What to do in Lagos

Lagos is a historic town located in the Algarve region, in southern Portugal. If you are a nautical sports aficionado, you will love Lagos and its numerous wide beaches.

The town is an old maritime port of over 2 000 years. It was originally owned by the Gallics, and then the Romans. So we can still find some Gallo-Roman ruins in the city and its surroundings. Lagos was then fortified by the Moors when they invaded the region in the 8th century. It is also the place where was built the oldest church in the Algarve region.

There are many different beaches in Lagos for every taste. The splendid Praia do Pinhao beach is located between fascinating cliffs and rocks. The white sandy Meia Praia beach is one of the largest open bays in Europe. The ocean here is calm and there are no reefs, so the conditions are perfect to practice nautical activities. And Dona Ana beach is very popular due to its fun shaped rocky massifs.

Only an hour west of Lagos, you can explore the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. It covers an area of almost 57 000 ha and is home to 750 plant species, 12 of which that can't be seen elsewhere. Many wild species live in the area, including the common genet, the peregrine falcon, the Bonelli's eagle, the osprey and the Iberian lynx.

Regarding the outdoor activities, there are plenty of them in Lagos and its surroundings. Meia Praia beach is a wide sandy beach that covers an area of 4 km from the Lagos marina to the Alvor estuary. Go on an adventure dive and discover the magnificent cliffs and natural caves in the surroundings. If you prefer to remain on the surface, you can choose among windsurfing, kitesurfing, sea kayaking, stand up paddling, and so on.

The most popular sport on the Algarve coastline remains surfing. The numerous beached in Lagos benefit from an excellent climate and amazing waves to practice this water slide sport. But if you prefer to live a unique surfing experience, you have to go to Sagres near Lagos. Here, the certifies surfing school Wave Sensations provides lessons in a surfcamp for those who have never surfed before and/or have limited time. The school also offers a program for experienced surfers looking to surf at the best spots in the Sagres area. The instructors will make sure you get to surf on the beaches with optimal conditions.

Lagos and its surroundings offer the best landscapes to practice outdoor activities.