What to do in Lagos Portugal

Is Lagos Portugal worth visiting ?

Absolutely! Lagos has something to offer for everyone, families with children, couples, nature lovers, and people who are looking to find a bit of entertainment and night life. From history, delicious food, beautiful beaches and places for long walks, boat rides, snorkelling, sunbathing, to many, many amazing bars, everyone will find something that is worth falling in love with.

How to get to Lagos Portugal ?

The main airport that connects Algarve with the rest of the world is Faro. From there you can book a transfer, which will cost you around £47.69 per person, it can be booked via this link -> Lagos Private Transfer from Airport , or catch an Uber to the train station, 6-7€, and then a train for 7.50€ directly to Lagos. Train times can be checked on Google maps and it will take just under 2h to get to Lagos, which is about the same time as the transfer, remembering that it will stop to drop off other passengers in various locations. Whatever you feel is more convenient for you there is plenty of options to chose from.

Where to stay in Lagos Portugal

Lagos is filled with beautiful hotels, hostels, guests houses and apartments. I have my favourite hotels and I can recommend them. Every time I have stayed there, I received an amazing service, staff is very polite and food selection is amazing. Majority of the properties that I have listed are located near the Lagos Marina and the Old Town. If you pick a place that’s a little bit further out, that’s fine, as everything is a walking distance and town centre is not huge.

Marina Rio Lagos

Stay at the Marina Rio Hotel, where comfort meets stunning marina views in the heart of Lagos, Portugal. This charming 4-star hotel offers everything you need for a perfect Algarve escape, from its unbeatable location near the vibrant old town to its proximity to the beautiful beaches of Meia Praia and Praia da Batata.

Relax in spacious, modern rooms with private balconies and enjoy breathtaking views of the marina. Whether you’re soaking in the sun by the rooftop pool, exploring nearby historical sites, or enjoying a day at the beach, Marina Rio is the ideal home base for your adventure.

Each morning, savor a delightful breakfast before heading out to explore the famous Ponta da Piedade cliffs, or take a boat tour to the stunning Benagil Caves. 

Tivoli Hotel Lagos

Stay at the elegant Tivoli Lagos Hotel (click the title or here for the link), perfectly located in the heart of Lagos, Portugal. This 4-star haven combines traditional charm with modern comfort, offering stylish rooms, a luxurious spa, and multiple dining options. Relax by the outdoor pool or take the complimentary shuttle to the stunning Duna Beach Club. With its proximity to Lagos’ historic center and pristine beaches, Tivoli is the ideal base for exploring the Algarve. Hotel offers a selection of different meals, you can book your stay with breakfast or half board which offers a good choice of meals, and different food every day.

Top things to do in Lagos Portugal

Best beaches in Lagos Portugal

I have created a separate blog post that will tell you all about the most beautiful beaches in Lagos. I have listed my most favourite ones and ones that can be accessed without kayaks or need of booking a boat tour.

Old town Lagos Portugal

As mentioned before, Lagos has a lot of history including remnants of the old city walls that once protected Lagos from pirate attacks as well as church of St. Antonio, this beautiful church is a notable landmark in Lagos. It’s worth a visit to admire its interior, especially the stunning gilded baroque woodwork. You can explore museums in the old town, including the Museu Municipal Dr. José Formosinho, which exhibits artefacts and history related to Lagos.

Fish Market Lagos Portugal

Mercado Municipal de Lagos

A great place to visit to buy some fresh fish as well as locally made food. Market is open from 7am-2pm, however the fresh fish and seafood disappears very quickly, therefore if you would like to buy some fresh fish for dinner, make sure you are there bright and early. Please don’t forget to visit the first floor of the market as well. You will be able not only find some gifts to buy for your friends and family, but try locally made jams, home made liquor, tasty cheese and delicious wine. Prices are reasonable and considering it’s all bio and made within the area, it is a huge win and place worth visiting. There is also a wide range of fruit and vegetable available. Great place to support the local shop owners. On the top floor, you will find a rooftop bar, that also serves food and often they have deals for lunch menus.

Lagos Cultural Center

This cultural centre often hosts art exhibitions and cultural events, providing a glimpse into the town’s artistic side.

Walks in Lagos

Lagos in Portugal offers plenty of beautiful streets and beach paths to walk on. Narrow cobbled streets, well preserved architecture, stunning views from cliffs and plenty of cafes to stop at to enjoy a coffee and amazing views. Over the last few years, Lagos has developed a beautiful paths to walk along the beach and cliffs. It’s peaceful and views are stunning.

Boat trips Lagos Algarve

If you love nature, dolphin watching tour will be something that you can truly enjoy. Boats can also take you to see the caves, have a swim in the ocean or just to simply enjoy beautiful views of the cliffs from a different perspective. I have included some trips from Get Your Guide that I have personally used and can recommend it.

Kayak tours Lagos

Taking a kayak tour will allow you to see the beaches that otherwise you will not be able to access from land. Observe the weather and book your activity when ocean is calm. You can chose to just rent the kayak and go on your own, or go on a tour with a guide.

