Located in the Algarve province in southern Portugal, the small beach city of Lagos is an ideal mix of culture, nightlife and beautiful beaches.
A Little History Of Lagos
As with most European coastal cities, Lagos has a rich history that dates back over 2,000 years. With an eclectic mix of settlers, ranging from the Celts to the Romans to the Moors, Lagos represents a culturally and historically rich site that offers something for everyone.
By the 15th century, Lagos was an integral part of the Portuguese maritime exploration and eventually became the gateway for the African slave trade into post-medieval Europe, illustrated by the building of the world’s first slave market in the city center in 1444.
It then became the capital of Portugal from 1576 until 1755 until it was destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami of 1755. Upon visiting the city itself, you can see that there are still some buildings, including the famous castle remaining from the 16th century, but most have been rebuilt dating as early as the 17th century.
Lagos Beaches
What is initially striking about a visit to Lagos, however, is the incredibly picturesque nature, especially the cliffs along the beaches. One of the highest rated beaches in Lagos is the Camilo Beach, or Praia do Camilo. As with many of the beaches in this area, you have to walk down many stairs until you reach the sand. The great part about that is, however, that you get an amazing view of the landscape from the top, and once you’ve reached the bottom the water is so refreshing!
Outdoor Activities
Besides relaxing on the beach, there are also tons of other nature-related activities such as kayaking within the caves, sailing, surfing, scuba diving and even mountain biking!
Especially stunning are the Ponta Da Piedade, also known as Mercy Point, an area within Lagos that features huge cliffs that have been weathered down to various heights and angles that provide a stark contrast to the absolutely beautiful, clear turquoise water. You can choose to admire the view from the tops of the cliffs, and then climb down the 182 steps to reach the sea level where it is possible to then travel with a boat within the hidden caves and underpasses. Costs are relatively low (10-22 euro per person) for shared or private tours.
During the cooler part of the day (early morning and late evening) a trip into town should definitely not be missed to get a holistic experience of Lagos. The older part of the city is still enclosed with old walls. The Lagos marina can be found by traveling along the Avenida dos Descobrimentos (Avenue of the Discoveries) that runs along the waterfront.
Exploring Lagos City
The city is small enough to explore on foot, with tons of little cafes and artisan shops. Although it isn’t as touristy as more famous cities such as Paris or Rome, there is definitely an element of the tourist traps. I found that there are tons of great, traditional restaurants serving fresh fish and typical Portuguese dishes if you go off the main road a bit and explore the small, windy streets. Highly recommended is also the restaurants along the beach Meia Praia, where you can sit out and enjoy the view.
[Wikipedia], [Algarve Tourist], [Lagos Uncovered]
