Lagos

Lagos: tours, history and beaches

A visit to Lagos can balance its maritime history with time at Ponta da Piedade and the beaches. The decisions are how much time to leave for the sea and whether beach access involves steps or a train ride.

How many days should you allow for Lagos tours?

Two days is a practical starting point: spend one on the Cerca Velha, Castelo dos Governadores and Igreja de Santo António, and the other on Ponta da Piedade and a beach.

An extra day makes room for a full-day catamaran boat tour along the Lagos Algarve coast, which lasts 7 hours. It includes a professional crew, safety equipment, stand-up paddleboards, snorkelling equipment, welcome drinks, toast, fresh fruit, cheese, olives and snacks.

What should you see on a history day in Lagos?

The walls, castle, church and waterfront fort give a history day its shape. The older walls, known as the Cerca Velha, were finished during the 14th century. The Castelo dos Governadores dates to the latter half of the 15th century and may have been Prince Henry's palace.

At Igreja de Santo António, rebuilding followed earthquake damage to the church and its gilded woodwork; the original building dated to 1707. The Forte da Ponta da Bandeira was built between 1680 and 1690 to protect the quay and the sides of the city walls.

Lagos also calls for an honest look at the history of enslavement. In August 1444, Lançarote de Freitas returned here with a fleet carrying 235 captives from Africa. The Mercado de Escravos building dates to 1691, so it belongs to a later period than that arrival.

Which Lagos boat trips fit your plans?

Ponta da Piedade suits a cave-focused outing, while Benagil and dolphin watching offer another boat-trip option. For context before heading onto the water, fossils held together by calcite make up 90 percent of the Ponta da Piedade formation. The lighthouse on the point began service on 1 July 1913.

A guided kayak tour of the Ponta da Piedade caves from Lagos takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. It includes a double kayak and paddle, a life jacket for each person, a qualified guide during kayaking and access to the onboard water slide during free swimming time.

A Benagil Cave and dolphin watching boat tour from Lagos lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. Included are a marine biologist guide, dolphin watching in open Atlantic waters, a visit to Benagil Cave by sea, safety equipment and a crew briefing.

For sunset, a catamaran cruise in Lagos, Algarve lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. It includes an experienced sailing crew, wine or prosecco as a welcome drink, safety equipment, stand-up paddleboards, snorkelling equipment and a guided coastal cruise.

Which beach suits your plans, and how do you get there?

Meia Praia suits a beach visit by train; Praia do Camilo suits travellers prepared for steps. From Lagos railway station, Meia Praia is one stop away, taking about five minutes. Its sand extends for more than four kilometres, but without the sheltering cliffs found at other Lagos beaches it is more exposed to wind.

Praia do Camilo involves a wooden staircase with roughly 200 steps, so that access should guide your decision. The sandy beach is enclosed by cliffs and has views of Ponta da Piedade.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Praia do Camilo in relation to the neighbouring beaches?

Praia do Camilo sits halfway between Praia de Dona Ana and Praia da Boneca.

How often does the Ponta da Piedade lighthouse flash?

A white flash appears every 7 seconds, and the light reaches 20 nautical miles.

What route does the Festival dos Descobrimentos parade take in Lagos?

The parade follows a route from Avenida dos Descobrimentos to Praça do Infante.