Best Things to Do in Lagos, Portugal: Beaches, Caves & More

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Golden cliffs, turquoise waters, hidden sea caves, and sunsets that will take your breath away, Lagos is one of the most stunning towns in Portugal’s Algarve. It’s no wonder it gets so popular in summer, when visitors from around the world flock to its beaches and coastal trails.

Yes, it can feel crowded in July and August, but honestly, that’s because it’s just that beautiful.

When I visited in late September, it was the perfect balance: still warm enough for beach weather, but without the peak-season crowds. I had space to enjoy the beaches, linger in the old town, and take in the sunsets without fighting for a spot.

To help you plan your own adventure, here are the best things to do in Lagos, Portugal, from boat tours and cliff walks to charming old streets and nearby day trips.

Table of Contents

1. Take a Boat or Kayak Tour

Tina in a boat with a straw hat, in the back are impressive cliffs; a boat tour is one of the best things to do in Lagos Portugal — I really loved the boat trip to explore the stunning Algarve coastline next to Lagos

One of the best ways to experience Lagos is from the water. A boat tour was hands down my favorite experience in Lagos. The views of the cliffs, hidden beaches, and caves are absolutely unforgettable. Smaller boats can even enter the caves for a closer look.

If you’re feeling adventurous, a kayak tour lets you paddle right up to the rocky cliffs and into the sea caves, the most immersive way to see this stunning coastline.

Whether you’re in Lagos for just 2 days or a week, a boat or kayak tour is a must-do. It’s the best way to experience the Algarve coastline.

👉 I booked this Lagos boat tour and absolutely loved it: small groups, great guides, and incredible views you won’t get from land.

2. Relax on the Beautiful Beaches

A view of a beach in between some cliffs — Find your favorite one among the best beaches of Lagos

No trip to Lagos is complete without a few hours on its beaches. With golden sand, turquoise water, and dramatic cliffs as a backdrop, they’re some of the most beautiful in Portugal.

The hardest part is choosing where to go. Local favorites include Praia do Camilo, with its wooden staircase leading down to a sheltered cove, Praia Dona Ana, famous for its cliffs and rock formations, and Praia da Batata, the closest to town and perfect if you’re short on time.

If you want to explore a bit, I recommend starting at Praia dos Estudantes, near the city center, and then walking along the coast. Each beach has its own character, and the further you go, the quieter it gets.

3. Walk the Coastal Track

The coastline near Lagos with wooden steps leading down to the beach. This stunning coastline makes you answer the question: Is Lagos Portugal worth visiting? with yes — Walk on the stunning coastal walk and find your favourite beach

Another must-do activity in Lagos is the Ponta da Piedade coastal track, a scenic 5 km walk from Lagos to the famous headland. The path winds along wooden walkways perched on the cliffs, with amazing views of the Atlantic.

At several points, staircases lead down to hidden coves where you can stop for a swim or simply enjoy the sand between your toes. The boat tours cover much of the same stretch of coastline, but walking it gives you a completely different perspective.

For the most magical experience, time your walk so you reach Ponta da Piedade just before sunset, the cliffs glow golden in the evening light, making it the perfect photo spot.

⚠️ Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, especially on hot days, as the sun can be intense and there’s little shade along the way.

4. Enjoy the Sunset at Ponta da Piedade

Sunset over the ocean, in the front are some cliffs with people on them — Ponta da Piedade headland is the perfect place for a sunset

Watching the sunset at Ponta da Piedade is one of the absolute highlights of Lagos. As the cliffs glow golden and the ocean deepens in color, the whole scene feels magical.

Arrive early to explore the lighthouse and grab a good viewing spot, in summer it gets crowded quickly.

Afterwards, you can call an Uber or walk back to town. I chose the 45-minute walk via the shortest route, which isn’t as scenic but gets you back faster.

5. See the Iconic Benagil Caves

A cave with a circular opening at the top and green water at the bottom; those are the famous Benagil caves in the Algarve — The famous Benagil Cave

Not technically in Lagos, but close enough to include, the Benagil Caves are one of the Portugal’s most famous natural wonders, and absolutely worth a visit if you have the time.

