Lagos Car Hire

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A simple overview of Lagos

About Lagos

Thanks to its continuing popularity, the population of the Algarve, normally 450,000 people, becomes a million in high season. The main city is Faro, which with Lagos and Albufeira comprises the most populous Algarve section, along the southern coast. Lagos is one of the most visited cities in the Algarve and Portugal due to its safe and idyllic beaches, stunning rock formations like Ponta da Piedade, its bars, restaurants and hotels. While it does have a vibrant summer nightlife, it’s not recommended for serious partying (for that you need to go to Praia da Rocha or Albufeira). Lagos is also a historic centre of the Portuguese Renaissance, sometime home of Prince Henry the Navigator and a historical shipyard. Historically and culturally fascinating, there’s nevertheless the selection of charming cafes and super-fresh seafood we all expect in Portugal. The inland of the Algarve is less developed but no less beautiful, as are the rockier cliffs and coastal areas on the wild north-western Atlantic coast (which is popular with surfers).

There have been humans in the Algarve and Lagos for millennia ̶ waves of conquerors, religions and immigration have shaped the culture, people, cuisine and rocky landscape of this coastal haven throughout that period. In pre-Roman Algarve, Celtic tribes inhabited the area and the Carthaginians established a base here because of its strategic harbour. The Romans renamed Algarve ‘Lusitania’ and Lagos became ‘Lacobriga’. After the Roman Empire collapsed in 410 AD, the Visigoths and then Byzantines occupied the area until its Moorish conquest in 711 AD and until their own eventual expulsion from the area in 1249. Renaissance Portugal became a global maritime Empire with Lagos as one of its strategic ports, fortified by Lagos Castle. Between 1595 and 1808 the Algarve was a semi-autonomous region, until unification into Portugal proper in 1910.

Beaches, Caves, Coves

Within walking distance of the historic centre of Lagos are four wonderful beaches ̶ Meia Praia, Praia Dona Ana, Praia do Camilo and Praia da Batata, and it’s a short drive to the glorious beaches at Praia da Luz (8 km) – a relaxed and friendly resort town set around the beautiful beach, Burgau (14 km) – a lovely fishing village and beach that are relatively undiscovered by tourists, Alvor (20 km) – a favourite with expats and families on the opposite side of Meia Praia beach, and Sagres (55 km) which is close to steep cliffs and roiling seas, offering some of the best surfing in Portugal. The Cabo Sao Vincente nearby is the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe.

City and Culture

While the Algarve region is surrounded by historical sites, Lagos is also steeped in history as reflected by the range of historical monuments and buildings. Must-see buildings include the beautiful Santo Antonio church and the imposing 17^th Century Bandeira Fort. Explore the historic centre on foot, with its narrow cobbled streets, traditional houses and pretty harbour front. Very few towns in the Algarve can claim the variety of historic buildings you’ll find in Lagos, and this is why it’s a popular day trip destination from within the surrounding region.

Sports and Pastimes

Lagos has more than enough to entertain active visitors. Onyria Palmares Golf Resort is one of the highlights (in an area renowned for golf) and is ranked in the top 50 golf courses in Europe. A mixture of parkland and links golf, it’s consistently rated among golfers. For the younger travellers, Slide and Splash in Lagoa (25 km from Lagos) is an amazing waterpark packed with gravity-defying flumes, near-vertical slides and huge rubber ring rides. The waterpark will delight children, teenagers, and adults alike and the facilities are clean, safe and well-maintained. It’s not cheap, at €27/€19 for adult/child entrance, but in terms of guaranteed fun, it’s certainly value for money.

What to do in Lagos?

Lagos is a beautiful holiday destination, whether you’re staying around the town or getting out and about. And the Algarve is compact, so most places are reachable in a few hours.

Historical attractions

The Lagos Cultural Centre has art exhibitions, concerts, dance performances, film showings and a lovely courtyard café with free Wi-Fi. Forte Ponta da Bandeira was built in the 17th century to defend Lagos harbour, and this square-shaped, mini fortress is in excellent condition considering its age. Situated over a wedge of sand overlooking a shallow bay, four turrets shaped like spinning tops on each corner help define the fort's squat profile. A narrow moat gives the fort an impregnable quality, and visitors have to cross a drawbridge to reach the inner courtyard. From the ramparts visitors can enjoy uninterrupted views over the water and back towards the castle walls.

Watersports

This is the Algarve and therefore there are loads of beaches and every kind of watersport you can imagine (and then some). The westerly areas of Sagres, Carrapateira, and Aljezur draw surfers from around the world, while Lagos itself has good access to both the wilder north-western coast and the more sedate southern Atlantic coast. There’s something for everyone in the Lagos coastal regions, from paddle boarding and scuba diving to whale-watching and jet skiing.

