Lagos was the point of origin for many voyages during the Age of
Discovery, and is now one of Algarve's liveliest
historic towns and with some of the region's finest beaches.
Prince Henry the Navigator made it his headquarters, and his statue faces
the harbor in a square where his palace once stood before it was destroyed
in the Great Earthquake of 1755. Much of the 16th century city walls remain
intact, and standing before them is a statue of Gil Eanes, the explorer who
left Lagos in 1434 to become the first to round Cape Bojador off northwest
Africa, then the limit of the known world.
Within the walls are cobbled pedestrian streets with shops, restaurants,
and cafes, and St. Anthony Church, with an extraordinary interior
made up of superb Baroque carving and tiles. Adjoining the church is the
Regional Museum with an interesting and varied collection of
archeological finds and religious art.
On the seafront is a 17th century fort containing a small
exhibition about the Age of Discovery, and affording views of the town and
bay.
But above all, Lagos' main attractions are its beaches.
The closest beach is Meia Praia but even more splendid is Dona Ana
Beach, with soft sand and rocky islets lying offshore. From there, it
is possible to walk to Ponta da Piedade, a spectacular site not to be
missed, with undoubtedly the most beautiful rock formations in the Algarve
coast. A boat trip around this coast is highly recommended.
Heading west, there are some small fishing villages still relatively
untouched by tourism, such as Luz, Burgau, and Salema.
Sagres, at the southwestern tip of Europe, is one of Algarve's most
historical sites and a place of romantic pilgrimage.
Prince Henry the Navigator built a fortress and a shipyard here, much of it
destroyed (along with his precious library) first in an English attack in
1587 and later in the 1755 earthquake. It is believed that it was on this
site that Prince Henry gathered the most renowned astronomers, geographers,
cartographers, and shipbuilders of the time to study the sea and the sky to
launch his expeditions. Among the explorers who studied at Sagres were
Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan. An enormous pebble wind
compass 43m (141 ft) in diameter thought to have been used to teach
navigation is still clearly visible on the ground, and a simple but
captivating 15th century chapel on the site are both believed to have
been built by Henry.
Overlooking this exhilarating site is a modern pousada, where
guests can end their day with a fabulous sunset.
Nearby is Cape São Vicente, mainland Europe's most southwesterly
point, known to ancient mariners as the "End of the World," where it was
believed the sun sank into the ocean every night. The awe-inspiring sight,
standing on the 60m-high (200ft) cliffs fronting the immense Atlantic, can
still make it feel that way today. The lighthouse has a 95-km (60 mile)
range, the most powerful in Europe.
There are good beaches around Sagres, such as Praia da Mareta
(just below the main square), Praia do Martinhal (ideal for
windsurfing),
Praia do Tonel, and the isolated Praia de Beliche, although
the waters on this coast are cold when compared to those in Eastern
Algarve.
On the west coast north of Sagres, on the border between Algarve and Alentejo, is Odeceixe, a Moorish village with an excellent beach sheltered by high cliffs. Although popular with surfers, it remains uncrowded even in the summer, making it one of Algarve's best-kept secrets.
Central
Algarve - From Faro, to the luxury resorts, through vibrant
Albufeira, to inland villages
Eastern
Algarve - From the Spanish border, to lovely Tavira, to sandy
islands
Book your room for free (no booking fees) and pay later at the hotel:
HOTELS SEARCHCentral, stylishly furnished, and cheaper than many hotels:
APARTMENTS SEARCHStylish, award-winning budget accommodation in the city center:
HOSTELS SEARCHSkip the long lines for taxis or the hassle of navigating public transportation when you arrive at the airport, and go straight to your hotel:
AIRPORT TRANSFERSGo on a day trip or on an organized tour around Lisbon:
TOURS & TICKETS SEARCHPlanning to travel around Portugal? Save time and look for the best deals here:
CAR RENTAL SEARCHSave time and money: Get FREE or reduced admission to most of Lisbon's attractions and ride the city's metro, buses, and trams for free with the Lisboa Card:
ORDER YOUR CARDJoin GoLisbon on Facebook for regular updates on what's happening in the city:
GOLISBON FACEBOOK