Lagos

Although it’s undeniably a prime tourist destiny, Lagos is an attractive town with many charms. It lies along the bank of the river Bensafrim, with 14th-century walls enclosing the pretty, cobbled streets of the old town. Tiny plazas and picturesque churches add to the allure, although most visitors are more interested in what lies outside the city walls, namely a good range of beaches, from long sweeping sands on the scenery side to secluded coastal coves. Nightlife here is among the best in the Algarve, with an eclectic mix of lounges, bars and restaurants.

Aside from its hedonistic appeal, Lagos has historical clout, having launched many naval excursions during Portugal’s extraordinary Age of Discoveries.

Beaches

Meia Praia is the main beach, a 6 km stretch of golden sand which offers windsurfing and sun beds/parasols for hire. Small beaches on the western side of Lagos include the picturesque Praia d’Ana, Porto do Mos and Canavial. Some can only be reached by boat or by the famous ‘cliff walk’ which is only recommended for the sure-footed.

Activities

Shopping

Lagos has a good selection of boutiques, handicrafts and gift shops. There are numerous supermarkets, butchers, bakers etc. The food market on the main avenue offers fish, meat, fruit and vegetables.

Open every morning until 1pm except Sunday and public holidays. Pingo Doce, a supermarket is just before you go over the bridge to Lagos - open 9am –9pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 1pm Sunday. A market is held every Saturday near the bus station and a clothing market on the first Saturday of each month.

Water Parks

Aquashow Waterslide Park. Tel 289 389 396

situated on the N396 as you turn off the main N125 road for Quarteira includes a massive wave pool and superb water slides and mini golf.

 

Aqualand Waterslide Park (known as The Big One). Tel 282 320 230. Located west of  Alcantarilha on the main N125 road some ten kilometres outside Albufeira, offers  exciting rides such as ‘The Corkscrew’, Kamikaze and Crazy leap.

Slide & Splash Waterslide Park. Tel 282 341 685

near Estombar is ideal for both the young and old with curly slides and fast straight slides.

Karting

Karting Almancil. Tel: 289 399 899.

Located in a leisure complex near Almancil, IP1 Highway, National Road, EN125. Open all year.

Animal Parks

Lagos Zoo Tel : 282 680 100

between Barao de S. Joao and Bensafrim. Situated in beautiful landscaped gardens.

Zoomarine close to Albufeira. Tel 289 560 300.

An exotic marine life theme park, home to dolphins, sea lions, turtles, a museum, an alligator farm, mini zoo, exotic birds and tropical fish. Plus dolphin, sea lions and eagle shows.

Horse Riding

           Quinta da Paraiso Alto. Tel 282 687 263 /

789 801. Located at Bensafrim.

Tiffanys Riding Centre. Tel 289 697 395.

3km west of Espiche on EN125.

Tennis

At the condominium. Tel 282 767 644.

Lagos Tennis Club. Tel 282 764 297.

Water Sports

Windsurf Point Meia Praia

8600-315 Meia-Praia, Lagos

Tel: +351 282 792 315

Bairro 1º de Maio, nº 4

Fax: +351 282 792 315

Cell.: +351 966 196 041

Site: en.windsurfpoint.com

Email: info@windsurfpoint.com

Grotto Tour

If this is your first visit to Lagos, you simply must take a "grotto tour". Step into a small fishing boat, let your local fisherman be your guide, and witness from the water, the distinctive and magnificent cliffs that surround the Lagos area. It is truly a sight unseen! Your guide will navigate around and under the intriguing rock formations, take you into caves and point out the many secluded beaches that surround the town.

Golf

Golf Boavista

Apartado 501 8601-906 Lagos Algarve Portugal

Tel: 00 351 282 000100

Onyria Palmares Beach & Golf Resort
Apartado 74, Meia Praia
8601 - 901 Palmares

Telefone: +351 282 790 500
Fax: +351 282 790 509

Alto Golf ClubTelephone: (+351) 282 460 870
Fax: (+351) 282 460 870
Email: golf.info@pestana.com 
Quinta Alto do Vale– Quatro Estradas, 8501-906 Alvor, Algarve, Portugal 

´

Parque da Floresta Golf Club

Vale do Poço
Budens
Telephone: 282 690 013

 Transportation

Getting from Faro Airport to Lagos

Aside from renting a car or paying for an airport transfer or shuttle the options of transport are limited to coach/bus or train. You can locate a taxi at either end to get to/from airport and hotel, taxis are very easy to find at Faro airport. It's a good idea to print out the address and name of the hotel in case they encounter taxi driver who cannot speak English - taxis are quite cheap in Portugal.
The bus services are provided by Rede Expressos, EVA Transportes and Renex. Train services are provided by CP (national rail network) and the website can be found here.



Getting around Lagos

ONDA Lagos has buses operating all day in and round the centre of Lagos. There are 9 different lines and each of them is numbered and color coded. Click on a destination below to see the Lagos bus timetable for that line.

