Lagos, Algarve: Laid-Back Portugalš
Where to Stay
There are numerous vacation rentals and hotels. We opted for an AirBnB near Marina de Lagos, which was easy walking across the pedestrian bridge to the historic center and beyond.
If you decide to opt for a hotel, here are several located near the marina:
Getting There
By Plane
If traveling by plane, the closest airport is in nearby Faro located about 46 miles/75km away. From Faro Airport, you can get to Lagos in about 1-2 hours via taxi, train, bus, or car hire. For those visiting from elsewhere in Europe, Ryanair and EasyJet offer flights into Faro.
If traveling from Portugalās capitol city of Lisbon, TAP Portugal provide flights from Lisbon to Faro that takes only 45-minutes. Be sure to note of size/weight restrictions if you choose to fly... you will most likely need to pay extra for carry-on and/or checked luggage on regional/budget airlines.
By Train
Generally speaking, for train travel throughout Portugal, Comboios de Portugal (CP) (https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en)
Offers both local and high-speed Alfa Pendular service. However, there is no available high-speed service for travel from Lisbon to Lagos.
The trip will take approximately 4-5 hours depending on scheduling and requires a stopover and transfer in the town of Tunes before getting to Lagos. The modern Lagos Train Station was built in 2003, replacing the original dating back to 1922, which remains standing close by. The Lagos Train Station is located behind the Marina de Lagos.
By Car/Bus
In addition to rentals and private car hires, another option is the bus. Two major companies āĀ FlixBus and Rede Expressos offer modern and comfortable buses for inexpensive transportation.
Note: If you opt for the bus, I recommend paying a few Euros extra for reserved seating near the front (rows 1-4).
It took us almost 4 hours by bus to get from Lisbon-Oriente station to the Lagos Bus Terminal located near the Marina de Lagos. This included a 15-minute break at a rest stop (snack bar, vending machines, and restrooms available).
* For transportation planning, we found the website Rome2Rio (https://www.rome2rio.com/) to be very helpful and user friendly!Ā Ā Ā
Things to See & Do
Stroll along Avenida Dos Descobrimentos
The stroll along Avenida Dos Descobrimentos (Avenue of the Discoveries) is lovely, with views along the Ribeira de Bensafrim on one side. From the Marina, the beautifully tiled walkway will eventually take you to Ponta da Bandeira Fort and Old Town Lagos.
Early morning outings were serene and quiet, while midday in the summer months offer vendors selling tours, clothing, and souvenirs.
Old Town Lagos
The walled city of historic Old Town Lagos is full of places to explore. Wander the narrow streets filled with murals and historic sites as well as restaurants and shops. Some highlights include:
~ SĆ£o GonƧalo Gate and the Old Town Walls (you can find a āLagosā sign near the Gate across from the Fort for a memorable photo op!)
~ Igreja de Santo AntĆ³nio (Church of St. Anthony) and the Museu de Lagos Dr. JosĆ© Formosinho (museum and church annex, which serves as the entry for the Baroque churchās gilded gold alter with blue and white azulejo panels inside.
~ LuĆs de CamƵes Square with the Green House (Instagrammable house with green tiles)
Ponta da Piedade
The hike along the coastal trail to Ponta da Piedade is a must! Itās about 3.5 miles round trip (~45 minutes) or you can get a cab or hired car to Ponta de Piedada (approx. ā¬5-7 by taxi). The coastal trail is a combination of sidewalk, dirt trail, and wooden boardwalk, with lots of smaller side trails to explore! Wear sunscreen, hat, and carry some water, though there are places at beaches along the way such as the beautiful Praia do Camillo and Ponta de PiedadeĀ lighthouse.Ā Ā
Another way to visit Ponta da Piedade is by boat! There are lots of tour companies offering outings, and we really enjoyed our Kayak Grotto Tour with Blue Fleet. We headed out by catamaran from Marina de Lagos, then entered the water near Ponta de Piedade through a ramp on the catamaran ā it was awesome! Well worth the ā¬40 price, and they offer a variety of other trips and tours as well ranging from coastal cruises to high-speed rigid inflatable boats (ribs) to the famous Benagil cave located about 30 minutes away. Use code Blue10 for a 10% discount!
Beaches
There are numerous beaches (Praia) to enjoy, from Praia da Batata located closest to town, classic Praia don Ana with seafood bar and hotels, and the picturesque Praia do Camillo accessible from the coastal trail. For a wide expanse of golden sand with a variety of food options available, Meia Praia was our favorite! Late May to the end of September offers ideal temperatures for enjoying a beach day, with August being the busiest. You can walk along wooden walkways to access the beaches, or opt to take a cab or car hire. Tip: The Linha 2 bus connects Meia Praia to Praia don Ana, or you can take the hop on, hop off Lagos tourist train to access (https://touristtrainlagos.com/en/).Ā
Places to Eat
Check out these casual eateries in historic Old Town Lagos and nearby Meia Praia beach - these were our favorites!Ā
Travel Tips
Weather
We visited in late May which was ideal for pleasant weather and less crowds. Temperatures were ideal for us, with highs in the upper 70s/lower 80s and lows in the low 60s. Bring a sweater or light jacket for cooler temps in the morning and evenings.
Money
The currency used in Portugal is the Euro, and many places accept credit cards and/or touchless or mobile payment like Apple Wallet and Google Pay. Watch for signs that say ānĆ£o temos MBā or ānĆ£o temos multibancoā or an āMā with a red circle/slash no symbol to indicate that a place only takes cash.
Grocery Markets
Shopping at local markets such as the Mercado Municipal de Lagos (http://www.cm-lagos.pt/), Wednesday evening organic Vivāo Mercado (https://www.facebook.com/camaramunicipaldelagos), and Saturday Farmerās Market as well as local grocery stores such Pingo Doce and Continente gave us the opportunity to interact with local vendors and residents.
Day Trips
Other popular towns in the Algarve region include PortimĆ£o, Faro, Albufeira, Tavira, etc., so those might be worth checking out as well. Note that Lagos is located at the western end of the train line and schedules can be limited and/or affected by occasional strikes. While a car isnāt necessary if staying in Lagos, those wanting to visit a few other towns enjoyed the flexibility of a vehicle.
Thanks so much for visiting!Ā I hope you enjoyed the guide and found it to be helpful!Ā š
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