The famed Algarve is a massive region in the South of Portugal – it’s coastal beaches stretch over 155km of mixed water. A combination of the Atlantic Ocean creeping from the South and the Mediterranean meeting the Atlantic from the East, makes for the perfect beach fusion. The region’s increasing popularity in recent years can be attributed to the Algarve’s scenic cliffside beaches, most of which are nestled in a town called Lagos. And trust us, it has lived up to every expectation and more. If you start your Portugal adventure in Lisbon, then make sure to read our Lisboa tips here!

Where to stay in the Algarve

You want to visit the Algarve but don’t know where to stay? Finding the perfect area to settle for your vacation can certainly get a bit overwhelming. So let’s break it down. The Internet will typically lead you to stay in either the Faro or Albufeira – I’m telling you to stay in Lagos. Here’s why Lagos is the best place to stay when visiting the Algarve.

First off, what are the pros and cons of Faro and Albufeira compared to Lagos? Faro is a great choice for those who are looking to fly into the Algarve; it’s where the airport is located making it very accessible to reach the coastline. However, it’s an overpopulated tourist city, which doesn’t appeal to many. Albufeira, on the other hand, is a little quainter although recently it’s grown to meet the needs of the influx of tourism. It’s still 45 minutes away from the famed Praia Dona Ana, “the most beautiful beach in the world” – where is Praia Dona Ana? In Lagos!

Why is Lagos the best place to stay in the Algarve? Well, quite simply it’s the closest to the most emblematic beaches of the Algarve. The pictures you see on postcards, or more recently Instagram are all taken on the cliff-edges of Lagos.

How to get to Lagos from Lisbon

You’ll most likely be getting to Lagos from Lisbon. The easiest and most direct route is by bus – which is going to be a ride under 4 hours. My biggest tip is to book ahead of time using the website or application Omio. All buses will end up at Lagos’ Terminal Rodoviário – you’ll only need to select which departing station is best for you in Lisbon (either Gare Oriente or Gare Sete Rios). Use our direct link to get €10 off your booking.

Where to stay in Lagos

Staying closer to the marina and downtown is your best bet. You’ll have access to all the nightlife, abundance of restaurants and boutique shops and best of all – just a walking distance away from the most stunning beaches. If you’re looking for a simple and great stay at a B&B, check out Casa Luma. The owner Ana is absolutely amazing, and will help you make the most of your time in Lagos. If you’re aiming for a luxury stay at a new fun concept hotel, check out Casa Mãe.

Here’s a full beach guide for Lagos

Of course, the city is known for being a surfer town, so there are plentiful of water activities available. Everything from surfing, kayaking and a bit of lazy motorboat ride through the scenic cliffs and grottos. But first, a breakdown of the beaches – starting from the center of Lagos and moving to the most Southern tip of the shoreline.

Batata Beach is the most accessible beach for those who are unable to hike down over 200 steps through the cliffs. Right across from the Ponta da Bandeira fortress, Batata beach has a great view and is perfect for a quick dip right from the center of town.

The next beach over is Praia dos Estudantes, or Students’ Beach. Known for its suspended archway and tunnels.

Pinhao Beach is our opinion one of the most picturesque beaches in the Algarve. A bit more secluded than the rest, Pinhao is completely enclosed by rock formations, which also means that there are quite a bit of stairs to get to the sand.

Praia da Dona Ana is a scenic 30-minute walk from downtown, upon reaching the viewpoint you’ll quickly realize why this has been named of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The water is calm, cool and a beautiful crystal color. The beach can get very crowded as you can imagine, but it’s certainly worth visiting. The 93-steps down are not as bad as they sound and quite doable!

Praia de Camilo is yet another dreamy view with 200+ steps to access the beach. We considered this the best sunset view of the Algarve!

Ponta da Piedade at last is at very the tip of Lagos. Although just as stunning as the other viewpoints, Ponta da Piedade can be most appreciated via motorboat or kayak as the cliffs and caves are surreal from below.

