Lagos is a historic and charming town located on the western side of the Algarve. With pristine beaches, a picturesque Old Town, great restaurants and a buzzing nightlife, it is more than just a beach destination.
The history of Lagos dates back over 2000 years, and its busy harbor has attracted the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors, all of whom have called Lagos home. Prince Henry the Navigator, who built a fortified town and school of navigation in Sagres, lived most of the time in Lagos. It was from Lagos that he directed expeditions to Morocco and to the western coast of Africa, and it was also from here that Vasco da Gama set sail for what was to be his discovery of Brazil.
Visitors can spend a day exploring the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town. There are a number of historic buildings in the city center to visit, including well preserved sections of the ancient city wall that date from the 16th C., the 17th C. Ponta da Bandeira fort that sits on the waterfront, the 16th C. Igreja do Divino Salvador, Matriz de Alvor (Church of the Divine Saviour), the beautiful interior of the Santo Antonio church (with an unassuming facade), and the Mercado dos Escravos (Europe’s first slave market). There is even a municipal museum Museu Dr. Jose Formosinho that tells the history of the area from the Neolithic period through the Age of Discovery.
Many are drawn to Lagos for its beaches, and there many to choose from, including Praia do Camilo (accessed by descending a 200 step wooden stairway), Meia Praia, and Praia de Dona Ana. One of Lagos’ best known sites is the stunning Ponta da Piedade, a series of beautiful sandstone cliffs that are considered the finest natural feature of the western Algarve. The site can explored from the pathways that cross and climb the cliffs, but it is best seen from sea by taking one of the boat tours that depart from the Lagos marina.
If you decide to spend some time in Lagos you can stay at the Hotel Tivoli Lagos Algarve Resort located in the center of town and just 10 minutes from Lagos’ largest beach, Meia Praia. For more information and reservations, click here.
Photo credit: Turismo de Portugal / Photo: Forte da Ponta da Bandeira
For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.