Lagos Portugal – Beach Hopping & Where to Stay
A trip to Portugal isn’t complete unless you discover the southern most point of Portugal, the Algarve Coastline. The Algarve region is blessed with turquoise water, hugged by golden, rugged cliffs.
During our time in the Algarves, we had the opportunity of staying in both, Albufeira for one night and Lagos for two nights (two coastal cities in the Algarves region). For the purpose of this blog, I’ll just be touching on my time in Lagos.
Lagos Beaches
The beautiful golden shore beaches in Lagos stretch all the way from Lagos city center, to the tip of Ponte de Piedade. There are also trails along the entire coast except for the stretch between Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo that you can explore.
Marinha Beach
If you decided to google “Top Beaches in the World” I wouldn’t be surprised if Marinha Beach appeared on that list. The sweeping view over this beach reveals a rich array of outstanding landforms such as stony arches, natural bridges, grottoes, and precarious sea stacks where seabirds rest.
We decided (accidentally), to hike from Marinha Beach to Benagil Beach, and it was so worth it! The hike, which I found out afterwards is called The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. The trail runs on the top of the cliffs along the coastline, and it offers views of uniquely shaped limestone rock formations, caves, arches and emerald green bays. The point between Marinha Beach and Benagil Beach is only a small part of the trail. The entire trail from research, takes between 4-6 hours to complete one way. However, if you decide to hike from Marinha Beach to Benagil Beach, it takes only between 30-45 minutes to get through one way.
Meia Praia
If you are looking for an enjoyable beach day, Meia Praia is probably your best bet. Meia Praia is one of the longest beaches of the Algarve and was conveniently located right in front of our accommodation. I was shocked at how empty and clean the beach was. This beach has a very low-key atmosphere with small beach cafes and bars nested along the edges.
Benagil Beach
One of the more sought-out popular beaches, is Benagil Beach with it’s famous Benagil Cave nearby. To get to Benagil Cave is a task of its own. If you are lucky and the wind and ocean current aren’t strong, you can find a boat to take you to Benagil Cave. The other option is swimming from Benagil Beach, which I’d only recommend if you are a strong swimmer, and can swim far distances.
Unfortunately, during my visit, the waves and current were too strong, so no boats were operating at the time. Luckily, I did get a peak of the Benagil Cave while hiking through the trail from Marinha beach.
Praia do Camilo
Probably when you close your eyes and think of what the Algarve coastline looks like, you are imaging Praia do Camilo. This small beach is located between the famous Praia Dona Ana and the lighthouse at Ponta da Piedade and offers everything you dream of when visiting the West Algarve region. I’m talking clear water, golden cliffs and spectacular rock formations.
Where We Stayed
Since we decided just a month prior that we would be travelling to Portugal, it was a little difficult trying to find accommodation so last minute. But luckily for us, we found a place to call home for two nights, and it was Our House.
Our House is a Guesthouse in Lagos, right next to Meia Praia beach. The entire Guesthouse has 7 bedrooms, each adorably designed and uniquely decorated. Our room was the largest of the 7, and offered a sun terrace with views of the sea.
We also had our own full kitchen and bathroom. The Guesthouse has a quiet shared courtyard, with sofas and a T.V, where you can comfortably hangout after exploring.
Getting Around
The Guesthouse was conveniently located right next to a bus stop that goes to the historic center, and a handful of beaches. I was so relieved that I didn’t need to rent a car to get around! Close to the Guesthouse (15 minute walk to less) was a supermarket, where we were able to pick up some food and snacks.
If you are spending a few days in Lagos, and plan on visiting some beaches and/or decided to hike around the coast, I would definitely recommend Our House when choosing your accommodation. The prices are more reasonable than nearby Hotels/Airbnbs in Lagos, and breakfast is included which is always a perk!
