19 Best Things To Do in Lagos, Portugal!
Lagos might just be the best base in the Algarve.
The coastline around it is jaw-dropping, the Old Town is full of history and great food, and there’s enough going on to fill a week without even trying! If I had to choose one place in the Algarve to recommend, this would be it.
Here are all the best things to do in Lagos— in and around town.
Table of Contents
- Lagos, Portugal Guide
- 1. Ponta da Piedade (My Favorite Thing to Do in Lagos)
- 2. Roam the Old Town
- 3. Avenida dos Descobrimentos
- 4. Forte da Ponta da Bandeira
- 5. Jardim da Constituição
- 6. Visit Benagil Cave by Boat or Kayak
- 7. Kayak Around the Lagos Caves
- 8. Dolphin Watching
- 9. Food Tour
- 10. Snorkel Catamaran Cruise
- The Beaches — The Best Thing to Do in Lagos
- 11. Praia Dona Ana
- 12. Porto Mós Beach
- 13. Praia do Canavial
- 14. Meia Praia
- 15. Praia do Barranco do Martinho
- 16. Praia dos Estudantes
- Day Trips from Lagos
- 17. Luz
- 18. Sagres and Cape St. Vincent
- 19. Carvoeiro
- How to Get to Lagos and Getting Around
- Where to Stay in Lagos
- When to Visit Lagos
- More Algarve:
- More Around Portugal
Lagos, Portugal Guide
Planning Your Trip NOW?
Here’s the quick lowdown for your Lagos itinerary!
🗺️ Top Experiences and Tours
- Ponta da Piedade — boat, kayak, or walk the boardwalk
- Benagil Cave — take a tour on the water, or peek from the top
- Walk the Old Town
- Have a catamaran and snorkel day
- Beach bum
🏨 Where to Stay
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1. Ponta da Piedade (My Favorite Thing to Do in Lagos)
This is what Lagos is famous for and rightfully so. Ponta da Piedade is a stunning stretch of coastline packed with sea stacks, limestone arches, grottos, and golden cliffs that look almost too dramatic to be real.
It’s the kind of place that makes you stop mid-sentence.
See it from the water on a boat tour or walk the new clifftop boardwalk from the lighthouse toward Praia do Pinhão; both are brilliant, and ideally you’d do both. The boardwalk is much safer than the old trails that used to run along the edge, so stick to it.
TIP: Come at sunset. Ponta da Piedade in golden hour light is one of those Algarve moments you won’t forget.
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RELATED: 11 Adventurous Algarve Tours Worth Taking (Portugal)
2. Roam the Old Town
Lagos Old Town is a maze of mosaic streets, whitewashed buildings, and history around every corner. Don’t over-plan it, just wander and stop whenever something catches your eye.
Look out for the church of Santa Maria, São Gonçalo Gate, Infante Dom Henrique Square, and “The Greenhouse” building covered in green tiles.
While you’re there, don’t miss the Mercado de Escravos (Europe’s first slave trade market, now a museum) and the Igreja de Santo António right next door — a baroque church absolutely dripping in gold carvings inside. Both are free and genuinely worth your time.
TIP: Visit Mar d’Estórias — restaurant, gallery, rooftop bar, and gift shop all in one. A Lagos institution.
3. Avenida dos Descobrimentos
One of Lagos’s main streets runs along the waterfront with beautiful marina views and a laid-back market strip. Good for a slow stroll, picking up a souvenir, and watching the boats.
It connects the Old Town to the fort area nicely so you’ll likely end up here naturally anyway.
4. Forte da Ponta da Bandeira
Just outside the city walls, this is one of the best-preserved fortresses in the region. Pay a small entrance fee to explore inside, there’s an art gallery, a tile-lined chapel, and a museum, plus panoramic views over the city and sea from the battlements.
Right next door you’ll find kayak rentals and beach bars, so it’s easy to turn this into a full half-day.
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5. Jardim da Constituição
A quick but pleasant stop next to the city walls — white stone paths, well-tended flower beds, and shady trees. It also contains the historic Porta de São Gonçalo fortifications, so worth a 10-minute wander if you’re in the area.
6. Visit Benagil Cave by Boat or Kayak
You can reach Benagil Cave from Lagos on a boat tour or by kayak.
You’ll go along the coastline past incredible rock formations before arriving at one of Portugal’s most famous landmarks.
Every cruise is slightly different depending on sea conditions, part of the fun.
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READ MORE: Kayaking Benagil Cave Tour—Everything You Need to Know!
7. Kayak Around the Lagos Caves
This guided kayak tour takes you by boat to Ponta da Piedade then gets you into the water to explore the sea caves up close. You’ll paddle through formations, reach secluded beaches, and have time for a swim.
The kayak gives you far more freedom to explore than a larger boat tour — highly recommend this one.
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8. Dolphin Watching
Both bottlenose and common dolphins swim off the Lagos coast, and this 90-minute tour gives you a solid chance of spotting them from a high-speed boat. The coastal views alone make it worthwhile.
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9. Food Tour
Portuguese food is seriously underrated — the seafood especially. This 3-hour food tour hits four different spots and gets you through around ten dishes plus drinks. Come hungry — seriously.
