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Lagos- idyllic town of Algarve by amazing cave beaches

July 5, 2021 By Gabi Zec 25 Comments

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05.07.2021.

One of the most popular town of the portuguese coastal region of Algarve is a fabulous wonder called Lagos. Its beaches are the slice of heaven, the unique opportunity to catch a moment between amazing rocks and caves that shape the appearance.

Lagos is only 2,45 h from Lisbon, easily reachable by bus. This awesome hilly town will give a fulfillment to all tastes as you can enjoy climbing, water sports or cultural and historic discoveries. Algarve is definitely the most popular destination in Portugal, after Sintra.

What to do in Lagos

What makes lagos beaches just enchanting are the narrow passages through the caves, amazing rocks and the fact that theyโ€™re located so close to the town. Just sitting hidden in the caves, searching the shells feels so cozy and easy to make people.

One of the best way and most affordable to see the beaches around is taking a boat ride. You can just appear at the dock and the driver will give you stories about rocks and the similarities they put on.

Many water sports are popular here specially kayaking.

Amazing beaches

Praia do Camillo- located 4 km south of the town lying next to Dona Ana this is the fantastic beach of the travel brochures of Lagos. Perfectly secluded this quiet little bay is extremely popular with locals and very picturesque. 200 wooden steps beautifully frame this iconic spot. Praia do Camillo is pretty safe for swimmig because of the massive cliffs that surround it.

Praia de Dona Ana- is nestled among the amazing seaside colours and sheltered rocks Praia de Dona Ana is often described as the best beach of Lagos. Surrounded by lovely restaurants and caffe bars this beach is also reachable via the long staircase.

Praia do Pinhรฃo- is a hidden corner untouched of civilization and touched by the crystal clear water.

If possible, take a chance to see:

Praia Grande, Praia dos Estudantes, and Praia Batata.

Ponta da Piedade is the beautiful viewpoint where golden rocks shine in the distance. It can be reached by boat or kayaking tours or by walking.

Exploring the Old town

The very centre is quite picturesque and alive, full of alive music and street vendors. The most popular craft products are made of the oak so everywhere in Algarve you can buy awesome oak stuff from the shoes, hats till wallets and home decorations.

Igreja de Santo Antonio is lovely discovery specially at its interior where blue and white tiles interwine divinely. The shining gold at its altar is pretty outstanding at this remarkable buiding from 18. century.

Town Walls of Lagos is a marvellous testimony which collect the history from Phoenicians, Romans and Moors where the Romans played the significative role. Fort of Ponte de Bandeira and Porta de Sao Goncalo as the arched entrance into old town offers the captivating views within its towers.

Unfortunately, I didnโ€™t take much photos of the city centre itself but hopefully I will be back soon.

Museums

Science Museum is lovely but small museum located in central Lagos surrounded by fantastic views. Itโ€™s a pretty attractive item for adults and children alike with great outdoors design.

Slave Market Museum captures the stories from the African slaves brought to Lagos, itโ€™s one of the oldet buildings in Lagos built in 1444.

Wax Museum dedicated to the maritime local figures is a treasure of a historical Lago located at the lovely Marina.

Lagos Marina

Lagos Marina can be a relaxing place to watch boats or just visit some restaurants, bars or shops. Itโ€™s located close to the train station so itโ€™s easily reachable. Various happenings attract the visitors like water events, art programms among which drawing lessons. Events dedicated to the Portuguese cuisine can also happen sometimes.

Day trips from Lagos

Benagil Cave

One of the most fascinating sights of the Algarve is the Benagil cave that is only 15 minutes by car from Lagos. But since you cannot enter the cave by foot, it would be the best to take a boat trip or trip kayak trip from the village of Benagil.

Silves Castle

Silves Castle is located 30 minutes by car from Lagos, easily reachable by the train. Placed at the top of the hill it speaks the story from its Arab origin from the 8th century. Silves town is a lovely place rich in history.

Sagres and Cabo de Sao Vicente- offer the stunning cliff views at the distance of 30 km from Lagos. Legendary Cabo de Sao Vicente is the most south-western point of Europe.

Hiking Seven Hanging Valleys

This is one of the most adorable hikes near Lagos, located at the 40 minutes drive from the town itself. Breathtaking views including the Benagil cave lead from Praia do Marinha till Praia de Vale Centeanes.

The trail is very rocky and sometimes very windy so take care about that.

Carvoeiro boardwalk

Within the distance of 35 km from Lagos Carvoeiro boardwalk is a charming promenade, only 800 m long. Itโ€™s specially attractive for bird watching.

Where to stay

Hostels:

I stayed in the Suite Things Hostel, that is temporarily or forever closed. Picture below.

Bura Surfhouse- hostel on the hill with the vibrant vibes and pool;

Sol A Sol Hostelโ€“ lovely central location with amazing social atmosphere;

Boutique Tag Hostelโ€“ lovely sea views near the marina of Lagos;

Hotels:

Dona Ana Gardenโ€“ lovely central location near Dona Ana beach and only 10 minutes from thwe Old town this is

a charming hotel with two pools;

Belma Resort Lagosโ€“ located just next to the ocean and wonderful pool;

Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarveโ€“ just near Meia Praia itโ€™s a wonderful 5 star hotel;

Conclusion

If youโ€™re choosing only one place to visit in Algarve, definitely decide it to be Lagos. Though entire Algarve coast deserves a closer look. Some of the most fascinating beaches I saw in Europe are placed here.