Party time and family fun

Lagos is not really known as a party town, although there is a vibrant enough nightlife. For families there’s a zoo, adventure parks with high rope walkways, mini golf, go karting and more ̶ the list is endless!

Eating out in Lagos

Lagos has eateries to suit any palette or budget, and there is plenty of seafood on offer literally everywhere. Here’s just a handful of Lagos’s best restaurants and cafes:

Lagos Tapas

First on our list is housed in a quaint old building on Praça Infante Dom Henrique ̶ 2 Irmãos has lovely outdoor seating overlooking the Igreja de Santa Maria and the statue of Prince Henry the Navigator. The superb selection of petiscos (tapas) has everything from pipis to pig ears. Try the regional favourite dish Cataplanas (seafood stew) for two.

Atlântico is a worthy alternative, with a beautiful beachside terrace and cozy wood-panelled interior with crafted timber bar. Portuguese and international dishes feature on the menu, including sizzling steaks, poultry and flambéed crepes, while the wine cellar has vintages as old as 1856!

Sublime Seafood

Casinha do Petisco is a tiny, traditional Portuguese restaurant that’s easy to miss ̶ simply decorated, the focus here is on seafood grills and shellfish dishes, including camarão e amêijoas (one-pot clam and prawn dish), lulas fritas com alho (garlic-sautéed squid) and two-person cataplanas. It’s often packed in high summer, but has a strong local following out of season too.

Beach Bar

Right on the sand, Bar Quim is one of the best eateries on Meia Praia. It's a decent stroll along the beach to get there, but it's well worth it for the friendly service, and dishes like the fish soup, or the house speciality ̶ spicy prawns cooked in a single pot with olive oil, garlic, coriander and chilli.

Transport in Lagos

Airports

Lagos is served by Faro Airport (FAO), also known as Algarve Airport, which is situated just west of the city of Faro, 51 km from Lagos. Enjoy partners not only with global brands like Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Enterprise, Thrifty and Dollar at the airport (and others), but we also work with established local providers who have the local expertise to deliver hassle-free car hire.

Buses and Trains

Generally, public transport everywhere in Portugal is safe, clean, cheap, and efficient. Typically, bus routes in the Algarve run services between 7AM and 8PM year-round, seven days a week, with buses operating until later in summer (usually 10PM). Buses run every 30 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays until 2PM. On Saturday afternoons, and all day on Sundays/holidays, all services are reduced to one an hour. Algarve trains are similar – safe, cheap and reliable, and Lagos station has local, regional and national connections.

Driving Around Lagos

The Algarve’s size is ideal for laid-back summer drives! Here are a few choice drives around/from Lagos:

Silves is the ancient capital of the Algarve. A Moorish fortification between the 9^th and 12^th centuries, it was also a maritime trading hub, with boats travelling down the Arade River to the fishing port of Portimão and on to North Africa. There are magnificent historical sights here, including the majestic Castelo de Silves, from where the Moors governed Algarve, the Portas de Cidade de Silves, an amazingly intact remnant of the once impregnable city walls, and the Museu Municipal de Arqueologia, Sé Catedral de Silves and Igreja da Misericórdia de Silves. Try going by guided boat, embarking at the northern end of the Ribeirinha (harbour side).

Known as the ‘Monaco of Portugal’, Vilamoura is a sophisticated resort popular with celebrities, celebrity watchers, and anyone who wants a quality and exclusive holiday resort. Centred on its world-class marina and spreading outward you’ll find a modern resort-town, with excellent 3-star to 5-star hotels, gourmet cuisine, style bars, designer shops, golf courses, a casino and a beach, among others.

Vila Nova de Milfontes is in the Beja Region in the wild northwest Algarve 90 minutes north of Lagos via the N120. The lofty cliffs of Cape Sardão and the wild nature of Praia de Farol are the town’s most well-known natural features. There’s history and culture in spades in the town ̶ visit the Fort des Milfontes or take a leisurely stroll through the lovely public gardens.

Praia de Benagil (Benagil Beach) is just 30 minutes by car from Lagos east along the A22. It has a pristine petite beach, but its main attraction is the famous Benagil Sea Caves. Close to the world-famous Praia de Marinha (voted one of the best beaches in Europe in the Michelin Guide), these caves are simply awe-inspiring. Hire a boat, kayak, paddle board or guided boat from Lagos or Albufeira to fully experience the caves from the water.

Drive on the right-hand side of the road in Lagos. The speed limits are 120 km/h on the motorway, 100 km/h (60 mph) on expressways, 90 km/h (50mph) on other roads and 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas. Also:

Drivers must carry an international driving licence, passport, insurance documents, MOT certificate if the car is more than three years old, and car hire documents.

Speed traps are the norm, so don’t be tempted to speed.

Using your phone while driving is illegal.

Be aware of the possibility of rock falls and other road hazards in rural areas.