Lagos is the perfect town to base yourself on the Algarve Coast. There are so many fun things to do in Lagos and around, from magnificent beaches to picturesque hiking routes.
With its laid-back atmosphere, it still becomes quite busy in the summer months as people from all over the world come to explore the impressive Algarve coast.
Lagos is full of cafes and bars, including vegan joints, where you can grab a bite to eat or a drink in between exploring.
After traveling in the Algarve for years, it’s turned into my favorite destination in the region. Read on to find out what to do in Lagos and its surroundings on your next trip.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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Things to do in Lagos Portugal
Now, let’s have a look at the top things to do in Lagos. Most of these things are possible to do even in winter in Algarve as it’s usually warm temperatures.
Visit Forte Ponta da Bandeira
The modest Forte Ponta da Bandeira stands on the waterfront where the Bensafrim river meets the ocean. It was strategically built around the 18th Century to protect Lagos from pirates. The fort was restored in the 1960s and is now one of Lagos’ main tourist attractions.
Visiting is free, and from the fort, you get a great view of the boats coming out from the marina to explore the coast and the beach nearby.
There’s also a cute little chapel inside the fort that you can get a peek inside just after entering the main gate.
Take a boat ride
While in Lagos, it is a must to take a boat ride to explore the surrounding cliffs and natural caves. The coastline is truly astounding and should be seen from the ocean, too!
The many caves that have been formed from millions of years of waves smashing through the limestone cliffs, creating hidden beaches and natural arches, are only accessible by boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard.
Most of Lagos’ boat trips take you west to Ponta da Piedade, but there are also tours to explore Benagil Cave, like this one.
This dolphin sightseeing tour is also well worth it if you’re up for some wildlife spotting!
Explore Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente
Among the most popular things to do in Lagos is to visit the dramatic cliffs of Sagres at Cabo de São Vicente.
They are absolutely astounding! The mighty cliffside towers 60 meters over the Atlantic Ocean across a large area, and the Sagres Fort overlooks it all.
There are popular surf beaches in Sagres, as the west coast gets plenty of waves. Sagres itself is a small fishing village, so while you are there, why not stop by for some lunch?
Explore Ponta da Piedade
Ponta da Piedade is my absolute favorite spot on the Algarve coast and one of the main Lagos attractions! It’s only a few minutes by car or about half an hour’s walk from Lagos.
The cliffs are mesmerizing, and you can see the coastline all the way to Carvoeiro on one side and Sagres on the other. The views are astounding!
Natural arches tower in front of you and there is a long set of stairs going all the way down to the glittering turquoise water.
If you prefer exploring Ponta da Piedade by kayak, I highly recommend it; otherwise, this boat tour is also excellent!
Get lost in Lagos Old Town
Lagos Old Town is super cute, full of shops, bars, and restaurants. Walk around the narrow back streets to get lost between the charming buildings. There are plenty of things to see in Lagos!
Make sure you enter Igreja de Santo António, the church might seem plain on the outside but the interior is astounding with the blue and white tiled walls contrasting with wooden carvings and the colorful dome.
Another site worth visiting is the Slave Market. Once, the market traded slaves from Africa to all around Europe. Now, it is an art gallery showcasing artwork from local artists across the Algarve.
Look for all the street art
There’s so much great street art in Lagos, and on my last visits, I’ve seen more and more pop up around the old town.
I highly recommend walking around, especially a bit out of the main hub, and you’ll come across some really beautiful pieces.
Hike Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
Hiking is one of the best things to do in Lagos in winter, and Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is my absolute favorite coastal hike in the Algarve and easily one of the best hikes in Portugal.
It’s located near Carvoeiro, at only a short drive from Lagos. The hike is linear from Algar Seco to Marinha Beach. It takes approximately 6 hours to walk both ways.
However, if you are like me and love to take photos of everything, and it is really stunning all the way(!), then you might want to start early so you have enough time to get back again.
Also, there are several nice beaches to stop on the way to go for a swim. Hiking the coastal hikes is one of my favorite things to do in Lagos, especially when I travel to the Algarve in winter.
