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Where to Stay in Lagos? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay

Heading to Lagos in the Algarve? Here are the six best areas, from Old Town and Meia Praia to Dona Ana, Praia da Luz and Salema, plus hotels in three price ranges.

Aerial photo of the golden cliffs at Ponta da Piedade near Lagos in the Algarve

If you’re wondering where to stay in Lagos, it helps to know that this is the town in the Algarve where you get the most in one place. Inside the town walls lies the Old Town with its whitewashed houses, fish restaurants and bars, and just outside the walls the golden cliffs begin, with little coves and grottoes set in turquoise water. To the east, Meia Praia runs for several kilometres along the bay, and to the west lie the fishing villages towards Sagres.

That’s why choosing the right area matters. In my guide to where to stay in the Algarve, Lagos is my pick for a first trip, and here I go a step further with six areas and three hotels in each.

Planning your trip to the Algarve at the last minute? 🇵🇹

Here are some of the best things to do, hotels and other tips for your trip to the Algarve.

🎡 Top Activities & Tours:

1. Get easily from the airport to your hotel if you book a private transfer from Faro Airport here
2. Heading to Albufeira? You can book a private transfer to Albufeira here and skip the wait
3. Heading to Lagos? You can book a private transfer to Lagos and Meia Praia here straight from the airport

🛌 Best Hotels:

1. EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel is a large resort set in green surroundings with access to Falésia Beach
2. Lagos Atlantic Hotel is a good hotel with a pool, a garden and a short walk to the beach
3. LagosMar Story Hotel is a cosy, budget-friendly choice with a roof terrace in the heart of Lagos Old Town

🚗 The Algarve is easiest to explore if you hire a car and drive between the little coves

Where to Stay in Lagos: The Best Areas

Below, I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each, from the most expensive to the cheapest. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people. In July and August they are considerably higher, while they drop again from October.

1. Old Town - best area for first-time visitors 🏰

  • 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re right in the centre. From Praça Gil Eanes it’s a five-minute walk to the harbour promenade and about ten minutes to Praia da Batata beach.
  • 🚌 Transport: The bus station is on Rossio de São João at the northern end of the promenade, and the railway station is on the other side of the footbridge by the marina. Everything else you can do on foot.
  • ✈️ Time from Faro Airport: Around 1 hour and 15 minutes by car, or around two hours on the Aerobus direct to the bus station.
  • 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three hotels below cost around £55 to £215 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
  • 👮 Safety: Safe, but lively. Watch out for pickpockets in the busy streets in summer, and expect noise from the bars until late into the night at weekends.

The Old Town is the historic quarter inside the town walls, and this is where Lagos has its atmosphere. Narrow cobbled streets climb from the harbour promenade, Avenida dos Descobrimentos, to Praça Gil Eanes and Praça Infante Dom Henrique, where the statue of Henry the Navigator is a reminder that many of the Portuguese voyages of discovery set out from here. In the evening, the streets around Rua 25 de Abril fill up with restaurants, ice-cream parlours and little bars, and you can eat grilled fish in one place and drink ginja in the next.

View over the Old Town in Lagos with a church tower and Meia Praia in the background

The town museum is split in two: the baroque church Igreja de Santo António, with its gilded woodwork, belongs to Museu de Lagos, and in the old slave market building on Praça Infante Dom Henrique, the Rota da Escravatura exhibition tells the story of Lagos' role in the slave trade. Each site costs 3 euros (around £2.50), or 5 euros (around £4) for both, and the museums are closed on Mondays.

See hotels in the Old Town here.

I would stay here if it’s your first trip to Lagos, if you’re travelling without a car, or if you want to pick a different restaurant every evening. The boats to the grottoes at Ponta da Piedade leave from the promenade and the marina, and the beaches Praia da Batata and Praia dos Estudantes are just outside the walls by the Ponta da Bandeira fort. If you’re coming from the airport, you’ll find all the options in my guide to getting from Faro Airport to Lagos and the rest of the Algarve, and the airport has its own overview of buses and trains.

The downside is the noise. Lagos has a young nightlife scene with bars and pub crawls, and from June to September the streets around Rua Cândido dos Reis can be loud until late into the night. If you’re travelling with children or are a light sleeper, choose a hotel on the edge of the Old Town, and bear in mind that the hotels rarely have parking.