From Lagos, you can take a 2-hour boat tour that brings you along the coastline to the caves. Many of these tours also include dolphin watching, which makes the trip even more special.

I actually did my Benagil tour from Albufeira and was lucky enough to see a whole pod of dolphins swimming next to our boat, an unforgettable moment!

If you’d rather go on your own, driving gives you more flexibility. You can hike part of the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail and also visit Benagil Beach, just a 10-minute walk from the caves.

🚤 I recommend this Benagil Caves boat tour from Lagos, it’s the most memorable way to experience the stunning caves.

6. Explore the Charming Old Town

A big empty square in Lagos Portugal with a church at the end

The old town of Lagos is perfect for an afternoon stroll, with its cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and plenty of cafés and shops selling local crafts.

I especially liked Praça Infante Dom Henrique, a pretty square by the waterfront with some trees and benches in front of a church. On the square you can also find the Armazém Regimental building, where local artisans display their work.

For a glimpse of history, you’ll also find the Mercado de Escravos, once Europe’s first slave market, now a small museum.

🛺 A Tuk Tuk tour is a fun way to see the highlights while still soaking in the old town atmosphere.

7. Visit Lagos Castle

An archway from the city walls, a must-see spot if you're 2 days in Lagos Portugal — There’s not that much left of the city walls, but the Porta de São Gonçalo is a must-see spot

Lagos Castle, or Castelo dos Governadores, dates back to the 17th century and once protected the city from attacks.

Today, only parts of the walls remain, the highlight is the Porta de São Gonçalo, the main gate separating the Atlantic from the old town. It’s one of the most popular photo spots in Lagos.

🏰 Join a guided walking tour of Lagos to see the castle, old town, and other historic highlights while learning more about the city’s past.

8. Stroll Down the Av. dos Descobrimentos

Scenic view of a bustling promenade in Lagos, Portugal, lined with majestic palm trees, local tourist shops, and pedestrians enjoying the sunny day with the marina full of boats in the background, suggesting popular activities and sightseeing spots in Lagos. — Strolling along the Lagos marina is one of the best ways to take in the city’s atmosphere

For a relaxed change of pace, take a walk along Av. dos Descobrimentos, the palm-lined avenue that follows Lagos’s waterfront. With outdoor cafés, souvenir stalls, and plenty of boats bobbing in the marina, it’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

If you’re lucky, you might even catch the Ponte Elevatória de Lagos lifting to let bigger boats through, a unique sight and a fun reminder that Lagos is still very much a working harbor as well as a holiday town.

9. Buy Fresh Fruit at Mercado Municipal

Right by the waterfront is the Mercado Municipal de Lagos, a bustling market where you’ll find fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and regional products.

I loved the fruit stalls upstairs, perfect for grabbing a refreshing snack on a hot Algarve day.

Just a heads-up: to reach them, you’ll have to pass through the fish section on the ground floor, which lets be honest, smells quite bad.

10. Take a Day Trip to Sagres

A lighthouse on some cliffs in Sagres — Lighthouse of Cabo Sao Vicente just outside Sagres city center

If you have extra time in Lagos, head west to Sagres, a small town at the very tip of the Algarve. Known for its dramatic cliffs and wild beaches, it offers a more rugged side.

The highlight is Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St. Vincent), the most southwestern point of mainland Europe, where steep cliffs drop into the Atlantic. You can also stop at the Fortaleza de Sagres, a 15th-century fort.

And of course, there are beaches, Praia do Beliche is one of the most beautiful, framed by high cliffs and turquoise water.

🌳 For a unique way to explore, try an off-road adventure tour to Sagres, it’s a fun mix of history, scenery, and hidden spots.

A picture of a dolphin in the ocean — I saw a lot of dolphins up close!!!

What Next? Explore the Algarve Beyond Lagos

From golden beaches and dramatic cliffs to lively markets and a charming old town, Lagos truly has it all. It’s one of the best places to visit in the Algarve because it combines natural beauty, history, and culture in one compact, easy-to-explore town.

Once you’ve ticked off the highlights here, the next step is exploring more of this incredible region.

👉 Check out my guide to the best places to visit in the Algarve to discover what else this stunning region has to offer.