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10. Snorkel Catamaran Cruise
This 3-hour catamaran cruise runs from Lagos to Praia da Luz and back, hugging the Ponta da Piedade coastline the whole way.
The boat stops in a secluded bay where you can grab paddleboards, snorkeling gear, or just jump in. A great lazy day out on the water.
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The Beaches — The Best Thing to Do in Lagos
The beaches around Lagos are some of the best in the entire Algarve. Here are the ones worth making the effort to reach.
11. Praia Dona Ana
One of the most photogenic beaches in the Algarve — golden sand framed by towering sandstone cliffs, accessed via a wooden staircase that’s as pretty as the beach itself. It gets busy in summer but the setting is hard to beat. Easily one of the best things to do in Lagos.
12. Porto Mós Beach
A little further from town which keeps it quieter — at least outside of peak summer. It’s one of the longest beaches in the Lagos area, over 1km of golden sand with scenic sandstone cliffs, beachfront cafes, and good facilities. Plenty of room to spread out.
A wild, isolated stretch of beach backed by tall yellow cliffs and the journey down is part of the experience. Follow the clifftop trail until it drops to the sand via steps carved directly into the rock face. Visit at low tide as the beach narrows significantly at high water.
14. Meia Praia
The biggest beach in the Lagos area, vast, calm, and great for families. The sea here is gentle, watersports are available, and there’s plenty of food and drink options along the beachfront. If you want space and easy vibes, this is your spot.
15. Praia do Barranco do Martinho
Rarely crowded and genuinely rewarding to reach, either scramble down the cliffs or arrive by boat or kayak. A sheltered cove with crystal blue water, small caves providing shade, and almost nobody else around. Worth the effort.
16. Praia dos Estudantes
Within easy walking distance of the Old Town, this small sheltered cove is a convenient and beautiful beach option. Look out for the old Roman-style bridge spanning between the cliffs — not something you see on many beaches!
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Day Trips from Lagos
With a rental car, Lagos makes a brilliant base; everything below is within about 45 minutes to an hour of town.
17. Luz
Just a short drive from Lagos, Luz is a beautiful little beach town that still manages to feel laid-back despite its popularity. The beach is sheltered and scenic, the esplanade is palm-lined, and the old fishing village streets are genuinely charming to wander. A perfect half-day.
TIP: Kinoah is a great spot for food, drinks, and a swim on a hot day!
RELATED: A Perfect 3-7 Day Algarve Itinerary: Hike, Surf + Beach Bum! (Portugal)
18. Sagres and Cape St. Vincent
Sagres is remote, wild, and worth the drive, about 40 minutes from Lagos. The landscape out here is dramatic and barren in the best way, with a raging Atlantic below and hiking trails, surf beaches, and a fort to explore. It’s sleepy, but that’s the point.
While you’re out there, add Cape St. Vincent (Cabo de São Vicente) — just 6km from Sagres and the southwesternmost point of continental Europe. Standing on those 75-meter cliffs staring out at the Atlantic is genuinely one of those moments. Go at sunset if you can.
19. Carvoeiro
Carvoeiro is a gorgeous beach town about 30 minutes from Lagos — one of my favorites in the Algarve.
The main beach sits right next to the town center, the cliff-top boardwalk is stunning, and Algar Seco just down the path is one of the most dramatic natural formations in the region. Easy day trip, hard to leave.
READ MORE: 9 Captivating Things To Do in Carvoeiro, Portugal
How to Get to Lagos and Getting Around
The easiest way to reach Lagos from outside Portugal is to fly into Faro International Airport, about 90km away. From there, you can take a bus or rent a car. From Lisbon, the train takes around 3 hours and the bus around 4-5 hours.
Lagos town itself is very walkable — you can cover most of the Old Town and nearby beaches on foot. For the surrounding area and day trips, a rental car is genuinely the best option and gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Check car rental deals here.
TRANSPORTATION TIP
If you’re looking for bus, boat, or train tickets around Europe, you can easily book them online! Check Availability
Where to Stay in Lagos
- Boutique Taghostel – Right on the marina with dorm-style rooms, breakfast included, and plenty of social spaces. A great budget pick with a fun hostel vibe.
- Casa Luma B&B – Contemporary rooms with private terraces, optional breakfast, and a calm location. A solid, comfortable mid-range pick.
- Boutique Hotel Vivenda Miranda – Atlantic Ocean views, gorgeous pool, spa, and eclectic rooms with real personality. The romantic splurge option in Lagos.
- The Salty Lodge – Stylish self-contained apartments in the heart of Lagos with kitchens and a rooftop terrace. Great for privacy and flexibility.
RELATED: Where to Stay in The Algarve + Which Algarve Town is For You
When to Visit Lagos
Peak season is June through August — hot, sunny, and busy. The beaches fill up fast and prices for accommodation and car rentals spike.
If you can, the shoulder seasons of April–May and September–October are the sweet spot: still warm, far fewer crowds, and noticeably lower prices. That’s when I prefer to visit.
Winter (November–March) is the quietest period — cooler and occasionally rainy, but still mild by European standards and great if you want the town almost to yourself.
I hope this helped you plan your trip to Lagos, Portugal!
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🗺️ Get The Map! Want all the best things to do in the Algarve auto-pinned to your Google Maps? I got you! Check out my Algarve Map.
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