One Day in Lagos: the Hidden Gem of Portugal
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A city flooded with both rich history and breathtaking views, Lagos is pretty hard to beat. There are no big cities here like Lisbon and Porto. Instead people come for the good vibes and even better beaches here in the heart of the sunny Algarve. It’s pretty small, so just one day in Lagos will be enough to see the historic city, gawk at unbelievable scenery, enjoy the nightlife, and you’ll even have time to get a tan! I’m warning you though, because while one day in Lagos is technically enough to see it all, it’ll never be enough time in this beautiful destination.
Here is your ultimate guide to spending one perfect day in Lagos.
Best time to visit Lagos
July – August: If you can, steer clear of visiting during these months because this is peak season, both for temperature and crowds. It’s a busy and hot tourist town during July and August. But if this is the only time you can go, no worries! The city center is more alive than ever with activities, music, and a killer nightlife.
March – June: It’s less crowded this time of year, and it gets more enjoyable each day as the weather and hours of sunshine keep getting better.
September – November: This is the best time of year to visit Lagos because the ocean water is at its best, and the crowds disappear. Most restaurants and beach bars are still open, and flights and hotels are more affordable.
December – February: You might be better off going skiing! At this time of year the days are short in Lagos, and it gets pretty cold at night. Worst of all, the majority of restaurants and bars are closed. The city center doesn’t become a complete ghost town, though, so you can still have a good time. Not to mention you’ll get unbeatable hotel deals and the beach practically to yourself. If you’re searching for sun, however, you might want to pack your bags for the Caribbean instead.
How to get to Lagos
Lagos isn’t the most accessible place in the world, but that’s what makes it such a great hidden gem! There are a bunch of way to get to Lagos.
From Faro
- If you’re flying into Faro, then you have a lot of options that will get you to Lagos. Take the train if you’re on a budget. A quick taxi or bus to the train station costs about €5, and the train costs €6 each way. You’ll be soaking up the sun in Lagos in two hours!
- If you’re in a big hurry to get to Lagos, you can take a taxi. It’ll set you back over €100, but you’ll be in Lagos in half the time.
- Another option is to rent a car to go at your own pace and have full control of your journey.
From Lisbon
- After flying into Lisbon, the journey to Lagos will be a little longer. You can get there by train, bus, or by renting a car.
- You can take the train from either of Lisbon’s stations: Entrecampos or Oriente. You’ll need to take a bus or taxi to either of these stations, and then take the train to Tunes (about €21). There are typically at least 4 trains a day, and the journey takes 2.5 hours. From Tunes you will need to take another train to Lagos which takes 30 minutes and costs €4.
- If you want to take the bus to Lagos, then take a bus or taxi from the Lisbon airport to the Eva bus station in the center of Lisbon. For €20 you’ll be in Lagos in 4 hours. There are six buses a day that go to Lagos, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one to fit your schedule.
From Seville
- Yep, you actually don’t have to fly into Portugal to get to Lagos! You can take a bus from Seville, a city in southern Spain. It costs about €14 round trip and is a 5 hour ride. Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of buses going to and from Lagos from Seville, so it makes it hard to plan a short trip. The only other way to get to Lagos from southern Spain is to go to Faro first via plane, train, or bus.
What to do with one day in Lagos
Sunrise at Ponta da Piedade
It’s an early wakeup, but well worth it! If you only have one day in Lagos, you should get up early to make the most of it.
Ponta da Piedade is one of the most famous attractions in Lagos, and it’s easy to see why. The golden cliffs come high out of the crystal water, making these stunning pillars of the sea a must on your Lagos itinerary.
Have dessert for breakfast with famous Portuguese pastries
Although I think the best way to start your day is the epic sunrise at Ponta da Piedade, not everyone is an early bird like me. Whether you saw the sunrise or hit the snooze button and are just starting your day now, you have to try a famous Pastel de Nata, the most iconic Portuguese pastry. I’ve been told these egg custard tarts go great with coffee, but truth be told I’m not much of a coffee connoisseur, so I’ll let you decide!
I recommend Pastelaria Gomba or Pasteleria Rivera to get your fill of these creamy, flaky treats. I know it’s hard, but try not to eat too many because the next stop is the beach. I don’t know about you, but I still want to fit into my suit!
