We highlight the 6 best things to do in and around Lagos in this video:
Hit The Beach
Due to its year-round pleasant weather, one of the best things to do in Lagos is to hit the beach. Characterized by flanking rocky cliffs, hidden coves, and white sand, Lagos is home to many beaches that are perfect to relax and swim. Our favorite beaches for swimming include the sandy Duna Beach, the beautiful Dona Ana, Estudantes, Batata, and Camilo beach.
Explore Downtown Lagos
The downtown of Lagos is home to whitewashed houses and narrow cobbled streets, filled with cozy restaurants and cafés. It’s just fun to wander around, have a bite or drink, and relax. But if you want to learn a bit more about Lagos’ past, you can also visit the forte da ponte da bandeira, the iconic churches (Santo Antonio/Santa Maria Church), or one of the museums (Museu de Lagos dr. josé formosinho). It’s also a pleasure to roam around the traditional houses and check out the pretty harbour.
Walk The Cliffs
Starting at Pinhao beach, you can walk 3km of coastal cliffs all the way to the famous Ponta da Piedade. Winding above eccentric limestone formations and through diverse flora and fauna, this trail is truly special. Adventure lovers will find joy in getting lost and then navigating their way back to the path throughout the route. Even though the trail is not well-marked, you can just keep walking south the whole time along the cliffs and you’ll make it to Ponta da Piedade.
Ponta da piedade
Sitting 3.5 kilometers from the city center of Lagos, Ponta da Piedade is one of the most amazing natural sites to see in the area. Jagged limestone cliffs and hidden caves take center stage while pounding waves make beautiful music in the background. There is a boardwalk as well as small cliff trails that line the edges, winding around the magnificent lighthouse. We recommend arriving at the point an hour or so before sunset. In this way, you can get a little exercise in before rewarding yourself with one of the most beautiful sunset spots in all of Portugal!
Grutas boat tour or kayak tour
There are hundreds of caves and strange rock formations that go along the coast from Batata Beach to Ponta da piedade. While it’s fun to walk along the top of the cliffs, it’s even more impressive to see them from the ocean level. You have a few options for guided tours of these special cliffs. You can either go on a guided kayak or boat tour that leaves from downtown Lagos. While the kayak is more adventurous, it can also be a little rough because of weather conditions!
Day trip to Benagil cave
Located about 35 kilometers from Lagos, The Benagil Cave is an amazing natural attraction in the Algarve. You can get to the cave by rental car or by boat tour directly from Lagos. Keep in mind that if you choose the boat tour, you won’t be able to see the inside of the cave since the boat is too big. That’s why we recommend renting a car or scooter to get to the cave and then renting a kayak at the beach itself.