Walk along the old city walls
Lagos city walls originally date back to Roman times, though they were rebuilt by the Moors and further enlarged in the 16th century.
The massive fortified walls surround the historic center, but the most impressive part (if you ask me, anyway,) is by the sea in front of the Ponte de Bandeira Fort.
There, you can walk through the old city gate into the old town.
Explore Carvoeiro boardwalk
Carvoeiro Boardwalk is only about 800 meters long, yet truly beautiful. There is also a small detour off the boardwalk that takes you down the cliffs through tunnels and natural arches in the limestone.
This is such an incredible place to discover, and can be combined with lunch in the town of Carvoeiro or discovering Algar Seco, including a drink in the bar.
Carvoeiro Boardwalk is great for bird watching, and if you are lucky, you might even see dolphins playing in the ocean.
Stand up paddleboarding or kayaking along the coast
Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are fun ways to explore the coastline from the ocean side. It gives you the opportunity to explore the little coves and hidden beaches you can’t get to on a boat trip. It is a great way to exercise, too!
I suggest you tag along on this tour with a local guide who can help you get the hang of it and bring you to the best spots so you can concentrate on staying on the board.
It used to be possible to rent kayaks and paddle boards and go by yourself, but unfortunately, accidents a few years back resulted in new rules, so you must go with a guide now.
I highly recommend taking this tour to explore Ponta da Piedade!
Swim in a natural pool
What is better than swimming in a natural pool created by the ocean? In Algar Seco, you can! The pool is just at the bottom of the stairs to the left when you get to Algar Seco.
While it is an awesome place, make sure you are careful, as the current can be extremely high sometimes during the day. If you go for a swim, make sure you keep an eye on the water a few minutes before you enter if there is no one else in there.
Otherwise, I recommend you stay close to the rocks so you can hold on when the current comes. The current comes from the waves on the other side of the underwater tunnel that leads the water into the pool.
I’ve never gotten in, as I don’t trust the underwater currents, but there are always people swimming there when I visit.
Chill at Camilo Beach
The incredible beaches is easily among the main reasons to visit Lagos. One of the most beautiful beaches in Lagos is, without a doubt, Camilo Beach! With 200 steps to get down, the views of this gem follow you all the way down.
The beach is surrounded by limestone cliffs, and the golden sand meets clear turquoise water.
To the left of the beach, you find a tunnel in the cliff leading to another secluded beach. Make sure you bring your snorkeling gear to get the most out of your day out!
Spend the day at Marinha Beach
Marinha Beach has been nominated among the world’s best beaches more than once. And there is no doubt why!
The beach is spotted with natural limestone towers and is protected by the high cliffs behind. Spending a day here is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Lagos!
There is a long set of stairs to get down to Marinha beach, and once you get down on your left, there is a secret tunnel leading to a super small, secluded beach!
You can buy cold drinks and some lunch in the beach bar on Marinha beach, and they have public toilets.
Visit Benagil Cave
The most famous cave in Portugal is without a doubt Benagil Cave, and seeing it has become one of the most popular things to do in Algarve.
It’s a mesmerizing cave with large sinkholes in the ceiling, letting the rays of the sun light up the beach that has formed inside.
A few years ago, it was still possible to visit the cave by paddleboard and kayak, but now it’s illegal, and you can only see the cave by boat.
The boats are not allowed to let tourists off on the beach, so you’re basically just going to get a peek into the entrance of the cave.
I haven’t seen the cave after the new rules, but I did see it by boat before that, and I do think it’s worth it.
Learn how to surf
Lagos is the perfect place to learn how to surf all year round, as it is mostly sunny and the daytime temperatures don’t drop too drastically.
There are several surf schools to choose from, as well as multiple beaches with great waves for beginners.
If you already know how to surf, you can rent a board and hang out with the locals at one of the beaches.
Scuba dive
Any scuba diving enthusiast will want to go for a dive in Portugal. There are plenty of things to see in Lagos for all levels, and if you don’t have your certificate, you can either take it there or go for a test dive with an instructor.
