13 EPIC Things To Do in Lagos, Portugal

Looking for the best things to do in Lagos, Portugal? You just found them!

In this article I included all of the top things to do in Lagos, as well as some helpful tips, tour overviews and insights to make the most of your time in Lagos.

Lagos is one of the most popular places in Portugal, and it’s easy to see why. With its golden beaches, limestone cliffs and stunning coastline, it’s a truly spectacular destination.

There are plenty of fun things to do in Lagos, for every kind of traveller. Whether you want to relax on the beach, taste delicious seafood or go on a kayak adventure in dramatic sea caves, Lagos can give you all that, and more!

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in and discover the best things to do in Lagos!

Best things to do in Lagos

Boat tour along the coast of Ponta da Piedade 

Three kilometres south of town is one of the most famous Lagos points of interest. The rocky headland of Ponta de Piedade is made up of golden cliffs that soar 20 meters into the air.

It’s genuinely one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen, and admiring it from the calm waters of the ocean is the best way to get up close, and to experience the giant cliffs for yourself. 

Several different boat trips leave Lagos, from catamaran to speed boat. One option is to take this boat cruise to Ponta da Piedade which costs around €20.

Board the little blue boat and you’ll be taken through the narrow archways and guided through slits in the cliffs to see inside these incredible sea caves. 

Click here to book your boat cruise to Ponta da Piedade!

Or check out prices & availability below!

 

Alternatively, you can also join a catamaran tour from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade. It’s a bit pricier, and the catamaran won’t be able to wind through the caves and arches of the cliffs.

But it will still be an awesome experience, as you’ll enjoy a bit of sailing along the coast on a more spacious boat, with the occasional swimming stop.

Click here to book your catamaran cruise from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade!

Or check out this, and other popular Lagos boat tours below!

 

Kayak tour along Ponta da Piedade

Adventurous travellers who are looking for fun things to do in Lagos might want to consider joining a kayak tour of Ponta da Piedade.

An activity such as this kayaking and boat cave explorer tour gives you the chance to navigate this stunning slice of coast in your very own kayak.

The tour involves being led by a professional guide through the turquoise waters and into the caves, an even more thrilling experience than discovering it by boat!

The guide will be able to show you all of the interesting formations and hidden spots that you can access in a kayak rather than in a larger boat. 

Click here to book your Ponta da Piedade kayak tour, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

 

See Ponta da Piedade from above

As you may have guesses, of all the amazing places to visit in Lagos, the yellow cliffs of Ponta da Piedade are totally at the top of the list. They’re a must-see on any Algarve itinerary.

Aside from by sea, another way to see the dramatic rock formations and the clear waters that surround them is by going on a walk on top of the cliffs themselves.

It’s a fairly straightforward hike to the cliffs along an easy to follow, well-trodden trail.

It takes about an hour to stroll along the cliffs, stopping off at the different viewpoints along the way – each more beautiful than the next.

You’ll also be able to see all of the small boats heading off on their various Ponta da Piedade tours. Make sure not to miss that adventure either!

Chill at Praia do Camilo

For those of you looking for some beautiful places to visit in Lagos, look no further than Praia do Camilo.

This small beach is made of glorious white sand, overlooked by gleaming golden cliffs and lapped by bright blue transparent waters.

It’s no wonder that this is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Algarve. It does get pretty busy here, however, so if you really want to enjoy your day at the beach, I think it’s best to arrive in the morning.

Beachgoers start arriving here at around 10AM, but the crowds really build around lunch time (when most people arrive).

You have to walk down 200 or so wooden steps to actually reach the beach, but that only adds to the stunning scenery.

One tip to keep in mind is not to place your towel too close to the water – when the tide comes in it’s fast and it comes in high up the sand. 

Relax at Praia de Dona Ana

Another stunning beach and top tourist attraction in Lagos is Praia de Dona Ana. This absolutely gorgeous beach is less known than Praia do Camilo, but it’s surprisingly picturesque.

Praia de Dona Ana has the same crystalline waters, powdery white sand and picture-perfect golden cliffs, but has the bonus of being bigger, so there’s more space for the crowds to spread out. 

