As an American traveler, I had not heard much about the Algarve region of Portugal or the coastal town of Lagos. However, after taking a chance at this destination, I realized that Lagos is one of the most underrated towns in all of Europe. Often overlooked by the more popular European destinations, Lagos offers stunning beaches, historic sites, and a laid-back atmosphere that will leave you wanting more. Not only is it beautiful, but there were low crowds (even during the peak season) and affordable prices! If you’re visiting Portugal or looking for a coastal European destination to spend your summer vacation, I highly recommend giving Lagos a chance. In this post, I will be covering a complete travel guide to Lagos, Portugal including how to get around, things to do, where to eat, and other tips for a memorable trip!

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Travel Guide to Lagos, Portugal

How to Get to Lagos

The closest airports to Lagos are the Faro Airport and the Lisbon Airport. If you want to fly to a larger international airport, Lisbon is your best option. From here you can either take the bus for 3- 4 hours to Lagos, rent a car and drive for around 2.5 hours, take the train for around 3-4 hours, or take a flight to Faro airport which is smaller but closer. The Faro airport is about an hour away by car, 2 hours by bus, or 1 hour and 45 minutes by train. Many budget European airlines will fly into this airport.

When I was traveling to Lagos, I opted for the Flixbus. My experience was fine, but I will say that it is definitely a budget option, and if you want more of a luxury vacation experience, renting a car or paying for a shuttle will be the better option.

How to Get Around Lagos

Lagos is a fairly small town with many things easily accessible by walking or biking. If you are staying in the historic city center, nearly everything is within walking distance including shops, restaurants, and beaches. Another option would be to rent bikes or electric scooters from local shops. There are many nearby beaches that are a bit longer of a walk and can be accessible by bike or scooter.

If you want to explore more of the Algarve, or other nearby towns and further beaches, renting a car would be your best option. There is not too much parking in the historic city center, however, there are nearby parking lots and a parking garage that may be an option if you’re renting a car.

Where to Stay in Lagos

When I visited, I took a solo trip and was on more of a budget. I went the hostel route and stayed at The Banana Beach House. This hostel was located outside the downtown area of Lagos and was more chill. They offered surf lessons and had a common area with breakfast, dinner, and a bar. I liked that it was close to the beaches and boardwalk. It was a decent walk downtown (and it’s a non-shaded, warm walk in the summer!). If I were to visit again, I would choose something that was located in the downtown/historic center of Lagos. There are many different hostel options if you are going the budget route, as well as hotels.

Things to Do in Lagos

1. Explore the Beaches

The beaches in Lagos offer stunning views, golden sand, and turquoise-blue water. There are many different beaches located near Lagos. The closer you are to the historic old town, and the fewer stairs to access the beach, the more popular the beach will likely be. A few of the different beaches include:

Praia do Camilo: One of the best beaches that tends to get busy in the middle of the day, but less so than some of the other beaches in the area due to the 200 wooden steps you will need to take to access the beach. This beach is popular to swim at.
Paia de Porto de Mos: One of the larger beaches in the area for surfing and sunbathing.
Praia dos Estudantes: One of the closest beaches to downtown Lagos and easy to access. Due to its proximity to the city, it can become very busy.
Praia de Dona Ana: Another popular beach that can be accessed by walking from downtown Lagos. This beach is a bit further from the city. It’s not as far as Praia do Camilo and you won’t need to take as many steps. It does become popular during the day when visiting in high season. This beach is popular to swim at.

2. Visit Ponta de Piedade

Ponta de Piedade is located along the coast and is known for its dramatic rock formations, sea caves, and crystal-clear waters. You can access Ponta de Piede either by boat, kayaking, paddleboarding, or hiking in from the top. Ponta de Piede is located along the boardwalk, but you can also park your car nearby. If you’re accessing by land, you will need to take around 200 steps down from the cliff. This is a popular spot to visit, so expect crowds during the high season unless you are visiting in the early morning. Also, note that during the middle of the day, there is heavy traffic from boats and kayaks.

3. Go Kayaking or Paddleboarding

If you’re looking to get a closer look at the sea caves surrounding Lagos, there is no better way than by taking a Kayak or Paddleboard. I would recommend going early in the morning since the sun in the afternoon can be intense. As long as the sea isn’t rough, options for tours are offered multiple times each day during the high season. The kayaking tour that I went on truly felt like one of those “once in a lifetime” experiences.

4. Historic Old Town

The historic old town region of Lagos is composed of cobblestone streets, colorful and historic buildings, and charming squares. There are many different shops and restaurants to explore in the area. At night, the town is lively and there is a great bar scene. The historic old town is also close to the boardwalk, marina, and beach.

The area is very walkable, and many accommodations are in Historic Old Town. I highly recommend staying in this area and exploring for at least an afternoon!

5. Hike the Coastal Trails

Hiking along the coastal trail and boardwalk was one of my favorite things to do when visiting Lagos. I highly recommend going early in the morning, or during sunset for stunning views and photo opportunities. When I went before 9:00 am, there was almost no one on the trails or beaches aside from a few runners and photographers. During sunset, the water appears to glitter which makes it even more stunning.

