Tucked away on the sun-soaked shores of Portugal’s Algarve region, you’ll find the charming city of Lagos.
There’s no shortage of postcard-worthy experiences for those spending a few days in Lagos, from kayaking through the stunning sea caves of Ponta da Piedade to soaking in the golden hour at Praia Dona Ana.
Don’t be fooled by all the beaches and fresh seafood on offer, I’ve found this isn’t just another pretty seaside resort town. Lagos is steeped in history, once serving as a key hub during Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
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How Many Days in Lagos?
Lagos isn’t about rushing to tick boxes off a tourism checklist. It’s a laid-back city, a place to slow down, savour the simple joys and soak up a slice of the Algarve’s irresistible magic.
Having said that, if you only have 1 day as part of a road trip along the Algarve, you can still explore the old town and you could even have time to head out onto the water on a kayaking or a boat trip.
2 days in Lagos gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Live life like a laid-back local enjoying coffee, fresh seafood and traditional Portuguese dishes at local cafes.
If you are lucky enough to have 3 days or longer exploring this area, you will have plenty of time to discover hidden gems that aren’t included in the usual tourist checklists. You’ll also be able to visit nearby towns and villages such as Sagres, Portimão, home to the famous Benagil Sea Cave or the inland town of Silves.
Getting To & Around Lagos
Faro is the largest city in the Algarve region and therefore is the most popular choice when deciding on which airport to fly into when visiting this area.
Faro airport is 90 km away from Lagos so if you are hiring a car, it will take you an hour to drive between the two cities. If you don’t plan on hiring a car, both the bus and train take about 2 hours or you can organise a transfer.
Depending on your travel plans, you could opt to fly into Lisbon rather than Faro. It’s a little further afield, taking 2 hours by car or 4 hours by train but if you have plans to visit Lisbon it may make more sense for you.
Whilst it is possible to visit Lagos and the surrounding area solely using public transport, it would be preferable to hire a car.
This way, you have the opportunity to explore at your own pace, visit the quieter beaches and the off-the-beaten-track destinations without being beholden to limited timetables. You can browse options here.
The city itself is pedestrian-friendly and is easy to explore on foot. The winding coastal path provides access to several beaches, depending on how far you want to walk and you can hire a kayak or take a boat trip along the coast to explore further.
As for day trips to nearby towns and villages, there is a network of local buses serving most of the nearby towns as well as taxis.
2 to 3-Day Lagos Itinerary
Lagos is a destination that should definitely be on your travel bucket list. Featuring some of the best beaches in Portugal, Lagos is packed with natural coastal charm as well as a fun, lively town.
Day 1 – Lagos Old Town & Coastal Hike
Old Town
A rabbit warren of white-washed buildings and cobbled streets, the centre of Lagos is a beautiful walled old town that can be explored independently or with a guide on a walking tour.
Start your day by visiting one of the many local cafes with outdoor terraces overlooking the city’s medieval architecture.
Indulge in a Pastel de Nata, a Portuguese speciality with a cup of coffee, the perfect way to start your day.
Next, discover the Church of St. Anthony, a true example of Baroque craftsmanship. Built in the early 18th century, its modest exterior is fairly underwhelming but step inside to reveal the artistry of the interior.
The walls and ceiling are adorned with intricate gilded woodwork and azulejo tiles depicting religious and historical scenes, all leading to the magnificent altar. Nearby, the Slave Market Museum offers a poignant look at Lagos’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.
Wander through the bustling squares and market stalls picking up souvenirs and local produce. Then, on your way out towards the coast, don’t miss the Governor’s Castle and its adjoining city walls, remnants of Lagos’s medieval fortifications.
Coastal Hike
There are several golden sandy beaches to discover in and around Lagos, towering coastal rock formations, caves and crystal clear turquoise waters.
There are two ways to visit these beaches, on foot or by boat/kayak (can be booked in advance here). Both options offer an entirely different perspective so rather than pick one, it is best to do both during your stay in Lagos.
The original coastal hike to Ponta da Piedade from Lagos was closed due to coastal erosion and large landslides washing away entire sections of the cliff when I was there. There are plans to open a new path from the city itself but for now, you will have to make your way to the ‘Ponta da Piedade Walkway Entry’ (marked on Google Maps) and continue along the coast from there.
You can either drive up to this start point and leave your hire car in the car park, or, you can take the coastal path which takes around 30 minutes. You cannot walk along the shore, even at low tide.
There are a few beaches you can access from Lagos but if you want to hike to Ponta da Piedade, you’ll have to use the official coastal path first.
From the official start point, you join the brand new boardwalk path which snakes along the scenic coast for another 20 minutes before reaching Ponta da Piedade.
There are several detour options along the way including the Praia do Camilo, a beach named after one of the golden rock formations that looks like a camel lying down in the water. To reach this beach, you must descend over 200 steps but it is definitely worth the climb when you head back up.
Another stop worth making along the boardwalk route is the restaurant O Camillo, named after the aforementioned beach. Here you will find the freshest local seafood and local specialties among regional wines.
Once you reach Ponta da Piedade, there are several options when it comes to viewing the grottos and caves from above but watch your step as some of these paths are very exposed and the coastal erosion in some areas has caused rock fall.
The most popular way to see the grottos is by climbing down another set of stairs, but again, it is well worth the climb.
Enjoy the Sunset
Next, watch the sunset from one of the beaches easily accessible from Lagos centre.
The obvious choice is the large open stretch of sandy beach Meia Praia that runs along the entire coast of Lagos but there are several hidden coves a little further along that makes for a stunning sunset backdrop away from the crowds.