It’s also a nice place to enjoy spending an afternoon with plenty of bars, restaurants and other eateries scattered around the area. The amenities are also good, with sunbeds and umbrellas available for tourists to rent.

Explore Lagos town centre

The historic center of Lagos Old Town is one of those places in Lagos that simply cannot be missed. The laid-back town center is full of interesting historical sites, with cobbled streets and atmospheric old squares.

Take some time to explore the warren of back streets and get a glimpse of life away from the busy tourist centre. There’s a long list of cute bars and local restaurants where you can stop off and enjoy a bite to eat along the way.

It’s also a good spot for picking up some souvenirs, thanks to the collection of lovely little shops dotted both along Lagos Marina and around the white cobbled lanes.

Enjoy the delicious seafood cuisine

Foodies cannot overlook the delicious seafood that’s on offer in Lagos. Being located right on the coast, the town’s numerous eateries are packed full with freshly caught fish.

Exploring some of the best local eateries around the city (many of which are in the centre) is definitely one of the top things to do in Lagos. 

Go on an excursion to Benagil Cave

Benagil Cave is an absolutely fascinating sea cave located around 200m from Benagil Beach.

The huge cave has two entrances, including an enormous circle in the roof where light streams in, but it can only be accessed via the water. Taking a kayak, SUP or boat tour is pretty much the only way to see it.

It’s not actually in Lagos, but it can easily be reached on a day trip as it’s located about a 40-minute drive from Lagos. As such, it’s still considered one of the top places to go in Lagos.

It was one of the most beautiful places I visited during my Portugal itinerary, and I can highly recommend it to everyone. But make sure to join an early morning guided tour, so that you can avoid the huge crowds!

Most of the tours begin at Benagil Beach. I have listed below some of the most popular tours online, so that you can choose whether to explore Benagil Cave by kayak, SUP or boat.

Check out prices & availability for your Benagil Cave kayak tour in the calendar below!

 

Algarve: Benagil Sea Cave Sunrise or Sunset Kayak Experience – As I already mentioned, the best time to visit Benagil Cave is as early as possible in the morning. Join this sunrise kayak tour for the opportunity to see Benagil Cave without the crowds!

Click here to book your Benagil Sea Cave kayak experience!

Lagos: Benagil Sea Cave Tour – This scenic cruise will allow you to explore Benagil and its surrounding sea caves on a boat tour directly from Lagos, so you don’t even need to worry about transport to Benagil. 

Click here to see prices & availability for a boat tour to Benagil Cave from Lagos!

Algarve: Benagil Caves Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour – Discover the gorgeous Benagil sea cave, and the gorgeous coastline of the Algarve, by paddling out on your very own SUP! 

Check out prices and availability for your Benagil Cave SUP tour!

 

Relax at Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha is one place that you simply cannot miss.

Visiting this award-winning beach is absolutely one of the most popular activities in Lagos – after all, it is one of the most famous beaches in the world, and a must-see on any Portugal itinerary!

Made up of powdery-white sand, with crystal-clear emerald waters lapping the shore, it sits on a backdrop of 50-metre-high cliffs. 

It’s a really famous beach and because of that, it does get busy here. You should expect a lot of people; and as the tide comes in, the space on the sand gets smaller, which makes it feel even more crowded!

It’s better to arrive earlier in the day so you can make the most of your time here and find some space to lay down your towel.

Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys trail

The 12-kilometre Seven Hanging Valleys trail begins at Praia da Marinha, passes along the coast by Benagil, and runs all the way to Praia de Vale Centenaes.

The route takes in some of the best places to visit in Lagos and is well-known for its sweeping views along the coast and out over the sea. 

If you want to embark on the whole trail, it’s best to get up early so that you have enough time to enjoy the views and complete the hike.

Along the way, you’ll have chance to view the famous Benagil Cave from the hole in its roof, and pass by scenic spots such as the “Heart of the Algarve”

Go on a dolphin watching boat trip

The Algarve is famous for its glistening turquoise seas and crystal clear water, but there’s also a whole world of marine life that thrives just off of this section of Portugal’s coast.

