La La Lagos! A laidback seaside town where you’ll see many Brits and sunseekers alike, soaking up rays and relaxation. It’s also very popular amongst young travellers due to the many hostels and a wide variety of affordable places to eat and drink into the wee hours of the morning. Lagos is a town along the coast of the southern Algarve in Portugal. You could spend as little as two days there and get the gist of the place and its famous seaside vistas, but it also is the perfect location to use as a base to explore nearby towns.
We arrived there on a bus travelling from Sevilla Spain. If you’re wanting to fly, you’ll have to fly into Faro and take a bus or train into Lagos from there; just keep in mind there are limited trips per day. If you’re taking the train from Lisbon, hop on a high-speed train and get there in under 4 hrs.
Both the train and bus station are right by the Marina. We stayed at The Marina Rio Hotel because the bus station was directly behind it and the train station was just a quick 5min walk across the bridge from the hotel. It is a decent hotel with a pool on the roof and a short 10min walk into Old Town. We had a room facing the Marina which had a beautiful view. The town has endless options of places to choose from.
“A word to the wise” before heading out to explore the town, put on flat shoes. The cobblestone and tiled streets are a display of beauty, but they are bumpy and uneven. We couldn’t believe the number of people we saw walking around with their arms in slings and casts on their wrists, which led us to assume it must have had something to do with this and maybe a fun night out with a few too many cocktails! I must admit, we witnessed so many of these, we made it into a game of “punch buggy”, but instead with these poor injured folks! I can laugh, because I’ve been there, and done that, except I ended up with a sprained ankle… that’s a whole other story.
Beaches
When I think back to Lagos, I remember the feeling of ease and living in the moment. There aren’t a million things you must see and do. Instead, there are things that can be enjoyed at your leisure. Especially the beaches, you’ll want to experience those!
That’s why the first thing on my list, is to spend time checking out the beautiful beaches along the coastline of Lagos. The best time to travel to Lagos if you want to spend a day at the beach would be between May and September, we were there in early October and it was still warm enough, although the water was chilly. Because the beaches are off the Atlantic coast, the water never really gets that warm.
The largest of the beaches would be Meia Praia. It is just a short walk on the left side of the Marina. This beach is a huge open space extending almost 5km. All the beaches in Lagos have lifeguards during the peak season, which is nice for families. The sand here is soft under-foot and the waters are clean. You’ll find a few spots close to restaurants with chairs and umbrellas you can rent for the day too.
Praia de Porto Mós is 3.5km south-west of the city. To get there you can drive or hop on the city bus Linha 2 route for 1.60 Euro. It goes every hour. The waves here hit hard and big, making it a surfer’s paradise. The high cliffs provide some shelter from the Atlantic winds, so you can still enjoy time here watching the surfers or taking a surf lesson or two yourself. This is the second largest beach near Lagos.
We spent a day walking from town to the next few beaches, you can easily get to them walking along the street and onto a footpath that provides some spectacular views along the way. I know it’s a given, but if you burn easily like me, wear a hat! There isn’t any shade along the way and even in October, the sun will get you!
Praia da Batata is the first one you’ll see. It is the closest to the city center next to the Ponta Da Bandeira Fort (a large 17th-century Fortress once used to protect the city). Because of its proximity to town and easy access, this beach can get busy. I also found it kind of stinky…maybe we just went on a bad day?
The next beach you’ll see if you’re walking is the Praia do Pinhão. This is just a little one tucked between the cliffs.
Praia Dona Ana is the beach dreams are made of. You’ve probably seen a ton of pictures taken from here. It’s a popular spot for snorkelling and spending a beach day; just get there early because it fills up fast. This Beach is situated within the golden cliffs at Ponta da Piedade. This is one of the best spots to watch the sunrise. The Vistas from this point are “on point” and picture ready!
Camilo Beach is the furthest one I’ll be discussing and the last one we walked to that day (you can walk there in approx. 40min). It’s a smaller beach with an iconic staircase and turquoise waters. There are 200 stairs to reach the bottom, so make sure to bring anything you’ll need before trekking down. As a reward for walking back up, you can head into the O Camilo restaurant for a refreshing cocktail and seafood.
Murals
Walk through town and admire the Murals. ARTURB (Artistas Unidos em Residencia) was established in 2011. This organization was established to encourage some of the best street artists in Europe to live in Lagos for a period and integrate into the town. ARTURB promotes creativity and diversity above all else. The artists that take part, arrive with fresh ideas ad leave a little piece of themselves behind. This can be seen on the walls all over Lagos.
