Our Algarve experience staying in Olhão had been just awesome. The peace of the city, our lovely hotel with the riverfront just a two minutes walk, the Ria Formosa Natural Park boat tour, the refreshing Twin Market visit and some great food. And add to that our day trip exploring Western Algarve. But there was still more. We were now heading for 2 Days in Lagos, Portugal.

Lagos is one of the most visited cities in the Algarve and Portugal. It’s because of its tourist-friendly beaches, the vibrant city center, the bars, the restaurants and some lovely hotels. During the summer you can also look forward to some great nightlife and parties. Moreover the incredible rock formations like the ones that you experience in Ponta da Piedade, you have a holiday cut out for adventure as well.

We started early from our hotel in Olhão after hiring a cab, which is the fastest way to reach. The 97 kms took us just about an hour. Of course there are other transport options that you can avail of. Buses & trains are available at regular intervals and which will take you a little more than two hours to reach.

We were soon at our hotel Tivoli Lagos Algarve Resort in the city center. Since we had reached much earlier than our check-in time, we dumped our luggage at the reception and went out to explore the city center.

First Day in Lagos

The City Center

Lagos is a small city and you can pretty much walk everywhere. The city center is sculpted with traditional architecture and colors from the region. Come let’s experience.

Time for Lunch

You have some real nice restaurants all around and since we were feeling hungry after a lovely walk, we decided to have our lunch. It had to be a small bite since we had lots to do during the day and night. Hence we decided on some burgers. From the best in town at Nah Nah Bah Cafe Lounge.

Lagos is famous for being a historical center of the Portuguese Age of Discovery, home of Henry the Navigator, its shipyard and was at one time the center of the European slave trade. For the travelers like us, it’s also the pristine beaches.

The closest beach to the city center is Praia da Dona Ana beach, less than two kms away. It is one of the most picturesque beaches in Algarve. You could take a relaxed walk which would take around 20 minutes. But we preferred the ‘A onda bus, Linha 2 Blue Line’ from the City Center and reached in no time to spend an hour there..

Praia da Dona Ana Beach

The name Dona Ana came from a nun called Ana. She lived in a convent in Lagos. During World War I, soldiers invaded the convent and murdered all the nuns, with the exception of D. Ana. She had access to a tunnel between the convent and the beach, through which she fled and survived. Years later, the beach was named after her.

It was then time to head back to our hotel to check-in, check out the place and prepare for an awesome evening ahead

Tivoli Lagos Algarve Resort

Tivoli Lagos is a resort featuring spa facilities and a courtyard with swimming pool. Situated in between beautiful golden beaches, cliffs and excellent golf courses. Also with a privileged central location in the charming town of Lagos, it is a 5 minutes walk from the historic centre and marina. Moreover the hotel’s private beach club, on Meia Praia, is a few minutes away by free shuttle. Hence we planned to spend our evening there at the club and their private beach. Come let’s check-in and check out our room and the facilities.

Duna Beach Club

The Duna beach club is a private property of Tivoli Lagos. It’s set on 7 km of beach, has a large swimming pool with sunbathing area and a cocktail bar. It also offers a variety of water sports, including kite surfing and water skiing. Therefore we decided to spend there some cool relaxed moments on our first evening in Lagos. Come let’s head to the Club using the complimentary drop from the hotel.

The Second Day

Getting set for the day

Tivali Lagos has a great room service and breakfast can be served in your room if you wish. Even otherwise they provide quite a handsome amount of fruits, bread rolls, tea, coffee and juices to start your day. We spend some relaxed moments enjoying the early morning, freshened up and went down to the Lacóbriga Restaurant for an American breakfast.

Although Lagos is a small city, we had hired a cab to zip around and experience more. A onda buses are an option but we didn’t wish to leave it to chance as the frequency of the buses are not too good, as I had found out while researching before the trip.

And there we go..

Church of Saint Anthony

The Church of St. Anthony or Igreja de Santo Antonio is a Baroque masterpiece of gilded woodwork inside the Municipal Museum in Lagos. It’s a nice place to spend some time appreciating the architecture and history behind this landmark.

Fort of Ponta da Bandeira

Located at the point where the Bensafrim River meets the Atlantic Ocean, the Lagos Fort had a position of great strategic importance. Being close to the walls of the city but with easy access to the sea, it could protect both access to the quays along the banks of the river and the south-eastern and eastern sides of the walls. At the time of its construction it was considered one of the most advanced in the Algarve region.

Parque Zoologico de Lagos

With more than 140 animal and 200 botanical species from 5 continents waiting for you, the Lagos Zoo is a great place for a day out with your family. Located in a small town near Lagos, called Barão de São João, it took us 20 minutes to reach from Saint Anthony Church. When you are in Lagos, you must not miss out on visiting this wonderful destination. For bird & animal lovers its certainly a paradise. Come I’ll show you why.

