Lagos

Lagos, a small town in the Algarve, is one of the most appreciated tourist destinations of the region. It can be visited on foot and it is famous because of its golden beaches, it lovely old town, and for its fun atmosphere. It is a destination that attracts families and couples.

Lagos Beaches

Lagos is the perfect beach destination for those who love long white beaches as well as small coves. Praia da Batata is the main beach and it is located right across the main avenue of Lagos, while Meia Praia, near the port, is a big beach featuring several bars, which gets very lively at night time with music and dances.

Warning

Water temperature is not very warm; it goes around 20 degrees due to the influence of the Atlantic flows. Despite that, Lagos is a very popular tourist destination.

Do not miss Ponta da Piedade, where there is also a lighthouse. It is a great place to walk along the cliffs. Wild weather conditions during the passing of the centuries have shaped the profile of this coast which now appears jagged, wild, full of coves and caves.

In Lagos it is possible to purchase tickets to attend boat tours to discover the best hidden caves, which can be visited only by boat.

Old town

Unlike many other cities in the Algarve, Lagos has a rich history as well as several monuments and historical buildings. The old town is famous because of its traditional architecture and for its picturesque houses.

Do not miss a visit to the church of Saint Anthony, the old headquarters of the Mercado dos Escavos and the charming Forte Bandeira, which dates back to the 17th century; it is a fortress perched on the cliffs to control the access to the river.

The famous Capela dos Ossos, which is part of the Church of St. Sebastian, deserves a visit. With one single ticket it is possible to visit the chapel, the bell tower, and the church. The view from the bell tower is stunning.

The port area is very active in the morning; wake up early and do not miss a visit to the typical fish market.

Activities and things to do in Lagos

Lagos became famous for the several dolphin watching tours organised by many companies. Whether you are lucky enough to see these mammals, the tours will give you the feeling of a ride on a high-speed boat.

Lagos offers many sea activities like diving, kayaking, surfing, and sailing. Praia de Mos is by far the favorite location among surfers; here there are several surfing schools.

Families traveling with kids will have plenty of fun at Lagos zoo, which is open all year long and its main attraction are six different species of monkeys.

Getting there

In order to reach Lagos you need to fly to Faro. From here you can decide to rent a car or to take a public bus operated by EVA or Rete Expresso.

When to visit Lagos

Lagos, just like the rest of the Algarve region, has incredible weather conditions; long, warm summers and very pleasant autumns. And an average of more than 3.000 hours of sun every year.

Summer months in the south of Portugal are characterised by a dry and hot weather, with temperatures reaching up to 35 ° C. The tourist season goes from June to the end of August, therefore if you want to visit the city on summer time we recommend to book in advance. For those who wish to experience a sea-oriented holiday, the best period to come to Lagos goes between the beginning of May until mid October.

Lagos Weather