Lagos (Portugal)

Understand

The settlement history of the region around Lagos (LAH-goosh, /ˈɫa.guʃ/) goes back to the Neolithic Age. Evidence for this can be found in the numerous menhirs, such as the Menir da Cabeça do Rochedo. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the port of Lagos was the starting point for numerous expeditions. A slave market developed in the city. The slaves were transported to Portugal from the Nigerian city of Lagos. During an earthquake in 1755, the city was devastated by a huge tidal wave. Today the small town of Lagos is a district town, the district of Lagos also includes the smaller towns of Bensafrim, Luz and Odiaxere. Typical for this "rocky Algarve" are strong waves and strong winds coming from the Atlantic from the west.

Getting there

By plane

The nearest airport is Faro (FAO IATA), about 75 km from Lagos. Or you fly to Lisbon.

By bus

1 Bus station Both intercity buses and regional buses go to the bus station. From several cities like Lisbon, Faro and Porto intercity buses operate to the town.

By train

Six trains a day run from Faro, taking 1 hr 50 min via Loulé, Albufeira, Tunes, Silves, Estombar (for Lagoa) and Portimão. These trains may start from Vila Real de Santo António on the Spanish border. Four of them connect at Tunes with trains from Lisbon Oriente station, journey time 4 hours. One per day is direct from Porto via Coimbra and Lisbon. 2 Lagos railway station is east bank of the river and marina. Use the footbridge to reach town centre on the west bank.

Getting around

Lagos is a small city; you can pretty much walk everywhere. Walk to the beautiful sandy golden beaches. The schedules and prices of city buses are included in Google Maps. Tickets can be bought inside the bus. E-hailing is available by Bolt and Uber; other taxis are abundant. A reasonable way to move along the main attractions is using the tourist hop-on/hop-off train, which completes round-trip around the city in about an hour. One ride is €4 and a day ticket €5 (Jan 2024).

See

There is a great variety of things to see; The city centre is sculpted with traditional architecture and colours from the region. Beaches vary in shape and style from long sandy beaches to almost private ones hidden by cliffs. Ponta da Piedade is a beautiful spot with a nice lighthouse from where you can make boat tours to the natural caves. The harbour in the morning is full of activity, if you like to wake up early don't miss it. Also the fish market is an interesting spot. The old town and the small beaches around Lagos are worth seeing. You should also see the cliffs, either on foot from the cliff path or from the boat. The old fortress at the port entrance is also worth seeing. An exhibition is housed inside.

1 Forte da Ponta da Bandeira. Coastal fortification to control the entrance to the port. 2 Igreja de Santo António.

3 Mercado de Escravos (Slave market), R. da Sra. da Graça 26. A tiny museum of slavery inside a historical building, where in 1444 the first slave market in Europe took place. The visit is handled via digital technology, explaining the period when slaves were sold in the city. (updated Feb 2021) 4 Capela dos Ossos (Bone Chapel), Igreja do São Sebastiano. There is a small bone chapel on the side of this church, and one of several in the Algarve region (others at Faro and Alcantarilha). You may have to pay €2 to enter the chapel, the bell tower and the church, but the view from the bell tower is worth the price. 5 Farol da Ponta da Piedade. 6 Museu municipal (Museu de Lagos Dr. José Fermosinho). A museum in an annex of a baroque church, showcasing archaeological and artistic exhibits of regional history.

Do

Lagos has things to do for just about anyone, from the relaxing beaches to the exciting dolphin tours.

The Mountain Bike Adventure, Rua Porta Da Vila. The Mountain Bike Adventure provides all types of guided mountain bike rides in the Algarve. All the guides are qualified mountain bike instructors and they have rides to suit every level and fitness. One of the most popular being a ride starting at the highest point of the Algarve (902 m) and descending nearly to sea level. They also provide a shuttle service on the mountain for the brave. From €30. 1 Zoo de Lagos. A smaller zoo around 10km off the city.

Beaches

There is the 2 Praia da Batata in Lagos (right across the main road) which is an absolutely beautiful location. Walking along Estr. da Ponta da Piedade a few hundred metres before the lighthouse (after passing a café and Camila beach on your left), find a concrete fencepost on your right decorated with a spray-painted eye, mouth, and two teeth. Enter the path it marks, which will take you to the edge of the cliff. A bit north (to your right) there is a cove accessible only by boat or by a rather narrow hidden mud slope with a rope pegged to the top. There are a number of beautiful, although perhaps dangerous, walks along the top of the cliffs. Another fantastic beach is 3 Meia Praia, just the other side of the Marina. It is a huge beach with a variety of beach bars to cool off in, and widely renowned as one of the best beaches in the Algarve.

Shopping

Southern Portugal is famous for its ceramics, and Lagos won't let you down. Ceramic dishes and tiles of all price ranges, styles, and colors are available. Some stores don't provide boxes for your goods, only newspaper wrapping, so ask before you buy, if it matters to you. Portugal is also famous for its cork, in fact it's one of the largest cork producing countries on Earth. A short walk through almost any section of the town will reveal shops selling all kinds of cork products, from the usual coasters and placemats, right up to shoes, hats and handbags. Just as a note though, cork can be very expensive. There is sometimes a small fair in front of the church near the harbor where unique clothing can be bought.