Red (Line 1) - Train Station - Lagos Centro - Train Station

Blue (Line 2) - Meia Praia - Lagos Centro - Praia Dona Ana - Praia Porto de Mós

Pink (Line 3) - Odiáxere - Lagos Centro

Yellow (Line 4) - Burgau - Almádena - Espiche - Praia da Luz - Lagos Centro

Orange (Line 5) - Montes Juntos - Sargaçal - Lagos Centro

Green (Line 6) - Barão de S. João - Bensafrim - Lagos Centro

Brown (Line 7) - Bensafrim - Colégio - Lagos Centro

Purple (Line 8) - Colinas Verdes - Cotifo - Odiáxere - Arão - Monte Ruivo - Lagos Centro

Turquoise (Line 9) - Lagos Centro - Escola Tecnopolis - Lagos Centro

Popular with surfers, Sagres has lots to offer. Sagres is situated at the most south westerly point of Europe. There are many hidden spectacular beaches all of unique character some are sheltered coves others are large expanses orf sand. Sagres was also the site to the famous school of Henry the Navigator. There is a fort to visit and a lighthouse with amazzing views. The sunset is highly recomended, with many people gathering every night to enjoy the views. 

Visit Sagres

Food

Seafood is excellent in the Algarve as is much of the meat, especially pork and vegetarians will always find something on the menu.

The ementa turistica (tourist’s menu) offers good value and a taste of the local cuisine - a set meal usually consisting of bread, butter, soup, a main course, a dessert and a glass of wine. The prato do dia (dish of the day) is also inexpensive.

What to eat

Ameijoas na cataplana – clams (ameijoas), various meat, peppers, wine, garlic, onions.

Atum – tuna

Bacalhau – a national dish of salted cod.

Sardinhas – sardines

Porco a Alentejana – a mixture of marinated cubed pork cooked with small clams, paprika and garlic.

Leitao assado – suckling pig.

Vitela – veal

Frango Piri-Piri – chicken grilled in an African chilli sauce.

Pudim Molotov – light flan with caramel

Arroz Doce – rice pudding

Ovos Moles – sugar, rice flour and egg yolk

Dining & Nights Out

Local Cuisine

Restaurante dos Artistas

Rua Candido dos Reis, 68, Lagos 8600, Portugal

Tel : 282760659

Cuisines: International

Good for: Romantic, Groups, Business, Local cuisine, Special Occasion Dining, Entertaining clients

Dining options: Dinner, Reservations, After-hours

Price range: 20 € - 73 €

Casa do Pintor - Gourmet & Bistro

Largo Santa Maria da Graca, 15, Lagos 8600-518, Portugal

Tel: 917334398

Cuisines: International, French, Italian, Seafood

Good for: Romantic, Business, Special Occasion Dining, Entertaining clients

Dining options: Lunch Spot, Dinner, Reservations, After-hours

No Patio

Rua Lancarote 46, Lagos, Portugal

Tel: 282763777

Cuisines: Portuguese, International

Good for: Romantic, Groups, Business, Special Occasion Dining, Entertaining clients

Dining options: Lunch Spot, Dinner, Reservations, Delivery, After-hours, Dessert

Navegador

Rua da Barroca 1-3, Lagos 8600-688, Portugal

Tel: 289767162

Cuisines: Portuguese, Seafood

Dining options: Reservations, After-hours

Adega da Marina

Avenida dos Descobrimentos 35, Lagos, Portugal

Tel: (351) 282 764 284

Good for: Child-friendly, Groups, Local cuisine, Cheap Eats

Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch Spot, Dinner, After-hours

Vegetarian and Vegan cuisine

Natur'all - Fresh Food Lovers

Avenida dos Descobrimentos 5 7, Lagos 8600-645, Portugal
Tel: (351) 910 917 068
Cuisines: Mediterranean, European, Cafe

Price range: €3 - €7


Poke Lagos
Rua Dom Vasco da Gama 51 | N12A, Block B, Store 9B, Lagos 8600-722, Portugal
Tel: (351) 963 440 584
Cuisines: Healthy, Hawaiian, International

Price range: €6 - €10


Al-Bravo Cafe & Shop
Rua da Extrema 31, Lagos 8600-691, Portugal

Tel: (351) 962 902 437
Cuisines: Mediterranean, European, Contemporary, Healthy, Portuguese

Price range: €6 - €12

Estudio Vegetariano
Rua da Oliveira 30, Lagos 8600-700, Portugal
Tel: (351) 911 500 494
Cuisines: International, Healthy

International cuisine

Borsalino Italian Restaurant

Urb. Rossio de S. Joao, Lagos, Portugal

Tel: 282782417

Cuisines: Italian

Good for: Child-friendly

Dining options: Lunch Spot, Dinner, Reservations, Delivery, After-hours

Price range: 12 € - 25€

Oasis

Marina de Lagos, Lagos, Portugal

Cuisines: English

Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, After-hours

O Marafado

E.N. 120, Curva da Falfeira | Curva da Falfeira, Lagos 8600 - 308, Portugal

Tel: 282 769 766

Cuisines:Spanish, International

Good for: Child-friendly, Romantic, Groups, Local cuisine, Special Occasion Dining, Cheap Eats

Dining options: Dinner, Reservations, After-hours

International Café

Rua Antonio Barbosa Viana, N0 17, Lagos 8600 677, Portugal

Tel: 282768312

Cuisines: European

Mamma Mia Lagos

Rua Portas de Portugal No. 41, Lagos.

Tel: (+351) 282 762 231

Good for: Child-friendly, Groups, Local cuisine, Cheap Eats, Italian 

Dining options: Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch Spot, Dinner, After-hours