Wine Tour
Enjoy a Wine Tour with a visit to the nearby village of Silves. You will be picked up and driven along the countryside to this small Moorish town and given some time to look around on your own. Silves was once the capital of the Algarve.
The first thing you’ll encounter is Torreã de Porta da Cidade (Tower of the City Gate) which is adjacent to some charming cafes and restaurants. The people are friendly and welcoming. Standing high on the hill overlooking the town is a 13th century cathedral-Catedral de Silves; it is an impressive piece of history.
After that comes the wine tasting on the rural vineyard of Quinta do Frances Winery. They’ll explain how the wine is made and bring you up to their rooftop terrace where you can admire the beautiful view over the veranda and sample a few varieties of wine and nibble on meat and cheese. This is a small intimate tour with a guide that takes pleasure in sharing his knowledge of the area. António’s kind and warm character make this tour a memorable one!
* Small Group Wine Tasting Tour from Lagos by South Explorers
Shop Lagos
Do a little shopping. Lagos is one of those towns where shopping is pleasurable. Along the promenade from the Marina to the seafront, you’ll see kiosks set up with a variety of items. I sort of went a little crazy when I spotted the wide variety of cork purses for only 10 Euros. I found myself picking out one for everyone I knew… then I told myself to “chill out” and I ended up narrowing it down to 2.
*Cork is a renewable resource that is found all over Portugal. They’re gnarly-looking trees that live for 270-300 years and can be harvested every 9 years without harm. They are well protected; a permit is needed before cutting one down.
*Portugal is the largest producer of cork in the world. Besides being wine stoppers, they are made into purses, belts, wallets, shoes, mouse pads and iPad holders… over the last decade, cork floors have become a popular eco-friendly option.
Mar d’Estórias is a multi-use space and my favourite place we found to shop in Lagos. Here you will find a wide variety of good quality home goods. The textiles, wicker baskets and beautifully handmade ceramics are popular sellers. There’s an onsite art gallery that has a rotating exhibit featuring local artists. Make sure to explore all the floors and head up to the rooftop restaurant for one of the best views in the center of Old Town. This stylish little terrace serves up hand-crafted beers and cocktails with a Portuguese twist, best to be enjoyed at dusk.
Mercado Municipal da Avenida de Lagos is for the food shopper in you, only a few minutes walk from the Marina. On the main floor, there is a huge selection of the freshest fish and seafood. Upstairs you can grab yourself a coffee and gather up all the local produce, spices, oils, wine, and port you may need.
Olaria Nova is a special place containing unique ceramics produced by local artists.
My go-to is earrings because they take up little space in my bag and make great gifts. My husband liked the local Surf shop where he found some cheap t-shirts.
Benagil Caves
The Benagil caves can only be reached by water. Many affordable tours head out at all hours of the day. They only take 1.5-2.5 hrs depending on which one you choose, so this still leaves plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your day. You can go by boat, kayak, or paddleboard.
Boats aren’t permitted to allow people to disembark while inside the caves (if you want to go to the beach or swim there, you’ll need to take a kayak or paddle board tour). The boats will, however, bring you in for a close look and give you time to take pictures. These geological formations are a gift of nature and one you won’t want to miss.
*The speed boat tour can be a bit bumpy and windy, so bring something warm to wear and hold on to your hats and sunglasses.
Seven Hanging Valley Trail
Hike the Seven Hanging Valley Trail. Regrettably, we didn’t get to this, and I’m bummed about it. It is a 40min drive from Lagos, so you’ll need a vehicle or driver to get there. People who have completed this, say it’s best to start from Praia do Marinha because there is free parking there.
The hike is linear, stretching 5.7km (3.5mls). You can turn around anywhere you like, but if you want to go all the way to Praia d’ Vale Centeanes and back it could take you 4-6 hours depending on your pace. The total distance there and back is 11.4km (7mls).
This is one of the most popular hikes in the Algarve. The journey takes you along the coast providing the most epic views of the Algarve. I’d like to hear from any of you that do this hike. We hope to return one day and see it for ourselves.
Eat Lagos
Go ahead and please your palate. There is a little something for everyone in Lagos…
Start your day with a Pastel de Nata at Pão d’Avó Maria. Actually… every day should start with one of these. They are a layered Portuguese pastry made with a custard of egg yolky goodness. Get them early morning when they are fresh.
