Lagos

The city of Lagos is one of the most beautiful cities in the Algarve. The selection of impressive beaches is enormous. To the east of the city, a kilometer-long, wide sandy beach - the Meia Praia - stretches out in an impressive sea bay, to the south and west you can find the most beautiful rock formations in the Algarve and therefore also small, cozy rocky bays.

If you follow the palm tree-lined Avenida dos Descobrimentos (translated as “Street of Explorers”) you will reach the center. Beforehand you pass the well-known and award-winning marina Marina de Lagos. A small drawbridge for pedestrians leads to the large and small yachts and many a circumnavigation of the world began here in Lagos.

The center of Lagos

The old city center of Lagos with its pedestrian zone and many small and large squares has been very well preserved. Many buildings have been partially restored and refurbished. In the squares and alleys you can still find the calçadas (paving stones) laid in motifs and patterns. The many typical Portuguese shops and restaurants are worth a visit.

The centre is the lively Praça Gil Eanes square, in the middle of which stands a modern marble statue. It depicts King João Sebastião, who set out from Lagos in 1578 to conquer Africa (although the endeavour was a complete failure).

The idyllic square is surrounded by jacaranda trees, which bloom in indescribable blue in spring. From here, many small and large alleys branch off to other squares where cozy cafés and restaurants lined with orange trees await guests.

The tourist information office, housed in the old town hall, is also located in Praça Gil Eanes.

If you turn left, after about 100 meters you will reach the fish market, where the restaurants stock up on fresh fish every day.

The center of Lagos attracts street musicians, clowns and cabaret artists of all kinds in the summer months. In the evening it can get crowded in the streets. But Lagos has retained its charm; There is hardly a tourist who is not enthusiastic about this city. 

Every Saturday there is a farmers' market opposite the drawbridge to the marina, where local producers sell their fruit and vegetables. An organic market is held at the same location every Wednesday. This takes place from 4 p.m. And every first Saturday of the month there is a gypsy market in the large square at the entrance to the town, which attracts many visitors from the surrounding area.

Sightseeing features

Lagos also has a lot to offer historically and culturally. If you follow Avenida dos Descobrimentos further along the promenade you will reach Praça Infante Dom Henrique, in the middle of which is the monument to Henry the Navigator. It was built in his honor because he sent his caravels from Lagos to discover unknown lands and thus laid the foundation for Portugal's rise as a world power.

In the back left part of the square is the Church of Santo Antonio, which is decorated with opulent gilded wood carvings. Opposite it is the first European slave market. It has been preserved to this day and is now used for more enjoyable activities such as art exhibitions.

At the entrance to the port of Lagos, on the wide paths, is the Lagos Fort, which now houses a museum. The individual countries that were discovered and conquered by the Portuguese seafarers are described there. The climb to the battlements is particularly worthwhile because there is a beautiful view over the harbor and the city from above.

Opposite the fort, the large city gate Porta de São Gonçalo leads the visitor back into the old town of Lagos through the still well-preserved city wall.

Beaches in Lagos and sorrounding areas

The selection of impressive beaches near Lagos is enormous. To the east of the city, a kilometer-long, wide sandy beach - the Meia Praia - stretches out in an impressive sea bay. Pedestrians reach it via the bridge at the marina, pass the Lagos train station and follow the path directly to the beach. In the summer months, a small passenger ferry is in operation on the promenade, which takes holidaymakers directly to the harbor entrance to the beach.

Meia Praia beach in Lagos on the Algarve in Portugal

If you don't want to go that far, go to Praia da Batata, the city beach of Lagos, which is located next to the fort at the harbor entrance and is easy to reach on foot. The wind-protected sandy and rocky beach of Porto de Mos, located in the west of Lagos, can be reached in 5 minutes by car.

Much more attractive are the many small, cozy rocky bays that are hidden south and west of Lagos in the rock formations of the Ponta da Piedade. We recommend the Praia Dona Ana and the Praia do Camilo with crystal clear water and an impressive rocky backdrop.

Ponta da Piedade

2 km south of Lagos, the cliffs protrude far into the Atlantic. The tip of this headland is called Ponta da Piedade. Here you will find probably the most beautiful rock formations in the Algarve.

A grotto landscape with bizarre rock formations, tunnels, gates and boulders scattered in the sea has formed on this stretch of coast, which is unique in the Algarve, which is already spoiled with natural beauty. The best way to appreciate all the beauty is to take a trip on a fishing boat through the caves. You can also find out what names the locals gave the individual rock sculptures.

Accommodation

Especially in Lagos and its surroundings, Algarve Individual offers a wide range of holiday homes in Lagos and exclusive, modern and comfortably furnished holiday villas. Our centrally located holiday apartments in Lagos and apartments with pool in particular offer optimal conditions for a holiday in Portugal without a rental car.

Vacation homes in Lagos and surroundings

Vacation apartments in Lagos and the surrounding area

If you want to discover the Algarve individually, you can also travel to Portugal outside of the bathing season. In the Algarve in particular, winters are mild and the weather is beautiful with bright sunshine and blue skies. The holiday homes in Lagos and the surrounding area are not only sought-after accommodation in summer, more and more individual travellers and golf enthusiasts also enjoy relaxing weeks in the comfortable holiday villas by the sea in winter. Equipped with central heating and a fireplace, you can cosy up in the cooler winter evenings.

Ponta da Piedade at Lagos, Portugal