Hotels in the Old Town

Lagos Avenida Hotel - modern hotel with a rooftop pool overlooking the harbour

Lagos Avenida Hotel sits on the harbour promenade, Avenida dos Descobrimentos, with views over the river and the marina, and it’s a five-minute walk into the Old Town. The rooms are modern, there’s a restaurant, a bar and a heated rooftop pool, and it’s the most comfortable choice in this part of town. Breakfast costs extra, and some guests feel the bathroom doesn’t offer much privacy.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Great location, modern rooms and a fantastic rooftop pool.”

See photos and book Lagos Avenida Hotel here.

Villa Zawaia B&B - small adults-only B&B with a pool in the middle of town

Villa Zawaia is a small adults-only bed and breakfast on a side street in the northern part of the centre, a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town. There’s an outdoor pool, a roof terrace and a breakfast buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free options, and its Booking.com score is one of the highest in this guide. There’s no parking at the property, so if you arrive by car, you’ll need to use a public car park a little way off.

From one review: “We had a fantastic stay here! The room was lovely, and the staff were very attentive and friendly.”

See photos and book Villa Zawaia here.

LagosMar Story Hotel - simple budget hotel in the heart of town

LagosMar Story Hotel is on Rua Dr. Faria e Silva in the northern part of the centre, a few minutes’ walk from Praça Gil Eanes and Praia da Batata beach. It’s a family-run hotel with a roof terrace, air conditioning and a 24-hour reception, and it’s usually by far the cheapest of the three. There’s no pool or parking, and several guests mention that the rooms are a little worn.

One guest highlights: “I loved the location, and the room had everything I needed.”

See photos and book LagosMar Story Hotel here.

2. Marina & Meia Praia - best area for families and long beach walks 🏖️

  • 📍 Distance to the centre: The marina lies directly opposite the Old Town on the other side of the river. From the hotels along Meia Praia, it’s 2 to 4 kilometres into the centre.
  • 🚆 Transport: The footbridge takes you from the marina across the river to the promenade, and the train from Faro stops at Meia Praia just before the end of the line in Lagos. The A Onda town bus and taxis cover the rest.
  • ✈️ Time from Faro Airport: About 1 hour and 10 minutes by car. By train from Faro station, the journey takes about an hour and a half.
  • 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £95 to £175 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
  • 👮 Safety: Safe and peaceful. Meia Praia is an open beach with waves and currents, so swim near the lifeguard towers and keep an eye on the flags.

Meia Praia is Lagos’ long sandy beach, curving away from the river mouth for several kilometres to the east. While the beaches west of town are small coves tucked between the cliffs, here you have plenty of space, even in mid-August. Beach bars and restaurants with sunloungers line the sand, and behind the beach boardwalks run through the dunes, so you can enjoy a long walk without sand in your shoes the whole way.

Aerial view of the marina in Lagos and the long Meia Praia beach

The marina is the area’s other face. Restaurants and cafés look out over the boats, and this is where most of the catamarans, dolphin trips and cave cruises set off from. The railway station sits just behind the marina, and the regional train along the Algarve coast also stops at Meia Praia, so you can get all the way here without a car.

See hotels by the marina and Meia Praia here.

I’d choose Meia Praia if you’re a family who wants the beach right on your doorstep, a hotel with a pool and space for the children, and you don’t need the Old Town every evening. In the afternoon the wind often picks up, bringing out the kitesurfers and windsurfers. Golfers also have the Palmares course at the eastern end of the beach. Many of the hotels out here are large and built for families, with pools, kids’ clubs and self-catering apartments, so it’s easy to make everyday life work with children.

The downside is the distance. From the hotels in the middle of Meia Praia, it’s half an hour’s walk into the Old Town, and the further east you stay, the more you’ll rely on a car, bus or taxi. The beach is also more exposed to wind and waves than the coves west of town, and the water is cold, even in summer.

Hotels by the Marina & Meia Praia

Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve - five-star beach hotel with spa and kids’ club

Iberostar Selection sits on the eastern part of Meia Praia, with just a road between the hotel and the beach. There are outdoor and indoor pools, a spa with a hammam, a gym, a kids’ club and evening entertainment, and the breakfast buffet is included in the price. Parking costs around €7 (about £6) a day, and you’ll need a car or taxi to get into the Old Town, which is about 3.5 kilometres away.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful hotel, large and clean rooms and really good food.”

