The Ultimate Itinerary for Adventure, Culture & Relaxation
Lagos, a stunning coastal town in Portugal’s Algarve region, is the perfect destination for at least a 3-day getaway. We recommend staying a week or two, as its the ideal location for relaxing and has so many beaches to explore, but if you are short on time, here are the must see places.
With its dramatic landscapes, and laid-back vibe, there’s something for everyone in Lagos. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a solo adventure, or a fun trip with friends, this 3-day itinerary will help you experience the best of Lagos, Portugal.
Day 1: Beaches, Adventure & Coastal Exploration
Morning: Unwind at Praia Dona Ana
Upon arriving you will no doubt want to see one of the world famous beaches and settle into holiday mode. So start the day with a visit to Praia Dona Ana, one of Lagos’ most picturesque beaches. Surrounded by towering cliffs, the beach is the perfect spot to swim in the crystal-clear waters or simply relax on the golden sands. Or Praia do Camilo and Praia Estudantes are also very iconic, beautiful local beaches. Check out our complete Lagos beach guide here.
Lunch: Fresh Seafood at “Ala do Castelo“
Next, experience some Portuguese flavours at Ala do Castelo. This is a no-frills, local seafood restaurant has great lunch specials and is run by a truly hospitable family. It is located just inside the town walls. If you are a couple or more people, share the typical Cataplana. Its a traditional dish, a large copper pot filled with seafood, rice and flavours.
Afternoon: Kayak or Boat Tour of the Lagos Grottos (caves)
After lunch at Ala do Castelo, it’s just a short walk along the icon town wall and through the arch, to the town beach Praia da Batata. There you can take a Kayak tour with Ezride, to discover the costal caves with clear blue waters, hidden beaches, and Ponta da Piedade.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding: If you prefer to discover the caves on a SUP, you can take a tour with SUP Lagos, or rent inflatable SUPs in town at JahShaka Surf shop.
Boat Tour: Or, if something more idle is your thing, book a boat tour with Bom Dia Boattrips, which will take you around the coastline on a traditional Portuguese sailing ship, then into the grottos in a small boat.
Evening: Sunset Drinks at Indigo rooftop then dinner
After your adventurous day, relax and enjoy the sunset in comfy lounges, in the boho rooftop Indigo bar. They make a great cocktail.
Then directly across the street, head to Casa do Prego for dinner. TIP: This is a popular place, and you often need to wait for a table. So we recommend heading up to put your name on the list before you go to Indigo for a cocktail. Alternately you can have a drink on Casa do Prego’s terrace while you wait. They serve modern Portuguese dishes in a trendy setting, and also offer great vegetarian dishes.
Or, if you don’t feel like Portuguese again, just down the street, a personal favourite is Nah Nah Bah. This buzzing restaurant with its tropical vibes and world famous burgers, is a must visit. They also offer vegetarian options. Don’t miss the arancini!
After dinner: Sample the nightlife
Seeing as you are already in the town centre, go for a wander and soak up the famous Lagos nightlife. Stop in at Three Monkeys, an iconic Lagos bar, then wander down Rua 25 de Abril which is always buzzing, and to the central Plaza where there is usually street entertainment taking place. Maybe even grab a gelato for desert at the best little place, just off the plaza: Crema di Gelato.
Cocktails at Indigo and Burger at Nah Nah Bah.
Day 2: History, Culture & Stunning Views
Morning: Explore Lagos Old Town
Start your day by soaking in the charm of Lagos Old Town. This part of the city is packed with cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings, and vibrant squares. Don’t miss the following spots:
Lagos Slave Market (Mercado de Escravos): Begin your cultural exploration with a visit to the Lagos Slave Market, one of the first slave markets in Europe. This museum offers an enlightening look at the town’s role in the transatlantic slave trade during the 15th century. It’s an important, thought-provoking stop.
Igreja de Santo António: A short walk from the market, this 18th-century church is a masterpiece of baroque architecture. Inside, you’ll find intricate wood carvings and gilded altars, as well as a peaceful atmosphere perfect for reflection.
Forte da Ponta da Bandeira: Head towards the water and explore the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, a 17th-century fortress that once protected the town from pirate attacks. The fort offers panoramic views over the marina and the coastline — perfect for a few photos.
Lunch: Fresh and delicious, “Abigail’s”
Very close to the three sights listed above, you’ll find Abigail’s. Its in the small pedestrian street between St. Antonio Church and the belltower/Lagos Museum. They serve amazing loaded bowls, brunches, smoothies and more. Or if you just feel like a light lunch, La Focaccia in the neighbouring street, is a little street-food spot, with a window of panini and focaccia slices to choose from. Eat them on the plaza with an ocean view.
For more lunch great options, check out this post.
Afternoon: Discover Ponta da Piedade’s Dramatic Cliffs
No visit to Lagos is complete without exploring the iconic Ponta da Piedade cliffs. These golden, jagged cliffs rise dramatically from the turquoise waters, creating one of the most photographed landscapes in Portugal.