Casinha do Pestico is a family-run restaurant that serves up large portions of authentic Portuguese cuisine for a great price. With only 30 seats, this place fills up fast. They only allow reservations between 5:30-7:30, outside of these times you’ll just have to wait in queue for your turn and believe me when I say it’s worth it! They are famous for their Cataplana Mixto. This seafood stew is cooked in a cataplana (a traditional cooking vessel, typically made of copper that looks like a clamshell with clasps on either end to seal in the flavours). They are meant to serve 2 people or more.
Quay Bar & Bistro. This contemporary Bistro is located on the waterfront in the Marina. We went there for sunset and grabbed one of their comfy tables outside. The food was so good and the staff was extremely attentive. It serves up a mix of European/Portuguese flavours. We shared the smoked salmon fishcakes and a trio of hummus with mushrooms and bread. We also shared their prawn special of the day that was drowning in buttery goodness worthy of scraping the dish to get every last morsel of deliciousness.
Nah Nah Bah is Burger heaven. Their Toucan Burger has been voted in the top 50 of the World. The fries are insane too, I’m not sure what they do to them, but yum yum in my tum! This place has the best vibe and upbeat tunes. We enjoyed the place and music so much, we ordered another pitcher of sangria and stayed long after our meal was finished.
Dragon Sushi. We were a little hesitant at first. They offered all-you-can-eat from the entire menu for only 12 Euros (during lunch). We had read really good reviews, so we did some recon and did a few walks past the place. Everything looked good, and there were smiles all around, so we grabbed the last available table and went for it! The menu was extensive, and all the sushi we had was so fresh and tasty!
Feed your afternoon hunger with Momos from Momo Express. Momos are Nepalese dumplings served with special sauce. We ordered all the flavours and dug right in. They definitely hit the spot. I would most likely eat them on the weekly if I lived in Lagos.
Ol’ Bastards has a hipster vibe and design, serving up next-level fish & Chips and Fish Tacos. They also make uniquely crafted cocktails and good beer. They occupy the space across the street as well where they often have live music upstairs. The hours were kind of inconsistent when we were there, so you might want to check and see if they’re open to avoid disappointment.
After you’ve walked off some of your dinner, you’ll have room for gelato. Crema di Gelato has so many flavours of gelato and refreshing sorbets to choose from. You might see a bit of a lineup, it’s there for good reason. This is the place for gelato!
Cocktails and Live Music
Lagos is a great place to let your hair down and have a good time. There are endless possibilities in this little town to have a good time. You’ll find most of them along Rua 25 de Abril. I’d say there’s a high number of fun dive bars, but also laidback patios and terraces that know how to pour a strong drink too.
Three Monkeys serves up a bloody good Bloody Mary. They shake up some great drinks, serve flaming shots, and encourage a good time. They have regular ‘Battleshot’ competitions and pool tournaments. Don’t be surprised if you make yourself some new friends.
Mynt Bar is the land of Mojitos where they have cheap Happy hour prices. It is a small sports bar with simple décor serving up mojitos in any flavour your mind can conjure up. Early in the day, you will hear crowds of people cheering on their favourite teams playing on the big screens, and every night at 10pm the live music gets started and the real party picks up.
Bon Vivant is hard to miss. It is a big terracotta-coloured building smack dab in the middle of the street. It is 5 storeys tall, the top being a terrace with a view and a great place do some people watching, and have a chat away from the noise of the dance floors below. They know how to make a good drink… Your only problem may be deciding what you want from their extensive list of boozy cocktails.
Bahia Beach Bar jets right onto Praia Meia Beach. I love the modern style and chill vibe of the place. I could sit there all day long and take in the sweet view of the sea. The locals like to come here for Sunday fun day. They have live music and encourage you to stick around and have a good time.
Luca’s Rooftop is another location that provides a breathtaking view. The terrace is on top of the Carvi Beach Hotel, directly across from Praia Dona Ana beach. Grab a table and some appies and watch the sun go down.
If you are feeling a little wild and want to party late into the night, the InsideOut Bar is the place for you. It’s a fishbowl kind of sipping nightclub, where cray gets crazy after midnight and people dance on the tables as the DJ keeps the party going. Inside out is open until 4 am.
Thanks for stopping by!
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