How to spend 3 fantastic days in Lagos Portugal (Without a Car)
If you are someone who’s planning to vacation in Algarve region of Portugal or particularly in Lagos then this guide will be helpful on how to spend 3 fantastic days in Lagos Portugal. Lagos is one of the most visited cities in the Algarve and Portugal, due to its variety of tourist-friendly beaches, rock formations (Ponta da Piedade).
Lagos, Nigeria may have been named after it since, at the time of the 15th century, Lagos, Portugal, was the main centre of Portuguese maritime expeditions down the African coast.
While Algarve is a famous destination for beaches and party towns, Lagos has the most beautiful beaches and also sunset spots to visit which are also easily accessible through
Other top cities in Algarve famous for Tourism :
- Tavira
- Olhão
- Faro
- Albufeira
- Carvoeiro
- Silves
- Portimão
- Lagos
Faro is the largest city in the Algarve region, with a population of around 60,000 people. Since it has a small airport, this is where most people land but overall there is not much to do in Faro. 1 day should be sufficient for visiting Lagos incase you land there and start your Portugal journey there.
Because Lagos looked more interesting I decided I wanted to spend my time in the Algarve in Lagos.
Best time to visit Lagos
The best time to visit Lagos would be April-May and September- October since these are off seasons but also the weather is perfect. Note : The water in Portugal is cold throughout the year and it’s quite different compared to Medditeranean sea. During these months you would have almost empty beaches and tourist spots, and also you do avoid heat waves which is possible during the peak summer season in July-August.
How long to spend in Lagos
It depends on the activites you want to do, like surfing, kayaking, exploring the caves through boats, relaxing at the beaches or all of them :D. 3 days should be sufficient to cover Lagos comfortably while enjoying the activities and not rushing towards anything. Ofcourse, one can spend upto a week in Lagos and not get bored due to nature of the place and lots of activities to do. If you are travelling in Winter, it might be different weather and you can spend around 2 days.
3 Days itinerary in Lagos
Day 1 :
Walk around the town and Marina
Despite its relatively small size, the historical centre of Lagos has many attractions that are worth visiting. The highlights of the town include :
- The Town Walls of Lagos
- São Gonçalo Gate
- Ponta da Bandeira Fort
- The Church of Santa Maria
- Infante Dom Henrique Square
- The Church of San Antonio
- Gil Eanes Square
- The Fish Market
- The Church of Sao Sebastiao
- The Green House (a house covered in green colour tiles) at Luís de Camões Square
Spend some time wandering along the cobbled streets discovering hidden corners of the town, stopping at charming street cafes, and visiting small curiosity shops. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring every corner of the Old Town.
Marina de Lagos is also an interesting walking place where you see during the day there are lots of shopping stalls where local and touristy stuff is being sold. You can easily get cork based products which are quite famous from Portugal amongst the other things like fridge magnets, jerseys, beach towels, etc.
The best time to walk around the Marina is in the morning and in the evening.
Visit the Dona Ana beach
There are 4-5 beaches in Lagos which are really beautiful and are part of Ponta da Piedade boardwalk. Dona Ana beach is the first one of them when you start walking from Lagos town. It’s a small beautiful beach which is less crowded. If you like swimming or just looking for a tan, this is a good place for relaxing.
Another positive part of this beach is that it’s lifeguarded. If you are beginner swimming, there are lifeguards to check always.
After this you can head of for Lunch or you can head to the beach post lunch, depends on when you start the day.
Visit the Praia do Camilo
Planning a visit to Praia do Camilo beach requires a bit of preparation to fully enjoy its natural beauty. Located just a short drive from Lagos, this beach is accessible by car, with parking available nearby, though it can get crowded during peak season.
The 200 wooden steps leading down to the beach provide stunning panoramic views, but visitors should be prepared for the climb back up. The beach is perfect for swimming, thanks to its calm, shallow waters, and snorkeling enthusiasts will love exploring the underwater caves and marine life along the rocky coastline.
You can end your day here and head back to Lagos town for dinner.
Day 2 :
Benagil Caves tour + Lunch
These famous sea caves are best accessed by boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, as swimming from Benagil Beach is strongly discouraged due to strong currents and boat traffic.
There are many tour operators online or on the Lagos Marina you can find lot of operators selling their tours. The tours starts from Lagos marina and then takes you to Benagil caves mostly through speedboats and then you do visit Benagil Caves and nearby caves. There are atleast 11-12 small caves nearby.
While the boat tours provide a great view of the cave’s iconic skylight opening, kayaking or paddleboarding allows you to actually enter and walk inside the cave, giving you a more intimate experience.
Sunset visit Ponta da Piedade lighthouse
Ponta da Piedade is renowned for its stunning rock formations, sea arches, and caves, all dramatically lit by the setting sun.
The lighthouse itself is perched on a cliff, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the coastline. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes for the rocky paths. Parking is available nearby, but it can fill up quickly, so arriving early to secure a spot is recommended.
Post sunset you can head back to Lagos town for dinner.
Day 3 :
Grottos Trip in Ponta da Piedade
This trip in Ponta da Piedade offers an up-close exploration of the region’s stunning rock formations, caves, and crystal-clear waters.
To plan your visit, you’ll find various options, including guided boat tours, kayaking trips, and stand-up paddleboarding excursions, all departing from Lagos Marina.
The best time to take a grotto trip is during the calmer morning hours, as the seas are typically smoother and less crowded. Boat tours are the most popular, providing a relaxed way to glide through the narrow passageways between the cliffs and into the hidden caves. Tours usually last between one to two hours, and it’s advisable to book in advance, especially during peak tourist season.
The tours also depends on the weather during the day, usually they cancel all the tours if it’s a hightide.
Relax at the sunset in one of the beaches
Now that you have travelled at so many places in Lagos, you can take sometime to relax at the beaches or go for a swim and enjoy your last day in Lagos. 😀
The famous beaches in Lagos are :
- Praia Dona Ana
- Praia do Camilo
- Praia da Batata
- Praia dos Estudantes
- Praia do Canavial