Shoals of dolphins can be spotted in the Algarve in the warm summer months, and it’s amazing to see them in their natural environment.

There’s a selection of tours that take people dolphin-viewing trips, one great option being this dolphin watching tour with marine biologists. The trip leaves from the Marine de Lagos and takes you on a one-and-a-half-hour ride in search of wild dolphins.

The group is accompanied by a marine biologist who helps identify the dolphins, interprets their behaviour and will also be collecting data to help with the conservation of the dolphins.

Click here to book your dolphin watching boat tour from Lagos, or check out prices & availability below!

 

Head over to Sagres for some surfing…

Portugal’s western coast is a well-known hotspot for surfing, but the small town of Sagres is where it’s at for the best surf in the area.

This chilled out surfer town is only around a 30-minute drive from Lagos, but once you’re there you’ll be greeted by a choice of beaches for catching world-class waves. 

Even if you’re not a keen surfer, the beaches themselves are super pretty and worth a trip from Lagos for the day.

And if you want to learn how to catch a wave, there’s a number of local surf schools in the area that will be more than happy to show you the ropes!

… And stay in Sagres for sunset

There’s no better way to finish up a day soaking up the sun and surf in Sagres than to watch the sunset. The beautiful Cabo de Sao Vicente is one of the best places in town to see the sun slip below the horizon. 

Head up to the Cabo de Sao Vicente headland, the rocky section of cliffs topped with a lighthouse affords fantastic views out across the sea to watch the sunset.

Just make sure to bring a jacket, as it can get pretty windy up there. 

A bonus is the food trucks that park up around the area so you can grab a bite to eat and a drink to accompany your sunset viewing. Perfect!

Where to stay in Lagos

Lagos is one of the best places to stay in the Algarve, thanks to its central position, so close to so many Algarve attractions. I have listed below some accommodation options in Lagos for every budget.

Budget: TopCity Hostel and Suites – I stayed at Top City Hostel and Suites, and the rooftop and pool views were really cool. It had a very strong party vibe though, so depends on if that’s what you’re looking for!

Click here to book your stay at TopCity Hostel and Suites!

Mid-Range: Villas D. Dinis – This adults-only guest house is right near the beach and other amazing sights like the Lagos castle, Fortress and beautiful churches. 

Check out prices and availability at Villas D. Dinis here!

Luxury: Palmares Beach House Hotel – This hotel is a great fit for first-time travellers or guests that do not want to lift a finger on vacation – except maybe to hike around the gorgeous area. 

Click here to book your stay at Palmares Beach House Hotel!

What to pack for Lagos

Besides the usual travel essentials, there are a few things you’ll want to be sure you pack for your Lagos trip.

Waterproof bag – Whether it’s to protect your electronics during your Benagil kayak tour or your boat tour of Ponta da Piedade, a waterproof bag is always handy in these situations.

Sun protector – The sun in this part of Portugal can get very intense, make sure to stay protected!

Power bank – You don’t want your phone to die while you’re taking photos of the gorgeous Ponta da Piedade or while you’re trying to Google Map your way around Lagos.

Do you need travel insurance to visit Lagos?

After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.

You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with  Heymondo.

Heymondo offers tailor made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).

Besides the usual cancellation, medical expenses, luggage coverage and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.

Plus, as a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance!

Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!

Final thoughts on the best places to visit in Lagos

There you have it, the ultimate guide to the best things to do in Lagos! Have you been to Lagos before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

Lagos is one of my favourite places in Portugal. The big cities like Lisbon and Porto, or other cute Portuguese towns like Ericeira, Nazare, Obidos or even Evora, simply can’t hold the comparison for me.

Lagos isn’t a very big town, but there are so many awesome things to do, especially for outdoors lovers like me. The stunning coastline and beautiful beaches provide plenty of exciting activities.

Located in Southern Portugal, in the Algarve region, this cute town is a place of stunning natural beauty.

Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Lagos is home to some of the best beaches in Portugal, and it offers plenty of fun water sports.

In this article I tried to include all the top things to do in Lagos, so that you can plan your perfect Lagos travel guide. If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

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