Along the trails, you are able to see a great view of the dramatic cliffs and rock formations that make Lagos so beautiful, panoramic ocean views, and hidden beaches and covers that are only accessible by foot. If you have young children, have limited mobility, or are looking for a leisurely stroll, you can stick to the boardwalk. For those who are looking for more challenging trails such as steep climbs and descents, you can go off the boardwalk for some of the more hidden views.

6. Take a Boat Tour

If you want to visit the sea caves but don’t want the workout of Kayaking or Paddleboarding, there are many different boat tours that you can take. Boat tours offer a different perspective of Lago’s beautiful coastline that you are not able to see from land. There are also tours that you can take to see dolphins and whales. Taking a tour to see the dolphins ended up being another “once in a lifetime” experience for me while visiting. I was also able to see whales so it ended up being a two-for-one!

7. Take a Day Trip

Lagos is not the only beautiful city in the Algarve. Renting a car and visiting a few of the other coastal towns is a great way to spend a day while staying in Lagos. Faro tends to be the most popular town for a day trip. Other options include Sagres, Silves, and Portimao.

If you’re looking to explore the sea caves, the Benagil Cave is one of the most popular places to visit in the Algarve. The only way to access the inside of the cave is on a boat or kayaking tour. Many tour groups take tourists to the caves. Another option to see the cave from above is to hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. A fence surrounds the opening of the cave, and for the best view, it is recommended to be inside the cave.

Where to Eat in Lagos

You really can’t go wrong, no matter where you eat in Lagos! I didn’t have a single bad meal. Some of the places that I recommend visiting are:

Restaurante Asinhas: A restaurant that was recommended to me by a local and did not disappoint. The fish was very fresh and caught that day. They even brought it out to show you the cut before cooking it! If you’re looking for something local, and like seafood, I highly recommend a visit!
Padaria Central: For Pastel de Nata and other traditional pastries. It was the first Pastel de Nata that I had while in Portugal and ended up being the absolute best. It can get very busy, even first thing in the morning. It’s also cash only.
La Focaccia: Located near the beach. This was a great place to grab a sandwich (nothing fancy) to bring to the beach or boardwalk for lunch. It is cash-only.
Padaria Central: For Pastel de Nata and other traditional pastries. It was the first Pastel de Nata that I had while in Portugal and ended up being the absolute best. It can get very busy, even first thing in the morning. It’s also cash only.
Coffee & Waves: Another great coffee spot. Not only coffee though, the breakfast was very good. I tried both the acai and yogurt bowls. It had me craving them for weeks after!

The Studio Coffee Roaster: A very American thing for me to say, but sometimes when you’re abroad (especially if it’s hot!) you just want an iced coffee. That can be hard to find surprisingly. The coffee at the studio was very good and there were iced options! I ended up going back several times while I was in Lagos. It was a very popular place for coworking and expats as well.
Indigo Bar: A cute cocktail bar with a rooftop! The drinks were amazing and I loved the seating options. It’s a great place to visit before dinner. I had the espresso martini and it was probably the best one that I will ever drink.

Other Tips for Lagos

1. Visit during the shoulder season

While I visited in the high season (July) and it was not very crowded, you can visit during the shoulder season (May, September, and October for even less crowds. The busiest (and typically most expensive) time to visit is during June- August which is considered the high season. The weather is warm making it perfect for water activities, but tours and accommodations can begin to book up. During the shoulder season, it is still warm but there are better prices and fewer tourists. If you are planning to visit in the winter (November to April), you may find that many of the businesses close for the season.

2. Book Activities Ahead of Time

I did not have any trouble booking excursions and activities such as dolphin watching, whale watching, and sea kayaking the day of or the day prior. However, it is possible for activities to be booked up, especially during the more desirable times. If you’re set on an activity, I would recommend booking in advance. If you’re looking for something the day of, you can walk towards the marina and you will find many stands for boat tours.

3. Bring Comfortable Shoes

Some of the most stunning views are located along the boardwalk and surrounding coastal terrain. I would highly recommend wearing comfortable sandals (with good grip) while exploring. It’s a bit of a hike so you will want to be comfortable. To access many of the beaches or viewpoints, you may need to go off the boardwalk or down many steps.

4. Don’t Forget your Sunblock and Water!

If you’re walking to and from the beaches, along the boardwalk, hanging out on the beach, on a boat tour, or exploring the historic town center, you will be in a lot of direct sunlight. There was not a lot of shade! I highly recommend bringing your own sunscreen (and water). It was pricy, however, you can find some in the supermarket if you run out or forget it at home!

5. Be Careful Along the Cliffs

The Algarve region is famous for the cliffs surrounding the beaches. However, many of the cliffs are unstable. While walking along the boardwalk there is an opportunity to step off. Just be mindful of the cliff’s edge, as well as the stability of the ledge you are walking on to. If you step off the boardwalk, there are no rails!