Praia da Batata, Praia dos Estudantes and the Pinhao Fort Bridge. Here, you can walk along the shore, weaving through the sea cliffs and arches as the sun sets.
Day 2 – Boat Tour & Beaches
Boat Tour
Day 2 and it’s time to head out onto the water to see the magnificent sea caves along the coast from a different perspective. You can either book a boat trip or hire a kayak or paddleboard.
The guides have an excellent level of local knowledge and you will learn a lot about the coast around Lagos.
Hiring a kayak is a little more expensive but you can explore at your own pace and discover hidden coves that aren’t on the usual tourist route. You can opt for a sunrise, daytime or sunset slot which gives you a little more freedom than the boat trips.
Beach Day
If you are keen to kick back and relax on the beach, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. Pack that book you’ve been meaning to read, a towel and a few refreshments and head down to Meia Praia.
This extensive stretch of open sandy beach has plenty of room to spread out and find your own slice of tranquillity. This is also a popular beach for swimming and surfing. There are daily surf lessons as well as beach yoga classes on offer if sunbathing isn’t for you.
Alternatively, head back into the Old Town to spend the afternoon delving deeper into some of the pottery studios, produce markets and local boutiques.
Indulge in Algarve Cuisine
Heading back into Lagos for the evening, discover the cosy taverna-style restaurants in the old town serving up traditional Algarve dishes or join a food tour to explore with a guide!
From Cataplana de Marisco – a seafood stew cooked in a clam-shaped copper pot with clams, shrimp, fish, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs – to Percebes – also called goose barnacles which are a local delicacy harvested from rugged cliffs.
Enjoy crisp and refreshing local white wines like Arinto, Síria, and Crato Branco, pairing perfectly with the region’s seafood. Red wines, often made from Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, and Castelão, are bold and flavorful.
The perfect match for the stews and tomato-based rice dishes the area is known for. Round off your evening at Bon Vivant, a rooftop tiki bar where locals and visitors can dance the night away.
Day 3 – Sagres, Silves or Benagil Sea Caves
If you have 3 days to spend in Lagos, taking a day trip out to a nearby village is the perfect way to spend your last day.
Sagres
Sagres coastal town at the southwestern edge of Portugal known for its rugged cliffs and windswept beaches, surf beaches and historic sites. You can join a half-day tour or a full-day tour, or visit independently.
If Sagres is your destination of choice, start your day with a visit to the Sagres Fortress. Dating back to the 15th century, this fort is perched precariously on the side of the cliffs, once serving as a strategically placed maritime base.
From here, you can take a walk around the Rosa dos Ventos or “Rose of the Winds”, a 43-metre pebble circle uncovered within the Sagres fortress.
Its purpose is mostly unknown but there has been plenty of speculation. It could have been used as a sort of compass or maritime sundial and there are even theories that it holds some sort of mystical properties.
Next, head to the Cabo de São Vicente, the southwesternmost point of Europe, explore the iconic lighthouse and the dramatic cliffs plunging straight down into the Atlantic Ocean.
In the afternoon, take to the golden sandy beaches. Praia do Tonel is a popular surf beach or, you can kick back and relax at Praia do Beliche, both home to pristine sands and crystal-clear waters.
Silves
If you have had your fill of Algarve beaches, Silves is an excellent day trip option as it provides a peaceful alternative to the bustling coastal areas of the Algarve.
Begin your day with a visit to the Silves Castle, a Moorish fortress that dominates the skyline. Explore its walls, towers, and courtyards, and enjoy views reaching far and wide, across the town and surrounding countryside.
There is a small museum on site, full of artefacts and information boards where you can learn about the region’s rich history. There are half-day tours you can join to visit Silves.
Benagil Sea Caves
We’ve already discovered some of the beautiful sea caves, grottos and arch formations along the coast of Lagos but the Benagil sea caves are a must-see whilst exploring the Algarve.
You have several options for the start point of the boat or kayak tours, the most popular is Portimão but you could also head out from Faro or Albufeira.
Tours vary in length and you can either opt for a short, out-and-back tour or a longer trip complete with dolphin watching and additional hidden coves along the route.
Have More Time?
If you have more than 3 days, an Algarve road trip is the best way to make the most of your time. If you don’t have a car, public transport links exist between the main towns and cities so you could easily still take part in a tour of this region.
Starting in Sagres on the most southwesterly point of Europe, make your way along the craggy coastline exploring caves, eating local seafood and taking part in local craft workshops, outdoor activities and relaxing on countless beaches.
From Sagres, you snake through Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira, Faro and the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa.
Where to Stay in Lagos
3 Marias Garden House B&B – A coy bed and breakfast in the centre of Lagos, this place has a lovely garden, free parking, a great breakfast, shared kitchen facilities and plenty of rooms (with private or en suite bathrooms!).
Lagos Avenida Hotel – This beautiful beachfront hotel not only has several bright and spacious rooms to choose from (boasting a city or marina view), there is an inviting pool. private parking, an airport shuttle and an on-site bar and restaurant.
Apartamentos Pinhão – A great self-catering base in Lagos, this place offers one- and two-bedroom apartments and suites. Some boast balconies and sea views and all come fully equipped with all you may need.
Olive Hostel Lagos – This convivial hostel is situated in a classic old building in the centre of Lagos. There are lots of room options, an equipped kitchen, good common areas and a resident cat named Vivaldi.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Lagos hotels!
Lagos is the ultimate, laid-back beach holiday with a whole lot more up its sleeve than your regular resort town. From the winding cobbled streets of the old town to the towering cliffs, sparkling turquoise waters and deep sea caves, it will have you wishing you didn’t have to leave.
Are you planning to visit Lagos? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!
