Lagos, Portugal: travel guide
Golden cliffs, sea caves and sheltered coves on the western Algarve
Algarve resort town of golden cliffs and grottoes — Ponta da Piedade, Praia Dona Ana and boat trips to the Benagil sea cave.
About Lagos
Lagos is a seaside town on the western Algarve, where a walled old centre meets a coastline of honey-coloured cliffs, arches and small beaches. It is the base for some of the most photographed scenery in southern Portugal.
Boat and kayak trips run to the grottoes at Ponta da Piedade and on to the Benagil sea cave, while Praia Dona Ana and Meia Praia give you a choice between a cove and a long open beach. In town, the Mercado Municipal and the gilded Igreja de Santo António are worth a visit between swims.
Lagos suits beach holidays, couples and active travellers who like coastal walks. The best time to visit Lagos is late spring or early autumn, when the sea is pleasant and the crowds are thinner.
- Country
- Portugal
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Lisbon
- Nearest airport
- FAO
Last updated
Top places to visit in Lagos
Ponta da Piedade
Viewpoint · about 1.5 h · free entry
Golden sandstone cliffs, sea stacks and grottoes reached by boardwalk steps or boat/kayak tour.
Praia Dona Ana
Beach · about 2 h · free entry
One of the Algarve's most photographed beaches, framed by ochre cliffs and clear water.
Praia do Camilo
Beach · about 2 h · free entry
Small cove beach reached by a long wooden staircase, with turquoise water and rock arches.
Benagil Sea Cave
Nature · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Iconic domed sea cave with a natural skylight and interior beach, visited by boat, kayak or SUP.
Igreja de Santo António
Church · about 0.5 h · entry €3 (≈ ₹320)
Small 18th-century church with dazzling gilded baroque woodwork; adjoins the municipal museum.
Meia Praia
Beach · about 2.5 h · free entry
Long 4km stretch of sandy beach east of Lagos, popular for swimming and watersports.
Forte da Ponta da Bandeira
Fort · about 0.5 h · entry €3 (≈ ₹320)
17th-century sea fort guarding the harbour entrance, now a small museum.
Mercado Municipal de Lagos
Market · about 0.7 h · free entry
Two-floor town market with fresh fish, produce and a rooftop café.
Things to do
- Benagil Cave Boat Tour Water Sports · 2.5 h · from EUR 35 per person
- Ponta da Piedade Kayak Tour Water Sports · 2.5 h · from EUR 35 per person
- Dolphin Watching from Lagos Wildlife · 1.5 h · from EUR 40 per person
Day trips and tours
- Benagil Cave & Algarve Coast Cruise 3 h · from EUR 35
Where to stay in Lagos
- Lagos Historic Centre about EUR 90 per night
Cobbled old town packed with bars and restaurants near the marina.
- Meia Praia about EUR 110 per night
Long beach strip east of town, quieter and family-friendly.
Hotels
- Rising Cock Party Hostel 2-star · EUR 22 to EUR 60 per night
- Cascade Wine & Beach Resort 5-star · EUR 220 to EUR 520 per night
- Hotel Marina Rio 3-star · EUR 80 to EUR 160 per night
Where to eat
- Cervejaria Ramires Portuguese, Grill · about EUR 18 per person
- Casinha do Petisco Portuguese, Seafood · about EUR 24 per person
- A Forja Portuguese, Seafood · about EUR 16 per person
Getting to Lagos
Nearest airport: Faro (FAO), about 64 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Lagos
- CP train on the Linha do Algarve to Lagos By train from Lisbon · common
The CP station is in Lagos next to the marina; regional and inter-regional services run along the Algarve line. Source: cm-lagos.pt
- Rede Expressos, Eva or FlixBus coach By road from Lisbon · common
Eva Transportes, Rede Nacional de Expressos and FlixBus serve Lagos on regional and national routes. Source: cm-lagos.pt
- Fly into Faro, then road or rail west By air from Faro · common
Faro International is the main airport for Lagos, then onward by A22 or the Algarve line. Source: cm-lagos.pt
From the railway station to the centre
- On foot from the CP station
The railway station sits next to the Marina de Lagos, so the waterfront is a short walk. Source: cm-lagos.pt
Getting around
- Bus
Local buses run in Lagos and tickets are bought on board; the town is small and mostly walkable, including to its sandy beaches.
A Onda Lagos urban buses · Lagos municipality urban transport
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Timeshare / holiday-club touts
Lagos marina and main streets
Touts offer scratch-card "prizes" leading to high-pressure timeshare presentations.
How to avoid it: Decline scratch cards and unsolicited prize offers; walk away.
Best time to visit Lagos
- Jan 15°C
- Feb 15°C
- Mar 17°C
- Apr 19°C
- May 22°C
- Jun 26°C
- Jul 27°C
- Aug 28°C
- Sep 26°C
- Oct 22°C
- Nov 18°C
- Dec 16°C
More in Portugal
Frequently asked questions about Lagos
- What are the main places to visit in Lagos?
- Places covered in our Lagos guide include Ponta da Piedade, Praia Dona Ana, Praia do Camilo, Benagil Sea Cave, Igreja de Santo António.
- Where should I stay in Lagos?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Lagos: Lagos Historic Centre, Meia Praia.
- How do I get around Lagos?
- Ways to get around Lagos covered in our guide: City bus, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Lagos?
- Scams reported to us for Lagos include Timeshare / holiday-club touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Lagos?
- Average daytime highs in Lagos run from 15°C in Jan to 28°C in Aug.
- Which airport is nearest to Lagos?
- The nearest airport to Lagos has the code FAO.