Consider a honeymoon or romantic getaway holiday in Lagos, an ancient maritime town steeped in history and now transformed into a lively beach resort.
Discover a great selection of golden-sand beaches, fine dining restaurants and countless bars.
Explore the cobbled streets of the Old Town (most of which was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake but later rebuilt) and admire the remains of the old Roman fortifications and 17th century Fortaleza da Ponta da Bandeira.
Then pop into the 18th century Igreja de Santo Anthonio, home to a display of fine baroque gilt carvings.
At the northeast corner of Praça Infante Dom Henrique, ponder the former site of Europe’s first slave market, dating back to the 15th century.
Sunbathe and swim on the golden sands of Praia de Dona Ana or on Meia Praia, a 4km-long stretch of golden sand that continues into Praia da Alvor.
Ponta da Piedade – For a magnificent view over the Atlantic Ocean and the bay of Lagos, follow the 2km-long marked path past a string of sandy coves separated by dramatic cliffs to the magnificent Ponta da Piedade (or Point of Piety).
This is arguably one of the most beautiful spots on the Algarve, with towering cliffs overlooking a collection of ragged, umber-hued sandstone outcrops that hide countless caves and grottos.
Descend the long staircase (182 steps) to see this wonder of nature up close or visit Ponta da Piedade by kayak – an excellent way to explore the small caves and grottoes.
Alternatively, hire a boat from the marine at Lagos and admire the soaring rocks from sea level.
The coastline from Lagos to Sagres boasts numerous underwater caves and many shipwrecks – best appreciated on an organised diving trip.
Golfers can tee-off from the challenging Parque da Floresta, a par-72 course with sweeping coastal views, located just west of Lagos.
Lagos offers several beautiful beaches: East of Meia Praia, lies Ponta da Piedade, Praia do Camilo and Praia do Dona Ana. West of Meia Praia lies Alvor Beach and Praia dos Três Irmãos.
The best golden-sand beaches in and around Lagos, include…
Relax on the pale golden sand of this 250m-long beach that nestles beneath towering sandstone cliffs overlooking a sheltered cove that is framed with spectacular rock formations, caves and grottos.
The sea here is perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Praia Dona Ana is a real snorkeling paradise, where you can swim among starfish, anemones, crabs and colorful shoals of small fish.
Beachside facilities include sunloungers and umbrellas, showers and toilets and a seafood restaurant. Lifeguards are on duty between June and September.
Praia de Dona Ana is located to the south of Lagos and is easily reached on the coastal path leading to the Ponta da Piedade headland. A set of wooden stairs lead down to the beach.
Praia de Dona Ana is less than 2km (1.2mi) from Lagos town centre.
Choose your own spot to unwind on the golden sand of this expansive 5km (3mi) long beach that stretches east of Lagos.
The western end of the beach is easily reached on foot from Lagos. During the summer months you can also take a water taxi from Avenida dos Descobrimentos to the beach. From the marina, it's just five minutes on foot.
Meia Praia is very popular with locals and visitors alike, and can get quite crowded in summer.
However, if you seek peace and seclusion then head to the eastern part of the beach. The further east you walk, the quieter and more natural the scenery becomes. If you walk far enough, you reach an area where nude sunbathing is allowed.
The eastern end of the beach is still easy to access from the nearby road via raised walkways across the sand dunes.
From October, Meia Praia is very windy and is considered a top spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing as well as surfing.
Facilities at the western end include sun loungers and beach umbrellas, showers and toilets. Lifeguards are on duty during summer. Several beach bars and restaurants sit along the beach.
A wide variety of watersports are available, including windsurfing, parasailing, diving, kayaking, jet skiing, water skiing, pedal boats, bodyboarding, stand-up paddle boards and banana boat rides.
Discover one of the most picture-perfect beaches in the Algarve.
Praia do Camilo consists of two small, soft-sand beaches that are surrouned by stunning rock formations and connected through a cave tunnel.
To reach this secluded beach you descend a long 200-step wooden staircase.
The rock formations of nearby Ponta da Piedade protect Praia do Camilo against the wind and waves from the southwest, which is why the sea here is so calm. In addition, the sea is quite shallow and the water not too cold.
The calm and crystal clear seawater here is perfect for snorkeling.
It's best to time your vist to Praia do Camilo during low tide as the beach is quite small – during high tide the beach loses half its size.
Also, due to its relatively small size, try to arrive early to avoid the crowds, especially in summer.
From the clifftop, you have an amazing view over the beach and the Bay of Lagos. Check out Ponta da Piedade as well; from Praia do Camilo, it's only a short walk away.
Locted just a few minutes from the historic centre of Lagos, and stretching for 160m (175yd), Praia da Batata offers a cool urban beach to sunbathe and relax for residents and visitors alike.
The main beach extends from the harbour area in the north to a rocky landscape in the south. Man-made tunnels and small passageways offers access to two adjacent small bays.
Praia dos Estudiantes – surrounded by massive rock formations – provides shade, rest and relaxation.
This low-lying sandy beach is wheelchair accessible. Beachside facilities include sun loungers and beach umbrellas, toilets and showers. Lifeguards are on duty in summer.
