Lagos, Portugal

Lagos, Portugal is a charming, historic seaside town with pristine beaches, dramatic limestone cliffs and bountiful seafood. It is also a great place to live like a local for a change of pace and a pleasant respite from bustling Lisbon. 

Pronounced LAH-goosh in Portuguese, the town contributed to Portugal’s Age of Discovery in the 15th century as a boat building center and trading post. At the forefront of early overseas exploration, local sailors and navigators ventured out from nearby Sagres to discover the islands of Madeira and the Azores, and to establish trade routes along much of the uncharted African coast.

As one of several locales in Portugal’s Algarve – the country’s southernmost region – Lagos delivers a Mediterranean climate, tasty cuisine and reasonable prices in an area with the reputation as one of the world’s best beach destinations. Visitors should consider the picturesque town as the perfect home base for a relaxing stay and for day trips to other seaside towns in the Algarve.

One of several squares in the historic section. The Town Hall also serves as a Tourist Office.
Forte da Ponta Bandeira was built in the 17th century to defend the strategic harbor
This hometown sailor successfully navigated the uncharted waters off the African coast
The main part of the old city wall that protected Lagos from pirates. Remnants of the 16th-century structure can be seen at various points throughout the town.



For arrivals in Lisbon, Lagos is about a 3-hour ride by car and a 3 hour, 45 minute trip by either bus or train. Alternatively, a 45 minute flight from Lisbon will land in Faro, about an hour away to the east.

Other seaside towns in the Algarve are easily accessible by car or bus from Lagos.

An Historic Town That’s a Short Walk to the Sea

Lagos has much to offer for being a relatively small town, with many inviting squares (pracas), streets and alleyways, historic buildings and churches, and shops and restaurants of all kinds, along with numerous statues and modern sculptures.

But the influence of the sea is never far away, with breathtaking beaches, a large marina, and the must-see Mercado Municipal de Lagos. There you can buy some of the day’s catch to prepare in your own kitchen, accompanied by a bottle of Vinho Verde, Portugal’s popular wine that matches perfectly with seafood. If feeling adventurous, consider making your own version of Cataplana, the popular Algarve fish stew, or treat yourself to one of the small, family-run restaurants where the locals go for that traditional hearty meal.   

Other seaside towns along the Algarve, such as Sagres, Albufeira, Faro and Tavira, can make great day trips by car or public bus.  

A sample of the day's catch from one of many stalls at the Mercado
Fresh produce is sold on the market's 2nd floor
Local variations of Pastel de Nata, the Portuguese egg custard
One of several hilly streets in Lagos
Igreja de Santa Maria (Church of Saint Mary)
A typical street in the old town
Praca Luis de Camoes
Cataplana, the Algarve fish stew named for the metal pot in which it is cooked and served

Portuguese Pavement 

Strolling through the old town, you can’t miss the artistic patterns among the meticulously placed cobblestones in your path. Pavements displaying various mosaics have been painstakingly created and laid down by hand, using a process learned centuries ago in Lisbon, and still being taught today.

Called Calcada Portuguese, each limestone paver is chipped on all sides to fit precisely among the others, and to allow gaps for drainage when it rains. Patterns using white and black are the most common, but mosaics in various colors are also here to be discovered, worn smooth
(and sometimes slippery) by foot traffic from generations past and present.

“My life is like a stroll upon the beach,
    As near the ocean’s edge as I can go.” 

                                                      — Thoreau

The Algarve region has garnered international acclaim for its beaches (praias), having won the title of World’s Leading Beach Destination in 2020 and 2021, and Europe’s Leading Beach Destination a total of nine times since 2012. Take a stroll upon any of the praias of Lagos and you’ll see why. 

A short walk from the historic center is the vast Praia da Batata, while beautiful Praia da Dona Ana and
Praia do Camilo are just beyond. Not to be missed is Ponta da Pieda with its stunning rock formations, limestone cliffs and grottos, perfect for exploring by boat or kayak. Many of these and other beaches are connected by an excellent boardwalk system, or can be reached by a short car or public bus ride.

Our Experience

  • We chose an apartment in the walled, old section of town within easy walking distance to the main places of interest and the nearest beach.

  • Shopkeepers and other locals spoke good English. Nevertheless, we made a point to greet them with Bom Dia (“Good Morning”) or Ola′ (“Hi”), and thanked them with Obrigado (male speaker) and Obrigada (female speaker), which translates as “I am obliged.”

  • We enjoyed exploring out-of-the-way streets and alleys to get a good feel of the area. On one of those walks we found what became our favorite cafe where we always seemed to be the only out-of-towners in the place.

  • We visited two other towns in the Algarve, but spent most of our time at the beaches, plazas, markets and shops of Lagos.

  • A highlight of our stay was a 30-minute private guided boat tour in and around the hidden grottos and limestone arches of the Ponta da Piedade headland, just outside town. 

Our Live-Like-a-Local Criteria Rating:

Easy to Reach
3.5/5
Off the Radar
4/5
Not too Big or Small
4/5
Farmer's Market
4/5
Charm
4/5

We hope one day you get to “live like a local” in this town or another one like it. 

For more on Lagos, go here.