Lagos is one of our favorite places in Algarve, Portugal. In this guide — Lagos, Portugal: 17 Best Things to Do and See — I’ll share why we always go there several times a month. In the vicinity, you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches and viewpoints, the center has many great hipster cafes, and there’s also our favorite pizzeria, where they have, in my opinion, the best quattro formaggi in the world. Read on to find out everything.
The town itself is small, but you’ll find many historical sights and museums there. So let’s take a look at what to see and do in Lagos and its surroundings.
Where to Stay in Lagos: Tips for the Best Hotels and Apartments
If you want an apartment and book in advance, definitely check out Apartamentos Pinhão; they are often full, but if you catch them, they’re worth it!
Planning a romantic getaway for two? Check out Charming Residence & Guest House Dom Manuel I Adults only, where children are not allowed, so you’re guaranteed peace and quiet.
Do you have a family instead? Then this resort is great: Jardim da Meia Praia Resort.
What to See in Lagos: Sights, Museums, and the most Beautiful Beaches
We usually head to a cafe in Lagos or just stroll through the center. Occasionally, however, we also visit a museum when we want to escape the heat or have visitors from the Czech Republic with us. Come with us to see everything you can see in the city of Lagos.
Lagos Museum
Perhaps the most interesting museum in the city is the Lagos Museum (Lagos Museum Dr. José Formosinha), which is located next to the Church of Saint Anthony. You can only visit this beautiful church with a museum ticket.
Part of the museum is the elaborately decorated chapel Igreja de Santo António, and it was also our main reason for visiting the museum. In the museum, you will also find exhibitions dedicated to the city’s history, regional artifacts, religious art, and more.
The museum is tiny, but if it’s hot and you need a little break from the sun, definitely head here.
Important: You can complete the visit in 15-20 minutes, admission costs only a few euros, and it’s definitely worth it! The museum is open every day except Monday. For more information, visit the museum’s official website.
Museum of the Slave Route – Slave Market
Just a few steps from the Lagos Museum, in Infante Dom Henrique Square, you’ll find the Museum of the Slave Route – Slave Market (Mercado de Escravos). The museum is located in one of the oldest buildings in Lagos, where in the 15th century, slave traders brought Africans who were then sold in Europe.
A visit to the museum will provide insight into this sad period of Portuguese history. However, the museum’s size is truly small, and in my opinion, it’s not as interesting as the Lagos Museum. However, if you want to see everything Lagos has to offer, you can also head here.
Important: The museum is open every day except Monday. For current information and opening hours, visit their official website.
Lagos Science Centre – Centro Ciência Viva
If you’re looking for a fun activity in Lagos for kids, definitely visit the Lagos Science Centre. This colorful museum is designed interactively and will be fun for the whole family.
Although the center is relatively small, it has both an indoor and outdoor section that will keep your children entertained for a longer period. It offers various scientific exhibits presented in a child-friendly way. Here they will learn basic laws of physics, various fishing knots, old navigation tools, maps, and more.
Important: The Lagos Science Centre is open every day except Mondays and some public holidays. For more information, visit their website.
Lagos Fortress
One of the best-preserved fortresses in the Algarve is Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, which is another nice place worth visiting in Lagos. This 17th-century fortress was built to protect against pirates and today serves as a museum . Among the most interesting is a small chapel with walls lined with traditional Portuguese tiles.
If you’re already going to the fortress, definitely go up to its roof, from where there are magnificent views of the surroundings. However, the last time we were in Lagos, the museum was closed due to staff shortages, so we could only admire the fortress from the outside. Hopefully, that won’t happen to you!
Important: Whether you decide to take a tour, we recommend visiting the website for current information on the fortress’s availability. Even if the fortress is closed, it’s worth seeing from the outside.
City Walls and Lagos Castle
Lagos Castle, also known as Castelo dos Governadores, is one of the main historical landmarks in the city. Today, the castle primarily consists of large gates and walls that surround the old town.
It originally served as the seat of the governors of the Algarve, and although many of its parts were destroyed by the earthquake in 1755, some parts have been restored and preserved as national monuments.
The best way to see the castle is to walk along the reconstructed walls that still surround the city. The gate between two watchtowers, known as “São Gonçalo Gate”, is one of the entrances to the Old Town.
The castle itself is not accessible as a tourist attraction.
Lagos Market
Want to buy fresh fruit, vegetables, or fish? Visit the Lagos Municipal Market in the city center.
On the ground floor, you’ll mainly find seafood, while on the first floor, you’ll find vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and all kinds of local products. There’s also a pleasant rooftop fish restaurant where you can taste traditional Portuguese dishes.
Important Information: The market is open in the morning from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, every day except Sunday. Public toilets are also available here.
Waterfront and Marina in Lagos
The waterfront and local marina offer a relaxed atmosphere in the heart of the city. On this palm-lined promenade, you’ll traditionally find stalls with cork products, ice cream, and also boat trips (we rather recommend booking tours online via GetYourGuide, where you are guaranteed the best prices and, most importantly, can cancel your reservation anytime).
Ponta Da Piedade
When visiting Lagos, you must not miss the beautiful coastline near the city center. A truly unique place is Ponta da Piedade, probably the most photogenic spot in the area, from where many boat trips also depart.
You’ll find it near a historic lighthouse, which unfortunately cannot be visited. However, the surroundings are much more beautiful anyway. The cliffs are magnificent and the views are absolutely breathtaking!
The sea caves can also be reached by steep stairs. From below, you can embark on dolphin watching tours, kayaking, and scenic routes through the caves. You can easily book everything online via GetYourGuide (can be canceled anytime, which is why I recommend booking in advance and canceling if necessary).
