The best city in the Algarve, Lagos is a busy touristy town with beautiful beaches encased by stunning cliffs. This is the summer destination in Portugal!
At a glance…
- Days To Spend: 3-4
- Get Around: Walking or Bolt/Uber
- Get In and Out: By train or coach
- Pay: With Euros, cash or card is fine either way
- Speak: Portuguese is good, but everyone will speak English
- See: Beaches, Benagil Cave, Ponta de Piedade
- Should you go?: Absolutely
General Impressions
Lagos is a stunning town in the Algarve. The town itself is fairly pretty, nestled in and around hills, and has that Iberian charm to it. However, the real beauty of Lagos lies in it’s coastal surroundings. From azure ocean to sun-kissed cliffs, Lagos is one of the best cities in the world to enjoy the sea.
Public Transport
Getting Around
Lagos itself is fairly walkable, but there are some rather steep cliffs. We generally travelled around by Bolt (which we got cheaply through the judicious use of discount codes), but I believe there are buses, though you may find it hard to justify waiting for a bus, especially if you don’t mind the heat too much.
Getting In and Out
Lagos has a train station connected directly to the rest of the Algarve. You can also take a train to one of the connecting stations that lead to Lisbon and the rest of Portugal. Coaches also connect Lagos with the rest of Portugal.
One thing to note is that Portuguese trains are notoriously unreliable
Money
ATMs are widespread, as are card machine. You’ll struggle to find a shop that doesn’t take card, and likewise will probably struggle to find a place that doesn’t want cash. In short, use whichever payment method you prefer.
Language
Portuguese is the native language. Spanish speakers may find it possible to use it here, as it’s generally understood, but it’s probably easier to just use English, as nearly everyone you interact with will speak it.
Time
There’s a good few things to do in Lagos, and you can use it to daytrip to other locations in the Algarve. I definitely recommend at least 2 days, but you can spend as many as 4 or even 5 days here, depending on how much you like beaches.
My Favourite Spots
Benagil Cave
You have to take a speedboat to this beautiful cave. The whole in it’s roof makes for some stunning photography. Unfortunately, if you arrive by boat, you can’t get onto the beach (due to local legislation), and it’s actually quite far from Lagos itself, so arriving by kayak from Lagos is a difficult proposition. If you want to visit the beach in the cave, you’ll have to take a bus or drive to one the the closer towns, and organise kayaks from there.
Ponta de Piedade
On other other side of Lagos, are a series of underwater caves and cliffs that are best explored by kayak. If you pick an early morning slot, not only will you have the coolest weather for rowing, but you’re likely to be one of the only people on the tour. We had only 2 other people with us, so it was almost like a private tour of the various caves and cliffs.
Beaches
There’s a few beaches in Lagos, and most of them are sandy. It’s pretty much as easy as just walking in the direction of the sea and finding a spot to settle down. Just be aware, it is the Atlantic Ocean, and even in the summer, it can be quite cold.
Municipal Museum
A small museum highlighting the history of Lagos, and containing a number of historical artifacts, the absolute highlight of the museum is actually the gilded church that form a part of the building. Definitely worth seeing!
Slide and Splash
Located in neighbouring Estombar, Slide and Splash is a water park featuring dozens of slides and pools. It’s a nice way to relax and have fun. Just be aware, trains are not the most reliable in Portugal (we ended up taking a Bolt back to Lagos, as the train hadn’t turned up for over an hour).
Conclusion
Lagos is, without a doubt, a must-see beach destination, combining Old World charm with beautiful clips and dark blue ocean. I highly recommend a trip to the Algarve with Lagos as a base.
We May Roam 