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
(now an art gallery) 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 (Tel: 282 762 301) with an odd
assortment of exhibits - weapons from Mozambique, archaeological items
and antique cannonballs. Parts of the city walls survive along with the
waterfront Forte Ponta da Bandeira on Avenida dos Descobrimentos
- a small, square fort built in the late 17th century to protect the entrance
to the harbour.
Lagos Zoo (Tel: 206 680 100) 8km to the north west 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.
Book
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. Rua 25 de Abril has many bars.
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The average high June temperatures for Portugal is between 22 degrees Centigrade and 26 degrees Centigrade.
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