarded seashore in Lagos – however I truly suggest saving this one for later this afternoon!
As a substitute, head for the parking space for this seashore (Parking Dona Ana), which is the place you may get on the boardwalk that can lead you all the best way out to Ponte da Piedade. The beginning of the boardwalk is precisely marked on Google Maps as “Ponta da Piedade Walkway Entry.”
(And, technically, you might additionally simply take a taxi up to now should you do not wish to stroll up from Lagos. However from central Lagos city to the beginning of the boardwalk (assuming you do not detour a number of instances for seashore photographs like I did), the stroll is barely about 20 minutes.)
From right here, the boardwalk meanders near the coast – however not too shut, since landslides are nonetheless a hazard right here. There are offshoots to raised views, and some areas with benches alongside the best way.
One detour it’s best to take is the steps right down to Praia do Camilo, which is arguably the prettiest seashore alongside this coast. There are a variety of steps to get right down to the small seashore, nevertheless it’s positively value seeing.
The seashore is known as for a rock formation (to the left facet of the seashore should you’re taking a look at it from the steps) that appears type of like a camel mendacity down.
The stroll from the beginning of the boardwalk to Praia do Camilo is barely about 10-Quarter-hour, after which it is one other Quarter-hour alongside the boardwalk to Ponta da Piedade.
While you get to Ponta da Piedade, there are a number of completely different spots to view the grottos and sea arches from above, and you may as well climb down into the grottos by way of a stone staircase. Positively permit a while to discover!
Relying on how lengthy you spend at Ponta da Piedade, you may need time for extra strolling. (It feels like quite a bit this morning, however the stroll out up to now is barely about 2 miles whole.)
There’s one other boardwalk that follows the coast to the west from the Ponta da Piedade lighthouse. You possibly can stroll out to the Miradouro da Praia do Canavial in one other 20 minutes or so, stopping for extra nice views alongside the best way.
Lunch: Coastal lunch
For lunch, there is a small cafe on the parking space for Ponta da Piedade (as a result of sure, you’ll be able to simply drive out right here, too) referred to as Sol Nascente. This would not be my first choose for something aside from possibly a espresso or chilly drink, however it’s there.
You can too head again to Praia do Camilo to Restaurante Camilo. This spot can get busy, nevertheless it serves up good meals with glorious views.
Or you’ll be able to pack a picnic lunch and revel in it at one of many seashores, or wherever alongside the boardwalks.
Afternoon: Seashore time
You will head again to Lagos the best way you got here alongside the boardwalk. This may be an excellent time to cease for a swim at a seashore like Praia do Camilo, Praia de Dona Ana, or Praia do Pinhão. (Praia de Dona Ana is the largest, and positively value a cease even should you do not plan to swim.)
Then you’ll be able to head again to your lodging to get cleaned up and loosen up for a short time.
Once more, the size of this entire hike is not tremendous lengthy (it is possibly 6-ish miles whole of strolling, largely alongside roads and boardwalks), however should you cease as usually as I did to take photographs, take pleasure in seashores, and have snacks, then it very effectively may take you a lot of the day!
Night: Chill evening in Lagos
After a giant day of solar and sand, have a relaxed evening in Lagos tonight. Try The Collab Bar, a relaxed spot close to Praia da Batata with a big craft beer menu, tasty bao buns, and frequent occasions like dwell music and pub quiz nights.
Day 3 in Lagos
In the present day is a select your personal journey day! I like to recommend 3 days in Lagos just because it is good to have this further day to play with.
Possibility 1: Seashore day
In case you’re searching for a soothing, beach-focused journey in your time within the Algarve, then you’ll be able to dedicate in the present day solely to the seashore. Head again to Praia de Dona Ana, unfold out at Praia da Batata, or head over to the very massive Praia de São Roque, which is a public seashore with plenty of seashore bars.
Possibility 2: Day journey
In case you’ve had sufficient seashores, in the present day could possibly be an ideal day to go to one other city within the Algarve by practice. Prepare tickets are low-cost, and most different cities will be reached in lower than an hour.
You could possibly go to Portimão (20 minutes by practice), and possibly guide a tour from there to the well-known Benagil Sea Cave. You are able to do a 2-hour boat tour, or a kayak tour to this placing cave – although be aware that the kayak tour is the one one that can let you go to the seashore contained in the cave.
Or you might take a practice to Silves (40 minutes by practice), which is an inland city on the Arade River that was the traditional capital of the Algarve through the centuries of Muslim rule. Discover cobbled streets and go to the pink sandstone Castelo de Silves.
In case you determine to lease a automotive in your Algarve journey, another choice is to drive out to Sagres on the excessive western tip of the Algarve. This rugged tip of land is very well-known for browsing. (There are additionally guided journeys accessible to Sagres, like this half-day trip or this full-day trip.)
And listed below are another day journey choices/actions you’ll be able to strive from Lagos:
No matter you determine to do together with your final day, it is sure to be nice!
The place to remain in Lagos, Portugal
Lagos is a small city, nevertheless it’s additionally a preferred vacationer vacation spot, which means there are many lodging choices.
Once I visited in March (within the low season, keep in mind), I had no hassle discovering very reasonably priced choices a pair weeks earlier than my journey. But when you are going to be visiting throughout excessive season, you will positively wish to guide effectively upfront.
The place I stayed in Lagos:
I stayed on the Baluarte da Vila Apartments, which is an house lodge inside strolling distance to all the primary sights in Lagos. The residences are massive (mine was 3 flooring and included a rooftop terrace!), and the constructing has a pleasant pool and a pair lounge areas.
This was a pleasant choice for me since I used to be visiting throughout off-season, and it was simpler for me to have some meals (primarily breakfast) in my house fairly than looking for an open restaurant. The value was additionally nice!
The one draw back is that the Baluarte da Vila Residences are on the high of a hill, so that you do need to stroll again as much as it everytime you exit.
Read reviews on TripAdvisor | Book a room here
Different good lodge choices in Lagos embody:
Lagos journey FAQ
Listed below are another questions you may need about touring to Lagos, Portugal:
Completely sure! It is a wonderful metropolis with entry to a number of the greatest seashores and shoreline in Portugal.
In case you’re questioning what number of day in Lagos is sufficient, I might say you want *at minimal* 2 full days in Lagos, however 3-5 days is even higher if you’d like time to loosen up on the seashore and possibly take a day journey. I might solely suggest 2 days should you’re visiting Lagos as a part of an extended journey across the Algarve.
Late April-Could and September-early October is the perfect combine of fine climate and fewer individuals in Lagos (these are the shoulder seasons within the Algarve). Late June-August is excessive season and has the most popular climate. November-March is low season, however nonetheless an honest time to go to for low costs and good browsing.
Sure you’ll be able to! I visited Lagos and not using a automotive and had no downside. I took the practice to Lagos, and largely acquired round on foot. There are additionally taxi and rideshare choices, do you have to want them.
Learn subsequent: The Perfect 10-Days in Portugal Itinerary (Without a Car)
Who’s able to plan a visit to Lagos?
