July 8, 2018

The Algarve Travel Guide

I just returned from a 6 day sister-trip in the southwest region of Algarve, Portugal. We also spent 24 hours in Lisbon, Portugal (separate blog to follow). We first soaked in the laid back lifestyle of Lagos while surrounded by beaches, crystal clear water, and grottos. All while chowing down on some tapas and sipping a healthy amount of sangria. The historic center of Lagos had a bit of a hippie vibe with a plethora of nomads and dogs walking among the narrow, cobble stone streets.

3 days was enough time to experience all of Lagos and its beaches. There is so much more to see within the Algarve region, so I recommend moving on to either the west coast or east toward Carvoeiro and Tavira.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO PORTUGAL

Currency: Euro

Language: Portuguese

Airports: Fly into Lisbon (2 hr 40 min to Lagos) or fly into Faro (1 hr to Lagos)

-We flew into Lisbon and drove down to Lagos with anticipation that the drive would be similar to Big Sur in California, but unfortunately, our “scenic drive” was vanquished by dry fields and cows. However, the benefits of flying in and out of Lisbon are that you can easily tack on the city to your trip, and if you are flying from the U.S. it is easier to get to LIS than FAO.

How to get around:

Rent a Car – Totally recommended if you want free reign to explore all around the Algarve region. TIP- Do not get insurance if you already have it in the states!!
Walk – Within Lagos everything is walkable.

Other Tips:

Only pack flat shoes. My sister tried to brave the cobble stone in some short chunky heels and paid the price.
Bring a light jacket or long sleeve and jeans. It got a little chilly at night and in the morning.
As previously mentioned, 3 days is enough time to stay in Lagos specifically. It’s a small town and if you do some of the hikes to see the various beaches along the coast, you really don’t need to stay much longer.

WHAT TO DO IN LAGOS

THE BEACHES

Type ”the Algarve” into Google Images and the first pictures are the beaches in Lagos. The enticing blue-green water and rocky shores are what make every picture you take absolutely breathtaking. All the beaches are located one after another along the coast line and are separated with jagged cliffs and rock formations. At low tide you can walk beach to beach using the shoreline. Otherwise, you have to use the cliff trails overlooking the beaches and use the stairs to go down.

Some of my favorites:

Praia Dona Ana

Praia do Camilo

Ponta da Piedade

Kayak to the Grottos

Unfortunately we could not get a kayaking slot in the morning, but definitely a must-do in Lagos. Going in the morning to see the grottos would avoid the wake of tourist boats going in and out. We used EZ Ride to book, which was recommended by a local. They give you everything you need including a waterproof bag and provide lockers for free.

Price: €30

Hike along the coast of Lagos

This was my favorite part of our whole trip! We woke up around 7AM to start our hike along the coast from the historic city centre to the lighthouse. Waking up with the sun offers the award of getting beaches all to yourself! This is the best way to scope out your favorite beach.

Tip: Wear sneakers because there is a bit of brush and a few rocks to climb.

Forte da Ponta da Bandeira

Located right beside Praia da Batata and Praia do Pinhão. The fort’s walls still surround the historic city center.

Walk around the historic town of Lagos

Shops and restaurants flood the narrow streets of Lagos with a copious amount of outdoor seating. While walking among the fallen flowers from jacaranda trees, take a moment to gaze at the buildings plastered with colorful patterned tiles.

Enjoy the historic city center’s rooftop bars

There are several restaurants and bars that have rooftops overlooking the water, which provide a perfect atmosphere for sipping sangria and enjoying the sunset. Try Mar d’ Estorias – inside is a shop with local Portuguese gifts and products, the second level is a cafe, and the final flight of stairs brings you to a rooftop bar with great cocktails.

WHAT TO DO ON THE WEST COAST OF PORTUGAL

Road trip the west coast

Start at Sagres to see the lighthouse (below) and then take off along the western part. During our west coast trip we stopped at two beaches and grabbed some lunch.

Visit the southwestern-most part of Europe

Cape St. Vincent – a quick 5 minute stop for pictures and to enjoy the sea breeze

BEACHES

Estrada da Praia – Recommended by our hotel hosts

Praia Do Amado – A surfer beach with red rock cliff sides and a colorful rocky layer setting a unique beach scene. If you want to learn how to surf this is where you should go!

Praia da Bordeira – An okay beach area, but it does stand alone due to its natural pools on the beach.

Shop for Pottery

On the way to Sagres there were a few pottery stores along the road. Portugal pottery is CHEAP, so save room in your suitcase if you’re looking to bring a few pieces home! There are also some stores east of Lagos, such as Porches Pottery, which is located close to Bengali Cave.

PLACES TO EAT

**Try Vehno Verde (Green Wine) available on draft at most restaurants.

Lagos:

Goji- We found this spot on the last day, and it ended up being our favorite food spot in Lagos. Think açaí bowls, smoothies, avocado toast, fresh salads, and the whole lot. Goji also has gluten free and vegan options. We sat outside this little hidden gem to watch the Portugal World Cup game.

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Kisa- We had breakfast here a few mornings. Good for açaí bowls, yogurt and granola, an English breakfast, and coffee.

Casa do Prego- The best dinner we had all week! Great tapas and prawns. I recommend making a reservation in advance.

The Garden- Go to this spot for the atmosphere. A perfect place to have a drink and snacks/appetizers, but we were not big fans of our entrees.

Three Monkeys- Dive bar with great happy hour deals

Crema di Gelato

*Aside from Casa do Prego we were disappointed with all our dinner selections. Most of the historic city center is very touristy. Hopefully you’ll have better luck!

West Coast Day Stops:

Museu da Batata – Really big restaurant with a quiet, outdoor garden area where you can sit under your own patio cabana.

Pao do Rogil – Local cookies

WHERE TO STAY IN LAGOS

Infanate Guesthouse

THE PERFECT PLACE TO STAY IN LAGOS! Infanate feels a lot like an Airbnb spot. The Guesthouse is a 5 room townhome with a small kitchen and the BEST rooftop view overlooking Lagos’ city square. A perfect location right beside a sushi restaurant, a small market store, and plenty of restaurants. The hosts, Marek and Isabel, made us feel so comfortable right away and gave us lots of information (and a map) to help us make the most of our time and avoid the tourist traps.