THE ULTIMATE LAGOS TRAVEL GUIDE
Lagos is this gorgeous little coastal town, nestled on the Algarve coast. It is a good place to spend a few days to relax, or to party, or both! It is a popular destination in Portugal and there’s no need to question why.
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HOW TO GET TO LAGOS
The closest airport to Lagos is Faro (FAO) Airport, located an hours drive away. The other alternative is to fly into Lisbon, located nearly 3hrs away. When you arrive at the airport, it is fairly easy to jump on a coach and make your way to the coastal town. It is also very popular to hire a car, as driving in Portugal is fine.
GETTING AROUND
Everything in Lagos is extremely walkable. Some of the beaches are located a fair way from the Old Town, but the walk itself is stunning so you don’t need to worry about hiring a car.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Lagos is during the peak season of Summer. The days are perfect for hitting the beach whilst the nights are warm and perfect for partying.
RECOMMENDED STAY TIME
I would stay at least a few days to soak up the sun and relax. I would recommend at least 3-4 days in Lagos.
TOP TRAVEL TIPS
Stay in the town centre
If you are after somewhere central to stay or looking to party, make sure you stay in the small town. There aren’t too many hotels and hostels in the area, so you will need to book way in advance if travelling during peak season. Keep in mind though that the town can be very loud at night, up to the early hours of the morning, so if you are looking for something more relaxing then try to stay closer towards the beaches.
Don’t expect the water to be warm
The Algarve is part of the Atlantic ocean meaning the water is freezing!
Drugs are everywhere
It goes without saying that being one of the biggest party places in Europe means that there will be drugs easily available. In saying this, if you aren’t looking for it, you won’t really notice it. Just be wary of other party goers.
WHAT TO DO
Have a beach day (or two, or three)
Undoubtedly, the best thing to do in Lagos is head to one of the many beaches on the Algarve coast. Some of the most popular beaches are as follows:
Walk the Algarve coastline
You will already do this when heading to the beaches, but it is nice to take some time to wakl along the coastline and absorb the stunning views from the cliffs. You will get some great photos of the azure blue water from above.
Explore the Old Town of Lagos
The town of Lagos is filled with restaurants, cafes, shops and alleyways. You can spend the better half of a day exploring this charming town. You will hear live music playing in the streets and laughter from people around you who are enjoying all that this place has to offer.
Watch a sunrise or sunset at Ponta da Piedade
Ponta da Piedade is a stunning headland with rock formations, caves, cliffs, and arches. It is one of the most popular locations on Pinterest for taking photos. There is a staircase which will take you from the top of the cliff down to the water.
Go sea kayaking
This is a great way to discover hidden coves and caves along the Algarve which are not accessible by foot. A tour usually lasts about 2-3 hours and will take you all the way from Praia da Batata to Ponta da Piedade. A boat will usually tether you all to take you back to Praia da Batata so you don’t have to kayak both ways and get too exhausted! It makes for a perfect half day adventure. This tour is what we booked, and were really happy with it.
If kayaking isn’t your thing you may be interested in a catamaran cruise or boat ride instead.
Go on a booze cruise
This was one of the best things we did whilst in Lagos. It was such a fun afternoon and a great way to meet some friends. We opted for the cruise hosted by the Rising Cock Hostel. The morning of, head to the hostel to secure your spot then be prepared for hours of fun! They supply unlimited beer and sangria, let you jump off the boat into the water, and have plenty of party games to play.
Go on a bar crawl
Lagos has a pumping nightlife. Everywhere you turn there is a bar with loud music and people pouring onto the sidewalk. You can join an organised bar crawl or simply jump between bars. Here are some of the best in the area to try out:
Take a day trip to Benagil Caves
You have most probably already seen insta photos of this iconic place. You can get here by boat, SUP or kayak; all which can be rented by the beach nearby. You will need to book a tour or hire a car to get there. the journey takes about 1hr.
Take it from my personal experience, read the warning signs telling you not to swim to the cave. I literally almost drowned and didn’t take any photos of the cave because we were too traumatised. The tide and waves are rough and it is a decent swim. (See photo below of me looking happy I survived the experience)
