Things to do in Lagos

The best things to do in Lagos - Get the best deals on Boat Trips, Excursions, Tours, Water sports, Activities, Attractions & more! Uncover things to do in Lagos with AlgarveUncovered.com

One of the things that makes western Algarve’s Lagos an ideal spot for so many is the amount of things to do! It is brilliant for water sports, with surfing, windsurfing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, diving and kitesurfing all being firm favourites. There’s also a fantastic choice of boat trips going out from Lagos marina and from some of the beaches, where you can cruise along the coastline to the stunning grottos around the famous Ponta da Piedade, or you can jet off into the ocean for a spot of dolphin watching!

For those who prefer to stay on dry land, mountain biking is a really popular activity (with several companies doing trips and bike hire) and there are plenty of great places for walking and running too. Lagos is steeped in history, with plenty of sights to take in along the way, whether it be on bike, foot or on the tourist train. For golf lovers, there are several excellent courses within easy reach, the closest being the Onyria Palmares Golf Course at the back of Meia Praia beach and Boa Vista and Espiche Golf further west towards Sagres.

For family fun, there is Lagos Zoo in Barão de São João, which is a lovely day out for all ages and the water parks and popular Zoomarine theme park are less than 40 minutes away.

Zoo Lagos

For family holidays to the Algarve, a visit to Zoo Lagos is a must! It is a great day out for all ages with lots of animals and birds to see and a “petting farm” where you can feed some of the animals.
Zoo Lagos – for opening times, directions and prices

Lagos Boat trips

There are Lagos boat trips to the caves, to see dolphins, to fish plus cruises along the stunning Algarve coastline! The Avenida and the Marina are lined with stands selling boat trips. Some of the dolphin watching trips offer a guarantee so that if you aren’t lucky enough to see dolphins they will offer another boat trip on another day, so book early on in your holiday. Don’t forget to take sun factor and cover ups to avoid burning.
Lagos Boat Trips from the Marina

Diving around Lagos

The clear waters around the western Algarve coast are ideal for diving and snorkeling and the Lagos diving schools offer courses for both beginners and more experienced divers. If you already have a diving licence then you can enjoy exploring the underwater reefs, caves, wrecks and marine life of the Algarve straightaway! Full or partial equipment rental is available and day and night time dives.
Diving in Lagos with Blue Ocean Divers
Dive Time in Lagos

Lagos Water Sports: Surfing and Extreme Sports

Lagos and west coast Algarve offer the best conditions for all watersports including surfing, wakeboarding, kite surfing and windsurfing. Check out the following Lagos water sports websites for more information:
Extreme Algarve – Surf & Kitesurf in Lagos
Algarve Watersport for Lagos Water Sports
The Surf Experience in Lagos

Sailing in Lagos

The waters around Lagos are perfect for sailing and there are lots of companies at Lagos Marina that offer sailing courses and sailing trips along the Algarve coast. Lagos also has a sailing club, based at Batata beach and Hobie cat rental is available on Meia Praia.
RuSailing – RYA training centre for Sailing in Lagos
South West Training Center – Lagos Sailing & Power Boat

Sea Kayaking in Lagos

Sea Kayaking in Lagos is a great way to explore the caves and admire the coastline whilst getting a good dose of fresh sea air and exercise! The kayak tours start from Batata beach (near the Fort) and are suitable for beginners or the more experienced.
Kayak Tours Lagos

Lagos Municipal Leisure Centre

Lagos Leisure Centre is opposite McDonald’s and has great facilities with a 25m laned pool and two 17m pools ( one of which also has a Jaccuzzi) and gymnasium. The pools and gym are open Monday to Friday 7am to 10pm and Saturdays 9am to 8pm. The centre is closed on Sundays and holidays. To use the pool you will need to have sandals /flip flops for poolside use, a swim cap and swimsuit (not bikini). The men need to have lycra type trunks (not baggy swimshorts). Pay by the day or get a monthly pass for longer stays.

Mountain Biking in Lagos

There are lots trails for mountain biking in Lagos and you can either hire a bike and be independent or join a guided group. From scenic days out to physically and technically demanding trails, Lagos and the surrounding areas provides something for everyone!
The Mountain Bike Adventure in Lagos
Mountain Biking in Lagos with Outdoor Tours

Tennis in Lagos

Lagos Clube de Ténis is near the Ship Roundabout at Urbanization Marina Sol.
Tel: (+351)282 081 915.
There are also two tennis courts on Rua da Santa Casa da Misericórdia near the Vilabranca complex. (Past the firestation, turn left at the Ball roundabout and right at the Tulip roundabout and they are just a short distance along on the right hand side.) Court rental is by the hour and you can hire rackets and balls if required.

Algarve water parks: Slide and Splash

Slide and Splash water park is near Lagoa in central Algarve (approximately 20 minutes from Lagos) and operates from the beginning of April to the end of October. It opens daily at 10am and closes between 5pm and 6pm depending on the time of year. They operate a transfer service with pick-up points in Lagos to get you to the park when it opens with return trips later in the day.
Slide and Splash water park

Horse Riding near Lagos

For horse riding near Lagos there are two riding centres (“centro hípico”) which cater for beginners as well as experienced horse riders. They offer a range of activities according to ability, from riding lessons to long rides in the lovely Algarve countryside complete with picnic lunch!
Tiffanys Riding Centre – at Almádena near Luz
Quinta Paraíso Alto – Fronteira, near Bensafrim

