17+ of the best things to do in Old Town Lagos, Portugal

Lagos in the Algarve, Portugal is a town known for beautiful beaches, incredible limestone cliff formations and the picturesque Old Town Lagos within the old city walls.

Old Town Lagos is within walking distance from the beautiful beaches and walking through the narrow mosaic-paved streets is one of the best things to do in the Algarve region.

Despite being a small town, Lagos is packed with things to see and do making it a great Algarve day trip destination.

Whether you’re visiting Lagos or using it as your base in the Algarve, you’re sure to enjoy spending some time in this pretty town just as I did on a recent Portugal trip.

We enjoyed a tasty brunch, visited the beaches and, of course, headed out to Ponta da Piedade amongst other things.

If you’re visiting Lagos Portugal and looking for what to do there, then be sure to read on.

How to get to Lagos Portugal

Many people who are visiting the Algarve will arrive in Faro, which is an hour away from Lagos, by train or plane.

For my trip, I travelled by train from Lisbon to Faro and then flew out of Faro airport.

Getting from Faro to Lagos is easy and can be done on public transport by train, bus, renting a car or through hiring a transfer from the airport to your Lagos accommodation. You can read about how to get from Faros to Lagos here.

Both the bus and the Lagos train station are close to the main centre so you won’t need to walk far once you arrive.

You can also book flights to Faro airport if you’re coming from further afield.

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

If you’re already in the Algarve you can drive to Lagos pretty easily from many other towns and cities.

One thing to note is that driving within the Old Town can be challenging due to the narrow one-way streets and limited parking options.

When it comes to where to park in Lagos, consider parking outside the city centre and exploring the Old Town on foot which is what we did. Many of these are free though they do get very busy by later morning at weekends and in the summer due to the number of people exploring Lagos.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

The closest free parking lot to the Old Town is situated at the corner of Rua Infante de Sagres and Estrada do Biker. Another option is a free paved parking lot located at the intersection (roundabout) of Rua da Gafaria and Estrada to Biker.

If you don’t mind walking a bit further, there’s a third free parking space at the corner of Avenida dos Descobrimentos and Rua do Baluarte, approximately 300 meters away from the city wall.

Best things to do in Lagos

Explore Old Town Lagos

The best thing to do in Lagos is to explore Old Town Lagos, which is filled with pretty squares and narrow streets. It’s a mix of touristy areas and local spots.

Just like many other cities and towns in Portugal, including Lisbon, the old town of Lagos has beautiful pavements with different mosaic tile patterns. You’ll also see traditional buildings, most of them white or with colourful windows and doors and some houses have traditional azulejo tiles on their exteriors.

Take your time to wander along the cobbled streets, discover hidden corners of the town, relax at cute cafes, and explore the shops. It’s undeniably one of the best free things to do in Lagos.

When exploring the Old Town Lagos, make sure you don’t miss the following places:

• Plaza Infante Dom Henrique with the Church of Santa Maria de Lagos
• Praça Gil Eanes and Rua da Porta de Portugal with pretty houses nearby.
• and Praça Luís de Camões

Explore the Lagos Walls in Lagos Old Town

Exploring the city walls is another of the best things to do in Lagos. As you wander around the town, you’ll soon notice that the historic Old Town Lagos is surrounded by some walls. These are 16th-century walls inside of which you’ll find a maze of patterned streets and whitewashed houses.

The most beautifully restored section of the city walls can be found near the waterfront, opposite the Fortress, at Porta de São Gonçalo. If you’re visiting the fortress, you won’t miss the city walls as they are nearby. It’s worth a quick photo stop.

To fully appreciate the city walls, head to Avenida dos Descobrimentos and Estrada da Ponta da Piedade near the mini golf course, as they offer the best views. While researching things to do in Old Town Lagos, you might come across Lagos Castle, but it’s actually referring to the city walls, which can only be seen from the outside.

You’ll also encounter remnants of the city walls surrounding the old town in other locations. It’s interesting to see if you stumble upon them, but not necessarily something to go out of your way for.

Kayak to Ponta da Piedade

Ponta da Piedade is one of the coolest things to see in the Algarve and well worth visiting while you’re in Lagos.

What is Ponta de Piedade? It’s another of the Algarve’s super cool cliff, cave and rock formations that have been carved out by the oceans and wind over many years.

The water here is a beautiful colour and super clear and one of the best ways to see the cool rock formations that reach up to 20 metres high in places is to kayak out to them.

While we did the kayak trip to Benagil Caves I wish we’d done this one instead, it looked much cooler!

