General information about Lagos
Lagos is one of the favorite and most visited destinations in southern Portugal’s Algarve. This lively town is surrounded by beautiful beaches that can be reached on foot. Lagos is a great vacation spot for solo travelers, couples, groups of friends, or families with children alike.
History of Lagos
Lagos is a city with a long history, as it was the center of Portuguese maritime escapades resulting in great geographical discoveries. The Nigerian city of Lagos (the largest city in Africa, now with a population of over 16 million) was named after the city of Lagos by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century. Lagos was the capital of the Algarve until the 1755 earthquake . The earthquake completely destroyed the city but it was later rebuilt. Lagos was mainly a fishing town until 1960. At that time tourism slowly began to develop. Today Lagos’ economy is mainly based on tourists and services.
Lagos from a bird’s eye view – video
See what Lagos looks like today from a bird’s eye view.
How to get to Lagos?
Lagos is located about 90 km from Faro airport. Travel by car on the free national road N125 is about 1.30h – 2 h or on the toll highway A22 about 1 h.
Lagos is easily accessible by public transportation – train or bus. Lagos is the last station of the Algarve railroad line running from Vila Real de Santo António. You can check and book current train and bus connections to Lagos in the app below.
However, the best way to explore the Algarve is by car. You can book a car and pick it up from the airport in Faro or Lisbon. I recommend renting a car through the portal Rentalcars where you’ll find the best deals. Book it through the search engine below or by clicking on this link >>.
Accommodation in Lagos
Lagos is one of the best places to stay in the Algarve – offering beautiful beaches, a charming old town, seafood restaurants and a great base for exploring the western Algarve. Whether you’re looking for a budget hostel, a cozy apartment or a luxury resort with ocean views, you’ll find the perfect place for you in Lagos.
Budget accommodation in Lagos
For travelers on a budget, we recommend cozy and clean places with a good location:
Boutique Taghostel – hostel with soul, overlooking the marina. Ideal for solo travelers and couples.
👉 See the location on the mapDBV Guesthouse – affordable rooms in the city center, close to restaurants and the beach.
👉 See the location on the map
Medium budget – comfort and local climate
If you want to enjoy the convenience and proximity to attractions without overpaying:
Apartamentos Pátio de São Vicente – atmospheric apartments in a quiet neighborhood close to the center.
👉 See the location on the mapTivoli Lagos Algarve Resort – hotel with pool, restaurant and free shuttle to Meia Praia beach.
👉 See the location on the map
Luxury accommodation in Lagos with a view and spa
For those seeking relaxation, style and complete comfort:
Casa Mãe Lagos – boutique design hotel with garden, farm-to-table restaurant and swimming pool.
👉 See location on mapBelmar Spa & Beach Resort – a luxury complex just off Praia do Porto de Mós with pools and a spa center.
👉 See the location on the map
Restaurants in Lagos
Lagos is not only beautiful beaches and historic streets – it is also a true paradise for lovers of Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine. From fresh seafood to modern interpretations of traditional Algarve dishes, there is something for everyone in Lagos. Below are our favorite restaurants to visit during your stay in the city.
Best seafood restaurants in Lagos
A Forja – an iconic taverna beloved by locals and tourists. Fresh fish straight from the grill, large portions and affordable prices.
👉 See the location on the mapRestaurante dos Artistas – an elegant restaurant with a refined menu. Ideal for a romantic dinner with wine and seafood.
👉 See the location on the map
Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine restaurants in Lagos
O Camilo – located right on the famous Praia do Camilo beach, serves delicious dishes of cod, seafood and fresh vegetables. Ocean views included!
👉 See the location on the mapCasa do Prego – a stylish place with modern cuisine, tapas and live music on the terrace. Great atmosphere!
👉 See the location on the map
Vegetarian and healthy food restaurants in Lagos
Goji Lounge Café – the perfect place for a healthy breakfast, smoothie bowl or vege lunch. Friendly service and beautiful decor.
👉 See the location on the mapEstudio Vegetariano – an intimate restaurant offering vegetarian and vegan dishes made from local ingredients.
👉 See the location on the map
Beaches in Lagos
A definite highlight of Lagos is its beautiful beaches located within walking distance of the city itself. A great way to explore the beaches closest to the city is to walk the walking trail that runs from downtown Lagos to Ponta da Piedade. Read more about the route here >>.
