What to Do in Lagos: Our Favourite Algarve Experiences

Wondering what to do in Lagos, Portugal? Explore the Old Town, walk along its beaches, cruise past the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade, visit Benagil Cave, and make sure you leave plenty of time to enjoy the local food.

There are places where the scenery is even better than the photographs, and for us, the coastline around Lagos was one of them.

After spending time in Lisbon and Porto, we flew south to Faro and transferred by car to Lagos, which took about an hour. We were excited to experience a completely different region of Portugal.

We visited in early May, which turned out to be a great time to go. The weather was warm enough to spend our days outside, but we avoided the larger crowds that arrive during the summer months.

Lagos itself was also very easy to explore. We stayed in a central location close to the marina and could walk almost everywhere. Much of the town is relatively flat, which was a welcome change after climbing the hills of Lisbon and Porto!

But it was the coastline that really impressed us. Golden cliffs rise above small beaches. Sea stacks sit offshore. Caves are carved by the sea and winds into the limestone, and boat trips take you into places that you can’t appreciate from land.

If you are deciding what to do in Lagos, we think you need time for both aspects of the city. Explore the historic centre and enjoy the local food, but make sure you get out on the water too.

What You’ll Discover In Lagos

During our stay, we experienced many of the things that make Lagos such a popular base for exploring the Algarve. In this guide, we’ll share:

Explore The Beaches In Lagos

You don’t have to travel far from the centre of Lagos to find a beautiful beach. One of the closest is Praia da Batata, located just beyond the historic centre. 

The combination of golden sand and the tall sandstone cliffs immediately gives you an impression of the scenery that makes the Algarve famous.

At low tide, you can even walk through tunnels in the rocks to reach neighbouring beaches. We loved seeing how the coastline seemed to continue from one little cove to another.

There are also stairways leading from the beach to the top of the cliffs. From above, you get a completely different perspective of the sand and rock formations below. If you have more time, many other beaches stretch along the coast, so finding your own favourite is super easy.

Take A Boat Trip To Ponta da Piedade

If there is one experience we would put near the top of a list of what to do in Lagos, it is taking a boat trip along the coast to Ponta da Piedade.

This was where we really began to appreciate the scale of the Algarve coastline as our boat followed the shoreline past towering cliffs, caves, sea stacks, and rock formations rising from the clear water.

We were fortunate to have a great crew who provided commentary throughout the trip. They explained some of the geology and history of the coastline and shared a few entertaining stories about the formations we passed. Seeing this landscape from the water is completely different from looking down from the cliffs.

After sightseeing along the coast, we stopped for a swim. The Atlantic was still pretty cold in early May, so I wasn’t exactly rushing to jump in! Instead, I happily enjoyed bobbing around on a floaty with a drink while admiring the scenery. I did eventually get into the water for a very quick dip, mostly so I could say that I had swum in the Atlantic on this trip. That was enough for me.

✅ We had an amazing time with the crew exploring the coastal areas and enjoying their onboard commentary. This well-recommended tour was a highlight of our trip and a great way to spend an afternoon.

Wander Through Lagos Old Town

Back on land, we really enjoyed wandering through Lagos Old Town. The centre is filled with boutiques, restaurants, cafés, and small shops. It is compact enough that you don’t need a planned route. We preferred to wander and see where the streets took us.

There were plenty of places selling products that we had seen throughout Portugal, including cork goods, ceramics, and the famous Portuguese tiles.

One thing we noticed was that prices seemed more reasonable than what we had seen in Lisbon or Porto. If you are looking for souvenirs to take home, Lagos can be a good place to do some shopping.

Look For The Nautical Street Designs

We had already fallen in love with Portugal’s patterned streets, but Lagos seemed to take the designs one step further. Throughout the Old Town, we spotted nautical images worked into the stone pavement.

We found octopus, crabs, sharks, and other sea creatures incorporated into the patterns. It became a bit of a game to see what we could find next.

Around town, there are also statues dedicated to historical figures, fountains, and small squares where you can stop for a while and watch the world go by.

Lagos also has some great street art that is worth checking out.

Discover The History Along The Lagos Waterfront

Lagos has a long maritime history, and several reminders of its past can be found close to the waterfront.

Forte da Ponta da Bandeira

One of the most prominent structures is Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, which dates to 1690.

The fort was built as an important defensive position and was designed to withstand artillery warfare. Its low profile and thick walls made it much more difficult to attack.