Jeep safari Lagos Portugal

This is my favourite tour! I have done it 4 times… 🙂 Twice in Albufeira and twice in Lagos. It is a great way of discovering Algarve off road and seeing it from a local’s guide perspective. You get a chance to admire beautiful mountains, scenic little villages, learn about locally produces alcohol, essential oils and honey. You then proceed to observe cork trees and be educated by the tour guide about the production and various uses of the cork tree. The trip includes lunch at the local restaurant, and it is delicious! On the menu for the day will be vegetable soup, grilled piri piri chicken with chips and salad, seasonal fruit, white or red wine, water. You can ask for extra food and drink if what you get served is not enough, you get asked by the waiter if there is anything else needed all the time. There is plenty of everything.

Lagos Zoo Portugal

“It is a great alternative for those who want to spend a different day in the family. A fantastic environment, fun animals and a team always willing to help.” How to get to Lagos zoo: Lagos city urban bus transports “ONDA”, circuit line 6 (Green), from “Portas de Portugal CTT” stop to “Medronhal – Zoo” stop. Address Medronhal-Quinta Figueiras 8600-013 Barão de São João, Lagos, Portugal. Adult ticket cost is 18€, child 14€ and senior 16€. If you book it via Get Your Guide link below, cost is slightly less.

Discover nearby towns

Lagos is a great base for exploring other beautiful cities and towns in the Algarve region of Portugal. Here are some nearby cities and towns you can discover during your visit to Lagos:

Salema Just a short drive from Lagos, or a bus ride number 47 from Lagos bus station (37mins) the charming village of Salema is a hidden gem along Portugal’s Algarve coast. Known for its golden sandy beach framed by dramatic cliffs, Salema offers a tranquil escape with its calm turquoise waters and laid-back vibe. Salema is a perfect place to relax and take it easy by some called sleepy Salema. If you are looking to spend a relaxing day, have a seafood lunch with beautiful ocean views, Salema for sure is the one to visit.

Portimão Located to the east of Lagos, short car drive, bus or train ride. I would recommend catching a train, just because it is a lot cheaper than the bus if you don’t have the car. Portimão is a bustling city known for its stunning beaches, including Praia da Rocha. Portimao is a great place for shopping, especially if you forgotten any of your holiday essentials.

Albufeira Albufeira is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Algarve, known for its lively nightlife, beautiful beaches, and historic old town. It’s about an hour’s drive from Lagos, or if you take the train, it will take about 1h and 25 minutes. You will have to take an Uber from the train station to the city centre, as the train station is a bit out of the way. Albufeira a lot of attractions for couples and families.

Sagres To the west of Lagos, Sagres is a small town that’s famous for its dramatic cliffs and strong maritime history. You can visit the Sagres Fortress and the Cape St. Vincent lighthouse for breathtaking views. If surfing is something you would like to try to do or you already are surfing, Sagres offers many schools and surfing board rental places.

Loulé: Loulé is an inland town known for its historic centre, the Moorish-inspired Loulé Castle and amazing food market. It can be reached by train, it will take about 1h and 15 minutes, again like Albufeira, the train station is a bit out of the way, therefore Uber will be a good idea. It will cost roughly 6€ to get to Loule’s city centre. Louie is full of amazing cafes and places to enjoy piri piri chicken or fresh fish. Just a stone’s throw from the town hall lies a spacious public square, home to a striking pink building. This structure is the historic Convent of Espírito Santo, which also serves as the venue for the municipal art gallery nestled within its neoclassical cloister. In the heart of the convent stands a prominent 45-meter-tall Pine tree, the tallest landmark in Loulé that is visible from nearly any vantage point in the area.

Mini golf lagos portugal

Great fun for the whole family. You can pick to play 9 or 18 holes, staff is very friendly and ready to explain the rules if you have not played before. I enjoyed it so much, played twice, first 9 and then 18 holes. You can play in groups of maximum 4 people.

Where to eat in Lagos Portugal

I have created a separate post about food in Lagos as it will need updating every so often. If you click on the title Where to eat in Lagos Portugal, it will take you to mentioned post. Food for me is the most important aspect of travel. I associate many places with certain tastes and smells. Portugal for me is smell of freshly grilled fish and taste of great coffee. When in Algarve you will be able to find a wide range of restaurants, from super expensive to a very cheap choices. I have tried to select the ones a bit more on a cheaper side, however it all also depends on the dishes you decide to order, as seafood can get expensive. During my stays in Lagos I have never been disappointed with the food I was served, everything is always fresh and tastes like it was cooked at home. I have visited all the below places and can recommend them based on my own experience. What I have noticed this year is that majority of the restaurants and cafes want payments in cash, so if you are used to using your card, before you come make sure you withdraw some money from the cash machine. Another tip as well, when ordering fish and seafood please check if the price is per 100g or per dish, as it can get pricy of it is 100g. Other than that generally whatever price is on the menu, this is what you will be charged. I have included links to google maps, if you click on the name of the food place it will automatically take you to google maps app.