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The Algarve region in Portugal is dotted with many villages along its rugged and sandy coasts. One of the most striking is an attractive waterfront town on the Algarve, Lagos. Here you are in the middle of the cliffs of the most South-westerly point of Europe jutting into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors all settled here. Henry the Navigator launched the age of discovery and arranged Vasco de Gama to set sail for what was to be his discovery of Brazil. There are several interesting statues erected to Vasco de Gama and other famous figures of the past that are associated with the history of this town and their past sea adventurers. The old town of Lagos is still surrounded by the medieval wall. Today visitors and the artists who remain only have found something special about Lagos beside the delightful beaches.

The family will be right at home in their vacation home.

Lagos is popular with visitors for several reasons. The first being it is relatively diminutive in area. This makes it large enough to nurture activities yet small enough to feel quaint. Known for its miles of sandy beaches, Lagos is the ideal place on the Algarve in a holiday home such as this 3 bedroom with unlimited views facing the Atlantic.

It is easy to do nothing at all by lounging on the beach or venture into the numerous hidden gems of the area.  Lagos is a perfect escape for the entire family.

Everyday there is probably a festival of some sort going on in Portugal with its rich cultural heritage and religious roots. The windows of Lagos look towards the Americas, where at one time the view was considered to be the End of the World. That was of course until the discovery and European colonization of the Americas.

That is just what the upcoming Festa dos Descobrimentos (Festival of Two Discoveries) celebrates. It is the pinnacle for both locals and tourists looking forward to each year in Lagos. This year’s event begins near the end of October, running into the first weeks of November. What a wonderful way for any visitor to absorb Lagos’s culture celebrating the discovery period. You have chance to witness the bands, floats and costumes of this popular festival. 

The striking long park-like cobblestone and mosaic-patterned promenade runs along a section of the old city’s stonewall. The promenade stretches directly to the new Marina, totally pedestrian-friendly.

In the Marina visitors will find different boat tours, deep sea-fishing outings that can be arranged in advance. One of the best outing is to take is the grotto tour by signing-up with one of the vendors near the front of town. Observe from the water, the distinctive and magnificent cliffs that surround the Lagos and remember your camera.

A favorite among children and adults is Zoo Marine featuring dolphin interaction in an aquarium setting of over 8 acres. The theater presents One World – One Future a 4D animation concentrating on global warming.

Walk for miles along the coast.

If you are looking to get away for a quiet area within Lagos, consider taking a hike up the coast. There are trails that run along the coast for a couple miles and leads to a nice lighthouse and eventually to some of the “grottos”. It is a great walk and even if you don’t go the whole way you can still get great views of the cliffs and rocky islands.