When we were planning our move to Portugal, Lagos was at the top of our list. It kept coming up everywhere we looked online as a popular choice for both tourists and people relocating to the Algarve. It is a small city of about 30,000 people, but that number jumps significantly during tourist season, which tells you a lot about how appealing it is. The climate is mild, there is plenty to do year-round, and the beaches and coastline are some of the most stunning I have ever seen. Those dramatic rock formations are no joke.
I actually set Ponta da Piedade as my phone lock screen as motivation while we were still in the planning stages. If that is not a sign that a place has a hold on you, I do not know what is.
We ended up not moving to Lagos; we could not find an apartment in our budget that we loved, and we landed in Tavira instead, which honestly worked out perfectly. But Lagos was always somewhere we wanted to explore properly. When a photographer from Seattle named Elizabeth Curland posted in a Facebook group looking for couples to photograph on the beach in the Algarve, we jumped at it. She chose Lagos as the location, and we turned it into a two-day trip to finally get to know the city. This is everything we discovered about things to do in Lagos, Portugal, from the beaches to the food to the nightlife
Why Lagos is Worth a Visit
Lagos has a really cool energy to it. The old town is lively and walkable, with musicians playing in the streets and some genuinely impressive street art around every corner. We visited before tourist season really kicked in, and there were already a decent amount of people around, which gives you a sense of how busy it gets in summer.
The shops are a fun mix of typical souvenir spots and some more interesting finds. And the bar and restaurant scene is excellent, which is always going to be a priority for me.
The real showstopper, though, is the coastline. The beaches and rock formations around Lagos are world-class and honestly need to be seen in person to fully appreciate. More on that in the things to do section.
Where We Stayed in Lagos
We stayed at WOT Lagos Montemar, which came in at around €90 a night. Simple, no frills, but clean and comfortable, which is all I really need for a short trip. When I am traveling somewhere new, my priority is being out exploring, not sitting in a hotel room, so I tend to pick places that are clean, well-rated, and decently located without paying for amenities I am not going to use. If you are looking for a resort experience, Lagos has options for that too, but for a quick weekend trip, this was a solid choice.
Things to Do in Lagos, Portugal
Ponta da Piedade and the Beaches
This is the crown jewel of Lagos and honestly, one of the most stunning things you will see anywhere in Portugal. Ponta da Piedade is a dramatic headland of golden cliffs, sea arches, hidden grottos, and rock formations that have to be seen in person to fully appreciate. I had this as my phone lock screen for months before we moved, and it still took my breath away when I finally saw it.
The best way to experience it is by boat tour or kayak tour, both of which leave from the marina. You can also walk the boardwalk along the clifftops, which gives you incredible views and leads down to some of the beaches via staircases. The main beaches near the center of town are Praia de Dona Ana, Praia do Camilo, and Praia do Pinhão, all framed by those iconic orange cliffs. Kayaking is absolutely on my list for the next visit.
The Old Town
The old town is very walkable and completely worth a wander. Cobblestone streets, colorful architecture, musicians playing outside, cool street art everywhere. There is a mix of souvenir shops and more interesting finds tucked in between. We stumbled across one carrying Sure Design, a Thai brand with really unique clothing, which was not something I expected to find there. The Igreja de Santo António is worth popping into as well. The Baroque gilded altar inside is genuinely spectacular and completely unexpected from the modest exterior.
Boat Tours and Kayaking
If you are not up for kayaking, a boat tour is the move. Small boat tours leave from the marina and take you through the sea caves and rock formations of Ponta da Piedade up close. They are affordable and very highly rated. This is one of the top things to do in Lagos, Portugal, for good reason.
Surf Lessons
Lagos is a solid surf destination, and there are several schools offering lessons for all levels. Meia Praia is the most central beach for surfing. Even if you have never tried it, it is worth adding to the list.
Where to Eat in Lagos, Portugal
There are many great places to eat in Lagos. Here is everywhere I went, with gluten-free information included.
The Studio Coffee Roasters and Cafe
We ended up here three times over two nights, and I have zero regrets about that. The Studio is a really special spot. They roast their own coffee and have an extensive menu that goes well beyond your standard cafe offerings. The food was genuinely good, and they had multiple gluten-free options, which made it an easy choice for breakfast both mornings. I had breakfast toast with eggs and red pepper one day and overnight oats with peanut butter and honey the next. Karl had a power bowl with quinoa, veggies, and eggs. Breakfast for both of us with coffee came to about €20 each day, which is very reasonable.