A beachfront restaurant and beach bar provides food and drinks.
You can also book kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and diving excursions from two watersports providers on the beach.
Praia do Canavial lies hidden in a beautiful bay just south of Lagos, and offers a tranquil alternative to some of the more crowded beaches in Lagos.
To reach this hidden, unspoilt treasure simply follow the winding path south of Lagos through dense overgrown shrubland on the cliff top to the steep, wooden staircase that descends to the beach.
Very few people come here. The spacious beach offers so much privacy that you can be one with nature – nude bathing is allowed.
There are no facilities here but untouched nature, so you'll need to bring your own cool refreshments.
Praia do Canavial is bordered by beige rocks from the neighbouring beach of Praia do Porto de Mós.
Praia do Porto de Mos is the second largest beach in the Lagos region, and lies 4km (2.5mi) to the southwest of the main tourist center.
The beach sits amid steep cliffs and is lined with soft golden sand.
The western portion of the beach offers a range of facilites including parasols and sun loungers, toilets, showers, beach bars and restaurants. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season.
The eastern end of the beach is backed with high cliffs and is more secluded.
Given that it faces the southwest, Praia de Porto de Mós receives more stronger wind and waves than the neighbouring beaches in Lagos. Subsequently, it's the best beach for surfing and body boarding.
Compared to other beaches in the region, Praia de Porto de Mós is significantly quieter and less crowded due to the distance from the city center.
Watersports include stand-up paddle boards, banana boats, pedal boats, kayaks and floating sofas. Two restaurants provide snacks and local dishes.
Praia do Porto de Mós is also great for long walks at low tide. The eastern portion of the beach is separated by a cliff from Praia do Canavial. During low tide, you can walk around the cliff and reach the other beach.
Both the beach and cliffs surrounding Praia de Porto de Mós offer good walking and hiking trails. The most popular cliff top trail follows the coast to the lighthouse at Ponta da Piedade, and offers great views of the Lagos coast.
There is also a walking trail to the west, which leads to the scenic Atalaia viewpoint from where you can see the village of Luz and the coastline, all the way up to Sagres.
The pretty beach of Praia do Burgau sits beneath a rocky hillside and the old, authentic fishing village of Burgau.
The town's whitewashed cottages are home to several restaurants that offer typical regional cuisine, including fresh seafood dishes.
Praia do Burgau is sheltered on both sides by high, crumbling rock faces. The broad beach slopes gently into the calm water.
In addition to the nearby restautants there are beach bars, sun loungers, beach umbrellas and lifeguards. Pedal boats and kayaks are availbe from the small hire centre.
Praia do Burgau is located along the south-western coast of the Algarve around 12km from Lagos.
Dig your toes into the soft golden sand of this kilometre-long beach that gently curves eastwards from the whitewashed town of Luz to beneath a ridge of barren hills and dramatic cliffs known locally as Rocha Negra (or Black Rock).
Swim in the warm and calm waters of the Atlantic, sunbathe on the soft sand or pick a secluded spot to unwind at the western end of the beach where you can also follow hiking trails up into the hills for panoramic coastal views.
Once the wind picks up, the eastern end of the beach offers good conditions for surfing and body boarding.
Beach facilities in front of the town include parasols and sun loungers for hire, lifeguards, toilets and showers. Water sports include banana boats, jet skis and pedalos.
A pedestrian promenade edges the beach and offers access to a good mix of bars, restaurants and hotels, just a short walk away in the town.
Come for a day or enjoy all the comforts of the Hotel Palm Bay or the Luna Luz Bay Club Hotel.
Away from the beach, explore the 18th century church of Nossa Senhora da Luz and various Roman remains including stonewalls, an aqueduct and mosaic-tiled floors.
Praia da Luz is located around 7km west of Lagos and around 63km west of Albufeira.
Honeymoon couples have a choice of hotels including the luxurious Romantik Hotel Vivenda Miranda, a Moorish-style hotel surrounded by exotic gardens and set on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Alternatively, try the upmarket Tivoli Lagos, a modern castle of ancient Moorish design spread across a hilltop above Lagos town.
Anytime is good to visit Lagos (and the Algarve) – the coast sees little rain and lots of sunny days throughout the year including winter – but for the best weather, visit Lagos between June and October.
The peak holiday season on the Algarve is July and August. These are also the hottest months of the year, with the temperature averaging 28°C (82°F) and but often reaching the high 30°Cs.
The months of spring (March to May) and autumn (October and November) are typically warm and – while perhaps too chilly for swimming – are excellent for sailing and land-based activities such as golf.
More information on Algarve weather…
Lagos is located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, around 13km (8mi) west of Portimao, 86km (53mi) west of Faro and 34km (21mi) east of Sagres.
The most convenient route to Lagos is by air to Faro International Airport (FAO), also known as Algarve Airport, located 86km (53mi) east of Lagos.
Taxis and hire cars are available at the airport. By car, Faro International Airport (FAO) is a 1 hour drive from Lagos.
Trains and buses run frequently between Faro and Lagos. From the train station: buses and taxis are available for the short trip to your resort.
More information on how to get to Lagos…
Latest update: Where to Honeymoon in Lagos: 27 April, 2022
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