The fort was closed to the public when we visited, but the exterior alone is worth seeing. Its location also provides some great views along the waterfront.

Castelo de Lagos

Just across the street is Castelo de Lagos. The history of the fortifications here dates back to the period when the Moors controlled this part of Portugal. Defensive walls once surrounded much of Lagos. Today, the area includes a museum and cultural centre.

We particularly enjoyed walking beside the walls through Jardim da Constituição, where numerous statues commemorate figures connected to Portuguese history.

It is an easy addition to your walk around the Old Town and waterfront.

Browse The Waterfront Market Stalls

As you continue along the waterfront, you’ll find vendors selling all kinds of products.

There were stalls filled with clothing, jewellery, cork products, tiles, and souvenirs.

We found that some of the products weren’t necessarily the same quality as those in the specialty shops in town, but the market is still fun to browse. It can also be a good place to pick up inexpensive keepsakes from your time in the Algarve.

Visit The Lagos Fish Market

One market we particularly enjoyed was the Mercado Municipal de Lagos, the city’s main fish market. The displays immediately impressed us. Fresh fish and seafood were beautifully arranged on beds of ice, and everything was remarkably clean and organized.

We have visited fish markets in many parts of the world, and let’s just say the standards can vary dramatically! This one was spotless. There were so many varieties of fresh fish and seafood that we wished we had been staying somewhere with a kitchen. We would definitely have made some purchases.

Upstairs, you’ll find additional vendors selling produce and regional products. There were sauces, canned fish, port, and other specialty items that would make good souvenirs.

At the top is a restaurant overlooking the harbour. If you time your visit around lunch, it would be a great place to finish exploring the market while enjoying the view.

Take A Lagos Food Tour

One of our favourite ways to learn about a destination is through its food. We have taken food tours in places including Tokyo, Valletta, and Hanoi, and we find they are a great introduction to dishes that we might not otherwise know to order.

Our food tour in Lagos was no exception. What made it particularly enjoyable was the variety of restaurants our local guide chose. Some were more polished, while others felt very local. Instead of taking us to popular restaurants, our guide selected each location based on something it did particularly well.

And we ate a lot. We tried stingray salad, tuna, black pork, chorizo, cockles, green bean tempura, and octopus stew. The dishes were paired with local wine or beer, and we even sampled the local moonshine.

It was a fantastic way to experience the food of the Algarve while learning about the ingredients and traditions behind it. Our biggest piece of advice? Go hungry. There is a lot of food.

✅ If you are interested in taking a great tour that will provide a large variety of different foods, then consider the 5 star tour that we took. We learned a lot about traditional foods in the Algarve region and tasted so many great dishes. It was a fun way to spend an evening.

Visit The Famous Benagil Cave From Lagos

Lagos is a little farther from Benagil Cave than some other Algarve towns, but we still wanted to see one of Portugal’s most famous natural landmarks. We arranged a speedboat day trip from Lagos, which made getting there surprisingly easy.

After a quick ride along the coast, we reached the cave and joined the collection of boats waiting for their turn to enter. The visit was timed for high tide, so we could go right inside.

Once there, we immediately understood why Benagil Cave has become such an iconic image of the Algarve. The cavern is enormous. 

Looking up at the limestone walls, we could see the different rings and layers in the rock created over thousands of years. Light entered through the large opening in the ceiling and illuminated the interior.

Even after seeing countless photographs before our trip, we thought it was spectacular. For us, Benagil Cave deserved its place on the must-see list.

Enjoy The Algarve Coast On The Return Trip

The journey back to Lagos was another highlight. Rather than speeding back to the marina, we enjoyed a more leisurely ride along the coastline. We passed caves, small sandy coves, sea arches, and more of the limestone formations that make this section of Portugal so distinctive.

A small tip from our experience is to sit on the right side of the boat for the return journey to Lagos. We had some great views of the coastline from this side.

Between Ponta da Piedade and our trip to Benagil Cave, spending time on the water became one of our favourite parts of staying in Lagos.

✅ This is the highly rated tour that we took. The boat ride was fantastic; our guide was very knowledgeable, and we explored so much more along the coast than just Benagil. We highly recommend this option from Lagos.

Where To Stay In Lagos

Choosing where to stay in Lagos can make a big difference to your visit. We recommend staying close to the marina or Old Town so you can walk to most of the places you want to see and easily explore Lagos.

We stayed near the marina and found the location ideal. We could walk to restaurants, boat departures, the train station, and the Lagos town without needing transportation.