See photos and book Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve here.

Marina Club Lagos Resort - hotel by the marina with pool and spa

Marina Club Lagos Resort is right on the marina, so you can walk over the footbridge to the Old Town in about ten minutes, with Meia Praia a fifteen-minute walk in the other direction. There are outdoor and indoor pools, a spa, a playground and family rooms, and parking is free. Breakfast costs extra, about €14 (around £12) per adult.

From one review: “Good location, clean and an excellent view over the pool and the marina.”

See photos and book Marina Club Lagos Resort here.

Meia Praia Lagos - Beach Club Apartments - apartments with a pool right by the beach

Beach Club Apartments is about 150 metres from Meia Praia, with an outdoor pool, children’s pool, playground and free parking, and the apartments have their own kitchens. It’s an obvious choice for families who want to cook some of their own meals and have the beach close by. The Old Town is about 2.5 kilometres away, and several guests mention that the bathrooms could do with updating.

One guest highlights: “Good location close to the beach.”

See photos and book Beach Club Apartments here.

3. Praia Dona Ana & Camilo - best area for couples and the stunning coves 🌅

  • 📍 Distance to the centre: About 1.5 kilometres south of the Old Town. It’s a 20 to 25-minute walk to Praça Gil Eanes.
  • 🚶 Getting around: On foot along the cliffs or through the residential streets. The A Onda town bus and taxis run into the centre, and parking at the beaches is usually limited.
  • ✈️ Time from Faro Airport: About 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.
  • 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three hotels below cost around £60 to £150 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
  • 👮 Safety: A quiet holiday and residential area. Keep well back from the cliff edges, and don’t put your towel right beneath the cliffs, where rocks can fall.

This is where you’ll find the beaches that grace the postcards from the Algarve. Praia Dona Ana is a small cove with golden sand, rock stacks and clear water, reached by a staircase from the car park. A little further south, Praia do Camilo sits at the bottom of a long wooden staircase down the cliff, and from the viewpoint above you can look out over the whole coastline towards Ponta da Piedade. Between the two and towards town are several smaller coves such as Praia do Pinhão, and at low tide you can walk between some of them.

Praia Dona Ana beach between golden cliffs in Lagos

The area itself is made up of hotels, holiday apartments and villas, and it’s quiet in the evenings. There are a few restaurants and cafés by the beaches, but if you want to eat out, you’ll usually walk into the Old Town or take a taxi. If you’d like to see the cliffs from the water, you can take a kayak trip into the caves at Ponta da Piedade from the marina for about 30 euros (around £25).

See hotels near Praia Dona Ana and Camilo here.

I’d stay here if you’re a couple who want to start the day with a swim in one of the beautiful coves and still be able to walk into the Old Town in the evening. It’s also a good compromise for families with slightly older children, as you have both the beach and the town within walking distance. In the mornings and late afternoons you’ll have the beaches almost to yourself, before the day-trippers arrive.

The downside is that the coves are small and fill up quickly from late morning in July and August. There are lots of steps down to the beaches, which makes things awkward with a pushchair, and at high tide much of the sand disappears. If you stay here, head down early and grab your spot.

Hotels near Praia Dona Ana & Camilo

The Editory by the Sea Lagos - five-star hotel with a spa a few minutes from the beach

The Editory by the Sea is in the residential area between Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo, about a seven-minute walk from Dona Ana and fifteen minutes from the Old Town. It’s a five-star hotel with an outdoor and indoor pool, spa, gym and kids’ club, and the breakfast is praised again and again. Parking costs about 10 euros (around £8) a day, and some guests would like more shelf and desk space in the rooms.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The breakfast was fantastic and fresh every morning.”

See photos and book The Editory by the Sea here.

Carvi Beach Hotel - classic beach hotel right above Praia Dona Ana

Carvi Beach Hotel sits on the road just above Praia Dona Ana, so it’s a two-minute walk down to the beach. There’s a rooftop pool with sea views, a restaurant, a gym and family rooms, and it’s one of the most popular hotels in Lagos with several thousand reviews. The hotel has no parking of its own, and the public spaces around the beach fill up quickly in summer.

