5 Mind-Blowing Beaches Near Lagos, Portugal (Ultimate 2023 Guide)
Are you looking for the best Lagos beaches? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we will share the best beaches in Lagos Portugal.
During the summer of 2023, we spent 8 days exploring the Algarve and the best beaches in Lagos Portugal. It’s an incredibly beautiful region on Portugal’s south coast that spans 165km in length.
The Algarve has become a tourist hotspot, for a very good reason. The Algarves beaches are amongst some of the best in Europe with those surrounding Lagos truly taking the top spots. This part of Portugal offers countless memorable experiences, from caving and kayaking to snorkelling and diving. It is packed full of absolutely magical rocky cliffs, and hidden coves. The beaches in Lagos make for dreamy destinations for a seaside vacation.
Planning a trip to the Algarve, Portugal? You should also read Top 10 spots to visit in the Algarve, Portugal
Where is the Algarve?
The Algarve is located on the beautiful southern coastline of Portugal. Around 280km from Lisbon and less than 1 hour from the border of Spain. Lagos is to the South Western end of the Algarve.
How do I get to Lagos?
The closest airport to Lagos is Faro International Airport (which is roughly 1.5 hours by road). It is well connected via airlines from all over the UK. If you are travelling through mainland Europe, Portugal can also easily be accessed via Spain. You can also easily get to Lagos from the Northern tip of Morocco.
Where to stay in Lagos to see the best beaches in Lagos Portugal
Lagos and the whole of the Algarve are packed full of different types of accommodation options. Ranging from humble beachfront guest houses to luxury resorts and backpacker dorms.
You can find a range of hostels in Lagos here starting from £10 per night.
When is the best time to visit Lagos and the Algarve?
The Algarve in Portugal is known for its sunny climate and is best explored when the sun is shining. Thankfully, it has a long stretch of sunny weather from April all the way to October. This is when temperatures are at their highest and rainfall is at its lowest making it the ideal time to book your flight and visit the Algarve!
How should I travel around the Lagos and the Algarve?
The Algarve is easy to travel around, it is a fairly small area with the majority of things to see being between Faro and Lagos. We highly recommend renting a car or even a campervan! A campervan is a great option if you want to save on accommodation and wake up right in nature. We hired a car for a few days and our only regret was not hiring one for longer. If you can’t drive or don’t want to then there are regular buses that travel along the Algarve, it might just take a bit longer to get places!
Everything within Lagos old town is walkable as is an abundance of incredible beaches. If you are staying in or around Lagos then you can easily access everything you need without the need to drive anywhere.
Best beaches in Lagos, Portugal
Whether you’re planning a short summer holiday or an epic Portugal road trip. Here are the best beaches in Lagos Portugal that you can’t miss. We are sure that they will inspire you to take a trip to Lagos and the surrounding areas.
1. Praia Dona Ana
Praia da Dona Ana is an iconic beach in the Algarve within walking distance from Lagos’s old town. Located between Praia do Camilo and Praia do Pinhão. It has also been voted one of the best beaches in the world by Conde Naste travellers and when you visit, it’s easy to see why.
Praia Dona Ana is home to a few restaurants and if you’re travelling from a bit further afield than Lagos, a car park as well. If you are travelling from Lagos the beach is located roughly 2km from the old town and takes around 20 minutes to reach.
2. Praia do Pinhão
One of the smaller Algarve beaches but still one of the best beaches in Lagos Portugal. Praia do Pinhao is a small cove just a few minutes walk from Praia Dona Ana. It is around a 10-15 minute walk from Lagos town. It is accessible via a set of steep stairs and is a fairly quiet and secluded beach despite its close proximity to Lagos town. Make sure to arrive here early to get a good spot and see the beautiful beach without anyone else on it.
If you’re looking for a beach to truly take your breath away then Praia do Pinhao is it. Anyone who loves a rocky coastline will not be able to resist the beautiful shoreline of the Praia do Pinhao.
3. Praia do Camilo
Easily accessible via a (very picturesque) wooden staircase. The little cove of Praia do Camilo is one of the most iconic of the Algarve beaches.
The water is clear and blue, although when we visited was also full of black seaweed. It is still a wonderful spot to spend the day.
What sets Praia do Camilo apart from other beaches is that it is divided into two sections. During the high tides, you will need to use a tunnel to access the other part of the beach.
If you’re planning on spending your day at Camilo then there is a restaurant O Camilo at the top of the wooden stairs with beautiful sea views. The restaurant specialises in fish and seafood but, we did manage to order ourselves a selection of vegetable soup, olives, bread and fresh juices. Just what we were after, after a long morning exploring.
4. Praia da Marinha
A bit further afield from Lagos is Praia da Marinha. Around 42km and a 40-minute drive away. But, a visit to this rocky coastal spot is well worth the drive.
Just a short walk from the (free) car park is the most incredible coastal view. Full of fairy chimneys that could give Cappadoccia a run for its money, jutting out into the water. Look to the right and you’re met with these unique rock formations over the azure blue sea. Look to the left and there is the most beautiful beach surrounded by even more jutting rocks standing proud in the water.
There is a 1.5-kilometre coastal walk that runs along the top of Praia da Marinha. On this walk you pass the Arco Natural, the so-called heart-shaped rock, which is actually an optical illusion, that you can see if you sit in ‘just the right spot’, towards the popular Benagil Cave. Praia da Marinha is certainly one of the best beaches in Lagos, Portugal.
5. Ponta da Piedade
A gorgeous little spot located around 3km West of Lagos towards the mighty Atlantic coast. This little cove is extremely picturesque but, can get quite busy during peak months. It is one of the best beaches in Lagos, Portugal after all! Prepare to be met with wonderful views of the coastline from the scenic boardwalk atop the cliffs that surround the lower bay.
If you plan on visiting during the summer just take note that swimming is often banned due to high ‘traffic’ from boats and kayaks.
Our top tips for visiting these Lagos beaches:
- To enjoy the best views and to ensure all of the beaches are accessible visit these beaches around low tide – be aware that caves and tunnels can flood at high tide, cutting off some areas (we had this issue when trying to visit Lagos Roman Bridge)
- Many of the cliffs along the coast are unstable and not protected by safety rails – take extra care when walking and taking photos
- Some beaches are only accessible via off-track paths and steep wooden staircases, so ensure that you have sensible shoes and are prepared for this
- Most of these little coves aren’t unfortunately accessible to everyone. If you do need accessible access do some extra research on the beach before visiting
- Some of the more remote, smaller beaches don’t have facilities so remember to bring all that you will need for the day with you
- A lot of the beaches also don’t have lifeguards and the waves can be quite ferocious so only swim if you are a confident swimmer
- Finally remember the sea in the Algarve is cold, even during the summer months. Be prepared for this when you go running in!