Hit the beach and get your tan on
FINALLY – the part we’ve all been waiting for! The gorgeous beaches are what make so many people flock to Lagos each year. Can you blame them? Just LOOK at that water. Read my guide to the 6 Best Beaches in Lagos to help you find the perfect beach for your one day in Lagos.
There’s tons of great places to eat near the different beaches, but to save time and money I usually like to pack a lunch. But it’s your day! You can hit up one of the beachside restaurants or head into town to grab a bite to eat. If you do head into town, be on the lookout for artsy murals that adorn the city center.
Take a boat trip to the caves
If you venture down to the Lagos marina, there are tons of boat to take you to the caves. Yeah, it’s touristy, but you don’t want to miss this. The boat goes SUPER fast before you get to the caves, and that wind is chilly! So maybe bring a jacket and definitely a camera for some of the best views in Lagos.
Coming in through the water is the only way to reach the majority of these spots, so I highly recommend putting a boat tour at the top of your list for things to do in Lagos. You definitely don’t want to miss out on these hidden oases and different rock formations. Your guide will probably point these out, so be on the lookout for the cathedral, the twins, camel head, elephant, and Titanic and the iceberg. You’ll see!
Explore the caves on a kayak, paddleboard, or surfboard
Another way to enter the caves from the water is by kayaking, paddleboarding, or taking a surf lesson. These are lots of fun, but quite the workout! They’re also more time consuming, so if you only have one day in Lagos you might want to opt for the boat tour instead.
Eat dinner at The Orangery
If you do nothing else on this list, please eat dinner at The Orangery Bar & Grill. The staff are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and the food is to die for. It was truly the best meal I’ve ever had, so I went twice! I recommend ordering steak on a lava rock. It’s insanely hot and cooks your steak super fast, and you get to cook it exactly how you like it, whether that’s rare or well done. It’s up to you! The waiter will come back in about 15 minutes to flip the rock, and your steak will start sizzling and steaming all over again.
Lots of people want to eat fresh seafood while they’re in Lagos. I’m not much for fish, but if that’s your forte you can also order some seafood at The Orangery to cook on the lava rock.
Tip: Cook that garlic clove on top of the steak; it’s delicious!
Snack on gelato for dessert
In the heart of the Lagos city center is the cutest gelato shop, Crema & Cioccolato. They have tons of flavors, and lots of unique ones like marshmallow, fig, cantaloupe, pear, passion fruit, and even skittles. Just like with the Orangery, I was a repeat customer. I opted for Belgium chocolate with banana/Nutella the first time and a strawberry-banana combo the second time.
Explore the Old Town after Dark
Although you might be feeling stuffed from that scrumptious dinner and two scoops of gelato – I know you couldn’t get just one – go to the Lagos Old Town because it gets lively as the sun goes down.
You can listen to street music or grab a drink at a rooftop bar. Bon Vivante is a crowd favorite, and it’s five stories high. Head to Stevie Rays if you’d rather listen to some smooth jazz at one of the oldest buildings in the city.
If you’re up for trying something new, order a shot of Aguardente de Medronhos. This signature Portuguese drink is especially popular in the Algarve. It’s strong, fruity, and nicknamed “firewater.” Good luck!
If you have more than one day in Lagos
Lagos is so beautiful that it’s hard to go for just one day. If you have some extra time in the area, then I recommend spending a day or half a day in Sagres.
Sagres
Sagres is about half an hour from Lagos. It’s known for being the westernmost tip of mainland Europe and also a great surf spot. It’s got amazing natural landscapes like Lagos but without the big crowds.
Make sure you stop by Cabo de Sao Vicente. You’ll see a lighthouse and some insane views that let you see out into the ocean for miles. Up until the 14th century, this was thought to be the end of the known world. How cool is that? You can say you stood at the end of the world!
There is a lot to love about Lagos. This small coastal city charms visitors with its history, nature, and beaches – all of which are equally impressive. Despite all that, it’s possible to experience the best of the Algarve even if you only have one day in Lagos, although I hope you get more time here because Lagos is a must see on any Portugal itinerary.
If you only have one day in Lagos, this guide will help you make the most of it!
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