Lagos Holidays

Lagos is a vibrant city that boats outstanding scenery on its coast. The city’s attractions can be summarised in a single picture-postcard image, consisting of alluringly blue waters, expansive sandy stretches and dramatic cliffs. The beaches and their extensive water sports opportunities will prove a haven for sun lovers and water enthusiasts.

The Ponta de Piedade sits in a stunning location on top of towering golden sandstone cliffs. For the best views of this lighthouse, take a walk along the headland to witness the naturally carved rock pillars, tunnels and hidden grottos.

Beyond the lure of the seas, you’ll find many more things to do in Lagos such as appreciating the pretty white-washed architecture, touring natural caves and visiting the bustling fish market. In the nearby resort of Alvor you will get a taste of authentic Portugal. With quaint cobbled streets, low-rise buildings and an attractive harbour, Alvor is a quiet town away from Lagos.

The Algarve is home to some fantastic regional specialities that are served up beautifully in an array of excellent family restaurants, found throughout Lagos. Expect a lot of fish on the menu, caught the same day and cooked in the simplest of ways, along with local produce like vegetables and fruit.

One of the most popular dishes is chicken piri piri. The best place to sample the famous sauce is at Restaurante O Alcaide, but you’ll find many other eateries specialising in the recipe.

You can’t look beyond the fabulous seafood available in Lagos, in particular the sardines of the Algarve, which are recognised as some of the best in the world. Casa do Pinto is a great place to try them and serves them with montanheira salad and boiled potatoes. Grab a glass of Portuguese port to act as your aperitif, or nightcap if you get a second glass.

Families will find many exciting things to do in Lagos, capturing the classic summer holiday for parents and their kids. There are a variety of boat trips that families can take to explore the open water and extensive coastline. One of the most exciting has to be embarking on a dolphin tour of which there are many available from Lagos.

The standard beach-filled enjoyment can be thoroughly experienced in Lagos, especially at the beautiful Praia da Batata where the parents can lay back and relax while the kids play around in the sea or sand.

For families hoping for a bit more speed during their holiday, Lagos is in close proximity to one of Portugal’s best karting centres. Autodromo Internacional do Algarve is the best of the bunch and is suitable for drivers of all ages.

If you have younger kids then pay a visit to Slide and Splash Water Park, located about 20 minutes from the city. Here you can enjoy the range of thrilling slides and relaxing pools for an afternoon.

Most of the action in Lagos can be found by the beaches, with a myriad of sports available on the water, and games and activities adorning certain stretches of sand. One of the top Lagos attractions is surfing, with the city considered one of the premier surfing destinations in Europe. If you’d like to try your hand at hitting the waves, one of the best ways is to get on board with a surf school. Lagos Surf Centre offer three to five-day surfing courses for beginners.

Alongside the surfing culture, you can take to the water in many other ways. Hiring a sea kayak and exploring the coves and limestone cliffs will allow you to gain a clearer picture of Lagos’ beautiful landscape, while experienced kite surfers will revel in the occasional strong winds flying in from the open water.

If you’d rather get away from the water, Mountain Bike Adventure provides a variety of guided mountain bike excursions in the region. The rides vary to suit all levels, allowing people of all ages to get out and discover Lagos’ inland highlights.

Understandably, the majority of people flock to Lagos to indulge in the fantastic range of beaches the city has to offer. The beaches are characterised by clear waters, soft sands and beautifully rugged cliff and rock formations.

Close to the centre of Lagos is the wonderful four kilometre stretch of golden sands along Meia Praia. With its award winning Blue Flag, the beach is ideal for swimmers, is easily accessed and has plenty of sun beds on offer. The furthest from the town, but equally as beautiful, Porto de Mós Beach has a wonderful sandy bay which is perfect for sunbathing.

This is where you’ll find most of the action during your Lagos holidays, with beautiful scenery and weather combined with lots of water sports and a vibrant atmosphere. There are a number of kayaking opportunities available to visitors, allowing you to explore beyond the beaches, the beautiful cliffs with their hidden caves and coves.

Like much of the Algarve, Lagos has a lively night scene comprising of various bars and seafront joints serving up cocktails and cold beers. Many of the bars tend to cater to the young backpacker crowd which creates quite a boisterous atmosphere. However, you will find some laid-back bars and karaoke clubs.

There are many bars dotted along the main strip in the old town - two of the best are Wolf’s Lair and Duna Beach Club. Lagos comes alive when the sun sets, so expect the party to carry on after the nightclubs close. You could find yourself on the sand at an after-dark beach parties.

If you want a little bit more action, taking a trip to nearby Albufeira and indulging in the city’s bustling nightlife will do the trick. The city is home to many pumping bars and clubs that stay open until the early hours, especially in the main square of the old town and along the infamous ‘Strip’.

One of most relaxing things to do on a holiday in Lagos is to embrace the beautiful sandy beaches, whether it be sunbathing or strolling hand-in-hand with your partner. You’ll relish the slow pace of life available to you around the coastline, which will be enough to alleviate your stress levels and allow you to enjoy your couples’ holiday.

For more rest and relaxation, many of the top resorts in Lagos are home to some great spa and pampering facilities. Book yourself in for a couples massage or skin treatment before relaxing in a sauna or steam room. Nothing will bring you closer together or set you up better for your return home.

To really enjoy your surroundings, hire a car and take a 30 minute coastal drive south to the small town of Sagres. The views of the bay and the cape of São Vicente alone with take your breath away, especially the romantic time of sun set.

The Algarve in particular has a rich history, influenced by the Moorish rule and the legacy of centuries under the Arabs. You can see evidence of Lagos’ past down its streets and on its unusual shaped chimneys.

Some unmissable monuments are the 18th century church of Igreja de Santo António, which stands opposite the equally unmissable Castelo dos Governadores, a castle with a baroque facade and watchtowers.

Another great centre of local culture is nearby Loule. This medieval city is home to a Moorish-style covered market offering all kinds of delicacies, as well as various roadside stalls and artisan shops throughout the centre. The traditional Algarve crafts like weaving, basket making and lace can all be bought from the market.