Autodromo do Algarve Race Track and Go Kart Track

Autodromo do Algarve Race Track is between Lagos and Alvor and is well signposted from junction 3 on the A22 motorway. It hosts lots of events including Superbike Championships, FIA GT1 World Championships and track days for motorbikes and cars. The complex also includes the ‘Kartodrome’ go kart track with several different track layouts which has karting events like the WSK World Series.
Autodromo do Algarve

Wine tasting in Lagos

The Algarve has always produced wines but in latter years the wineries have concentrated on quality rather than quantity and now produce some excellent wines. There are several vineyards across the Algarve that are open to visitors for tours of the vineyards and wine tastings although you will normally need to make a reservation.
Monte da Casteleja Vineyard, near Sargacal, Lagos
Única (Adega Cooperativa do Algarve) in Lagoa on the main road (EN125). Wine tastings with prior booking. Tel (+351) 282 342 181
Quinta do Moragdo da Torre, Penina (near Alvor). Guided visits and tastings – reservations needed Tel: (+351) 282 476 866 or (+351) 969 033 243. They also have a shop with regional produce which is open Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 17.00.

Galleries and Museums in Lagos

Portuguese Discoveries Wax Museum at Lagos marina– Embark on an exciting journey through the Portuguese Ages of Discoveries when Prince Henry the Navigator lead the fleets searching for a route to Asia by sailing south around Africa in the 15th century. With 16 different scenes, 22 super realistic wax figures, light and sound effects and a magical atmosphere to dazzle the little ones, it’s a great place to visit for the whole family!
– Opening times: October and March – 10am – 6pm; April to June and September – 10am – 7pm; July and August – 10am – 8pm; November to February – 10am – 5pm
– Prices: Adults – 5€; Senior (+ 65 yrs) – 4€ ; Children (4 to 11 years old) – 3€
– For more information visit Museu de Cera dos Descobrimentos Lagos

Regional Museum of Lagos, Museu Municipal Dr. José Formosinho adjoining Igreja de Santo António. Visitors can admire collections of archeological finds that date back to the pre-Roman era, as well as collections of religious art and numismatics (coins, banknotes, medals, etc.). The gallery boasts some fascinating 17th and 18th centuries paintings, including a tall portrait of a man, which when you stand to one side of him, focus on him and then move across to the other side him whilst still holding his stare, he appears to follow you with his eyes and body!Igreja de Santo António, Rua Silva Lopes, Lagos. Museu Municipal Dr. José Formosinho
Rua General Alberto da Silveira
8600 – 594 Lagos
Tel: 282 762 301
Opening hours: 09.30h to 12.30h and 14.00h to 17.00h. Closed Monday and holidays.

Galeria do Armazém Regimental (Regimental stores), Praça Infante D. Henrique, Lagos – has temporary exhibitions with lots of different themes. Opening hours vary. Tel: 282 780 430

Galeria do Governador, rua Dr. Mendonça, no 3, Lagos. – Various art works and sculptures on display.
Opening hours: 10.00h to 13.00h and 14.30h to 19.00h. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays..
Centro Cultural de Lagos – there is nearly always something going on – they host exhibitions, concerts and many other culturally related events throughout the year.
Centro Cultural de Lagos
Rua Lançarote de Freitas
8600-605, Lagos
Tel: 282 770 450

Forte Ponta da Bandeira

Fortaleza Ponta da Bandeira is a small military fortress, located at end of Avenida dos Descobrimentos. It was constructed at the end of the 17th century at the mouth of the river, to defend the city of Lagos from attack by enemy boats entering the bay. Today the fort is used for exhibitions and other cultural activities and the views of Lagos bay are magnificent.
Open Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 12.30pm and re-opens at 2pm until 5pm.

The city walls

The walls still surround the older part of Lagos give a real feeling of history as you follow them around the town. Opposite the fort on the water front are the twin watchtowers either side of St. Gonçalo’s gate. The walls date from the 16th century and have bulwarks at intervals that allowed the use of artillery . There are gateways through at various points. The best way to see them is to walk around the outside – there are landscaped gardens and paths to enjoy while you walk.

The Governors Castle

The facade of the castle is just along from St. Gonçalo’s gate abd is of Arab construction, but has been altered many times since.

Lagos fish market

Near to the main entrance to the town centre the market has a wonderful selection of freshly caught seafood. Upstairs there are also fruit, vegetables, freshly baked bread and other local produce. Open mornings only Monday to Saturday.

The Slave market

A reminder of the times when slaves brought back from Africa during the 15th century were sold. It is the opposite side of Praça D.Henrique from the Misericórdia Church.

Igreja de Santo António

The Church of St.Anthony is on Rua Silva Lopes (recognisable by it’s two bell towers of different heights.)
The Church is often known as ‘The Golden Church’ because the walls and the altar are decorated in the gilded intricately carved baroque style. It was rebuilt in 1769. Entrance is through the Regional Museum adjoining it.
Opening hours: 09.30h to 12.30h and 14.00h to 17.00h. Closed Monday and holidays.

Igreja de Misericórdia

Also known as Santa Maria, the church is beside Praça D.Henrique and originates from the 15th /16th centuries, but was largely rebuilt in the 18th/19th centuries.

Igreja de São Sebastião

The church on Rua Conselheiro Joaquim Machado, São Sebastião, Lagos: originates from the 14th /16th centuries. It was constructed on the site of a hermitage and in the 15th century was transformed into a church and dedicated to St. Sebastian.

Hermitage of St. John the Baptist

The hermitage stands near the ‘ship’ roundabout at the entrance to Lagos and originates from the 15th/16th centuries and rebuilt during the 18th.