We've all seen the dramatic cliffs and breathtaking beauty of Lagos. And the pictures don't do it justice. More and more visitors flock to Lagos every year, yet if you know where to look, you can find so much local charm in the city and surrounding areas of the Algarve.
 
By putting this guide together, I wanted to help you make the most out of your time in Lagos and the Algarve.

This guide includes
👉 Advice on getting to Lagos
👉 Guidelines on renting a car 
👉 11 Hotel recommendations (at least half of which I've personally visited)
👉 11 Places to explore
👉 9 Day trips 
👉 6 Suggested excursions
👉 17 Restaurant and bar recommendations 

and so much more!

Portugal

Algarve, Portugal

Lagos, Portugal

🌎 The Ultimate Guide to Lagos

We loved Lagos! Lagos felt like the perfect mix of authentic culture and also was touristy enough to keep us very entertained!   It was wonderful to be able to walk to so many beaches, and hiking along the coast was one of our favorite things we did during this trip. 

We loved the food and the kindness of all of the people we met. Even the streets in Lagos were creative and decorative. 

The great thing about this area is that if you have a car you can access SO MUCH within an hour of Lagos.  I will not list anything in this guide that is beyond an hour.  

MOST things in this guide you can do entirely without a car, but I will list some things in which a car will be required.  I will split the guide into two sections.. with and without car.  Believe me there is PLENTY to do here either way! 

This guide will include all of the things we did while in Lagos.  It will include our favorite beaches, places to eat, and things to do.  It will also include things I would LOVE to do if we had more time in this beautiful town!   

Lagos Portugal: A Mini Guide

Travel alongside the Algarve Coast and be amazed by the scenic cliffs, wonderful sunsets and breathtaking views.

9-day Algarve, Portugal roadtrip itinerary for ocean lovers

Portugal is one of the best European countries for an on the road: it's easy to get around, it enjoys an excellent climate almost all year round, the food is good and there are lots of things to do and see for all tastes.
We spent 14 days in Portugal and I can tell you that there is no better choice we could have made in our life.
Its wild beaches, the cliffs that will take your breath away, its villages populated by medieval houses..
Discovering Portugal by camper or car is an experience that will make you discover your spirit of freedom or above all reach all its wonders, even in the most remote places!
But before traveling you need to carefully plan your itinerary and I want to show you mine!
In this itinerary from north to south of Portugal I show you all the most beautiful places we have visited including beaches, villages and cities, so that you can choose which ones to see based on the time you have and your preferences.
This is a 14 day itinerary but, if you have less time available you can adapt it by excluding something.

The itinerary in brief:
-3 days in Lisbon
-Day excursion to Sintra and Cabo da Roca
-Obidos and Nazaré
-Aveiro and Costa Nova
-2 days in Porto
-Day excursion to Braga and Guimarães 
-Coimbra
-Alentejo: Evora and Monsaraz
-3 days in the Algarve: Faro, Albufeira, Lagos and Sagres.

Inside you will find:
🗓️ when to go
🚊how to move
🏨 where to stay
🏛️what to visit
🍽️where to eat
🎭activities and excursions
✨unusual places

And lots of other information and advice that will help you better plan your on the road...

Happy reading!👀

Costa Nova do Prado, Gafanha da Encarnação, Portogallo

Aveiro, Portogallo

Nazaré, Portogallo

Sintra, Portogallo

Cabo da Roca, Estrada do Cabo da Roca, Colares, Portogallo

Braga, Portogallo

Porto, Portogallo

Óbidos, Portogallo

Lisbona, Portogallo

Guimarães, Portogallo

Coimbra, Portogallo

Faro, Portogallo

Europe

Discovering Portugal on the roads

All the places we visited on our 71 day road trip.
The route went down from Calais on the west of France for a week including another week in the Pyrenees. 
The north of Spain and Basque region for around 2 weeks. 
Down through Portugal including Porto, Lisbon and the Algarve for around 4 weeks. 
A few spots in the south of Spain from the drive back home which took us 10 days. 
Finally finishing in Bruges, Belgium. 

All of my photos from this road trip are on my Instagram which is @takeme.travelling. You are welcome to ask me any questions you wish. 

France

Spain

71 Day France, Spain and Portugal Road Trip 

South West Coast of Portugal
from Sines to Sagres 💛

The guide you needed for you next road trip, with notes on every single beach.
Information on: Lifeguarded Beaches, Surfing, Parking, Amenities.

• BONUS •
🧡 Camping Spot
💚 Surrounded by Nature: Viewpoints & Trails
💙 Traditional Coastal Villages

Costa Vicentina.

I spent 5 days in the Algarve region and I loved every moment of it. This guide is not huge because a big part of the trip was to relax, enjoy the moment and be spontaneous, but it will still give you enough information to fill your days and plan your trip to Portugal 🇵🇹 

Sagres, Portugal

Faro, Portugal

Algarve - Faro, Lagos & Sagres

A beautiful guide to Algarve's "Barlavento" area.
For the last 15 years I have spent my summers on this area, this gave me a lot of time to explore and find a lot of hidden gems!
In this guide you will find everything, from nature to culture to cuisine, this area is rich in many ways!

Silves, Portugal

Portimão, Portugal

Aljezur, Portugal

Monchique, Portugal

Barlavento Algarvio, Portugal

"Barlavento Algarvio" - Algarve's Hidden Gems

Adding a few days in the Algarve on to your Portugal itinerary? Here are the must-visit spots. I have a home in the small fishing/resort town of Olhos d'Agua and have found some real gems in my visits there. 

The Algarve is a mix of natural beaches and beauty with great weather, small to medium sized towns focused on tourism, especially in the summer months. It gets much quieter in the "off season," so keep that in mind if you're planning to visit outside of summer, as some places shut down in winter. 

Getting around the Algarve either from Lisbon or Faro typically means renting a car so you can visit off-the-beaten-path locations, but taxi/Uber/Bolt are plentiful and pretty affordable. 

I'll continue to update this guide on a regular basis as I go deeper and explore the region that's my 2nd home!

Quick Trip: The Algarve, Portugal

Sagres

Nestled on the edge of the world, Sagres unfolds as a coastal sanctuary where rugged cliffs embrace pristine beaches, where the timeless power of the Atlantic collides with ancient fortifications, and where a palpable sense of exploration lingers in the air, beckoning travelers to uncover the secrets of this wild and enchanting land.

Sagres isn't a big touristy place. You'll mostly find small, local eateries and it gives you a glimpse of how people really live at the ocean (compared to bigger, most touristy cities). 

A delightful surf town that is charming and also stunningly beautiful. Worth a trip to the Fortress and the viewpoints around the city. Grab a quick lunch and soak up the surf vibes. 

This is supposed to be a slow sleepy surfer town with incredible sunsets and I know we'd enjoy visiting here if we had the time. 

Sagres

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