Lagos - Lagos visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Lagos' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Algarve.

Lagos lies at the mouth of the Bensafrim river in the Algarve, south Portugal. The name is given both to Lagos city and the municipal area around it. First settled by the Carthaginians 2,000 years ago and then the Romans, Largos has a long and rich history with the ocean. It played an important role in the 15th century during Portuguese expansion, and was home to Prince Henry the Navigator, third son of King João, who led expeditions to Morocco and to the western coast of Africa.

The fortunes of Lagos are still closely tied to the sea today, but now as a popular tourist destination. It is set on a stunning coastline with beautiful beaches and still retains a quiet charm. The hotels have been tastefully developed and there are also also holiday apartments available to rent. This virtual tour shows some of the attractions around the town, linked to an interactive map with local and travel information.

Lagos - Beaches and Coastline

The most popular beaches around Lagos are:

Dona Ana - highly touristed and very popular. The beach has thick sand and lined by fantastic rock formations.

Meia Praia (Half beach) - popular beach on one of the biggest bays in Europe, with fine white sad, calm seas and few rocks. Popular for water sports.

Praia da Batata (Potato beach) - small beach between two small cliffs at the mouth of the river. This beach hosts a small music festival in the summer.

Praia da Luz (Light beach) - popular beach in nearby Luz, with water sports and famous for the 'Rocha Negra' (Black Rock) formation.

Praia do Camilo (Camilo Beach) - next to Ponta da Piedade the prominontary that separates Lagos bay from Porto de Mos. Must be climbed down or swum round to.

Praia do Canavial (Canavial Beach) - on the Porto de Mòs (Western) side of the Ponta da Piedade. Large beach, unspoilt but hard to get to with no facilities.

Praia do Pinhão - small sandy cove with interesting rock formations

Praia de Porto do Mòs - small sandy beach popular with surfers.

Praia dos Estudantes (Students' beach) - one of the beaches near the center of Lagos.

Praia Solaria (Sunny beach) -the closest beach to the town center.

Lagos - Tourist Attractions

Some of the popular tourist attractions in and around Lagos include:

• Avenida dos Descobrimentos (Avenue of Discoveries) - walkway along the harbour channel leading to the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira and Museu Maritimo.
• Lagos Marina - 450 birth marina lined with hotels and restaurants.
• Forte da Ponta da Bandeira - also known as the 'Forte do Pau da Bandeira', the 'Forte de Nossa Senhora da Penha de França' or 'Forte do Registo'. 17th century stone sea fort with good views over the harbour, a small chapel and museum.
• Igreja de Santa Maria - 15th century church which was refurbished in the 16th and 17th centuries.
• Ponta da Piedade - one of the most stunning and beautiful rock formations on the whole of the Algarve, some 2km from Praia de Dona Ana beach.
• Praça da República - public square with a statue of Henry the Navigator. The square leads to Avenida dos Desacombrimentos and the promenade.
• Museu Municipal de Lagos - small museum with a collection of azulejo, religious exhibits and some archaeological items.
• Palácio dos Governadores (Governors Palace) - former adminstrative building behind Igreja de Santa Maria
• Golf - Lagos has three good, 18 hole golf courses nearby; Palmares Golf, Boavista Golf and Parque da Floresta

Lagos Tourist Information Office
Largo Marquês de Pombal
8600 Lagos
Portugal
Phone: +351 282-763031

Train: Lagos Station
Car: Lagos is 22km west of Portimão and 100km west of Faro