On this kayak trip to Ponta de Piedade in Lagos, you’ll go under natural arches and get up close to the rocks.

Book Ponta da Piedade kayak trip in Lagos

If you don’t want to kayak you can also explore on foot. Either drive, walk or get the bus out to the headland and descend the steep staircase where you’ll get a view of some of the rock formations.

You can pay for a boat tour here with the men at the bottom of the steps, or take a boat ride from the centre of Lagos out to this area and some others nearby too.

Read more: Check out the best kayaking tours in Lagos here

Chill out on Beach Estudantes

Paria do Estudantes, also known as Estudantes Beach, is a beautiful beach located in Lagos. It has golden sandy shores and crystal-clear blue waters and is ideal for chilling out during your trip to Lagos.

Estudantes Beach is within walking distance of the old town of Lagos so you don’t have to travel far and you can enjoy a dip in the ocean to cool off while you’re exploring or sunbathing.

There are some cool rock features here including a natural bridge which you can walk under to access more of the beach itself.

Have a relaxing beach day on Porto Mós Beach

For another great Lagos beach head to Porto Mós Beach one of the best beaches in Lagos.

The long Porto Mós Beach in Lagos is one of the best places to go in Lagos for a beach day since it’s so big it never feels too busy.

After a morning spent exploring Lagos, we came here for a few hours to enjoy the waves and chill out in the sun. There are some restaurants and bars overlooking the beach too which would make a great spot for dinner with a view!

Check out Igreja de Santo António

From the outside, Igreja de Santo António is simple, with white walls and two bell towers. Once you step inside, however, you’ll be amazed by its beauty making it worth seeing while exploring the Lagos old city.

Every surface of the inside of this church is covered with beautiful woodcarvings, colourful tiles, and paintings depicting the life of St Anthony of Lisbon.

Make sure you look up as the ceiling is super intricate too.

This church was once owned by the Portuguese military from the 18th century until 1929. After that, it was taken over by the government for urgent repairs. Nowadays, the church only holds one service per year, which takes place on June 13 to honour the patron saint.

Visit Praia do Camilo

Praia do Camilo, located next to Ponta da Piedade, offers a unique Lagos beach experience and is one of the best unusual things to do in Lagos. To get there you’ll need to walk down about 200 steps built into the cliffside (just don’t think about the climb back up!).

Once you’ve made it to the beach, you’ll be greeted by beautiful cooling waters and there’s even a natural tunnel that connects to a neighbouring cove, allowing you to walk through and discover more of this beautiful area.

When the tide goes out you can explore some of the caves in the bay which is super cool and not something you can do at all beaches!

Take in the views at Miradouro da Ponta da Piedade

Enjoy the stunning views from Miradouro da Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, Portugal.

This beautiful lookout point offers panoramic vistas of the Algarve coastline’s remarkable rock formations, crystal-clear waters, and majestic cliffs.

Located near the Ponta da Piedade lighthouse, it’s a dream spot for photographers, especially at sunset or sunrise.

You can choose to enjoy the views from the top of the cliff or take the staircase down to see the caves up close. Once you reach the bottom of the staircase, you’ll find someone offering boat trips. If you haven’t already booked another tour, taking a boat trip is a fantastic way to see the amazing rock formations in this area.

See Farol de Lagos Molhe Este

The lighthouse of Farol de Lagos Molhe Este in Lagos is another thing that’s cool to see as you explore the city but perhaps not worth making a separate trip for.

The lighthouse stands at the entrance of Lagos Harbor and is best viewed as you walk around the pier in Lagos.

Get lunch at Pom Pom Bagels

If you love bagels like us then be sure to head to Pom Pom Bagels in Lagos for either breakfast or lunch during your day trip.

At Pom Pom Bagels, you’ll find both classic and unique flavour combinations, such as smoked salmon with cream cheese, avocado and bacon, or Nutella with banana. They have a great mix of veggie and vegan options too.

Visit Mercado Municipal de Lagos

Be sure to check out the awesome Fish Market of Lagos (Mercado Municipal) by the Lagos town centre.

It’s open from Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 2 pm and is the place to go if you want to buy some fresh fish, seafood, veggies or fruit during your stay in Lagos.

The fish is caught by local fishermen and comes straight from the harbour, so you’ll also be supporting the locals when you shop here.

The ground floor is all about seafood, while the first floor has veggies, fruit, olive oil, and local produce. Don’t miss the cool rooftop restaurant that serves traditional food.

Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’s still worth a visit and it’s not far from the Lagos historic centre

Enjoy coffee and brunch from Black and White Coffee Shop

We had a delicious brunch in Lagos from Black and White Coffee shop that has a gorgeous interior and a great menu of sweet treats and savoury options.

