Lagos holidays

Lagos holidays

Deals from £366 per person

It may be one of most historic and prettiest towns in the Algarve, but there’s plenty more to Lagos than its narrow cobbled streets, 16th century walls and ornate churches. With some of the region’s best beaches nearby and an impressive coastline to explore, holidays to Lagos Portugal have something for everyone.

Head to the long sweep of sand in Meia Praia, or visit Praia de Dona Ana and Porto de Mós for its secluded coves and caves. Holidays here are jam-packed with things to do; from boat trips along the coast and water sports on the beach to teeing off on a golf course’s rolling fairway. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun sets either, as it pumping nightlife has some serious appeal for all-night party lovers.

Things to do

Lagos holidays have every activity under the sun on offer. Relax on the soft golden sands of Meia Praia beach with a good book, before tucking into some great Portuguese food at one of the seafood restaurants lining the modern, yacht-filled marina. See the iconic Ponta da Piedade by boat; its dramatic sandstone cliffs, lighthouse and orchid-filled surroundings are not to be missed. Spend some time at Lagos Zoo. This is the perfect family day trip and the kids will love seeing all the animals.

Excellent beaches

Lagos can be found in the Barlavento region of the Algarve. The laid back costal resort has pristine beaches and remote bays to relax on. The most popular is Meia Praia, which is said to be one of the best in the Algarve. Walk along the soft, golden sand and recline on a sun lounger taking in the stunning views of the cliffs and coast. The beach is where you’ll find plenty of water sport opportunities including the chance to paraglide, surf and jet ski. Or take a boat trip out to sea to explore the dramatic rocky cliff face and hidden coves.

Interesting History

Lagos has an interesting history; the Romans settled in the 2nd century BC because of the links to the harbour and local fishing trading route. The Great Earthquake tragically destroyed Lisbon and resulted in a tsunami destroying Lagos and the Algarve in the 18th century, and what little was left was later rebuilt after several battles. You’ll be able to learn more about the detailed past of Lagos in the local museum or visit the towns ancient monuments like the Lançarote Gate and the restored section of the 16th century town walls that used to surround Lagos.

Vibrant nightlife

Lagos nightlife tends to be a bit quieter than other resorts in the Algarve but still has enough going on to entertain no matter what your tastes. Start your evening in a restaurant by the harbour. Dine on delicious seafood whilst watching the yachts as they sail up and down the waterway. Next move on to the main strip, Rua 25 de Abril, where you can choose to sip on a cocktail in one of the bars, enjoy the Irish pubs and dance the night away in one of the clubs.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Albufeira | Algarve | Alvor | Carvoeiro | LisbonMadeira | Praia da Rocha | Vilamoura

 

Map of Lagos

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26 ℃

You can expect it in July to reach the highest temperatures; it’s best to book your holiday here in August. 

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2 hours 45 minutes

90km east of Lagos is Faro Airport (FAO), also known as Algarve Airport.

Lagos is best for...

Golfers: Tee off on the three championship golf courses at Quinta do Lago golf club.

Families: Build sand castles on the beach or go dolphin spotting in the Atlantic.

History buffs: There’s lots to explore in this historical town, from 18th century walls and ornate churches to a castle and a fortress.

Fast facts for Lagos

Language: Portuguese is the language spoken here.

Currency: Your spending money needs to be in Euros (€).

Local time: Lagos is the same time as GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Faro Airport. The transfer time to Lagos is around 1.5 hours. 

Flight time from UK: The flight time to Lagos is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Tourist information: Further tourist information can be found at www.visitportugal.com.

Visa / health: Before you travel, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday.

Holiday destinations related to Lagos:

  • Cavoeiro
  • Alvor
  • Albufeira
  • Vilamoura
  • Praia Da Rocha
  • Getting around Lagos

    By mini-train: Hop on the mini-train which runs along the seafront to easily see the marina, Ponta de Piedade and all the beaches in between. It usually costs around €2.50 for a single ticket to and from Lagos.

    By bus: There’s a great network of bus routes that are cheap and reliable, such as the Rede Expressos and EVA. These both run services to other beach resorts and inland towns.

    By train: To visit all the important sights along the Algarve line, simply board a train at the station near the marina.

    By car: Rent a car and see all the sights of the western Algarve at your own pace. Pick up your hire car from Faro Airport, or from somewhere closer to your hotel.

    Events in Lagos

    Sail away: Some of the most prestigious events on the sailing calendar often visit Lagos, and there are smaller regattas here too.

    Golf tournaments: Quinta do Lago golf club frequently hosts big contests, such as the Portuguese Open Championship.

    All that jazz: August brings the annual Lagos Jazz Festival, with concerts, workshops and jam sessions.

    Bath time: If you’re in Lagos at the end of August, don’t miss Banho 29, a time-honoured mass dip in the sea. Many locals even wear old-fashioned bathing suits.

    Traditional fair: The Age of Discovery is celebrated every October/November with a 16th-century fair.

    Lagos weather

    Temperature: Visit between May and October and enjoy average highs of 20-26 (°C).

    Best time to visit: It’s the warmest in August.

    Like other resorts in the Algarve, it does tend to get quite windy. But with temperatures in the 20 (°C) during the summer and an average of 11 hours of sunshine a day from June to August, the weather here is beautiful. December is the wettest month and the coldest is January, when the temperature drops to 11 (°C).

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