Hello,
Thank you so much for your booking — we can't wait to welcome you to Lagos.
A quick note from us while you're still planning your trip. Lagos and the south-west Algarve get very busy in summer, and some of the best experiences — and most of our favourite restaurants — need to be booked one to two weeks ahead. To save you discovering that on arrival, here is what is worth sorting out early.
In this guide
01
Boat trips & caves
The classic Lagos experience is exploring the Ponta da Piedade caves from the sea. Companies we trust, right here in the marina.
Days of Adventure
Small boats and family catamarans.
Bom Dia Boat Trips
Traditional Portuguese sailing boats, with an on-board BBQ option.
Lagos Kayak Explorers
By kayak — in our opinion the best way to get right inside the caves. Tell them you're staying with us, they know us well.
Southwest Boats — private charters
To skip the group tours and have a boat to yourselves. A varied fleet — speedboats, sailing boats and yachts, with or without a skipper — and tailor-made charters: half-day, full-day or sunset, combining Ponta da Piedade, Benagil, Sagres or anywhere on the coast.
A separate trip, further east, is the Benagil cave — the most photographed on the whole coast. Some boats run there from Lagos as a half-day.
02
Surf lessons
Wavesensations — Sagres
A 40-minute drive away, run by a good friend of ours. The waves in Sagres are the best and most consistent in the region, with beaches for every level. Tell them you're staying with us.
Small groups · Lessons at any beach · Every level · Gear included and renewed every year
Jungle Surf School — Lagos
Also run by people we know and trust. They pick you up in Lagos and choose the beach each morning, depending on the conditions. They teach in small groups, for quality and for safety, at every level — from a first lesson to more advanced surfing. Tell them you're staying with us.
Small groups · Electric van · New boards · Billabong gear · Board and wetsuit included
03
Restaurants to book ahead
A few favourites of ours that fill up fast in high season.
Sea views
O Camilo · Mar
One right above Praia do Camilo, the other on the Praia da Batata cliff. Hard to beat.
In the old town
O António · Dois Irmãos · Império · No Pátio
Classic traditional Portuguese cooking. For something more refined, No Pátio.
At Meia Praia
Atlântico · Bahia Beach Club
The family classic, and next to it a lovely spot for a long lunch with your feet in the sand.
Seafood & casual
O Mexilhão · Nah Nah Bah · A Sagres
O Mexilhão is the locals' favourite for seafood; Nah Nah Bah is a Lagos institution for burgers; in Sagres, A Sagres for fresh fish.
In July and August they all need at least a week's notice, often more.
04
Car hire
Luzcar — in the centre, on foot
A family Lagos company with over 30 years and a large fleet. The office is at Largo Portas de Portugal 10, right in the old town and reachable on foot — very handy if you arrive by train or transfer.
Multirental — delivered to your door
A local Lagos company. It is not in the old town, but it has a big advantage: free delivery and collection in the Lagos area — you get the car where you are. They also have automatic cars, GPS, child seats and transfers.
Alternatively, pick the car up at Faro or Lisbon airport. In July and August, book it at the same time as your flight — fleets sell out by mid-June.
05
Sunset at Cabo de São Vicente
A 45-minute drive west, it is the south-westernmost point of mainland Europe. The sunset there is genuinely something rare. No need to book: check the sunset time the day before, arrive 30 minutes early to find parking, and bring a light jacket — even in summer it is windy on the cliff.
06
Beaches
From the coves you can walk to right in Lagos, out to the wild beaches of the west coast. The ones you can reach on foot come first.
On foot, from Lagos
A short drive, west of Lagos
Sagres & the Vicentine Coast
Aljezur & the west coast
07
Wine tasting
Vinha da Falésia
A boutique family vineyard on top of the Santa Maria cliffs, between Porto de Mós and Praia da Luz. Louise serves three house wines with tapas, in the tasting cabin overlooking the sea and the vines. By appointment only — book a few days ahead.
For something bigger and more polished, Quinta dos Vales in Lagoa (30 minutes east) is also a good option for an afternoon of wine.
08
Cooking classes
The Kitchen — Joana Glória
Traditional Portuguese cooking in the old town, Travessa Sra. da Graça 2. Several small-group experiences, from pastéis de nata to a cataplana class with a morning market tour to pick the fish, always with Portuguese wines. Fills up fast.
09
Airport transfer back
Yellowfish Transfers
We use and recommend them. Reliable, professional, and they do both Faro and Lisbon without trouble.
Multirental
A local Lagos company that does car hire and also airport transfers, to Faro and the surrounding area.
This should cover the main things worth thinking about in advance. Anything you need, just ask.
We can't wait to welcome you.
Joana & Pedro
Our houses in Lagos