We opted for Eton mess pancakes and eggs and avocado on toast with flat whites and it was all delicious. The service was surprisingly quick given how busy they were too.

You might need to wait for a table but the line usually moves pretty quickly. It’s definitely one of the best Lagos Portugal coffee shops!

Take a food tour in Lagos

Taking a food tour in Lagos is a fantastic way to discover the vibrant flavours and tastes of the Algarve region.

This 3-hour Algarve Classic Food Tour in Lagos takes you through Lagos’ beautiful streets to some of the best and most authentic eateries in town. You’ll get to try a variety of traditional dishes and local specialities from fresh fish and seafood sourced directly from local fishermen to flavourful fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.

You’ll also learn more about the cultural and historical significance behind each dish.

Book this Lagos food tour.

Visit Forte da Ponta da Bandeira

At the mouth of the Bensafrim River, the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira played a crucial role in defending the harbour and was built in the late 17th century as part of a defensive line that emerged after the Portuguese Restoration War, a conflict between Portugal and Spain.

To enter the fort you cross a drawbridge, and inside, you’ll find a chapel with tiles from that period.

The roof is equipped with bartizans, which are small turret-like structures, at each corner providing high-up lookout points for defence. Nowadays you don’t need to see oncoming invaders but you can enjoy views of the rocky coast to the south and Meia Praia on the other side of the river.

Walk along Marina de Lagos

If you enjoy shopping be sure to wander along Marina de Lagos which is full of market stalls with items that make great souvenirs.

The stalls are open from about 8:00 AM and you’ll find handbags and scarves as well as clothing and jewellery. It’s a great place for shopping in Lagos Portugal if you’re looking for gifts.

Visit some Lagos museums

When visiting Lagos you could also check out some of the museums in the town. Here’s a brief overview of the best ones, and just pick some that interest you.

Museu de Lagos

The most interesting museum in Lagos is Museu de Lagos or Museu de Lagos Dr. Jose Formosinho. It’s right next to the Church of Santo Antonio in a separate building and has a mix of exhibits on the history of Lagos, some regional artefacts and art.

It’s a small museum, and tickets are just a couple of euros. You’ll probably need less than 30 minutes here to check it out so it can easily fit into one day in Lagos.

The museum is open every day except Mondays.

Slavery Route Museum Slave Market (Mercado de Escravos).

Just a short walk from Lagos Museum, on Infante Dom Henrique Square, you’ll discover the Slavery Route Museum Slave Market (Mercado de Escravos).

This museum is housed in one of the oldest buildings in Lagos, where African slaves were brought by boats to Europe and sold during the 15th century.

Visiting this museum provides insight into this sombre, but important to recognise, chapter of Portuguese history.

This Lagos museum is open every day except Mondays.

Science Centre of Lagos

If you’re visiting Lagos with children, the Science Centre of Lagos is a fun place to go and a good way to escape the heat.

Housed in Casa Fogaça, an 18th-century manor house, this museum displays the innovations that made the Portuguese Age of Discovery possible.

Many of the exhibits are interactive and you can discover 3D printers, and learn about radios, Morse Code or sailing knots!

The Science Museum of Lagos is open daily except Mondays.

Take a dolphin watching boat tour

Another fun thing to do in Lagos is to take a dolphin-watching tour.

On this dolphin watching tour with a marine biologist, you’ll head out on an eco-friendly RIB boat for a two-hour trip to explore the coast and (hopefully) see dolphins!

The dolphin species living around here include porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, and Risso’s dolphins.

Book your Lagos Dolphin Watching tour now.

Where to stay in Lagos Portugal

If you’re staying in Lagos for a night or longer, these are some of the best places to stay depending on your budget.

• Budget-friendly: Atalaia Sol Aparthotel OR this Old Town Lagos hostel
• Mid-range: Tivoli Lagos
• Luxury: Cascade Wellness Resort

FAQs about Lagos and Old Town Lagos Portugal

Final thoughts on what to do in Lagos

To wrap it all up, Lagos is an incredible place filled and there are so many amazing things to do in Lagos Old Town and further out!

You can explore the charming old town Lagos, see the stunning rock formations at Ponta da Piedade, and learn all about the town’s fascinating maritime history.

Get ready for an adventure-packed journey and create unforgettable memories in Lagos. It’s a place where fun and excitement await at every corner!

If you’re staying in the Algarve for longer, be sure to check out my guide to what to do in Carvoeiro too which is another town you must visit.