From one review: “I liked the location. It was right by Praia Dona Ana.”

See photos and book Carvi Beach Hotel here.

Agua Hotels Vila Branca - aparthotel with several pools and free parking

Agua Hotels Vila Branca is in Torraltinha, a little west of Dona Ana, about a 10 to 15-minute walk from both Dona Ana and Porto de Mós. It’s an aparthotel with two adult pools, two children’s pools, mini golf, a restaurant and free parking, and the apartments have kitchens. It was the cheapest of the three when I searched, but some guests feel the pool area is looking worn.

One guest highlights: “Everything about the place was outstanding.”

See photos and book Vila Branca here.

4. Porto de Mós & Ponta da Piedade - best area for peace and quiet and a resort holiday 🌊

  • 📍 Distance to the centre: Around 2.5 to 3 kilometres south-west of the Old Town. It’s a 35 to 40-minute walk, and most of the way is uphill or downhill.
  • 🚗 Getting around: Car, taxi or the A Onda town bus. There’s a large car park by the beach, and from Porto de Mós a coastal path runs over the cliffs to Praia da Luz.
  • ✈️ Time from Faro Airport: Around 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.
  • 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost from around £100 to £290 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
  • 👮 Safety: Very quiet. The coastal paths run close to the edge of high cliffs, so stay on the paths, especially in windy weather and after dark.

Porto de Mós is the largest beach west of Lagos, a wide stretch of sand between tall, golden cliffs with restaurants and surfers at the water’s edge. The area above it is a quiet holiday area with resorts, villas and apartments, and from here it’s only a couple of kilometres out to Ponta da Piedade, the best-known stretch of cliff coast in the Algarve. Around the lighthouse, boardwalks have been built along the cliffs from Canavial to Praia do Pinhão, and a staircase leads all the way down to the water between the rock stacks.

Praia do Porto de Mós beach beneath the tall cliffs near Lagos

The best way to see the grottoes is from the water. A boat trip to Ponta da Piedade sails from Lagos, takes about an hour and a quarter and costs around 20 euros (around £17). Trips depend on the weather, so book one early in your holiday so you have spare days if the sea is too rough.

See hotels at Porto de Mós and Ponta da Piedade here.

I’d stay here if you want a proper beach and resort holiday with a pool, spa and sea views, and if you have a car or don’t mind taking a taxi into town in the evening. The sunset over the sea from the cliffs at Porto de Mós is one of the most beautiful in the Algarve, and you have Ponta da Piedade within walking distance early in the morning, before the coaches arrive.

The downside is that you’re staying outside town. There are only a handful of restaurants in the area, and the walk into the Old Town is long and hilly, especially on the way back in the evening. Ponta da Piedade is also one of the Algarve’s most visited viewpoints, so it gets very busy in the middle of the day.

Hotels at Porto de Mós & Ponta da Piedade

Boutique Hotel Vivenda Miranda - clifftop boutique hotel with views over the Atlantic

Vivenda Miranda sits on the cliffs just above Porto de Mós, around 200 metres from the beach, with a garden, spa, restaurant and outdoor pool. It’s the most romantic hotel in this guide, and breakfast is made with local produce. On the other hand, it’s also the most expensive, and some guests find the room décor a little old-fashioned.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic location with a unique and beautiful view. The room was really well equipped, and the facilities were in great condition.”

See photos and book Vivenda Miranda here.

Belmar Spa & Beach Resort - resort with an infinity pool right above the beach

Belmar Spa & Beach Resort sits directly above Porto de Mós, with an infinity pool, indoor pool, spa, tennis court and free parking. Many of the rooms are apartments with a terrace and sea views, making it a good choice for families who want space. However, several guests mention that the outdoor pools aren’t heated, so expect cold water outside the summer months.

From one review: “The apartment was fantastic. We had a terrace with a tremendous view, perfect for our aperitif!”

See photos and book Belmar Spa & Beach Resort here.

Solar de Mós - friendly hotel with a pool between the beach and town

Solar de Mós is in Torraltinha, around a ten-minute walk from Porto de Mós and a little closer to the Old Town than the resorts down by the beach. There’s an outdoor pool, children’s pool, restaurant, bar and free parking, and the staff receive lots of praise. It’s still two kilometres to the centre, which several guests find a long walk in the evening.