The underwater scene is abundant in caves, underwater limestone islands, and has a rich biodiversity.
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How to get to Lagos
By Plane
There are only 3 international airports in Portugal. Lisbon, Porto, And Faro. Porto is far north in Portugal, so I will not recommend booking a flight there if Lagos is your destination.
However, if you opt for a road trip through Portugal with several destinations, it is a good place to start your journey.
The closest airport to Lagos is Faro International Airport. From Faro, you can go to Lagos by train, bus, or rental car.
If you prefer a private transfer to take you and your luggage directly to your hotel in Lagos, I highly recommend Welcome Pickups.
Lisbon airport has the most flight alternatives, but it takes way longer to get to Lagos from Lisbon. Without a car, you can expect to spend the whole day traveling.
By train
From Faro, you can easily get to Lagos by train. There are 13 departures a day and it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. They run between 07:00 and 20:18 and Lagos is the end station.
Make sure you purchase tickets at the ticket office or machines before you board the train.
From Lisbon, there are over 30 trains a day to Lagos. The average journey time is around 4 hours and they leave between 08:00 and 18:00.
Lagos train station is only a couple of kilometers from Lagos old town, so if you are on a budget and you are ok with carrying your stuff, there is no need for further transport. Just a tip, cobbled streets are not great for suitcase wheels.
By bus
From Faro, there are express buses and interurban buses that go to Lagos. They all leave from the main bus terminal in Faro.
If you come by plane, you need to get the bus no. 16 from the airport to the bus terminal. The express bus takes approximately 2 hours to Lagos from the terminal in Faro.
From Lisbon bus terminal, there are around 30 buses a day to Lagos and the journey takes about 4 hours.
By car
If you’re on a road trip in Algarve or in Portugal, it’s easy to reach Lagos from any main road.
From Faro, it is easy to drive to Lagos as there are good signs all the way. The journey only takes an hour on the A22.
Driving from Lisbon to Lagos takes about 2 hours and 24 minutes via A2. The road is in good shape and signed all the way. Follow the signs to Faro until you see signs to Lagos.
Where to stay in Lagos
There are so many places to stay in Lagos that it can be daunting to choose where to stay. I have listed up a few places for different budgets and types of travel.
If you choose to camp, there are also campsites in Lagos. Make sure you bring adequate camping gear if you do. You can also find the best pop-up tents here and tents for camping with dogs here.
LUXURY: Palmares Beach House Hotel – This hotel is fantastic, with a nice pool and sea views. The hotel has its own Michelin-rated restaurant and beautiful views from the seating area for the ultimatetreat.
MID-RANGE: Lagos Avenida Hotel – A fantastic hotel by Lagos Marina with a chic pool rooftop area overlooking the marina. The boutique hotel has an intimate 47 rooms.
BUDGET: Agua Hotels Vila Branca – A great budget option with both rooms and apartments. The pool area is also nice and altogether, the hotel is modern and spacious.
Reflections on what to do in Lagos, Portugal
There’s no doubt that there are a lot of things to do in Lagos, Portugal. With a rental car, you can easily get to all of the surrounding places, so you don’t miss out.
However, all of the above things to do are pretty close to Lagos, so even without a car, you can take a bus or Uber/Taxi to get there.
Happy travels!
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Lagos looks like such an amazing place to explore in Portugal! Seven Hanging Valleys trail sounds like a great hike in the area. It’s really nice that everything is pretty close to Lagos so that it isn’t a must to rent a car while there.
It’s definitely a great spot!
Lagos just went to the top of my bucket list.. WOW. Your pictures are gorgeous, I’d love to do the hikes, and kayak to the cliffs. The hot spring would be cool, I haven’t had good past experiences with them, but it’s worth a try! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome! It’s such a cool place:) I’m sure you will have a blast once it’s possible to travel again I hope you get to visit Lagos!
Portugal is such an amazing place, planning on going there next year with my fiance!
I hope you get an awesome trip! 🙂