Important Information: The area around Ponta da Piedade is crisscrossed with walking paths and boardwalks. You can spend hours here walking and discovering some of the most beautiful beaches in the area.
Practical Information: There is a large parking lot near the Ponta da Piedade lighthouse. Outside the summer season, you can park here without problems. In summer, it tends to be very busy here. If you have time and don’t mind walking, you can reach Ponta da Piedade from the center of Lagos in 30-45 minutes.
Praia Da Batata and Praia Do Cais Da Solária
The closest beaches to visit in Lagos are Praia do Cais da Solária and the adjacent Praia da Batata right by the city walls and fortress. You’ll also find a cafe here that is only open during the season.
In summer, you can try sailing lessons here or rent a kayak and go on a tour of Ponta da Piedade.
Praia Dos Estudantes
Nearby is another nice beach, Praia dos Estudantes, popular mainly due to the Roman bridge that connects two cliffs. You can very often see this beach on Instagram and other social media.
This beach is accessible from the top of a hill not far from the Mar restaurant, slightly south of the city center. You cannot get onto the bridge itself, so don’t even try.
Praia Do Pinhão.
Praia do Pinhão is a smaller but beautiful beach right in the center of Lagos. It is surrounded by cliffs and rock formations that protect it from the wind, thanks to which the water is usually calm and clean, making it suitable for families with children.
The beach is divided into two parts, which are separated by a cliff but connected by a tunnel. The northern part is very picturesque but small and disappears at high tide. The southern part is larger and separated by cliffs and rocks from a larger and more famous beach, which will be discussed later – Praia da Dona Ana.
Although on Praia do Pinhão you won’t find any facilities like restaurants or toilets, it’s close to the city center, so you can always quickly pop out for something.
Praia De São Roque
Praia de São Roque is a hidden gem in Lagos, part of the larger Meia Praia beach. Historically, this beach was separated by a stream, but today it forms one continuous sandy area. The beach is ideal for sunbathing, for children, and for couples.
We love coming here for long walks at sunset or sunrise because there are beautiful dunes along the beach.
The beach’s name comes from the chapel Ermita de São Roque, which was unfortunately destroyed during the great earthquake in 1755.
Praia Dona Ana
Praia Dona Ana is one of the most photogenic beaches in Lagos, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and turquoise blue water. It is located approximately a 20-minute walk from Lagos Old Town. The beach is protected from the wind due to its location between the cliffs, making it calmer than other beaches and suitable for swimming and snorkeling.
At Praia Dona Ana, you can rent sun loungers with umbrellas in summer, there are showers, and nearby there’s also a restaurant and bar where you can get something to eat and drink. If you are more adventurous and don’t mind the heat, you can take the path along the cliffs that leads to Praia do Pinhão.
Disadvantage? During summer, the beach can be quite crowded, so it’s good to arrive early in the morning. You can also reach Praia Dona Ana by tourist train, which has stops at the main beaches and attractions in Lagos.
Praia Do Camilo
Praia do Camilo is probably our favorite for photography; besides the sandy beach, clear water, and dramatic rock cliffs, you also have photogenic wooden stairs that complete the postcard-perfect image of this beach.
This beach is also great for snorkeling or going kayaking. It’s better to come here early in the morning and bring your own food and drinks.
Although there is a restaurant O Camilo near the beach, if you’re here from the morning, you’ll appreciate having your own supplies.
Kayaking
We’ve mentioned several times that this area is ideal for kayaking. If you wish, you can book a kayak trip in advance via GetYourGuide. Why book online? Simply because it can be easily canceled for free.
Dolphin Watching
A very popular activity in the Algarve is dolphin watching. Dolphins are intelligent and playful animals whose behavior in the wild fascinates observers of all ages, so this trip is often fully booked.
That’s why you can book it online again (and cancel anytime) via GetYourGuide. We do it this way because we go to Portugal in spring and October, and free cancellation comes in handy if the weather suddenly turns bad.
Benagil Cave
Benagil Cave, also known as Algar de Benagil, is one of the most iconic places in the Algarve. This sea cave, carved over millions of years by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, has a large opening in its ceiling through which sunlight streams, illuminating its interior. The resulting effect is magical and creates unique lighting conditions that are ideal for photography.
Visiting Benagil Cave is an experience unlike any other. The best way to get to the cave is by kayak, paddleboard, or boat. We came here by boat because we booked a trip in February when air temperatures were around 18 degrees Celsius, and we still enjoyed it very much.
In summer, however, I would rather go by kayak or combine it with dolphin watching. You can easily book tours on GetYourGuide; I recommend booking in advance to secure a spot; the trip can be canceled online anytime.
Best Cafes in Lagos
If you know me, you know that if there’s one thing I regularly deal with when traveling, it’s finding a good cafe. In Portugal, it’s sometimes really hard to find something that could be called a quality flat white.
Fortunately, Lagos is doing well among other towns in the Algarve, perhaps that’s why we often return here during our monthly stays in this sunny paradise.
Personally, I can recommend The Studio: Coffee Roaster & Brunch Cafe, Black and White Coffee Shop, and Coffee & Waves.
Best Restaurants in Lagos
We are vegetarians, so I can’t recommend any fish restaurants to you, but I can tell you where, in my opinion, they have the best quattro formaggi pizza in the world – the pizzeria Pepperino. For pasta, head to Pomó; unfortunately, it’s better to make a reservation, as this small restaurant is often full.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
