Lagos strikes that perfect balance between authentic Portuguese city and spectacular beach destination. Within its 16th-century walls, cobblestone streets lead to lively markets and traditional restaurants, while just minutes away, the Atlantic has carved golden cliffs into the dramatic formations of Ponta da Piedade.

This working harbour town offers far more than pristine beaches. From boat trips through hidden grottoes to exploring Prince Henry the Navigator's historic shipyards, Lagos combines natural beauty with genuine Portuguese culture – all without the crowds of the eastern Algarve.

This guide covers Lagos' essential sights and experiences, from must-see attractions and beach recommendations to day trips and family activities. Whether you're here for a day or a week, you'll find everything needed to make the most of one of Portugal's most fascinating coastal cities.
Related articles:Lagos beaches - Day trips from Lagos

Essential Sights for a Day Trip
• Ponta da Piedade - These golden cliffs and sea caves are Lagos' most famous natural feature. Best seen by boat tour, though kayaking gets you closer and the clifftop path offers excellent views.
• Centro Histórico de Lagos - The old town preserves Lagos' character within its 16th-century walls. Cobbled streets connect small squares, churches, and traditional restaurants serving local cuisine.
• Praia Dona Ana - Frequently named among Europe's best beaches, this sheltered cove combines golden sand with clear water and distinctive ochre cliffs.
• Igreja de Santo António - Known as the 'Golden Church' for its elaborate baroque interior. The gilded woodwork, azulejo tiles, and painted ceiling make it the Algarve's finest church interior.

• Lagos Marina - The modern harbour offers waterfront dining with views of fishing boats and yachts. A pleasant spot for lunch or evening drinks.
• Forte da Ponta da Bandeira - This compact 17th-century fortress guards the harbour entrance. The ramparts provide some of the best views over Lagos bay.
• Mercado Municipal - Lagos' covered market is where locals shop for fresh fish and produce. Visit in the morning to see regional specialities and the day's catch.

Must-See & Dos for a Lagos Holiday

Family Fun
• Slide & Splash - The Algarve's largest water park features slides from gentle to gravity-defying. A full day out with wave pools, multi-lane racers, and regular shows. Located 25km from Lagos near Lagoa.
• Zoomarine Algarve - Watch dolphin shows and meet exotic creatures while learning about marine conservation at this popular attraction.

Day Trips to Historic Towns
• Silves - The former Moorish capital retains its medieval character. The red sandstone castle dominates the skyline, while below, narrow streets lead past traditional shops to the old cathedral.
• Sagres - Visit dramatic cliffs and the fortress where Prince Henry's navigation school shaped Portugal's maritime history.

Boat Adventures
• Sunset Cruise - Sail along the coast as the sun paints the sky, enjoying local wines and coastal views.
• Dolphin Watching - Join marine biologists to spot playful dolphins in their natural habitat.
• Benagil Cave Tour - Combine dolphin watching with exploration of the impressive Benagil sea caves.

Active Pursuits
• Coasteering Adventure - Combine swimming, rock climbing, and cliff jumping for an adrenaline-pumping exploration of Lagos' coastline.
• Surfing - Catch waves at Meia Praia with lessons for all skill levels.
• Coastal Hiking - Discover hidden coves and dramatic views on the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.
• Kayaking/SUP - Paddle through grottoes and caves, reaching spots inaccessible to larger boats.

The interactive map below shows the sights and attractions of Lagos. (Note: zoom out to see the sights of the region)

Legend: 1) Ponta de Piedade 2) Praia de Dona Ana 3) Igreja de Santo António 4) Mercado de Escravos 5) Mercado Municipal 6) Forte da Ponta da Bandeira 7) Igreja de Santa Maria 8) Marina Lagos 9) Porta de São Gonçalo 10) Praia do Camilo 11) Praça Gil Eanes 12) Museu de Cera dos Descobrimentos 13) Meia Praia 14) Slide & Splash Water 15) Zoomarine 16) Silves 17) Sagres 18) Zoo de Lagos

Unlike many Algarve resort towns that exist purely for tourism, Lagos has been a significant port city for over 2,000 years. Its historic centre, contained within restored 16th-century walls, tells the story of Portugal's maritime empire through its monuments and architecture.

The compact old town rewards exploration on foot. Start at Praça Gil Eanes, the main square where locals gather at pavement cafés, then follow the narrow cobbled streets that spider-web outwards. Along Rua 25 de Abril, the main pedestrian thoroughfare, traditional shops selling cork products and ceramics sit alongside modern boutiques.