It definitely needs to be explored beyond the surface and beyond the beaches.

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Filed Under: Garden and Travel stories Tagged With: #algarve, #discoveralgarve, #lagosportugal, #portugaltravel, #stunningbeaches

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sue says

    July 6, 2021 at 1:49 am

    The shells on the beach are beautiful! Iโ€™d ๐Ÿ˜˜ be to visit Lagos some day.

    Reply
  2. Irene says

    July 6, 2021 at 7:36 pm

    Iโ€™ve been in Lagos few years back and it was a really lovely place. I need to come back any time.

    Reply
  3. readandreviewit says

    July 6, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    Great post and photos! Lagos looks absolutely stunning โ€“ Iโ€™d really love to visit the beaches and old town in particular! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Elena at TravelByExample says

    July 6, 2021 at 10:32 pm

    What a beautiful place. Would love to spend there few days and explore all the beaches โ€“ they all look amazing! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  5. Anika says

    July 8, 2021 at 8:45 am

    The beaches really do look amazing, such a beautiful view too. Iโ€™ve never been to Portugal but it looks wonderful! Great photos ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿพ

    Reply
  6. Greg says

    July 8, 2021 at 10:37 am

    Looks and sounds a great spot to visit. Beaches look ace !

    Reply
  7. simplyjolayne says

    July 8, 2021 at 6:23 pm

    The Old Town sounds amazing to visit and there is so much history in this location. Your photos are beautiful, but I am sure it doesnโ€™t do justice to the true beauty of the island.

    Reply
  8. Simply Alex Jean says

    July 8, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    Oh this looks and sounds gorgeous!! I love your photo of the shells thatโ€™s a great picture. Iโ€™m so jealous and I appreciate you sharing this !

    Reply
  9. Coo says

    July 9, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Wow! Those beaches! I need to add this to my bucket list. Beautiful!

    Reply
  10. Shea says

    July 9, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    Beautiful! I would love to visit one day that ns for sharing

    Reply
  11. Sakshi raina says

    July 10, 2021 at 8:36 am

    This looks like such a beautiful place to be in. Reading travel posts in these covid times makes me a lil helpless as I canโ€™t travel now but also is refreshing to at least visit this virtually through this post. Thank you for such a detailed post!

    Reply
  12. Eleanor Jones says

    July 10, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    Iโ€™ve never been to Lagos but it looks lovely and these images are amazing x

    Reply
  13. Alexis says

    July 10, 2021 at 7:59 pm

    Very pretty! I love the photos of the beach, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. LaurEn says

    July 13, 2021 at 10:27 am

    Iโ€™ve never been to Lagos but it looks beautiful, especially the beaches!
    This is such a great review, thank you for this. Will be putting it on my list of places to visit ๐Ÿ˜Š

    Reply
  15. LINDSAY VINE says

    July 13, 2021 at 11:11 am

    Iโ€™d so love to visit Lagos and walk around the old town. How you described it sounds so wonderful. Also, I didnโ€™t know they had so many museums and places to visit here.

    Reply
  16. BaSic WITH LIFE says

    July 13, 2021 at 11:51 am

    Lagos looks beautiful, such amazing pictures and descriptions.
    Iโ€™ve never been but Iโ€™m interested now. I need a holiday ( like everyone else Iโ€™m sure) I love museums as well.

    Reply
  17. Molly @ Transatlantic Notes says

    July 13, 2021 at 4:31 pm

    Iโ€™d love to spend time on the beaches there, they look so wonderful.

    Reply
  18. lisa says

    July 14, 2021 at 12:04 pm

    Iโ€™ve never been to Portugal but these caves and beaches are something else! Beautiful pics, Gabi, thank you so much for sharing ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  19. Fadima Mooneira says

    July 14, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    Heyโ€ฆ..Iโ€™ve been to Algarve before. Itโ€™s very beautiful. I wish to travel there again in the future. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  20. Jodie | That Happy Reader says

    July 15, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    This looks like a beautiful place to visit and explore! I loved your photos and write up. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  21. Ruth| Ruthiee loves Glamour says

    July 15, 2021 at 3:17 pm

    Wow! Lagos is a beautiful place. It seems like we have more than one place with the name Lagos. I have never been to this place before but itโ€™s so beautiful. Iโ€™ll visit Lagos one day. x

    Reply
  22. Caroline says

    July 16, 2021 at 2:10 pm

    Lagos looks so stunningly beautiful! Iโ€™ve always enjoyed exploring cave beaches and these look great ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  23. Allie MACKIN says

    July 16, 2021 at 5:35 pm

    Wow you are right this IS like a slice of heaven. I would love to travel here one day. Thanks for the heads up on this!

    Allie of
    http://www.allienyc.com

    Reply
  24. Molly says

    July 17, 2021 at 10:00 am

    Sounds amazing, thank you for sharing. Iโ€™ve not seen much of Portugal so would definitely like to explore Lagos in the future.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Discover 20 most breathtaking sea caves around the world - says:
    May 22, 2023 at 1:23 pm

    [โ€ฆ] Lagos is the most stunning choice for your vacation at the southern coast of Portugal. Almost every beach in this pretty town holds marvelous caves. Itโ€™s a true wonder walking here and escaping the waves as the caves connect the area. The charming tranquility of Lagos belongs to its beaches making it perfect for all ages and tastes. [โ€ฆ]

    Reply

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