3 Things to Do: Lagos, Portugal
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I had chosen the PERFECT time to visit Lagos. I had arrived at the tail end of May and was told that the high tourist season had not yet started and that later in the summer, loads of people from Lisbon travel down to Lagos to get away from the city so late May is a great time to visit. The weather is phenomenal and the crowds have not yet descended upon the Algarve. If you’re not sure how to get to Lagos or where to stay, visit my previous post for some options.
The Lagos Vibe
Having spent a week in busy Lisbon, I was more than ready to be somewhere low-key, surrounded by nature, and more relaxed. Lagos was exactly that. Lagos is touristy but it is the fun kind of touristy, not the exhausting kind. Everything all around you is beautiful. The waters, the colorful buildings and tiles, and the lovely narrow streets. The weather in late May is just right. .. warm but with a glorious breeze to cool the sun’s sting on your skin. One becomes perfectly content to be in the sun’s rays and amidst the sounds and smells of the sea. Lagos is a wonderful mixture of things to see and do AND relaxation. The minutes pass here in a way that matches your travel style. Not in a hurry? Then stroll through the streets at a leisurely pace. Want to shop, dine, and be in the center of activity? Then head down to the center where you can catch live music, shopping and dining, and museums.
Options for a day of fun:
There’s plenty to do in Lagos and the surrounding Algarve region but here are my top 3 things to do in Lagos (plus a bonus on where to grab a delicious burrito!).
On the water:
You can catch a boat down at the Marina (an easy walk from all points of the town of Lagos) and go dolphin-watching, visit the Benagil sea cave, Kayak, etc. I booked my sea cave boat tour through Days of Adventure. Great crew and beautiful views of the coastline. There is a kayak option if you are interested in kayaking the sea caves (note; the famous Bengail Cave gets crowded with kayakers). Take a sweater because it may get chilly on the windy boat ride out!
On the land:
If you prefer terra-firma, I recommend walking the Ponta da Piedade coastal path. This was by far my favorite thing to do in Lagos! The cliffs are stunning but do use caution and stay away from the edge as the cliffs do crumble. This is a great way to see the coastline while strolling along a very nice boardwalk.
The boardwalk goes for miles and there are different beaches you can stop at for a dip in the sea. The trails coalesce at the lighthouse but if you want to keep on going, there are some designated trails to continue on. It was a relaxing and beautiful way to spend an afternoon. The route takes you from Praia do Pinhao to Praia Dona Ana to Priai Camillo and beyond. For a list of beaches along the trail, see this awesome blog post from a fellow blogger.
Note; there are some areas with stairs on the boardwalk so if you have a stroller with you, you may have to pick it up and carry it a few times.
To get there: Follow the road Estr. da Ponta da Piedade past the fire station (you should be walking across the street from the fire station). Head uphill on Travesera da Trinidade. The entrance to the trail runs alongside apartments and a resort so it may feel weird at first but go through the resort walkway and you will easily find the entrance to the boardwalk.
See the photos below for a visual!
There are a few places to grab an ice cream or beverage along the way but always bring water and sunscreen with you.
Museums
Lagos has a couple of small museums but the most important is the Mercado de Escravos (Slave Market). This is believed to be the first slave market of the Western world and the small museum does a fantastic job of describing the history of this building (heavily restored in 1961). Visiting the exhibits inside the museum is quite moving. The records for the slaves that were processed through this site are fairly extensive and I think this place is worth a visit. If I remember correctly, tickets were about $5. Well worth the price considering that human beings were sold on these grounds and we want to support the education that the museum offers.
Best cheap and quick eats
On my first afternoon in Lagos, I was tired and hungry and didn’t want to have to think too much about where to eat and proper attire. I walked two blocks down from my hotel and found Beats and Burritos. located at Tv. do Cotovelo 4, 8600-558. This place was fun and had a California beach town vibe. They only accept cash and you can build your own burritos or nachos, etc. The burritos are huge and delicious as is their mint tea! It’s a trendy ex-pat place and the walls are covered with napkins that patrons have drawn or written messages on. Some are funny, others sweet. I added my own napkin (a sketch of Half Dome, Yosemite) to the collection. You can check out their menu here. I ate here a couple of times because the food was great and the vibe was fun! I especially recommend it for solo travelers because the ambiance makes you feel like you are a part of “what’s doin’ “and counteracts any feelings of disconnection.