WHERE TO STAY IN LAGOS, PORTUGAL
Where to stay in Lagos, Portugal?
I’ve divided this guide into the 5 main areas where you can find hotels and apartments available: Old Town, Marina de Lagos, Batata Beach, Dona Ana Beach and Meia Praia. This will help you pick which area appeals to you the most and best matches your interests and budget. Hopefully it might help you to browse for hotels in Lagos, Portugal.
Blessed with pleasant weather all year-round and a dramatic landscape, Lagos (pronounced la-goosh) is possibly the Algarve’s finest destination. Its rugged coastline, with ochre-coloured cliffs standing majestically over golden sand beaches, has something for all kinds of travellers from backpackers wanting to try their hand at surfing to families travelling with small kids.
We’ve listed the highest rated properties in each area and you can click on the name or the photo of the hotel to book it or see other alternatives available for your travel dates.
Top 3 hotels to stay in Lagos:
Carvi Beach Hotel: Luxury 3-star hotel at affordable prices
Lagos Avenida Hotel: Modern hotel with the best infinity pool in Lagos
Cascade Wellness Resort: Resort with a spa and wellness treatments on-site
Top 3 things to do in Lagos:
Dolphin Watching Tours: Meet the cutest sea creatures in their natural habitat
Benagil Cave Tours: An impressive open-top cave reached only from the sea
Jeep Safari: A fun day out in the rural countryside, visiting traditional villages
Old Town
Perfect for the first-time visitors
If you’re a sucker for Portugal’s charming cobblestone streets, colourful facades, Portuguese
What to see and do
Mercado de Escravos
Housed in a building that’s believed to be Europe’s first slave market, Mercado de Escravos is a small museum that retraces Lagos’s sombre past as the slave market port of entry for over three centuries.
Castelo dos Governadores
The existing castle is what’s remained from the medieval walls that protected the city from the many invasions it suffered. The castle has undergone many renovations since it became the military government’s headquarters in the 13th-century.
Centro Cultural de Lagos
Centro Cultural is Lagos’s main cultural hub that hosts a variety of theatre, dance and music events. Stop by to check their ongoing free art exhibitions and then treat yourself with a good cup of coffee and a Portuguese pastry at their inner courtyard cafe.
Igreja de Santo Antônio
The Church of Saint Anthony is an easy gem to miss because no one wants to see yet another ordinary church, right? Wrong! The modest exterior hides an impressive baroque architecture with walls covered by traditional Portuguese tiles and sumptuous wood carvings topped with gold leaf. A sight that’s definitely worth a few minutes of your holiday for a very symbolic fee.
LAC – Laboratório de Atividades Criativas
LAC, or Creative Activities Lab, is a not-for-profit cultural space and gallery created with the aim to spread and promote creative arts in the area. Set in an old prison, LAC transformed a place of captivity giving it a new meaning and a new life where freedom is the answer to creativity.
Where to stay
HIGH-END
Divided in three buildings, each with a unique atmosphere, stunning Casa Mãe is a peaceful haven minutes away from the heart of the Old Town.
MID-RANGE
On a narrow residential street right in the city centre, the 3 Marias Garden House offers an excellent base for your visit to Lagos.
BUDGET
These old townhouse apartments are the perfect choice for those seeking comfort and convenience while being very centrally located.
Marina de Lagos
Perfect for slow travellers
Distance to the Old Town: 0.5 miles
Because Marina de Lagos is just a short walk away from the Old Town and Meia Praia Beach, those choosing to stay here will enjoy the same convenience as those staying in town but in a more tranquil location.
The many harbour-facing cafés and restaurants are arguably the best spots in town to end your day sipping on a cocktail whilst watching the sun go down on the horizon.
The marina is also where you can book any of the boat trips in and around Lagos. From Benagil Cave to dolphin watching, there are stalls selling a variety of tours that show you around the natural wonders from this part of the world.
If you’d rather guarantee your spot in advance, click here to book.
What to see and do
Museu dos Descobrimentos
There aren’t any celebrities in this waxworks museum but 22 historical figures representing 16 different points in time central to Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
Réplica da Caravela da Boa Esperança
Docked by the harbour, Caravela da Boa Esperança is a replica of the original caravel used by Bartolomé Díaz when crossing the Cape of Good Hope in Africa and it’s currently used by the local tourism board as a floating museum to promote the area.