It is also dog-friendly and sells treats that benefit Cadela Carlota, a non-profit dog rescue, which immediately won me over. If you are a digital nomad, it is a popular spot to work from as well.
Artesao
I found this one through the Find Me Gluten Free app and went in with high hopes based on the reviews. The reality was a little disappointing on the gluten-free front. The options were more limited than expected, and I could not get fries due to cross-contamination, so I ended up with a wrap and a side of fruit. I had a long conversation with someone who I think was the manager or owner about celiac, and she was genuinely helpful in guiding me through what was safe. Unfortunately, I still got sick. Karl had a burger and enjoyed it, so it is not a bad spot overall, just proceed with caution if you have celiac.
Barbosa Bar and Kitchen
We came here for dinner on our first night. It had a cute atmosphere and a nice vibe, and they had a few gluten-free options available. The food was decent, the panna cotta for dessert was really delicious, and I tried a cider I had never heard of before, which was a fun discovery. The main courses were a little on the expensive side for the portion sizes, though, so just keep that in mind.
Casa do Prego
This was the highlight of all the food on the trip, and we found it completely by accident, just wandering around and spotting the menu on the wall outside. I am so glad we stopped. I had the Milano, a sirloin steak with parmesan cheese, roasted tomatoes, and a balsamic glaze, and it was outstanding. Karl had a really good chicken dish. The chips were some of the best I have had. We also had grilled prawns and a pitcher of sangria, and the whole thing came to around €50. Incredible value for the quality. If you eat at one place in Lagos, make it this one.
Nightlife in Lagos, Portugal
Beer and Co.
We went here twice and both nights delivered. The first night, they had karaoke, and the second night, there was live music from a Brazilian musician named Fernando Niva, who was absolutely fantastic. He even threw in some Garth Brooks when he found out we were American, which was not something I expected to hear in a bar in Portugal. We ended up chatting with him after his set. If you ever see him playing somewhere, go. Great bar, great atmosphere, would absolutely go back.
Bon Vivant
We stopped in here for a drink, and it had serious party energy even on a Tuesday night. We realized it was Carnaval, and most people were actually in the next town over for the celebrations, which we would have loved to know ahead of time. Even without the full crowd, it was a really fun spot. People were dancing, the drinks were great, and I had one of the best Palomas I have ever had. Highly recommend.
Bon Vivant
Eating Gluten-Free in Lagos, Portugal
Lagos has a decent number of restaurants with gluten-free options, but as always, it pays to do your research ahead of time. A few tips that helped us:
- Use the Find Me Gluten Free app before you go. It is how I found several spots on this trip, and it is my go-to tool for eating safely anywhere in Portugal.
- Always ask about cross-contamination, especially with fryers. Even if a dish looks safe on the menu, shared fryers are a common issue. Just ask your server directly, and most kitchens will do their best to accommodate you.
- Learn the phrase “sem glúten,” which means gluten-free in Portuguese. Saying it to your server goes a long way and avoids any confusion.
Is Lagos a Good Place to Live?
Lagos is a genuinely cool town, and I understand completely why it is so popular with expats and tourists alike. But honestly, not moving there turned out to be the right call for us. As much as I loved visiting, it did not feel as authentically Portuguese as other parts of the country. There are a lot of expats from all over the world living there, and during our visit, I barely heard any Portuguese being spoken at all.
That matters to me. I am really trying to learn the language and I love being immersed in the local culture. Tavira, where we ended up, has a much better blend of locals and expats, and it feels like real Portugal in a way that Lagos, at least in the areas we explored, did not quite deliver.
That said, Lagos is a fantastic place to visit, and I will absolutely be going back. The beaches alone are worth the trip, and I still have kayaking at Ponta da Piedade on my list. And I need another one of those Palomas at Bon Vivant.
Lagos, Portugal: A Weekend Well Spent
Lagos did not end up being home, but it absolutely earned a place on my list of favorite spots in the Algarve. It has the kind of energy that is hard to describe until you are standing in the middle of the old town with music playing in the street and a glass of something cold in your hand. The beaches are gorgeous, the food scene is solid, and the nightlife is genuinely fun even on a random Tuesday in March, and much livelier than Tavira.
If you are visiting the Algarve, Lagos deserves at least a weekend. And if you are considering moving to Portugal and Lagos is on your radar, it is worth a visit before you commit. You might love it. We just loved Tavira more.
Have questions about Lagos or the Algarve in general? Drop them in the comments below.
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