Access to about a dozen beaches and complete tourist amenities in a place that is rich in heritage and yet has kept up with the times. This is Lagoa for thousands of holiday makers who come year-round to soak up some sun and a true Algarve experience. Developments in recent years, plus the natural beauty of the location and the remnants of its past are what makes Lagoa one of the top destinations on the Algarve.
Lagoa Beaches
There is plenty to do in Lagoa but spending a day at the beach is always a top priority for visitors. If you like smaller beaches where the water seems to be calmer you can go to Pintadinho or Cova Redonda. The beaches of Caneiros and Carvalho are likewise very peaceful locations. Water sports, meanwhile, are being offered at Angrinha, Praia Grande (canoeing and windsurfing) and Vale de Centeanes (surfing).
Carvoeiro beach, Praia Nova and Nossa Senhora da Rocha are also notable beaches. The first for its crystal clear water and the other two for their interesting feature of being separated by an outcropping of rock on which the Nossa Senhora da Rocha chapel is built. These two beaches are connected by a tunnel carved through the rock.
Lagoa Golf Courses
Lagoa also attracts golf enthusiasts as it offers three courses within its vicinity. Each course has different characteristics and presents different challenges for players. Vale da Pinta is a championship golf course located in an old olive grove while both Quinta do Gramacho and Vale do Milho are nine-hole courses.
Sightseeing is a definite must if you are visiting Lagoa. Details of 16th century Manueline design are still found on the doorways and windows of a lot of the old structures. From the town’s layout it is obvious that the community has been built mostly around the parish church that dates back to the early 1800s. It is a beautiful church featuring Manueline details and an 18th century sculpture of the Nossa Senhora da Luz (Our Lady of the Light). Misericórdia Church is an even older church, built in the 1700s, that also has beautiful artworks. Other interesting places include the Convento do São José and also the Fort of São João de Arade in Ferragudo.
There is a wide selection of accommodations in Lagoa to suit just about any kind of preference and budget. Aside from hotels there are also villas and apartments for rent within the municipality and nearby areas. In Carvoeiro, for instance, good options include Rocha Brava, Tivoli Carvoeiro and Hotel Apartment Solferias.
It is best to visit Lagoa in the summer even if it typically packed during this season because it is when a lot of the special events are organized. One such yearly affair is the Fatacil, a fair featuring the best products from all over Portugal.
To complete your holiday in Lagoa make sure you try out some authentic Portuguese cooking. O Ciclo and O Lotus are just a couple of Portuguese restaurants popular even with locals. Try out some of the local wines as well, the place is still known to produce full-bodied red wine.
Follow Us in the Social Media