If idyllic beaches are your thing, then a layoverto the Portuguese town of Lagos will be right up your alley. This historic town lies on the Algarve and once a famous seaport, nowadays most visitors visit Lagos to indulge in its fantastic range of restaurants (with excellent sea food dishes), beaches, and wild nightlife. During the summer time, this city becomes the center of partying for backpackers in Portugal with endless bar crawls, booze cruises, and fun in the sun. The city also makes a great base of operations to explore neighboring towns, coves, and beaches!

What to do in Lagos for 24h to 48h? 

Places of Interest

Walk along the town walls 

The town walls in Lagos originally date as far back as the Roman or Carthaginian era, but they were expanded to accommodate the town’s growth during the period of Arab rule. The walls offer great views of Lagos.

Check out the Municipal Museum 

The municipal Museum is next to St. Anthony’s church, and houses a collection of archaeological artifacts.  It’s a good way to spend a few hours when you tire of the beach. Entrance is 3 EUR. The museum is open daily except for Mondays, from 9:30am-12:30pm and 2pm-5pm.

Go on a trail ride

 A couple of companies offer trail rides around the Lagos area. This is a nice way to break up your beach time with something a little more physical. You can arrange a ride that is as short as an hour, or up to several days. A two-hour ride costs around 45 EUR.

Hit the waves

The Algarve is a popular spot for watersports, especially surfing, kayaking, and kite surfing. It’s easy to rent equipment (there are a ton of shops), or if you’re a newbie, arrange lessons before you get out on the water.

See the city castle

There is a small castle sitting by the river that has been very nicely restored and turned into a small museum. Don’t forget your camera because once at the top there are breathtaking views of the sea. It’s located very close to the center of town.

Check out the grottos

Just a few miles from Lagos is the famous Ponte de Piedade where you have some of the nicest rock formations in Portugal. This secluded area makes for a wonderful day trip, during which you can relax in the sun and swim in the beautiful water.

See the Old Slave Market

In one corner of the Praca da Republica, under the arches of the old customs house is what was Europe’s first slave market. The market opened in 1444 and it is said that, within a century, up to 10,000 slaves were being shipped annually from Africa just to meet Portuguese demand alone. The museum for the slave market is open daily except for Mondays from 10am-12:30pm and 2pm-5:30pm. Admission is 4 EUR.

Go diving

The coastline between Lagos and Sagres is the site of numerous underwater caves and shipwrecks. One dive with equipment will cost you 70 EUR.

Where to Eat?

A Forja

Like an Italian trattoria, this buzzing adega tipica pulls in the crowds – locals, tourists and expats – for its hearty, top-quality traditional food served in a bustling environment at great prices. Plates of the day are always reliable, as are the simply prepared fish dishes.

Dom Vinho II

Removed from the main-street bustle where its parent restaurant stands, this elegant upstairs dining area boasts solid dark-wood furniture and a refined feel. Service is truly excellent, and there’s a top list of vintage wines.

Café Gombá

Although around since 1964, this traditional cafe-bakery with 21st-century decor looks more like it opened in 2014. Elderly locals hang out here for the best cakes, coffees and sandwiches in town, and it’s correspondingly cheap.

Cervejaria Dois Irmãos

Locals and passing tourists alike head to this relaxing and stylish place housed in a quaint old building on Praça do Infante. The sublime selection of petiscos (tapas) includes everything from pipis to pork ear. Cataplana (seafood stew) and good, if somewhat pricey, grilled fish are available, too. There’s lovely outdoor seating on the pretty square.

Where to Shop?

Mar d’Estorias

You can get cool wool blankets and ceramic sardines and you can also buy some nice bowels and servicing platters.

Mercado Municipal

Lagos’ characterful municipal market is an intriguing place to wander and a great spot to stock up on fresh produce, including excellent seafood.

Nightlife in Lagos !

Bon Vivant

This long-standing central bar is far classier than some of the nearby options, takes some care over its mainly R&B music and makes an effort to keep patrons entertained. Spread across several levels with various terraces, Bon Vivant shakes up some great cocktails and is pretty hot once it gets going (usually late). Look out for the bartenders’ juggling feats.

Stevie Ray’s Blues Jazz Bar

This intimate two-level candlelit joint is the best live-music bar in town, attracting a smart-casual older crowd. At weekends it has live blues, jazz and oldies. Admission is free, but a €5 minimum consumption is applied.

Taberna de Lagos

Boasting a stylish space and brooding electronic music in a historic central building, this airy and atmospheric bar and restaurant attracts a somewhat savvier bar-goer than the typical Lagos drinking den (higher cocktail prices also keep some punters away). It has live fado (traditional song) on Monday night.

Flight Attendants Discounts in Portugal?

World Of Crew gets you a few awesome deals only for cabin crews in Portugal. Have a look into these and let us know if you manage to visit them during your layover!

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Any Cool Experience to share in Lagos?

How was your layover in Lagos? Did you discover any new places? If so, please do share these useful tips with your fellow cabin crew, by commenting below!

Have a great layover !