You may have already seen it from sea level on day 1, but its definitely doing the boardwalks along the cliffs to see awe inspiring views of the rocky coastline – like you see on all the Algarve postcards. The board walks will lead you to the lighthouse, and behind that you can take the stairway down into the bay.
Ponta da Piedade also happens to be the best place to catch the sunset. So depending on what time of year it is, you might want to take a bottle of wine with you and a blanket for a memorable sunset picnic.
Evening: Dinner at “The Greenroom“
After an active afternoon, head to The Green Room, a laid-back restaurant with delicious Mexican food and a great selection of cocktails and craft beers. They also make an impeccable Sangria. We love to start with the Jalapeño poppers or Nachos to share, then indulge in some street tacos. But the burritos and plates are also well loved.
Day 3: Explore the Surrounding Area & Relaxation
On day three, we have some options for you.
Option 1: Surf, Scenery & relax
Learn to surf with local company, The Surf experience. They have been in operation since 1992, so know the coast, conditions and surf instructing like the back of their hands.
They day trips are in inclusive – wetsuits, boards, transport, delicious lunch etc. So you just need to rock up (8:30 am at the surf house, but book in advance).
Usually they will take you to a couple of beaches in the morning to check conditions, and this is a great way to see some of the beaches and countryside. And you will no doubt have fun and make some new friends.
Option 2: Discover the surrounding towns by car, jeep or bike
If you have rented a car, or are willing to rent one for the day, you really shouldn’t miss the impressive Algarve Westcoast. (Check out local car rental here)
From Lagos heading west, our first do-not-miss spot, is the fishing village of Burgau. Its known as “Santorini of the Algarve” and we think its even prettier than the Greek one. There are some great restaurants for lunch including Miam and Barraca (seafood), both offering beautiful views over the ocean. *Miam is the more vegetarian friendly of the two.
From there keep heading West, stopping at Praia das Cabanas Velhas, Praia Zavial, Sagres, Cabo de São Vincent – Europe’s most westerly point, Praia do Beliche (a personal favourite), Praia do Castalejo, and if you have time, keep heading up the coast to Praia do Amado, Carapiterra, Praia do Bordeira, Praia Arrifana and Monte Clerigo. On the way back, you can take an inland short cut back to Lagos.
Alternately, take a jeep tour to discover the beautiful surrounding countryside and villages. This is a very popular day trip and includes lunch in a local restaurant and a distillery visit. More info here.
Or, for the most sustainable option, go for an e-bike tour of the southwest Algarve. This is a great way to see the impressive coastline, countryside and villages from Lagos, to Luz to Burgau. Highly recommended. More info here.
Late Afternoon: Go for a massage
After returning from your adventures (sporty or not), treat yourself to a massage. We recommend Heather Bain Studio which is right in the town centre. Its just meters away from The Surf Experience house, where you will end your daytrip if you went surfing.
Evening: Dinner & Cocktails at “OLI Wine&Dine“
For a special dinner on your last night, OLI Wine & Dine offers amazing food in a cosy atmosphere. The food is presented beautifully and they really take pride in their dishes. While they do have a couple of Vegetarian options, for Vegan and Vegetarians we would recommend Estudio Vegetariano. It offers a similar experience – aesthetically wonderful and equally delicious homemade meals, in a cosy restaurant.
Other Tips for Your Lagos Getaway:
Lagos Farmers Markets: Lagos has a fresh local produce market every Saturday morning, which is full of charm as well as a great place to stock up on veg, jams, olives, patries and more. In addition, there is another farmers market on Wednesday evenings. See all the times and details in this post.
Coffee in Lagos: Lagos has become a hub of speciality coffee and coffee roasters in recent years. There are some great cafés including Everyday People, Twin Fin, Abigails, Coffee Studio, Coffee&Waves, Alex, Black&White. See our coffee post for images and inspo.
Best Time to Visit: Late spring (May–mid June) or early autumn (mid September–October) offer the best weather, fewer crowds, and more affordable prices compared to the peak summer months. In case it does happen to rain, there are still many great things to do. Check out our post on What to do in Lagos when it rains.
Getting Around: Lagos is very walkable. Within the old town, most streets are pedestrian only and navigating the small one way streets in a car can be a challenge, even for locals. Most of the iconic beaches are also best reached along the great boardwalks.
However, if you want to explore the surrounding beaches or towns, renting a car is recommended. You can rent from Lagos for a day, or pick one up on arrival at Faro airport.
What to Pack: Comfortable walking shoes for exploring, a swimsuit for beach days and water activities, and a jacket – a cool ocean breeze often picks up at night.
Lagos offers the perfect balance of history, adventure, and relaxation — an unforgettable destination for a 3-day escape. Whether you’re wandering through the charming Old Town, relaxing on stunning beaches, or savoring the region’s delicious cuisine, you’re sure to leave with memories that will last a lifetime. Happy travels!
