If you are planning to visit Portugal you don’t want to skip out on visiting Lagos. While it’s not widely known, this hidden gem is something you want to add to your travel list.
Day 1:
Make your way to Lagos from Lisbon via a 4-hour bus ride. You can book your bus ticket online with Rede Express Bus Company. A round trip will cost you $30 and may be cheaper if you purchase at least 5 days in advance.
The area is home to lots of guesthouses and Bed and Breakfasts as opposed to hotels. Arrange to have your accommodation meet you at the bus station for pickup.
Once you are all settled in, you should have worked up an appetite. Head down to the center city which can be reached by foot. Here you will find long cobblestone alleys filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. Spend several hours here just eating and hanging out. The area becomes very lively at night with lots of places offering live music or a DJ. Return back to your guesthouse to relax and prepare for a busy but fun day 2.
Day 2:
Wake up early and enjoy your complimentary breakfast at your guesthouse. Get dressed for a day on the water.
Arrange to take the grato (water caves) tour. The average price is 15 Euros. You will ride along the coast via boat while exploring caves along the way. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and begins and ends at the marina. Grab a quick bite from the area before taking a taxi out to Praia do Camilo. (Keep in mind that things in the area close down from 1-3pm.)
Be sure to take a towel or beach mat, sunscreen, your camera, and a good book. Find a spot to lay out and just enjoy the view on one of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches.
Finally, end your day with a nice seafood dinner at the area’s infamous Calhou restaurant. Be sure to try the popular dish, Cataplana, which is an assortment of local fish, prawns, potatoes, and veggies stewed together in a special copper dish over a fire.
There isn’t much to do in the area beyond the beaches so 48 hours is the perfect amount of time to spend in this hidden coastal city of Portugal.