One guest highlights: “Excellent staff, very friendly, helpful and cheerful. Nothing was too much trouble.”

See photos and book Solar de Mós here.

5. Praia da Luz - best area for a relaxed family holiday 🐚

  • 📍 Distance to the centre: Luz is a village in its own right, about 7 kilometres west of Lagos by road. It takes 10 to 15 minutes by car.
  • 🚌 Transport: The regional buses towards Sagres stop in Luz, but they don’t run often. Most people get by with a car or taxi, and the coastal path to Porto de Mós takes a couple of hours on foot.
  • ✈️ Time from Faro Airport: About 1 hour and 20 minutes by car.
  • 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £60 to £230 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
  • 👮 Safety: Very safe and peaceful. The beach is sheltered and has lifeguards in summer, but the waves can still be strong on windy days.

Praia da Luz is a small village set around a wide, sandy bay, and it feels like a completely different place from Lagos. Restaurants, cafés and ice cream parlours line the seafront promenade, Avenida dos Pescadores, and at the eastern end the dark cliff of Rocha Negra rises above the beach. You can walk up the path to the top and look out over the whole bay, and if you keep going, the coastal path continues over the cliffs towards Porto de Mós and Lagos.

Aerial view of the village of Praia da Luz and the coastline west of Lagos

In the middle of the promenade you’ll find the remains of a Roman complex with baths and fish-salting tanks, which is part of the Museu de Lagos. Otherwise, Luz is mostly a place where you don’t do a great deal: you swim, have lunch by the beach and take a stroll along the water as the sun goes down. Many visitors come back year after year, and much of the accommodation is villas and holiday apartments.

See hotels in Praia da Luz here.

I’d choose Luz if you’re a family with young children who want a calm beach, a short walk from the hotel to the water and restaurants where the kids can run around. It also works well for a longer stay outside the high season. If you’ve hired a car, this is where it really makes a difference, and you can check prices for car hire on Booking.com for your whole trip.

The downside is that Luz is quiet, especially in the evenings and in winter, when several restaurants close. The village sits on a slope, so there are hills up from the beach to many of the hotels and villas, and if you want to head into the Old Town in Lagos in the evening, you’ll need a car or a taxi.

Hotels in Praia da Luz

Vila Luz - large aparthotel with pools, tennis and room for the whole family

Vila Luz is in the western part of the village, about a kilometre from the beach, and is made up of apartments with kitchens set around a garden with two adult pools and a children’s pool. There’s also a sauna, tennis court, bar and free parking, and it scores highly on Booking.com. It’s usually the most expensive option in Luz, and some guests feel the furniture is due for replacing.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful hotel with excellent facilities.”

See photos and book Vila Luz here.

Belavista Da Luz - Wellness & Lifestyle Hotel - four-star hotel with spa and sea views

Belavista Da Luz sits on the hillside above the village with views over the sea, about 600 metres from the beach. It’s a four-star hotel with a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant and free parking, and the breakfast buffet is generous. Getting down to the beach is easy, but several guests mention that it’s a steep walk back up.

From one review: “Beautiful hotel, friendly staff and comfortable rooms.”

See photos and book Belavista Da Luz here.

Vilamar - budget hotel with pool and free parking

Vilamar is on the road towards Burgau in Montinhos da Luz, about 1.4 kilometres from the beach, so it’s a 15 to 20-minute walk down to the water. There’s an outdoor pool, children’s pool, restaurant, garden and free parking, and it was the cheapest option in this whole guide when I searched. A few guests miss having a kettle and coffee in the room.

One guest highlights: “A really good, cheap, comfortable and clean hotel.”

See photos and book Vilamar here.

6. Burgau & Salema - best area for fishing villages and hiking 🥾

  • 📍 Distance to the centre: Burgau is about 15 minutes and Salema about 25 minutes’ drive west of Lagos.
  • 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a car. The regional buses between Lagos and Sagres stop here, but infrequently, and there’s no public transport in the evening.
  • ✈️ Time from Faro Airport: About 1 hour and 30 minutes by car.
  • 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £65 to £150 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
  • 👮 Safety: Very safe. The roads down to the beaches are steep and narrow, so park up in the villages when it’s busy.

