A Guide to the Best Things to do in Lagos, The Algarve

Last Updated on 1st November 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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One of the most charming and beautiful towns on the Algarve coastline in Southern Portugal is Lagos. Home to quaint cafés, beautiful beaches, and close to plenty of nearby top attractions, here’s your insider’s guide to the best things to do in Lagos, Portugal.

Before visiting Lagos, we weren’t sure what to expect. My husband and I had heard it recommended by many of our friends who had been to the Algarve before, thanks to its status as a quintessentially Portuguese seaside resort, not to mention that it is a suggested place to visit in pretty much every blog post you’ll read about Portugal!

Luckily, Lagos more than lived up to its reputation as a cosy town with a smattering of eateries and laid-back beach vibe. We actually based ourselves in the town for around half of our Algarve trip as its central southwestern location on the Algarve coastline makes for a great base from which to explore the surrounding region.

Where is Lagos?

Lagos is located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Surrounded by the azure sea to the south and the verdant green hills of the Monchique mountains to the north, the whitewashed town is close to a number of beautiful sandy beaches and lies around 3 hours drive south of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

The population of Lagos is 31,000, though this swells during the peak season (i.e. summer months) when tourists come from all over Portugal and beyond to soak up the sun and explore the wider region.

What is Lagos known for?

Lagos is best-known for its prime location next to several stunning beaches. As a result, the entire town has somewhat of a laid-back vibe and is home to a huge host of bars, cafés, and one of the most thriving nightlife scenes in the entirety of the Algarve. Lagos is also often considered to be one of the prettiest towns in the region.

Best time to visit Lagos

As Lagos has a Mediterranean climate, there are fairly temperate temperatures all year ’round and snow is a very rare occurrence. With this being said, winter can be pretty rainy and cold and many of the shops in town are seasonal (meaning that they don’t operate during the colder months of the year).

The most popular time of the year is during the summer school holidays, though this also comes with higher price tags and more crowds. Like with many European beach destinations, the best time to visit is in the late spring or early fall.

If you visit during the early fall, then the sea will likely be a bit warmer than in the spring as the sea has had time to warm up over the summer months. We personally visited during the late fall and, while a little chilly for swimming, we still enjoyed wandering the trails of the region and dining out in the restaurants in town.

Best things to do in Lagos

Visit the beach

As I mentioned, Lagos is a typically Portuguese beach town, meaning that one of the best things to do in the surrounding area is to visit the beach. Some of the best beaches in Lagos include Praia Dona Ana and Praia dos Estudantes, which is a little off the beaten path and less frequented than other beaches in the region.

Water sports

Thanks to its enviable position next to the sea, Lagos is home to a number of opportunities to partake in various water sports, including kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and simply cruising on a catamaran. Here are some of the best water sports you can book in advance:

• Guided kayak tour: This tour will take you along the coastline. En route, you’ll see sandy beaches, admire the rock formations which make this part of the Algarve so interesting, and take you into several caves.
• Learn how to surf: The Algarve is one of the most popular places to go surfing in Europe. Lagos has several surf schools, though it’s best to book your lesson ahead of time as spaces can fill up fast during the summer months.
• Dolphin watching with a marine biologist: You might not realise this, but there are actually dolphins just off of the Algarve coastline! This tour doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to see dolphins, but your guide will give you a tour and the company has three decades of experience taking visitors on tours.
• Guided scuba diving trip for beginners: If you’ve never been scuba diving before, then this guided tour will take you along the Algarve coastline where you can enjoy the scenic caves and bays along the shore.
• Cruise by catamaran: If you’re more into a relaxing experience on the water, then consider booking this catamaran cruise. See the rock formations and unspoiled beaches of the western Algarve and go swimming in the sea.

Walk through the town centre

Truth be told, one of the greatest pleasures of a visit to Lagos is a stroll through the town centre. There are a number of highlights, including churches with the famous blue tiles and a few town squares which are a great place to sit on a bench and watch the world go by.

The historic streets truly come to life after the sun has gone down- as we soon discovered during our visit to the town- with plenty of bars and restaurants which spill out onto the streets until the early hours. Highlights of the town centre include:

• Mercado Municipal: This is a covered market hall where you can buy all sorts of fresh produce. There are actually three floors; the ground floor is dedicated to seafood, the first floor is all about vegetables, oils, and other local food, and the rooftop boasts a restaurant serving up local dishes.
• Praça Infante Dom Henrique: This picturesque square is one of the largest piazzas in Lagos and features a giant water feature, as well as the front façade of the church of Igreja de Santa Maria de Lagos.
• Praça Luís de Camões: One of the most photo-worthy squares in the city, pay particular attention to the green tile clad building which presides over the square.
• Miradouro Praia da Batata: This is one of the best places to watch the sunset from.

 Igreja de Santo António

The main church in town is the Church of Saint Anthony. And while it may just look like a typical Portuguese church from its exterior, enter inside and you’ll be greeted with one of the most mesmerising Baroque interiors in the entirety of Portugal.