Mercado Municipal de Lagos
If you like browsing around for local produce, make room in your itinerary to visit this indoor market. I warn you already that it’s a small market despite its deceivingly large facade but, it’s worth looking around and checking the top floor for views of the harbour. And as it’s true with any fresh food market, the earlier you go, the more
Centro Ciência Viva
Located just behind the Mercado Municipal, Centro Ciência Viva is a small science museum that does an excellent job in keeping kids entertained with interactive activities about local seafaring and geology while their parents can kick back and relax for a
Cattery
This open-air cattery isn’t an official attraction or one which you might find in a guide of ‘Things to do in Lagos‘ but, if you love cats as much as I do, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the tip. The cattery is a great initiative maintained by the charity Nandi to give shelter and food to the many of the local stray cats while providing overall amusement to the passer-by too.
Where to stay
HIGH-END
It’s impossible to miss the rooftop infinity pool at the chic Lagos Avenida where guests can enjoy amazing views of the marina and the ocean.
MID-RANGE
This modern resort is located by the marina and it’s a great spot for those looking for relaxation by the pool or being within easy reach to the beach.
BUDGET
This family run hotel, which was renovated this year, is the perfect option for those looking for comfort without breaking the bank.
Batata Beach
Perfect for watersports enthusiasts
Distance to the Old Town: 0.3 miles
Sheltered by the cliffs that are so characteristic of this region, the calm waters in Batata beach are perfect for swimming while the soft sand is enticing to those wanting to stock up on vitamin D. The only downside is
What to see and do
Batata Beach Viewpoint
If you’re reaching Praia da Batata from the main road, you’ll pass by this viewpoint where you can take some snaps and enjoy the scenery before heading down to the beach.
Roman Bridge
Tucked away amongst the cliffs, this Roman bridge is your perfect Instashot hotspot on Batata Beach.
Where to stay
HIGH-END
Looking to indulge? Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and right on the beach, the 5-star Cascade Wellness Resort is the perfect to chill and relax.
MID-RANGE
Wake up to a seaview at one of these stylish apartments located in a 19th-century manor house that maintains some of its original features.
BUDGET
My Charming House apartment is your ideal home away from home: adorable interiors, very homely feels and super close to the beach.
Dona Ana Beach
Perfect for all beachgoers
Distance to the Old Town: 1.1 miles
Be camera-ready and prepared to be taken aback when arriving at Dona Ana beach, one of the most picturesque in the area. Deep turquoise waters surrounded by golden sand and sandstone cliff formations create an outstanding setting where you wouldn’t mind spending a few lazy hours.
What to see and do
Ponta da Piedade
Hiking to Ponta da Piedade is an alternative to the many boat tours that take you around this dramatic part of Lagos coastline. It’s by boat that you’ll have access to some of the hidden grottos and frail rock arches but it’s at the top that you’ll get probably Lagos’s best panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Book your tour to Ponta da Piedade here.
Where to stay
HIGH-END
All details at Costa D’Oiro have been carefully thought of, from hypoallergenic pillows to individual climate control and soundproof rooms.
MID-RANGE
Perfectly situated between Dona Ana and Camilo beaches, Aqualuz Hotel & Apartments’s guests are guaranteed to have a comfortable and relaxing stay.
BUDGET
Located near a golf course and overlooking the Atlantic, most rooms at the modern Carvi Beach Hotel boast mind-blowing oceanviews.
Meia Praia
Perfect for families
Distance to the Old Town: 1.3 miles
Situated a bit further away from the Old Town, Meia Praia is the longest and less developed stretch of beach in Lagos. This means that Meia Praia is less crowded than Batata, Dona Ana or Camilo beach even during summer months. The landscape here is also different, instead of cliffs you’ll find grassy sand dunes lining the white sand beach which runs 4kms along the coast. It’s also one of the main surfing hotspots in Lagos with many surf schools and camps around.
What to see and do
Palmares Golf Course
If you’re a keen golfer, reserve some tee time in Palmares Golf Course which is one of the nine-hole hoop courses in the area.
Parque Aventura Lagos
If you’re feeling adventurous and needing some break from the sand, visit the Parque Aventura Lagos for high roping courses or paintballing fun.
Where to stay
HIGH-END
There are four pools, a gym and a spa amongst other facilities at this luxurious 5-star resort from the Iberostar chain right opposite Meia Praia beach.
MID-RANGE
Another lavish seafront resort, Vila Galé is perfect to all kinds of guests that wish to be near the beach, from couples to families travelling with kids.
BUDGET
All apartments and studios at the Dom Pedro Aparthotel have a balcony and each of their rooms has either a kitchenette or a kitchen.
That’s all, folks! We hope that our guide on where to stay in Lagos can help you find the perfect spot for your stay in this gorgeous little town. We know that choosing the right accommodation can be tricky so we hope to have accomplished our mission in giving you a little helping hand.
Going to other places after Lagos? Then check out our Portugal page for more inspiration!
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