Burgau and Salema are two small fishing villages where the boats are still pulled up onto the sand. Burgau has steep, whitewashed streets leading down to a small, sheltered beach, and according to the tourist office’s leaflet on Vila do Bispo, this is where the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina begins. Salema has a wider beach between low cliffs, and by the steps at the western end you can see dinosaur footprints in the rock.

Aerial photo of the beach and fishing village of Salema in the Algarve

Both villages are on the Fishermen's Trail, the long hiking route along Portugal’s south-west coast, and the final stage runs from Salema via Burgau and Luz to Lagos. From here it’s also a short trip to the surf beaches and the lighthouse at Cabo de São Vicente near Sagres, and in the evening you can eat grilled fish at one of the few restaurants by the beach. The French warship L'Océan sank off Salema in 1759, and the wreck is now a destination for divers.

See hotels in Burgau and Salema here.

I’d stay here if you want peace, nature and hiking and are happy to drive yourself. It’s a good choice for couples and for a second week in the Algarve once you’ve seen Lagos. It doesn’t work without a car, so book a hire car at the same time as your accommodation, ideally picking it up at the airport.

The downside is that the villages are small. There are few hotels, most accommodation is apartments and holiday homes, and quite a few restaurants close out of season. The roads down to the beach are steep, and parking is tight in summer. If you want a lively evening scene, stay in Lagos and drive out here on a day trip.

Hotels in Burgau & Salema

Romantik Villa - small adults-only villa with a saltwater pool in Salema

Romantik Villa sits on the hillside above Salema, about 500 metres from the beach, and is adults only. There’s a heated saltwater pool, a garden, a sun terrace and free parking, and its score on Booking.com is one of the highest in the area. Breakfast isn’t served, but the hosts provide fresh bread, and the hill up from the village is steep.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything, from the quality of the room to the beautiful surroundings, was exceptional.”

See photos and book Romantik Villa here.

NAU Salema Beach Village - holiday village with apartments and a pool close to the beach

NAU Salema Beach Village is on the edge of Salema, about 400 metres from the beach, and consists of self-catering apartments set around a pool and garden. There’s free parking, a playground, a pool bar and a free shuttle service, but no proper restaurant. A few guests find the beds a little hard.

From one review: “The reception staff were incredible, and all the drivers were very friendly.”

See photos and book NAU Salema Beach Village here.

Cantinho do Burgau - small apartment in the village at a low price

Cantinho do Burgau is an apartment in the upper part of Burgau with air conditioning and a small kitchen, and it’s about a ten-minute walk down to the beach. It’s the cheapest option in this area and suits two people who want to make their own breakfast and eat out in the evening. There’s no pool, and several guests mention that the apartment is small.

One guest highlights: “I really enjoyed my stay at Cantinho do Burgau.”

See photos and book Cantinho do Burgau here.

Where not to stay in Lagos?

Avoid the newer residential areas north of the Old Town and out by the EN125 main road, where you have neither the beach, restaurants nor the Old Town within walking distance. They look cheap, but you’ll end up using a car or taxi every day. The same goes for inland villages such as Odiáxere and Bensafrim, unless you specifically want to stay in the countryside.

Also be careful with the eastern end of Meia Praia if you don’t have a car, as it’s a long way to anything other than the beach. And if you’re travelling with young children or are a light sleeper, don’t choose a hotel in the middle of the Old Town around the bars on Rua 25 de Abril and Rua Cândido dos Reis in July and August. Finally, it’s worth knowing that Praia da Rocha near Portimão is a completely different kind of place with high-rise hotels along the beach, so don’t stay there if it’s Lagos you’re dreaming of.

If it’s your first trip to Lagos, I’d stay in the Old Town or near Praia Dona Ana, where you have both the town and the beautiful coves on foot. If you’re travelling with children, Meia Praia and Praia da Luz offer the most space and calm, and if you want a resort holiday with sea views, choose Porto de Mós. Burgau and Salema are for those who drive themselves and would rather wake up in a fishing village.

If you have more days in Portugal, Lagos is a good place to end a road trip. It’s about a three-hour drive from Lisbon, and I have guides to where to stay in Lisbon and to the best areas in the whole of Portugal if you want to combine the coast with the big cities.

Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇

• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers

Psst 👀 Have you subscribed to my Youtube channel and my Instagram where I provide more useful travel tips?