After Lisbon, Lagos Portugal was the next stop on our European adventure. Lagos is a picturesque coastal town known for its stunning beaches, historic old town and vibrant atmosphere, making it a popular destination for both relaxation and exploration. With its charming streets, breathtaking cliffs, and a range of activities from water sports to exploring ancient landmarks, Lagos offers a diverse and captivating experience for visitors. We absolutely loved visiting Lagos, and I would recommend it to everyone. If you’re looking for relaxation, exploring, adventure, shopping or partying, you will truly find something for everyone here. Here are a few things we learned during our time in Lagos and I hope you will find it helpful for your next adventure.
The famous view from Ponta da Piedade.
Travel
From Lisbon, we took Flixbus for cheap, and the trip took about 4 hours. We arrived in Lagos around 1 pm and were able to check into our apartment right when we got there.
Lagos is a very small town, we could walk everywhere we needed to go. If you were hoping to see some of the neighbouring towns like Faro, I would recommend taking Flixbus for cheap or renting a car.
Accommodation
We stayed at Ema’s Beach and Night Life House which was in the perfect location. It was located right in Old Town, close to so many restaurants, bars and shops and was a quick 5-minute walk to the beach. Our apartment had a beautiful ocean view where you could catch the most gorgeous sunrise. The apartment had two bedrooms, one had a queen bed and the other had two singles. We had a living room, dining room and small kitchen. The apartment cost us each about $25 CAD a night, with that price and location it was the perfect place for us.
Our apartment view <3
Things To Do
1) Praia dos Estudantes
Once we checked in we headed straight for the beach. We spent the afternoon at Praia dos Estudantes soaking up the sun and having a few drinks on the beach. Praia dos Estudantes, also known as "Students' Beach," is a charming and popular beach located in Lagos. Nestled in a small cove, it offers a more intimate and relaxed setting compared to some of the larger beaches in the area. Praia dos Estudantes is characterized by its golden sands, calm waters, and picturesque cliffs that surround the beach. It is a favoured spot among locals and tourists alike, offering a peaceful escape for sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying the scenic coastal views.
Praia dos Estudantes' famous cliffs connected by a Roman style bridge
2) Kayaking Grottos Tour
The next day we did a kayaking tour of the caves along Ponta da Piedade. This was such a highlight of the trip and you have to do it if you find yourself in Lagos. The tour is about 3 hours long and you get to see all of the beaches and caves along the coast of Lagos. You paddle downstream and then the boat pulls you back at the end. We saw some gorgeous views and had a ton of fun on the tour. You can pre-book your tour online but we just booked it on the beach about an hour before our tour took off.
Kayaking through the Lagos Grottos.
3) Hike up Ponta da Piedade
After the kayaking, we walked up Ponta da Piedade, which is insanely beautiful. Ponta da Piedade is a stunning coastal trail renowned for its towering cliffs, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and picturesque rock formations, offering breathtaking panoramic views and mesmerizing natural beauty. Ponta da Piedade stretches along the coastline for approximately 300 meters above Lagos’ 8 main beaches.
One of my fave memories from the trip.
4) Wander Around Old Town
Old Town Lagos in Portugal is a historic district with cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and hidden squares. It preserves the town's cultural heritage and offers a charming mix of history, vibrant street art, and lively nightlife. You could spend an entire day just in the town, shopping, and trying delicious food, drinks and gelato.
Going for dinner and drinks in Old Town.
5) Hit up the Bar’s and Clubs
Lagos has amazing nightlife. When we went it wasn’t exactly peak tourism season so the streets were a bit more quiet, but still super fun. We went out to a bar called Val’s, the only spot that would open early enough for us (Europeans go out crazy late and the bars open accordingly lol). A lot of the bars don’t even open until 2 am. We were still too jetlagged to make it out to the late-night bars but we had a lot of fun at Val’s. The owner gave us some free drinks and even let us choose some of the music.
Our first night out on the trip.
Where to Eat
1) The Garden
The Garden is such a cute restaurant right in Old Town. This restaurant is a tranquil oasis where diners can enjoy delicious cuisine amongst lush greenery with a fun atmosphere. We had the chicken, and I tried the Portuguese port tonic and loved it. It gets very busy so make sure to book a reservation.
A friend recommended this place to us and we were so glad they did!
2) Millenium Jardim
This restaurant was a hidden gem. It has three stories, the top one being a rooftop bar overlooking Old Town and the ocean. I had the Portuguese classic, Piri Piri chicken and it was delicious. The mojitos were also great.
My fave meal in Lagos.
Overall our crew was obsessed with Lagos. We all felt we could have spent an entire week here. We loved our stay and everything this town had to offer. If you’re going to Lagos I hope you find this blog helpful. Stay tuned for my next blog, where I talk about our next stop in Seville, Spain.
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