Lagos is where the western Algarve starts to feel different. The coastline here is all sea stacks, grottos, and honey-coloured cliffs rather than the long flat beaches further east. The old town, still partly enclosed by its medieval walls, has genuine character and a nightlife scene that draws a younger crowd. We rate it as one of the most interesting bases in the Algarve, though the flip side of that popularity is that the old town gets noisy at night in summer, particularly around the bars on Rua 25 de Abril.
Why Stay in Lagos
- Dramatic coastline: Ponta da Piedade, just south of town, is a headland of eroded sandstone arches and sea caves. You can walk along the clifftops or take a boat trip into the grottos (around €20 per person, 75 minutes). It's the most photographed spot in the Algarve for good reason.
- Proper old town: Lagos has a history that goes back well beyond tourism. The Moorish walls, the slave market museum, and the fort at the harbour entrance give it a weight that purpose-built resorts lack.
- Good beaches within walking distance: Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo are both reachable on foot from the centre, though the steps down are steep and the beaches themselves are small. They fill up fast in July and August.
- Caveat on noise: The bar scene is a big part of Lagos's identity. If you want a quiet evening, make sure your villa is outside the old town walls. The area around Meia Praia (east of the marina) is calmer.
Things to Do in Lagos
Walk the Ponta da Piedade clifftop path first thing in the morning before the tour groups arrive. The rock formations are remarkable, and a wooden staircase leads down to a small cove at water level. Boat trips to the caves leave from the harbour and from the base of the cliffs.
In town, the Mercado de Escravos (slave market museum) is a sobering but important stop. Lagos was a major port in the slave trade, and the museum doesn't shy away from that history. Entry is a few euros.
The marina is modern and well kept, with restaurants and cafes. Kayak tours, dolphin-watching trips, and coasteering excursions all depart from here. Expect to pay €30-40 for a kayak tour of the caves.
For a beach day away from the crowds, drive 15 minutes west to Praia da Castelejo on the wild Atlantic coast. The surf is stronger here and the beach is backed by dark cliffs. Not a swimming beach for young children, but impressive. Sagres, the windswept fortress town at Europe's southwestern tip, is 30 minutes' drive and makes a good half-day trip. Keep in mind the wind out there can be relentless, even when Lagos is calm.