The first church on site was constructed in 1707, though this was heavily destroyed during the earthquake of 1755 and, after it was rebuilt, it was named for Saint Anthony, one of the most popular Saints in Portugal.

Museums in Lagos

There are a number of different museums in Lagos and each focus on an entirely different topic. Here is a brief overview of each of the main museums in town:

• Museu de Lagos: This is a must-see for those who are interested in learning more about the history of Lagos and its surroundings. The museum is actually housed within a former Baroque church and houses all sorts of unique exhibitions, including a ‘cabinet of curiosities’.
• Mercado de Escravos (Slave Market museum): By visiting a museum that is housed within a former slave market, visitors can gain a sobering insight into the role the city played in the slave trade. Lagos was home to Europe’s first slave market and was where many slaves were brought to in Europe as part of the transatlantic slave trade, a fact that the city has found it hard to come to terms with.
• Science Centre: If you’re travelling with children and the weather isn’t great, then a superb indoor activity worth checking out in Lagos is the Science Centre. This museum showcases several scientific topics in easy to understand ways, such as the basic laws of physics and the basics of knot tying.

Lagos Fortress

Known as the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira in Portuguese, the Lagos Fortress dates back to the late 17th-century and was constructed to protect the region from marauding pirates.

Today you can visit the interior of the fort, which also serves as a small museum dedicated to Portugal’s maritime history. One of the main highlights is a tiny chapel which is decorated with traditional Portuguese tiles. Another highlight of the fortress is the chance to climb onto the battlements, which in turn provide excellent views of the Algarve coastline.

Lagos Marina

Thanks to its prominent position along the Algarve coastline, Lagos has a pretty impressive marina, and it’s from here where many boat tours to the surrounding region depart. The Marina is located pretty close to the market hall, as well as the boardwalks of Duna Beach.

Castle of Lagos

While reading the word ‘castle’ your mind might be conjuring up images of a majestic medieval palace, this is simply not the case! The Castle of Lagos isn’t the most fun thing to see in Lagos but you can still admire the former fortifications, which largely date back to the 16th-century.

Go wine tasting

Though you might be more familiar with French, Italian, or even Spanish wines, Portuguese wines are truly delicious and are a must-sample while visiting the region. One of the closest wineries to Lagos is Monte de Casteleja, which is around a ten-minute drive away.

Another option if you don’t have your own car is to book a wine tasting which will take you to a local winery where you can sample a handful of local wines for yourself. Also included in the tour is the chance to discover the town of Silves. Find full tour details here.

If you are looking for a more photogenic wine tour, then this organic wine tour will take you around several locations in a Volkswagen T2 Van. Included is a guided visit of a winery and a wine tasting.

Sample local cuisine

Lagos is home to a surprising variety of world cuisine, and we enjoyed noodle dishes, pizza, and even tex mex while in town. However, if you’re interested in sampling local Portuguese cuisine, then you should note that this typically comprises of seafood and fish served together with potatoes or rice.

The most popular sweet in the Algarve (and, indeed all of Portugal,) is the Pastel de Nata, a custard egg tart. If you want to dive deeper into the foodie scene together with a local, then consider booking a food tour like this one.

Ponta da Piedade

Sun-kissed limestone cliffs are reflected back by a dazzling turquoise sea: one of the most beautiful and fascinating places to visit in the entirety of the Algarve is the Ponta da Piedade, which lies on the fringes of the town of Lagos and is a must-see for anyone wishing to visit the region.

You can easily reach Ponta da Piedade by walking from Lagos, and the walk is only around half an hour. Alternatively, you can drive closer to the point and park at the free car park for visitors, which is around a five to ten minute gentle stroll from the most dramatic of the cliff faces. Another option is to book a boat cruise like this one.

Take a trip to Benagil Cave

Yet another Algarve treasure that is just a stone’s throw away from Lagos is Benagil Cave. This sea cave has been carved out by the salty sea breeze and crashing waves over the millennia and is now one of the most wondrous places to visit in the region.

Unfortunately, due to over-tourism, boats are no longer permitted to dock inside the cave and so you can’t stand on the beach. With this being said, you can still book a boat tour which will take you into the cave so you can admire it from aboard your boat. See tour details here.

Where to stay in Lagos

We personally stayed in Lagos for three nights and found it to be the perfect amount of time to explore the town and its surrounding area. Here are some of the best places to stay in town (based on web-reviews and location):

Budget- Olive Hostel: This conveniently located hostel is situated close to the town centre and boasts amenities such as yoga classes, a shared lounge, a games rooms, and a bar on site. There are dorms as well as private rooms for an extra fee. Check prices and availability here.

Infante Guesthouse: This four-star hotel is incredibly well-reviewed and is conveniently located close to many of Lagos’ main attractions. Check prices and availability here.

Cascade Wellness Resort: For an escape from it all, you’ll want to check yourself into this resort. Though not within Lagos town itself (but actually closer to Ponta da Piedade), this five-star hotel has a pool, spa, and beach access. Check prices and availability here.

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