If you are looking for a day out from Carvoeiro , then Lagos is a great option. This small town has a fantastic marina where you can organise every kind of water based activity. The old town offers quaint cobbled streets lined with restaurants and bars. An old fort guards the harbour transit and the Cathedral (Se) overlooks a large square with fountains. Watch dolphins in the morning and then enjoy a stroll and late lunch in the old town.
Where is Lagos?
Towards the Western end of the southern Algarve coastline, Lagos forms the gateway to the West Coast. An ancient town with longstanding seafaring traditions. Located on the ocean with the the Monchique mountain range as a backdrop. Further from the airport than many resorts, you can expect a transfer time of around 1 hour 15 minutes from Faro airport (FAO/LPFR) Lagos sits at 37.103086 degrees North, 8.674229778 West. The old town remains, alongside a modern and busy marina. Lagos is around 30 minutes drive from Carvoeiro.
Who goes to Lagos?
A mixture of families with younger children, families with teens, young adults, older couples and golfers make up the main demographic of visitors. Many people are repeat visitors, hooked on the charm of Lagos or older teens having a first holiday alone that have visited as children. A large number of visitors also own holiday homes here and visit for a few weeks or months at a time. The vast majority of people who visit Lagos come back again and again.
What´s the demographic like?
Lagos has a wide range of visitors, domestic visitors from Lisbon and the North, Europeans, Canadians escaping the winter, Americans discovering the value, visitors from the Far East and Middle East. The marina hosts many international visitors arriving here by yacht and motor vessels.
The majority of visitors are Europeans with Brits, Irish, French, German and Dutch making up the core. Many Scandinavians come here to escape the winter and enjoy the great value for money that Lagos offers. Our Spanish neighbours are also here in number, enjoying the difference that a short cross-border trip makes.
Just a quick note here… we are Portugal we speak Portuguese it is NOT Spanish!
Increasingly a winter destination for Canadians escaping the snow-blower and also North Americans enjoying the value of a break here.
A smaller, but still significant, group is made up of curios travelers from Asia and middle eastern nations along with a growing number from Russia.
Whatever the mix, Lagos has a genuinely inclusive feel and all visitors are made welcome here.
So why visit?
The Marina with the wide range of water based activities is an obvious attraction. The marina is modern and is a true working port where you will see the flags of many nations flying from boats of all descriptions. You can book any kind of ocean activity here or simply sit in a bar or restaurant enjoying the view over the marina.
The old town is charming with cobbled streets and travessas lined with shops, bars and restaurants. Perfect for a leisurely lunch and a browse
What is there to do in Lagos? (plenty!)
Drinking and dining
Lagos has many great bars and restaurants where you can enjoy anything from a simple pint and a Bifanha to specialty cocktails, fine wines from across the country, simple, wholesome traditional food or Michelin Stared dining.
Bars range from simple straightforward no frills beer, wine and spirits in simple surroundings to upmarket cocktail bars offering superior drinks and service without the international price tag. All are family friendly and welcoming.
Restaurants here are all good or better, if you ever do manage to find a bad one, you can be assured that it won´t be there for long! Many places serve traditional Portuguese dishes like fresh fish, sardines and cataplanas alongside meat dishes of pork, lamb, beef and our Piri-Piri Chicken.
Many restaurants also offer more sophisticated European and fusion dining experiences. You can also find excellent Indian and Chinese fare, or enjoy a pie at Pielagos!
In the daytime
Day Time enjoy a boat trip, see the dolphins or the many caves, needles and windows that form Ponta da Piedade You can spend a day on the water kayaking on guided tours. Kick back on the beach at Meia Praia or walk the old town.
Night owls
Night Time enjoy “prinks” at one of the many lovely bars, maybe an ocean view sun-downer? Move on to dinner at any one of the great restaurants in town. Later enjoy a quiet cocktail or three with friends.
Getting Home Taxis are usually reliable to at least 2AM and often later in peak season. Uber or Bolt can be booked easily and are plentiful in high season.