Here’s a list of the main beaches in Lagos:
Praia da Dona Ana
Praia da Dona Ana beach is a very famous beach in Lagos. It used to be a relatively small beach, but in 2015 the municipality carried out work to enlarge it. Although the beach is indeed larger now, some say the beach has lost its former charm.
Meia Praia
Meia Praia is Lagos’ largest beach. It stretches for about 4.5 kilometers, which makes it great for long walks on the beach. Due to its size, you will always be able to find a spot to beach here. The beach also offers a great view of the city.
Praia dos Estudantes
A small and picturesque beach located right next to Praia da Batata beach. It is most recognizable from the remains of a Roman bridge located between two rocks. The beach is accessible via a tunnel hollowed into the cliff from Praia da Batata.
Praia do Camilo
Praia do Camilo beach is the most famous and photographed beach in Lagos. It is hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches not only in Portugal but also in Europe. A long staircase leads to the beach. Due to its popularity, you can expect wild crowds of tourists here. So the best time to visit is early in the morning.
Praia de Porto de Mós
Praia de Porto de Mós is a large beach located between downtown Lagos and Praia da Luz. The beach is more than a kilometer long. It is surrounded by impressive cliffs and is famous for its waves that are good for swimming on a board. Praia de Porto de Mós is the best beach for surfing in Lagos. It’s a great place to get away from the crowds of Lagos’ city beaches while being fairly close to the city.
Praia da Batata
Praia da Batata beach is the closest beach from Lagos city. It is relatively small compared to Meia Praia or Dona Ana. Due to its proximity to the city, the beach is usually quite crowded. The beach is the starting point for guided kayak tours of the caves and rock formations stretching to Ponta da Piedade. This is definitely an interesting way to experience the coast. I strongly recommend a kayak trip with Ezride. The cost of the trip per person is 35 euros. You can check the available dates here >>>> .
Ponta de Piedade – Algarvian Cape of Mercy
A group of magnificent rock formations called Ponta da Piedade ( Cape of Mercy) can be found within walking distance of downtown Lagos. The cliffs offer a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean and Lagos Bay. These are some of the most amazing views to be found in the Algarve. That’s why Ponta da Piedade is one of the region’s most famous attractions. Ponta da Piedade can be reached by boat, car or on foot from the city of Lagos. You can descend a long staircase (182 steps) to see this natural wonder up close.
To see Ponta de Piedade up close, you can enjoy one of the many tours by boat, kayak or SUP. Check out the available tours below.
What to do in Lagos?
Lagos offers quite a variety of attractions both bars, restaurants operating during the day and night as well as package tours. Read what to see and do in Lagos.
A walk through the city
It’s definitely worth a walk around the center. Lagos is very charming. The town has several beautiful churches and typical Portuguese buildings decorated with azulejos ceramic tiles.
There is also a castle(Castelo dos Governadores) in Lagos. Walking around, it’s also worth a look at the Marina, where there are many restaurants and excursion outlets.
Organized tours
From the city itself, it’s worth taking a boat cruise along the coast, dolphin watching, a kayaking trip to Ponta da Piedade or tasting local food.
Here are some options for local tours with a link to book online directly with a local, highly rated Bluefleet tour company :
NOTES: When booking a tour online, there is an option for a 15% discount with the code BLUE15. The code is given after selecting the date and number of people in the additional information field (additional information). Changing the language of the form for booking is in the upper left.
- 2 – hour guided kayak tour from Lagos to Cape of Mercy (Ponta da Piedade) , price 40 euros/person, online booking here >>
- 1 – hour boat cruise from Lagos to Cape of Mercy (Ponta da Piedade) , price 22.5 euros/person, online booking here >>
- A 2-hour speedboat cruise from Lagos to Benagil cave, price 40 euros/person, online booking here >>
- 2-hour boat cruise with dolphin watching from Lagos, price 40 euros/person, company guarantees 97% success rate in finding dolphins, online booking here >>
Sightseeing around Lagos
Lagos can be a great base for exploring the area. From Lagos, it’s worth a trip to Benagil Cave, which can be reached by boat, or by kayak. Also worth visiting are nearby towns like. Praia da Luz, Portimão, Sagres or Carvoerio and explore the local attractions, of which there are indeed many. For fans of water entertainment, there are several aqua parks in the Algarve that are a great option for a day of fun. More about water parks in the Algarve, prices and where to buy tickets online you can find out here >>.
