Sea it All: 2 days in Lagos, Portugal

Take a pleasant stroll through Marina de Lagos, soak in the views of the coastal city and head towards Old Town, where you will find charming, mosaic-paved streets lined with small shops and eateries. Spot a few locals hanging up their laundry in their traditional Portuguese homes and pop into a cafe for a morning coffee to kickstart the day.

For history buffs, the following are worth a visit within Old Town:

• Antigo Mercado de Escravos, a small museum with exhibitions that provide a glimpse into the historical aspects of the slave trade in the region.

• Igreja de Santo António, a church and architectural landmark dedicated to a Christian saint named Saint Anthony of Padua.

• Castelo de Lagos, a 17th-century medieval castle strategically built to protect the city and its harbor.

Some other recommendations in the area:

☕The Studio: Coffee Roaster & Brunch Cafe, R. Soeiro da Costa 20, 8600-624 Lagos, Portugal

🛒 Paradise Super Market, R. Mendonça Pessanha, 8600-607 Lagos, Portugal

Making our way to the beach, you have a ton of options.

• Praia da Batata (Potato Beach) is a 4m leisure walk from Castelo de Lagos, making it the closest.

• Praia dos Estudantes (Students Beach) is easily walkable from Praia da Bata, if you are undecided between the two. What makes this beach unique, is the Roman-style bridge within the rock formations. Great photo op! 📷

*You also have the option to rent kayaks or paddle boards here.

• Praia Dona Ana is much larger and with more sight-seeing and amenities. There is a cash-only bar and sun beds are available for €10 (2023) for the whole day.

Tip: MAR Restaurante & Bar is between Praia da Bata and Praia dos Estudantes, where you can grab a quick drink or save for sunset hour later.

By now, you are probably starving and there is only one way to wrap up the day.

Restaurante Barrigada is a casual, no-frill, hidden gem that serves up freshly grilled seafood. Right by the port, the fish was ~most likely caught that very morning! And for those who have a big appetite, you are going to love the "all-you-can-eat" option.

Hope you are not beach-ed out! We saved the best and most scenic for last, and we are waking up early for the sunrise to take it all in.

Praia do Camilo is often called the "Stairway to Heaven" beach because of the 200 wooden steps to get to the actual beach itself, but trust me - it is worth it and a must-see in Algarve.

Spend the morning exploring the area. Ponta da Piedade is a 5m drive (18m walk) and offers breathtaking views as well.

P.S. Sure, this can be done in the afternoon, but it gets busy! The sunrise is a truly worthwhile experience.

Now, for the fun stuff. I recommend taking a speedboat adventure to the stunning Benagil Cave - a natural wonder. Seatrips Lagos offers an excursion to the cave, plus dolphin watching all under three hours.

Post-adventure, we will freshen up and switch things up. Make your way to Avenida Restaurante (in Lagos' Avenida Hotel) for a contemporary, globally inspired culinary experience with locally sourced ingredients. You have the option of a tasting menu, along with a wine pairing, but I suggest trying the catch of the day along with the vast selection of decadent starters or if you are in the mood for something other than seafood, there are amazing steak options as well.

For the perfect night-cap, walk over to Skybar - a fantastic rooftop bar with live music, great cocktails, and an even better view.

🍸 Skybar, Largo Marquês de Pombal 1, 8600-740 Lagos, Portugal.

Other recommended stays:

• Casa Mãe Lagos has everything on-site, there is a gift shop, a spa, and farm-to-table restaurant (Orta Restaurant).

• Casa Eleonora is not your typical B&B; treat it as your modern villa with an outdoor pool, daily breakfast and a wellness area for available-to-book deep-tissue massages.