Three days is the sweet spot for Lagos. Long enough to fall for it. Short enough to want more.

The pleasure of the place is the variety, because Lagos hands you two holidays in one. Inside the old walls you will find a working Portuguese town of cobbled lanes and shaded squares. Walk a few minutes the other way and the land drops into the Ponta da Piedade, where the Atlantic has spent thousands of years cutting the cliffs into arches, pillars, and sea caves you can slip between by boat. I have shown it to more friends than I can count, and it lands every time.

The town has a younger pulse than its history suggests. By day you have the beaches, some of the best in Portugal, where the sand meets water the colour of a swimming pool. By night the old quarter wakes up. Rua 25 de Abril is the heart of it, a narrow lane of spirited bars where you can drift from a craft cocktail to a cheap sangria and on to the next place without ever making a plan. The mood is more laid-back surf town than full-throttle resort, live music spilling out of doorways, the bartenders quick and friendly.

Then there is the wider west to discover. A final day opens up the end-of-the-world cliffs of Sagres, the Moorish castle town of Silves, or the sleepy fishing village of Burgau. Three days lets you move between all of it without ever feeling rushed.

I have lived in and explored the Algarve since 2001, and this is the three-day route I plan for friends arriving in Lagos for the first time. It will help you balance the old town, the coast, the beaches, and the long evenings, and choose the right day trip to round off your stay.
Related articles: Introduction to Lagos - 1 week in Lagos - Beach guide

The following is our suggested tour of Lagos, which is the route we recommend to friends and family when they visit Lagos for the first time.
• Day 1 Morning - Explore the historic centre
• Day 1 Afternoon - The Ponta da Piedade headland
• Day 2 Morning - Coastal hike or Lagos Zoo (family activity)
• Day 2 Afternoon - Relax on a beautiful beach
• Day 3 Full day - Day trip to Sagres, Luz or Burgau
The following section explains this suggested tour in detail.

Lagos has an extensive history, reflected in the wide range of historic monuments and buildings found within the old quarter. The city was established as a Moorish trading port and flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries as a centre for seafaring and exploration; however, Lagos was under the constant threat of pirate raids and foreign invaders.

Lagos is a joy to explore, with pleasant shopping streets, cobbled side streets, and a delightful promenade extending along the estuary. All of the sights of the old town are close together and include:
• The charming Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, which once guarded the entrance to the Lagos estuary.
• The Saint Anthony Church, which conceals some of the finest woodcarvings in Portugal.
• The Mercado de Escravos, the first slave market in Europe, which was later converted into the Customs House.
• Of the ancient city walls, the best-preserved section is the Saint Gonçalo's Gate, opposite the Bandeira fort. Related articles: Sights and activities of Lagos
Related articles: Sights and activities of Lagos

For the afternoon, plan to explore the Ponta da Piedade headland. These golden-colored cliffs have been carved by the power of the Atlantic Ocean, which has created unique rock formations, sea arches, precariously balanced pillars, and hidden grottos.

The headland can be explored from the landside or from the water via small boat tours. The boat tours are able to navigate and weave between the weathered cliffs using small boats that were once fishing vessels. The boat tours depart from Lagos Marina, and typically cost €20 for a 90-minute trip.

At the top of the cliffs, there are coastal footpaths and a series of steps which descend to the base of the cliffs. On the western side of the Ponta da Piedade headland is a wooden boardwalk, which provides magnificent views over the region.
Related articles: The Ponta da Piedade

There are many challenging and scenic hiking routes along the Lagos coastline. One of the most scenic trails is the 4km coastal path from Porto de Mos to Praia da Luz, which climbs the towering cliffs that separate them. For the return, there is a regular bus from Praia da Luz to Lagos, so you don’t have to climb the cliffs again.

An alternative activity for the morning is to go surfing at the Porto de Mos beach; this beach has decent swells and an expansive sandy beachfront.

If you are visiting Lagos with children, consider heading to Lagos Zoo for the morning. The zoo contains a decent selection of well-cared-for animals and will entertain younger children. Further details can be seen on their website:
http://www.zoolagos.com/en/

The map below shows the location of hotels and rental rooms in Lagos. By altering the date to your holiday, the map will display current availability and prices:

If you have chosen to visit the Algarve during the summer, you will likely want to spend some time on the beach. Luckily, Lagos's beaches are wonderful. There are beautiful beaches for sunbathing, sheltered beaches for families, and windswept beaches ideal for surfing and bodyboarding.

The Dona Ana beach is one of the Algarve’s finest beaches, boasting soft golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and an idyllic setting. The Meia Praia beach is the largest beach in the region with a pristine beachfront that extends for 4.5km. Close to the city centre is the Praia da Batata, a safe and sheltered beach which is popular with Portuguese families.
Related articles: Lagos beach guide

For the third day, plan a day trip to one of the fascinating towns that surround Lagos. Three excellent options are the towns of Sagres, Praia da Luz, or the charming village of Burgau.
Note: For the day trip, these towns were selected as they are close to Lagos, assuming that this is a touring holiday for you and you will have extra time to visit Silves, Portimão, Ferragudo, and Carvoeiro.

Sagres is the most westerly town of the Algarve, and the region is dominated by the wild seas of the Atlantic Ocean. There are towering cliffs and vast beaches where huge waves break, and Sagres offers some of the best surfing in Portugal. The town has a trendy surfing vibe but a rustic appearance, and sights include the unique fort, the fishing harbour, and the Cabo de São Vicente headland. There are direct bus services from Lagos to Sagres.
Related articles: Day trip to Sagres from Lagos

Burgau is one of the most traditional and authentic villages in the Algarve. Fishing boats are pulled onto the beach, there are narrow cobbled streets, and locals mingle with tourists in the cafes. Burgau is small and not for everyone, but if you have an interest in discovering how the Algarve was before tourism arrived, you will enjoy Burgau.

Praia da Luz is a pleasant resort town which has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. There is an expansive sandy beach that extends around the bay and is surrounded by relaxed beach bars and cafes. If Lagos and the central Algarve become too hectic for you, then Luz is the location to unwind.