Key monuments include the Igreja de Santo António, whose plain exterior hides one of Portugal's most ornate baroque interiors. The adjacent Museu Municipal houses archaeological finds from Roman times through to the Age of Discovery. More sobering is the Mercado de Escravos, Europe's first slave market building (1444), now a small museum documenting this dark chapter of history.

The waterfront promenade connects the fishing harbour with the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, built in the late 1600s to defend against pirate raids. Walk the ramparts for views across the bay to Meia Praia beach stretching towards the horizon. The fortress also houses a small maritime museum with navigation instruments and model ships.

The Ponta da Piedade headland, just 3km south of Lagos, shows nature's artistry on a grand scale. These golden sandstone cliffs, sculpted by millennia of Atlantic storms, create a dramatic landscape of towering rock stacks, hidden grottoes, and natural arches that glow amber in the sunlight.

A network of paths and wooden stairs zigzags down the cliff face, offering spectacular viewpoints at every turn. The walk from the lighthouse car park to the various miradouros takes about 30 minutes, though you'll likely spend longer photographing the turquoise waters and weathered rock formations below.

However, the true magic of Ponta da Piedade reveals itself from the water. Several types of boat tours depart from Lagos Marina throughout the day:

Traditional boat tours (1-2 hours, €20-25) navigate through the larger caves and arches, with skippers sharing stories of pirates and smugglers who once used these hidden coves. Smaller semi-rigid boats access tighter spaces, while kayak tours (€35-40) offer the most intimate experience, paddling into caves barely wider than the kayak itself.
Related articles: The Ponta da Piedade

Lagos offers one of the Algarve's most diverse coastlines, with beaches ranging from endless stretches of sand to intimate coves carved between golden cliffs. Each beach has its own character, ensuring visitors can find their perfect spot regardless of preferences.

East of town, Meia Praia extends for 4km – the Algarve's longest continuous beach. Its vast expanse means space is never an issue, even in peak summer. The calm, shallow waters make it ideal for families, while beach bars dotted along its length provide refreshments without the crowds found at smaller beaches.

South of the old town, a different world awaits. Praia do Camilo, Praia Dona Ana, and Praia do Pinhão offer postcard-perfect coves accessed by wooden stairs descending the cliffs. These sheltered beaches feature crystal-clear water perfect for snorkelling, though their beauty means arriving early in summer to secure a good spot.

For surfing and bodyboarding, Porto de Mós provides consistent Atlantic swells. This large beach, 3km from the centre, maintains a more relaxed atmosphere with several good restaurants overlooking the sand. The western end connects to quieter coves accessible at low tide.

Four excellent beaches lie within a 20-minute walk of Lagos centre, making beach-hopping easy without a car. The local bus network extends options further – Praia da Luz (8km) offers a family-friendly resort atmosphere, while tiny Burgau (13km) preserves its fishing village charm. Those seeking nightlife alongside beach time can catch buses to Praia da Rocha, where the party continues well past sunset.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
Related articles: Lagos beach guide - Praia de Dona Ana

Lagos Zoo operates as a small conservation park rather than a traditional zoo, focusing on exotic birds, primates, and a children's petting farm. Located 8km from Lagos centre near Barão de São João, the compact site suits families with young children seeking a quieter alternative to beaches or water parks.

The main attraction remains 'Monkey Island', where various primate species roam in a semi-free environment. The collection also includes tropical birds, small mammals, and farm animals in the petting area. http://www.zoolagos.com/en/

Departing from the Lagos Marina are an assortment of different boat trips, which include tours of the coastline, dolphin watching or deep-sea fishing trips. For the more adventurous there are speed boat tours, jet boats or jet-skis. Costs of the boat tour vary depending on the style of tour and novelty of the boat, but typical prices are:
• 90min caves/grottos tour €20/€10 (adult/child)
• 90min dolphin watching tour €40/ €30 (adult/child)
• 3-hour fishing for snapper, mackerel, grouper €40/€25 (adult/child)

We have worked with Getyourguide.com over the last five years, and a selection of their best tours from Lagos includes:

The recently founded Espiche Golf Club, also differs from you typical Algarve course. Set in the stunning Monchique Mountains the golf course offers breathtaking views and a special round you won't forget.

