The busy coastal town of Lagos in the Algarve boasts all the things people love about this region. It is known for its ravishing beaches, as you can find beaches of all types, from tiny coves that are surrounded by ochre-colored cliffs to long sandy bays. At Ponta da Piedade, these rocks create a breathtaking scene, where the obelisks and bluffs are riddled with arches and caves and the sea has a clear emerald color. The old town in the center of Lagos is exploring heaven and it transports you to the Age of Discovery with its streets and sights.
If you are planning a trip to Lagos, here are the best things you should definitely check out:
- Ponta da Piedade
A couple of minutes south of the old center of Lagos is this Portuguese wonder. It has outcrops, cliffs, and stacks of yellow and red limestone that rise to 20 meters, with shimmering transparent water below. If you come on a kayak or boat tour from the marina, you can pass through natural arches and also enter caves. It is just as memorable on foot, as you will come down a staircase that’s cut from the cliff face. The view from the top is also breathtaking and goes far in the west to Cape St. Vincent.
- Praia do Camilo
Next to the Ponta da Piedade, the Praia do Camilo is a fabulous cove that you can find at the foot of the cliffs. Getting there is an adventure in itself because you have to descend around 200 steps on a wooden stairway that’s etched onto a rock. Before you go down, don’t forget to check out the captivating yellow and red hues of the rocks and the golden ocean sands. The water is very calm and you can walk through or swim around a natural tunnel to the neighboring cove. You can also walk to the caves in the bay if the tide is out.
- Meia Praia
Meia Praia is a beach that’s the opposite of the rocky coves that you can find on the other side of Lagos. It starts on the left bank of the Bensafrim and it stretches for six kilometers till the Alvor Lagoon. Thanks to its sheer size, the beach never feels crowded and boasts a wide arc of luxurious sand. The water is a bit cooler and the currents are a bit stronger than in the coves, but it is still suitable for children.
- Old Lagos
A warren of patterned streets with whitewashed houses form the historic core of Lagos, which are still contained partially by the 16th-century walls. You can best see them by the water on the Jardim da Constituição, as they protected the Governors of Algarve province’s seat between 1576 and 1756 when Lagos was the capital. There is also a monument nearby called the Mercado de Escravos, which marks a grim period in the history of the city as it served as the slave market in Lagos for about 250 years and is a reminder that there was a human cost of the Age of Discovery.
Henry the Navigator was a hero from this period, who departed on his exhibitions in the 15th century from the harbor in Lagos. The Praça Infante D. Henrique boasts his statue.
- Praia de Dona Ana
Not only is it the closest beach that you can find to the old center of Lagos, but it is also one of the finest. The Praia de Dona Ana is surrounded by enchanting cliffs that are streaked with red and yellow. The scenery has some extra drama, thanks to the outcrops in the bay and the water’s edge. This beach is a spacious one that has a slightly coarser blend of shells and golden sands. Due to the eastern aspect and protection of the rocks, it almost always has tranquil waters.
- Zoo De Lagos
A couple of kilometers away from the city, this zoo will provide kids with the opportunity to get up close with animals from almost five continents. There are 350 inhabitants and more than half of them are birds. They are kept in well-presented, clean, and relatively large aviaries. There is plenty to see in the Parrot family, with cockatiels, parakeets, military macaws, and African greys. As far as mammals are concerned, there is a small farm in the park where children can see and pet the sheep and dwarf goats. An extra fee also entitles you to a visit to an enclosure where you can engage with playful lemurs. Plenty of monkey species can also be found, along with a variety of tortoises and turtles and a number of wild cats.
- Lagos Marina
It is natural for people to be drawn to the oceans when they visit Lagos for trips to Ponta da Piedade, watersports as well as nature spotting cruises. The elegant marina in the city is where you need to go for all these activities, which is at a short distance from the mouth of Bensafrim. If you are traveling on foot, you will need to cross a bascule bridge and gives you views of the forests of masts that belong to local fishing boats and sleek pleasure vessels. Not only is it a place to visit for water-based activities, but it is also one of Lagos’ social centers, with restaurants and bars that do a roaring trade.
- Dolphin Spotting
While there is no guarantee that you will see dolphins in the water of Lagos, but it is undoubtedly a great expedition. There are a number of cruise companies in the harbor and they use eco-friendly and quick RIBS (rigid-hulled inflatable boats). You will wear a wind-resistant jacket and go out on the open ocean for two hours with a skipper who has expertise in tracking down pods of bottlenose dolphins, porpoises, Risso’s dolphins, and common dolphins. There is a 90% chance of seeing a dolphin and viewing it will all be worth the effort when you see one.
