Not to be confused with its African namesake, Lagos (pronounced “Lagosh”) is a bustling seaside town in the Algarve region of Portugal. With a permanent local population, it’s not your typical tourist resort. As there’s no “off-season”, you can enjoy the hotels, bars and restaurants of Lagos all year round, taking full advantage of the lower prices in the spring and winter months.
Popular with Lisbon city-folk on the weekends, Lagos has a fantastic waterfront location. Watch the flurry of activity from the many bars and restaurants dotted along the marina, as yachts dock in the harbour or set sail for newer climes. The old town is characterised by its pretty cobbled streets, terracotta-tiled houses and restaurants serving authentic Portuguese food. This quaint urban centre, where many of the locals live, is perfect for safely exploring the shops and practising the lingo!
A short drive from the town centre, the sandy beach stretches for miles, surrounded by shady trees. The area is relatively untouched, offering you a peaceful and idyllic sanctuary by the sea. Many of the nearby hotels have set up beach clubs on the shore, offering guests the use of sun loungers, towels, drinks and tasty snacks.
Popular accommodation in the area:
- The Marina Club Suite Hotel – 3*, 10 mins to the beach, on the marina.
- Vilabranca Apartments – 3*, 850 metres to the beach, 2 km to Lagos town.
- Vila Gale – 4*, on the seafront, 1 km to Lagos town.
The Marina Club, located right on the water, is one of the most popular places for Irish holidaymakers to stay. With its contemporary nautical design, the Marina Club caters to an upmarket clientèle. Unsurprisingly, the facilities are second-to-none, with a large swimming pool, sun terraces, children’s playground, the “Waypoint” restaurant, a poolside bar called the “Regata”, the “Marina Spa” with fitness and massage rooms, indoor pool and jacuzzi, and apartments equipped with all mod cons.
Vilabranca Apartments is walking distance from the sandy beach of Porto Mos and has a fun laid-back vibe. Guests have access to the swimming pool and sun terraces, children’s play area, poolside bar and snack bar (serving evening meals), internet access, a bike rental service and a free shuttle bus that brings you to the beach or resort several times a day.
Vila Gale is an uber-stylish hotel overlooking Meia Praia beach – an ideal option for the design conscious! Boasting a huge outdoor swimming pool, sun terraces, a bar, a choice of two restaurants, tennis courts and volleyball, watersports and games room, 24 hr reception and room service, you’ll feel pampered and relaxed throughout your stay. Children can make friends at the onsite kids club, while adults can enjoy the perks of the Satsanga Spa and Wellness Centre.
The transfer time from Faro airport to Lagos is just 1hr and 15mins, so what are you waiting for? You can book your Lagos holiday on ClickandGo.com and discover the real Algarve. Here’s a little taster of what you have to look forward to!
I’ve live in Lagos for about 15 years. It has been great to live here. One of the things I mostly recommend to all tourists who come to the Algarve, is to discover the coast line, preferably by boat. Last summer I started a website to compare all the different things to do along the Algarve coast. The boat trips I recommend are the grotto trip to Ponta da Piedade or the dolphin watching trip departing from the marina. If you like have a look at http://www.seabookings.com
Thanks for the tip and the link. The Algarve definitely has a coastline worth exploring!