Lagos
The ancient fishing town of Lagos is one of the popular destinations in the
Algarve region of Portugal. Lagos offers all the ingredients that make a great
vacation—nearby beaches, natural attractions, historical places of interest, and
a vibrant nightlife.
When it comes to sandy beaches, Lagos has quite a few—the most visited of which
are the Meia Praia and the Dona Ana. Meia Praia is a white sand bay considered
as one of the widest in Europe. Because this beach is not rocky and the sea is
usually calm, it provides a great venue for water sports. Surrounding cliffs
also shield the beach from strong winds.
The Dona Ana is likewise surrounded by similar rock formations, and is in fact
interestingly divided into two by a protruding cliff that completely separates
the two sides during high tide. This beach attracts more visitors than the
others in Lagos, perhaps owing to its thicker bed of sand. Other beaches that
are easily accessible from the Lagos town center are the Praia da Batata, Praia
dos Estudantes, Praia Solaria, Camilo, Canavial, and Praia da Luz in the
neighboring town.
One recommended excursion while in Lagos is a trip to the famous Ponta da
Piedade rock formations, possibly the most magnificent ones you will find in the
whole of Algarve. The tall rocks reach up to 20 meters in height and are
detailed by natural arches, crags and overhangs. Ponta da Piedade is visible on
land, but a boat ride is more advisable for better appreciation.
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Much of Lagos' charm also lies in its preservation of the traces of its past.
The town has played a big part during the time of Prince Henry the Navigator,
during which is has launched several expeditions to Morocco and Africa as part
of the Portuguese exploration. Even now, Lagos has preserved some of its walls
from the 16th century, an ancient castle, as well as the old slave market. Other
historical sites you should check out are the Igreja de San Antonio, which is a
church built in the 1700s, the regional museum and the Ponta da Bandeira fort.
While in Lagos, you can opt to stay in a conventional hotel or try the
alternative hostels or apartments for a change. One particularly nice hotel is
the Marina Club Suite Hotel, which overlooks the Lagos marina and the Meia
Praia. Smaller, family-run hostels within the vicinity of the shops, bars and
restaurants may not be as posh as high-end hotels, but nevertheless offer
comfortable and safe accommodations too. Backpackers and families alike may also
prefer this type of accommodation because of the added luxury and freedom of
having your own kitchen in the rented apartment.
Despite its reputation as a fishing town, Lagos is also known for its exciting
nightlife. Especially in the peak months of tourism, you can just go out to the
heart of the town and easily find entertainment on the streets. The bars are
quite diverse in their offerings—from karaoke and jazz, to rock and reggae, as
well as house and dance music. You will find it quite effortless to pull an
all-nighter in establishments like Mullens, Acores, Metro Bar, Phoenix Club, and
Stevie Ray's, to name a few. |