1 Mercado Municipal, Avenida dos Descobrimentos. M-Sa, closed Sa afternoon and Su. The beautiful market hall from 1924, which has been modernized, offers fresh fish and seafood, among other things. (updated Feb 2021)

Eat

There are some wonderful family run operations in Lagos. Many of the restaurants are starving for business in the off peak time and will go way out of their way to make your visit to their restaurant a pleasurable experience. A regional speciality is chicken piri piri, barbecued chicken with the now famous piri piri sauce, truly delicious! Another local dish is the salted cod, which allegedly had 365 ways of being served, one for each day of the year. The sardines in the Algarve are of the best in the world and local people cook them on small barbecues on their doorsteps, creating a delicious smell which wafts through the streets! Some restaurants get really busy that reservations are required several days in advance to get in when you want to. However, this generally applies to the best restaurants in Lagos and is a good sign of the restaurant's popularity, plus it ensures that you avoid disappointment.

Budget

All these are in the city center:

1 Beats & Burritos, Tv. do Cotovelo 4. Amazing build-your-own burritos and spiced pinto beans dip and nachos. A little funky but good. Nice music, nice vibe. (updated May 2022) 2 Casinha do Petisco, R. da Oliveira 51. The kindest family owned restaurant, the cook is so sweet. The mixed Cataplana is amazing as are the desserts. (updated May 2022) 3 Arc da Velha, R. do Ferrador 22. Personalized and delicious experience. The grilled tuna and pork rojoes in particular are great. The owner is busy but makes sure to make you feel at home. (updated May 2022) 4 Mimar, R. António Barbosa Viana 27. Excellent tapas and very friendly service staff. Food is amazing. Very unique and flavorful. (updated May 2022) 5 Momo Express, R. Dr. António José de Almeida 14A. Delicious authentic Nepalese food. For a good price you get a solid portion of homemade noodles. Lots of choice of dishes and the kindest service. (updated May 2022) 6 Jukebox Tapas, R. Soeiro da Costa 40A. Small tapas bar, friendly service. The food is just great. The restaurant is owned by Luis who operates front of house and his friend who is the chef. They only have 6 tables and booking is the only form of entry available. (updated May 2022)

Drink

Lagos bars are quite fun, catering to the young back-packing crowds. Often one can find a Brit or American helping to serve drinks (for a little under the table wage). For a drink what packs a punch, try the traditional Algarve drink, Medronho, better known as fire water, another Algarve drink is the almond liqueur, delicious after a big meal!

Sleep

There is a large youth hostel in the centre of the city. However, if you arrive in Lagos by bus there will usually be people there asking if you need accommodation. These are generally cheap and small, and a great option. There is a campsite near where the N125 crosses Estr. da Ponta da Piedade

1 Casa Mãe, Rua do Jogo da Bola 41, ☏ +351 968 369 732, info@casa-mae.com. Casa Mae is a lifestyle boutique hotel with much local crafts context. Spacious, with open kitchen restaurant and huge terrace, the design is a product of collaborations with Portuguese artisans and designers. An ambitious project with a casual and friendly atmosphere - Casa Mae publishes an in-house magazine, has its own farm feeding its farm to table restaurant, Orta, and curates a concept store with Portuguese design pieces. From €125. 2 Gold Coast Hostel, Rua Gil Vicente 48, ☏ +351 926 969 495, goldcoast_hostel@yahoo.com. Great hostel close to the town centre and beaches. Free internet, free breakfast, nice terrace. The staff is super helpful. 3 Marina Club Lagos Resort, Marina de Lagos 20, ☏ +351 282 790 600, marinaclub@marinaclub.pt. In the Lagos Marina, the Marina Club hotel has some really excellent views, the rooms are clean and well presented, and the staff are all very efficient and friendly. 4 Rising Cock Hostel, Travessa do Forno 14, ☏ +351 282 087 630. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The Rising Cock was the first private hostel of Lagos. Named one of the best party hostel in the world by the Off Track Planet, the hostel offers a family atmosphere. Different events are offered every day. €25.

Go next

If you want to get away from the backpacking tourists, head to Vila do Bispo, an hour away by bus. From the Vila do Bispo bus stop it's about 5 km to the beach. It's not a bad walk, and there are hiking trails that head off into the hills if you're interested too. The beaches are gorgeous and seem to never end. Beaches are clothing optional, but most people are clothed.

Beaches of Salema and Luz, both outside the city. Monchique town/spa(mountain). City of Silves (moorish castle). Portimão Burgau, lovely example of a traditional fishing village and fantastic beach. Lagos is the western terminus of the longest train itinerary possible in the world (provided the services aren't cancelled); see Portugal to Singapore by train for details.

More pictures of Lagos (Portugal)

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.