For those willing to travel a little further you have excellent options in Penina Championship which has hosted the Portuguese Open on eight occasions, Golfe do Morgado and Vale da Pinta all within easy access.
Further information: https://goandgolf.co.uk/blog/golf-courses-in-lagos-portugal/

Sagres occupies a wind-battered peninsula at Europe's south-western corner, where the Algarve's manicured resort towns give way to something altogether wilder. This is the edge of the continent, a place of towering cliffs, pounding Atlantic surf, and landscapes stripped bare by relentless winds.

The small town itself won't win beauty contests. Its low-rise buildings hunker down against the elements, creating a ramshackle appearance that somehow suits the dramatic setting. Yet this unpolished authenticity has attracted a devoted following of surfers, who've brought craft beer bars, vegetarian cafés, and a laid-back international vibe to the handful of streets around the main square.

The real draw lies beyond town. The Fortaleza de Sagres sprawls across a narrow promontory, its massive walls enclosing the site where Prince Henry the Navigator allegedly established his navigation school in the 15th century. Inside, a giant stone compass rose and minimal museum tell the story of Portuguese exploration, but the real spectacle is the 360-degree clifftop views.

Six kilometres further west, Cabo São Vicente marks Europe's most south-westerly point. Here, 75-metre cliffs drop vertically into the Atlantic, while one of Europe's most powerful lighthouses (visible 60km out to sea) stands guard. The visitor centre explains the cape's maritime significance, but most come simply to stand at the edge of the ancient world, where medieval maps once warned "here be dragons."
Related articles: A day trip to Sagres

Slide & Splash, Portugal's largest water park, offers over 30 attractions ranging from the near-vertical Kamikaze to gentle pools for toddlers. Located near Lagoa (25km from Lagos), the park spreads across 7 hectares with extensive grass areas for lounging between rides.

The mix includes adrenaline rides like the Big Fall and Black Hole, multi-lane racing slides, a lazy river, and dedicated children's zones. Recent additions include the Boomerang and Race slides. All attractions are well-maintained with attentive lifeguards at every slide.

Entrance fees reflect the park's scale – expect to pay around €30-35 for adults and €20-25 for children during peak season, with online bookings offering small discounts and queue-skipping benefits.
http://www.slidesplash.com/en/

Zoomarine is a wonderful marine park that specialises in dolphins, marine life and tropical birds. In the marine park, there is a diverse selection of activities including dolphin shows, aquariums, and a good water park with slides, wave pools and rapids. The animals of Zoomarine are kept in modern facilities and all are well cared for.

The variety of attractions means Zoomarine is ideal for both families and young couples but again has a high entrance fees of €29/ €21 (adult/child). Zoomarine is in central Algarve (40km from Lagos) but transport can be organised. More information can be seen on the Zoomarine website:
https://www.zoomarine.pt/en/

The map below shows the location of hotels and rental rooms in Lagos, and by altering the date to your holiday, the map will display current availability and prices:

Booking.com

An escape room is an exciting group activity or ideal for an inclement day. There is an enjoyable escape room hosted by Xscape-it, which is based around an Orphanage, and has the novelty of a jump-scares (only if wanted!). The room caters for groups of 2-6, with prices per person varying from €16 to €25. The puzzles are in English (along with Portuguese, French, Spanish and Italian) and more information can be seen on their website:
https://www.xscape-it.com/

Tired of all of that eating and sitting around? Well then head to Luso Aventura for a forest adventure of high rope walkways, vertical nets, cobweb and monkey bridges that span the forests just to the east of Lagos. There are different circuits to challenge both children and adults, and the two-hour “fearless” course cost €17. For more information see the Luso Aventura website:
http://www.parqueaventura.net/en/lagos-en/

There are a series of scenic coastal hiking routes along the western side of the Algarve, and this is a great activity for the winter months. There is an outstanding route which heads west from Ponta da Piedade (or the Porto de Mós) and passes through the villages of Praia da Luz and Burgau.
For this 4-hour hike, which is well signed, it is recommended to catch the local bus to Burgau and walk back to Lagos. Details of the buses can be found on the A Onda bus website: http://aonda.pt/

Surrounding Lagos are quiet roads, pretty villages and a beautiful coastline, all of which are great to explore by bike. One of the best cycling routes is to the peaceful resort town Praia da Luz (8km from Lagos) or to the sleepy village of Burgau (13km from Lagos). Bikes can be hired for €10-15 per day.