We stayed at Lagos Avenida Hotel and thought it was a fantastic choice. The hotel sits directly across the street from the marina, which was particularly convenient for our boat trips. Instead of worrying about transportation early in the morning, we walked across the street to the departure area.

There are also numerous restaurants nearby, and the train station is within easy walking distance. The Old Town is only a short walk in the other direction.

The hotel itself is stylish, and the rooms are spacious. There is also a wonderful infinity pool that is perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring. But one of the biggest surprises was breakfast. The included breakfast was one of the best hotel breakfasts we have ever had. Rather than feeling like a typical buffet breakfast, the quality and presentation made it feel more like dining in a good restaurant.

Between the location, rooms, pool, and breakfast, we were very happy with our choice.

Another option in the same general area is Hotel Marina Rio. This property also overlooks the marina and puts you within easy walking distance of the Old Town, restaurants, and boat departures.

The hotel is particularly known for its clean rooms, comfortable beds, and friendly staff. If location is one of your priorities but you don’t need a larger resort, this would be another property to consider.

If you prefer having more space and kitchen facilities, Marina Club Lagos Resort is another option. This property is located within the marina itself and has numerous restaurants surrounding it. It is also only a few minutes from the Lagos train station, making it convenient if you are arriving by rail.

The walk into the Old Town is a little longer, but still only takes about 15 minutes.

With its large swimming pool and resort atmosphere, Marina Club Lagos Resort could be a particularly good choice if you are staying for several days and want somewhere that gives you the option to relax without heading out sightseeing every day.

Where We Ate In Lagos

We found plenty of good places to eat in Lagos, ranging from casual waterfront restaurants to small local spots.

At the marina, we enjoyed a meal at The Dove and Sea Dog. The menu had something for almost everyone, including seafood, fish and chips, burgers, and pizza. Its location beside the water makes it a nice place for a relaxed meal after a day of exploring. They also offered two-for-one drinks during happy hour when we visited, which certainly didn’t hurt!

If you enjoy Italian food, we had an excellent meal at Pomo. The pasta was made fresh (the biggest hit was the lasagna), and we really enjoyed the homemade focaccia served with burrata and heirloom tomatoes. We celebrated a birthday here, and the food and service made it a memorable evening. Pomo is quite small and didn’t take reservations when we visited, so we recommend arriving early.

For something with more of a relaxed bistro atmosphere, we also enjoyed Don Gull. The restaurant takes familiar dishes and gives them a bit of a fusion twist. The ingredients were fresh, and we thought the presentation was very well done.

It was another good example of the variety of restaurants available within easy walking distance in Lagos.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lagos

Is Lagos, Portugal worth visiting?

Yes. We found Lagos to be an excellent base for exploring the Algarve region. It combines beaches, history, restaurants, and a walkable Old Town with easy access to some of Portugal’s most impressive coastal scenery.

How Many Days Do You Need In Lagos?

We recommend at least three or four days in Lagos. This gives you enough time to explore the Old Town, visit the beaches, take a boat trip to Ponta da Piedade, and spend some time enjoying the restaurants. Add another day if you want to visit Benagil Cave without rushing.

What Is The Best Time To Visit Lagos?

We visited in early May and thought it was an ideal time. The weather was warm enough for sightseeing and boat trips, while the crowds were much smaller than they would be during the peak summer season.

Can You Walk Around Lagos?

Yes. We found Lagos quite easy to explore on foot, particularly if you stay near the Old Town or marina. Much of the central area is relatively flat.

Is Ponta da Piedade Worth Visiting?

Definitely. The cliffs, caves, sea stacks, and clear water make Ponta da Piedade one of the highlights of Lagos. We particularly recommend seeing it from the water.

Can You Visit Benagil Cave From Lagos?

Yes. We took a speedboat from Lagos directly to Benagil Cave. The journey also gave us the opportunity to see much more of the Algarve coastline.

Final Thoughts On What To Do In Lagos

Lagos ended up being a wonderful change of pace during our travels through Portugal.

We loved being able to walk from our accommodation to the marina, Old Town, beaches, and restaurants. Visiting in early May gave us warm weather without the peak summer crowds, which made exploring even more enjoyable.

But the coastline was what really stayed with us. Cruising through the rock formations around Ponta da Piedade and entering the enormous Benagil Cave showed us why the Algarve has become such a popular destination.

If you are wondering what to do in Lagos, our advice is to give yourself time both on land and on the water. The combination is what made this part of Portugal so memorable for us.