Free walking tours in Lagos and what to see

Must-sees

Lagos has one of the prettiest historic centres in the Algarve, surrounded by walls, with the Church of Santo António, lined with gilded woodwork inside, the Infante Dom Henrique square and the former slave market, now a museum. The Ponta da Bandeira fort guards the harbour entrance.

But it is best known for its coast: Ponta da Piedade, a cluster of arches, rock columns and grottoes over turquoise water, and beaches such as Dona Ana, Camilo, with its wooden staircase, and Pinhão. To the east stretches Meia Praia, a beach several kilometres long, ideal for walking.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Lagos: almost everything on offer is at sea. The most popular are boat trips to the Ponta da Piedade grottoes, including at sunset, and kayak tours, which let you enter caves too small for boats.

There are also boats to the Benagil caves, dolphin watching and 4x4 tours of the Vicentine Coast. The old town is easy to explore on your own.

How long to spend

With two days you can see the old town and Ponta da Piedade from land and sea, and enjoy a beach or two. With more time, Lagos is an excellent base for Sagres and Cape St Vincent, the Vicentine Coast and the Monchique hills. The small beaches fill up in August: get there early.

Where to stay

Inside or next to the walls, the historic centre lets you do everything on foot and is lively at night. Towards Ponta da Piedade and Dona Ana beach there are hotels and apartments with sea views, quieter. Meia Praia, across the harbour, offers resorts and apartments facing the long beach, convenient for families.