Lagos
Portugal City Travel Guide: Lagos & The Algarve
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Lagos, The Algarve
© Jean Kugler |
Lagos
- Beautiful natural harbour.
- Town dates back to the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans.
- Starting point for many historic voyages of discovery.
- Major Algarve resort.
- Superb sandy beaches and coves.
- Many traditional buildings left intact.
- Pleasant cobbled streets.
- South Portgal's surf central.
- Local population 25,000.
Lagos, (prounounced la-goosh) on the
western side of the Algarve has a long history as a sea port and
ship-building centre going back to the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Moors.
Henry the Navigator launched many of the ships that set sail during
Portugal's golden "Age of Discoveries" in the 15th and 16th centuries
from Lagos.
The main beaches near Lagos are Meia Praia a long 4km stretch
of sand to the east of town reached by bus from the Avenida dos Descobrimentos. On a promontory to the south of Lagos
there are a number of small, idyllic cove beaches: Praia do Pinhão,
Praia de Dona, Praia do Camilo (pictured) and Ponta
da Piedade - all reached on the Toy Train from the town centre.
Back in town, historic sites include remnants of Lagos' slave market
and the old Customs House in the Praça da República
adjacent to the sea front. The Castelo dos Governadores (Governors
Castle) was originally built by the Arabs.
The nearby church of Santa Maria dates from the 15th century.
Much of the rest of the old town was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake
but the fine Igreja de Santo António predates that
disaster. Next door is the Museu Municipal with an odd assortment
of exhibits. Parts of the city walls survive along with the waterfront
Forte Ponta da Bandeira.
Lagos Zoo (tel: 206 680 100) 8km to the north of the town off the
N120 to Aljezur is worth a visit for its collection of exotic birds
and wild animals.
Farther north still is the Barragem de Bravura a picturesque
reservoir set in delightful woodland.
Other things to do in and around Lagos are boat trips and dolphin
viewing bookable at Lagos marina, diving and snorkelling. Horse-riding
and cycling trips can also be booked. Lagos is also a good base
to explore the nearby National Park - Parque Natural do Sudoeste
Alenttejano e Costa Vicentina and the usually more tranquil
(especially off-season) resorts of Luz and Burgau (accessible by
bus) - to the west of the town towards Sagres.
Golf
courses in the Algarve.
Lagos Tourist Offices
Lagos Turismo, Sitio de São João (tel. 282 763 031)
- not in the city centre.
Posto de Informacão, Largo Marques de Pombal (tel. 282 764
111) - centrally located.
Tourist
Offices in Portugal
Getting to Lagos
Lagos has rail connections with Faro via Albufeira and Loule. There are also trains to Lisbon via Tunes.
Lagos connects with the motorway IC4 near Portimao for journeys
north to Lisbon on the s and east to Faro and Spain on the E1/IP1.
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There are fairly regular buses to Portimao, Sagres, Albufeira, Lisbon, and also to Seville (via Huelva) in Spain from Lagos bus station (tel: 282 762 944) on Rua Vasco da Gama.
From the Airport
The nearest airport is at Faro.
Featured Hotel
 Aqua
Meia Praia Hotel
Located in landscaped gardens near to the beach, 65 well-furnished
rooms in this 3-star hotel. All major credit cards accepted. Cable TV, private bathroom
& saltwater swimming pool.
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this hotel
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Lagos is blessed with many fine restaurants, many on the Rua Afonso D'Almeida and the Rua 25 de Abril.
There are many ex-pat and local bars to choose from which all stay open late in season.
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The average high June temperatures for Portugal is between 22C and 26C.
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Lagos
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