How to get to the beaches of the Algarve

If you’re an avid walker then you’ll enjoy the hike from city center all the way to Ponta da Piedade, which can take between 45 minutes to a little over an hour depending on your speed. If you’d rather take a ride to the some of the most picturesque beaches in the world – we’ve got options for you. The easiest and quickest way is probably grabbing an uber, which is widely used in Portugal, the drivers are incredibly knowledgeable of the small town and are happy to take you anywhere. For a more local and less expensive experience, consider taking the “A Onda”. The local bus services most of Lagos and can take you directly from downtown to Praia da Dona Ana, and either further out to Porto de Mos – you can check the routes here.

What to do in Lagos

Now, what is there to do in Lagos besides enjoying surreal scenes and shores? Plenty actually.

Historic City Center – The old quarters of Lagos resemble the cobblestone streets of Mykonos – the rich history, the liveliness of an inviting city and more.

The Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria (Saint Mary’s Church) – Built in 1498, this little church is perfectly in between the center of town and the promenade leading to the marina. It’s also nearby the first slave market in Colonial Europe.

Forte da Ponta da Bandeira Fort – This charming little restored 17th-century maritime fortress oversees the water passage into the Atlantic.

Saint Gonçalo’s Gate – Another set of remnants of the historic string of forts built to protect the coast from Spanish attacks.

The Promenade – Now the promenade is just a pedestrian strip along the water, but if you catch it on the weekends or the middle of summer you’ll get your fair share of markets, booths and everything in between lined up for locals and tourists. It’s adjacent to the main road that crosses through Lagos, Avenida dos Descobrimentos!

The Lagos Marina – Aside from peeking at the nicely parked yachts and motorboats, the Lagos Marina is where you can plan your activities while visiting Lagos – most importantly a boat ride through the cliffs of the Algarve. To get there you have to cross a little bridge connecting the promenade to the marina.

Now let’s talk about those excursions!

As we’ve mentioned, there are plenty of water sports in the Algarve. You must not miss the opportunity to take a kayak or water boat through the cliffs and caves. If you’re interested in a kayak tour, you can find plenty of guides near the entrance of Batata beach and many of which will have kiosks set up to register you along the promenade as well. The promenade and marina are the central points for booking an hour ride on a small motorboat. We enjoyed our Grotto tour with Discover Tours, the guide was very knowledgeable, patient and was happy to take our photos throughout the tour.

We quickly learned about tides in the Algarve and the difference of touring the Grottos in low tide vs. high tide. Here’s what you should know. Pay attention to the time of day you set up your tour! In the early morning, the tide is low and the wind is not as strong, so you’ll manage to get underneath beautiful arches and caves pretty easily. In high tide, which comes around closer to 3 pm, it’s tougher to venture through the cliffs. This is especially important if you plan on visiting the Benagil Cave in Cabo Carvoeiro, which is recommended 2-hour tour in low tide. We didn’t get a chance to experience the cave tour this time, but we heard other visitors raving about its beauty. Check it out and let us know how you like it!

Where to Eat

Although our time in Lagos was painfully short, we still managed to grab some delicious bites. Here are some favorites recommended by locals.

Black & White Coffee – because most people run on coffee, this boutique Australian coffee shop was a staple before starting our daily adventures through Lagos. Although the name is self-explanatory, Natur’all is a great stop for healthy breakfast and lunch options. It’s especially convenient for grabbing a bite to go and enjoying it later on the beach!

For dinner options, check out Adega Da Marina. We stumbled into Adega without a reservation and were immediately greeted by kind servers, deliciously fresh seafood (especially the grilled Dourada) and minutes later were joined by hundreds of locals and tourists in their massive food hall.

Casinha do Petisco is known for its true Portuguese food – but you’re really coming here for some homemade Cataplana! Mar d’Estórias is fusion shop, half bistro, and half authentic Portuguese products. With an impeccably cozy rooftop, you can’t go wrong.

As our host told us, once you visit Lagos you oughta come back, and come back we will. Until later Lagos!

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