Few Bird species

From top left clockwise: Emu, Helmeted Curassow, Crested Guinea Fowl, Golden Pheasant, Temminick’s Trapogan, Ocelated Turkey.

Here too from top left clockwise: Black Bellied Whistling Duck, Red Breasted Goose, Black Swan, Wood Duck, Baikal Teal, Lesser Flamingo.

From top left clockwise: American Flamingo, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Grey Crowed Crane, Spectacled Owl, Roseate Spoonbill, Scarlet Ibis.

From top left clockwise: King Vulture, Wrinkled Hornbill, Chattering Lory, Bali Mayna, Salmon Crested Cockatoo, Military Macaw.

Some Reptile species

Clockwise from top left: Red Eared Slider, Leopard Tostoise, Green Iguana, African Dwarf Crocodile, Ball Python

And some Mammal species

Clockwise from top left: Red-ruffed Lemur, Ocelot, Bobcat, Angora Goat, Meerkat.

These are just a few species of Birds, Reptiles & Mammals that you get to see inside the Zoo. Likewise there are many more species that you can witness when there. However you need to keep a full day aside to be able to do that. Also there are animal feedings at specified times which you can witness at a price. Therefore be prepared for an awesome time at the Zoo with your family.

Entry Cost

The entrance ticket prices to the Zoo of Lagos are as follows:

• Adults: € 18
• Children (4-11 years): € 14
• Seniors (> 65 years): € 16
• Baby and toddlers (0-3 years): free

It was Lunch Time

Possibly midway after having spent some time at the Zoo, there is this lovely restaurant there where you can have some mouthwatering food for which it is renowned. We visited the place after finishing going around the Zoo and before moving on to explore more of Lagos.

O CANgALHO restaurante

We were back to the city center, this time to experience the adventures of being in Lagos. The rock formations in and around are just fascinating. And the best way to see them are on the boats.

Highly rated for their professionalism I had booked tickets online in advance with Blue Fleet Boat Trips & Tours. For the two journeys we would be taking now. The starting points for both are at Marina de Lagos, the city center waterfont.

Algar de Benagil

It’s a two hours trip to the most famous secret of Europe, the “Algar de Benagil” or “Benagil Caves”. We travel on one of the fast RIB boats and takes about 20/25 minutes to cover the 11 nautical miles (about 20 km) that separate Lagos from Benagil. In addition, we get to see some other spots, grottos and rock formations of the coast around Benagil. This grotto boasts some of the most unique and spectacular natural lighting effects created as the sunlight enters through the caves orifices and bounces off the water’s surface. Come let’s enjoy the views. It’s truly a magical experience! 

Ponta da Piedade

Ponta da Piedade is a headland with a group of rock formations along the coastline of the town of Lagos and is simply one of the most extraordinary places in the Algarve. Consisting of yellow-golden cliff-like rocks up to 20 meters high, they are one of the most famous touristic attractions of Portugal.

Rocks carved by the wind and tides for thousands of years have formed these caves and tunnels in an incredibly beautiful spot. Moreover the sea here is very transparent which together with the ravishing cliffs makes the landscape a true wonder of nature. Come with us to experience all that on this one hour and fifteen minutes trip.

For Hiking & Private Trips to ‘Ponta da Piedade’

For hiking enthusiasts, it is also possible to walk from the centre of Lagos to ‘Ponta da Piedade’. The path is about 2.5 km long and takes 40 to 45 minutes. This lovely and safe trail will also give you the opportunity to spend time at Batata Beach, Dona Ana Beach and Camilo Beach. However do use your hiking boots.

There are two good restaurants around in ‘Ponta de Piedade’. First is the restaurant & bar, Sol Nascente with a privileged view over Ponta da Piedade. It’s a very friendly establishment famous for its fish menu. This is also a great place to enjoy a beer or a glass of wine while watching the sun set behind the cliffs. Also 650 meters away on Praia do Camilo, you can find this restaurant ‘O Camilo’ with a breathtaking view of the sea. It only sells fish dishes & shellfish.

The Evening

We were back to our hotel to freshen up, change into our casuals, rest a while and then we set off again. To experience Lagos City Center by night.

Getting to Lagos

The closest airport is Faro, located approximately 90 km or 50 miles from Lagos. The fastest way to reach is to hire a taxi which would take an hour or so and would cost you around € 90. An inexpensive way is to take a shared transfer from the airport at about € 30 per person. It takes about 1.5 hours depending on the stops. Rock bottom cheapest would be public transportation which requires 2 modes, bus & train and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours for about € 22 per person.

Lagos. It was a perfect way to end our Portugal holiday. Lovely weather all through, the sun, the sand, the ocean, nature, history, architecture, birds, animals and some fascinating views of rock formations and caves while on a boat. And a lovely hotel, and their equally nice beach club and some wonderful food on both days.

Our holiday couldn’t have been better. Come over to experience this fascinating sea side destination in Portugal.

If you loved this trip to Lagos, PIN it for planning your trip later!