Portugal City Travel Guide: Lagos & The Algarve
Lagos
Lagos is a popular resort in the Algarve region that is a living portrait of Portugal's long love affair with the ocean. This town of just 25,000 people has a beautiful natural harbor prized by the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, and was the starting point for many historic voyages of discovery. The city's traditional buildings, still intact, and its pleasant cobbled streets make that history ever more tangible. Recreationally, Lagos is a seaside haven, with superb sandy beaches and coves - the "Surf Central" of south Portugal. Look out too for some interesting street art from both local and international artists.
Lagos, (pronounced 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 4 km 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 Dona Ana, Praia do Camilo (pictured) and Ponta da Piedade - all reached on the Toy Train (Comboio Turistico) from the town centre or by kayak or boat trip from Cais da Solaria.
Back in town, historic sites include remnants of Lagos' slave market (now a new museum) and the old Customs House in the Praça do Infante Dom Henrique adjacent to the sea front. Lagos was the port where the first African slaves were brought to Portugal in 1444. By the 16th century it is estimated that slaves made up about 10% of the population of the Algarve. The Slave Market Museum (Mercado de Escravos) has interesting exhibits on the history of slaves and slavery in the Algarve.
The Portuguese Discoveries Wax Museum (Museu de Cera dos Descobrimentos) opened in 2014 and has 22 life-size wax figures presented in 16 historical scenes including Henry the Navigator - the "father of the Age of Discoveries", Vasco da Gama, Gil Eanes, who was born in Lagos and was one of the very first captains to explore the coast of Africa, Bartolomeu Dias, Luís de Camões, author of the classic Os Lusíadas and Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) the Portuguese navigator and explorer who is credited as being the first European to sail across the Pacific Ocean.
The Castelo dos Governadores (Governors' Castle) was originally built by the Arabs and strengthened after the Reconquista. It was from the Manueline Window here that Dom Sebastião addressed his troops before leading them to disaster at the Battle of Alcácer-Quibir in Morocco in 1578.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 (Church of Saint Anthony) predates that disaster, though it was heavily damaged and subsequently restored.
Next door is the Museu Municipal (Tel: 282 762 301), through which the Church of St. Anthony is accessed) 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) 8 km 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, sea kayaking and snorkelling. Horse-riding and cycling trips can also be booked. Lagos is also a good base to explore the nearby Natural 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.
Praia da Luz, 10 km west of Lagos, is an attractive, tranquil resort centered around the crescent-shaped beach backed by villa complexes, holiday villages, apartments and hotels.
A number of sports are on offer: diving, sailing, water-skiing, windsurfing. It was here at Luz that Madeleine McCann was tragically abducted in 2007.
Burgau, 18 km west of Lagos, is a mix of traditional Algarve fishing village and growing resort complete with British-style pubs. West of Bergau is the pleasant beach of Cabanas Velha. The British-run Burgau Sports Center (Tel: 282 697 350) has tennis, squash, futsal and a swimming pool.
Lagos Tourist Offices
Lagos Turismo, Sitio de São João (tel. 282 763 031) - not in the city centre is the tourist office in Lagos.
Posto de Informacão, Largo Marques de Pombal (tel. 282 764 111) - centrally located.
Getting to Lagos
Train Travel in Portugal
Lagos Station has rail connections with Faro via Albufeira and Loulé. There are also trains to Lisbon via Tunes. A regional train to Tunes takes about 55 minutes. At Tunes you can connect with an Alfa Pendular express or Intercidades (Intercity) train to Sete Rios, Entrecampos and Oriente. From Tunes to Lisbon is approximately 2 and a half hours to Lisbon. Check www.cp.pt for the latest timetables and train fares.
Car Travel in Portugal
Lagos connects with the motorway IC4 near Portimao for journeys north to Lisbon and east to Faro and Spain on the E1/IP1.
Bus Travel in Portugal
There are fairly regular buses to Aljezur, 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. There are presently 12 daily bus departures from Lagos to Lisbon run by EVA or Rede Expressos arriving at Sete Rios bus station. The journey takes around 4 hours. Check www.rede-expressos.pt for the latest details on times and fares.
From the Airport
The nearest airport is at Faro.
Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation
Accommodation in Lagos
Lagos has lots of accommodation for a small town, but that can get booked out quickly. Enjoy a stay in lodgings that reflect the intimate, history-soaked feel of this elegant old settlement, where the sea or river is always just a few minutes walk away. The following is a selection of recommended places to stay in Lagos according to price bracket: high-end, to mid-range, to budget.
The Casa Mãe, five minutes walk from the very center of Lagos, epitomizes the look and feel of the old town with its elegant, understated homestead-style grandness, complemented by the modernist annex. The spacious, air-conditioned rooms are spic-and-span, made to relax and lounge in in well-designed contemporary open-plan comfort. Good restaurant, bar, seasonal pool, a (pay-for) spa, an exercise room (as opposed to an equipped gym). An environmentally conscious boutique-style hotel where guests are made to feel at home in unaffected luxury.
The Hotel Marina Rio is centrally located, with access to shops and restaurants, and overlooks a beautiful palm-lined marina on the placid blue Rio Bensafrim that runs through Lagos. (So, try and get a room on the river side.) There's a (seasonal) heated rooftop swimming pool. Comfort, convenience, good food, and helpful friendly service - for surprisingly affordable rates. Low-cost car parking next door.
The Sensations Guesthouse is quite near the center of Lagos, about 13 minutes' walk to Meia Praia Beach or Batata Beach. This unassuming, low-rise guesthouse is the epitome of good, plain, and simple accommodation, with guests consistently rating it highly for cleanliness, kemptness, security and friendliness. Note that the toilet is at one with the room. The rooftop patio is a pleasant bonus. Cozy, friendly, and serves a great breakfast - and all for a very reasonable room rate.
Hotels in Portugal - Booking.com
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Eating
Lagos is blessed with many fine restaurants, many on the Rua Afonso D'Almeida and the Rua 25 de Abril.
Drinking
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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Lagos Weather Forecast
The weather can be idyllic at anytime on the western Algarve. August is the hottest month in Lagos but humidity is thankfully low. In winter expect more cloudy days and such rain as there is. December and January are the coldest months.
Algarve Resorts
Other places to visit in the Algarve region of Portugal include Albufeira, Alcoutim, Aljezur, Alvor, Cabanas, Cacela Velha, Faro, Ferragudo, Fuseta, Lagos, Loulé, Monchique, Olhão, Portimão, Praia da Rocha, Sagres, Silves, Vilamoura and Vila Real de Santo Antonio.
Hotels in the Algarve
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Hotels in Portugal - Booking.com