From the cities of Porto to Lisbon, I loved exploring different parts of Portugal. However, there’s so much more to this beautiful country than these bustling cities. Do yourself a favor and head to southern Portugal’s famous Algarve region. While most tourists end up lounging all day on the beach in this area, there are also so many charming towns and villages to explore. Lagos is one of those places that captured my heart recently, with its walled old town, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful beaches. I’d recommend at least 48 hours in Lagos; keep reading to discover the best places to eat, explore, and stay…
Where To Stay in Lagos:
Our home away from home in Lagos was the stunning estate: Casa Mãe. This boutique hotel has a variety of unique rooms, breathtaking views, a lush garden, inviting pool, working farm and a true farm-to-table restaurant. This is such a tranquil place to escape too, especially after visiting Lisbon. They are also sustainable, community driven, and an environmentally conscious hotel which is so appreciated in our world today. You’ll want to longer than 48 hours, trust me!
I highly recommend booking the spacious Horta Suite which is full of natural light, and has a lovely French balcony overlooking the grounds. The interior design is unique with a lovely combination of vintage pieces, antique furniture, with scattered modern touches as well. One of the highlights for me was the deep soaking tub in the bathroom set amongst the blue tiles.
What To Do in Lagos:
Once you’ve unpacked and settled into Casa Mãe, it’s time to explore Lagos! Thankfully, you’re walking distance to both the old town and ocean with its golden cliffs and secret rocky beaches that Lagos is known for. If the weather is behaving, and it usually is in southern Portugal, I’d recommend strolling to one of the most scenic lookout spots: Ponta de Piedade. This boasts one of the finest natural features of the Algarve with sea pillars, rock arches, hidden grottos and so much more to discover. I was truly in awe of the varying blue and green colors in the water, along with unique cliffside features.
As far as relaxing on a beautiful beach, I’d recommend heading to Praia do Camilo. You have to climb down (then back up!) 200 steps to access this beach but it is well worth it as it’s secluded, and has golden sand rather than only rocks, making it comfortable to sunbathe for an afternoon. In terms of history, I’d head to Ponta da Bandeira Fort which dates back to the late 1600s and can be found just beyond the town’s walls. Nowadays, you can pay a small fee to walk around here and visit the current art exhibitions held in the former barracks, a lighthouse, chapel, and more. Plus, the panoramic views alone are worth the visit.
Other than these sights, the best way to soak up the charm of Lagos is to stroll its charming streets and visit local shops and markets. Speaking of markets and food, keep reading for my best restaurant suggestions in Lagos…
Where To Eat in Lagos:
From traditional Portuguese seafood restaurants to trendy coffee shops, Lagos has a great variety of places to enjoy food. As a seafood lover, you’ll be especially pleased with the selection in this region. Also, if you stay at Case Mãe, you can conveniently eat at their restaurant, Otra, which has a fantastic breakfast menu filled with plenty of healthy options as well as the classics. They’re also open for lunch and dinner serving best local produce, from artisan supplies (including sourcing from their garden too)! Even if I wasn’t a hotel guest, I would still choose to dine here while in Lagos.
If you’re looking for a great lunch spot along the water, then I’d head to Pearl Food Trailer. Here you’ll enjoy some of the freshest seafood in Lagos, with a heavy emphasis on oysters. Mar d’Estórias is another lunch option with a multifunctional space that includes not only a rooftop bar with sea views, but also a downstairs eatery and gift shop.
Lastly, for dinner in Lagos, there are two fabulous places I’d recommend: Amorizade and Latitude Wine & Tapas. Amorizade is a French-Portuguese fusion restaurant in a bright & beautiful space with high ceilings and a vibrant selection of dishes. Latitude Wine & Tapas is more casual and cozy, with a fantastic selection of small plates that are perfect for sharing and delicious Portuguese wine to accompany. This place might be better for a group large than two, who are willing to share dishes, that way you can try all of their fantastic selections.
