Pronounced lah-goash, lah-goosh, or lay-gos (we’re still not really sure) this seaside city was our second and final stop in Portugal. What a major difference to the relatively quiet charm of Lisbon.

Lagos is Lisbon’s wild younger sibling - full of nightlife, live music, and a surplus of beach-going crowds.

Lagos, Portugal

Kyle and I made the journey two hours south of Lisbon (more on visiting Lisbon) by bus. Once we arrived, we made our way up yet another…. cobble-tiled hill to our first home-stay of our year abroad. Yep, I said home-stay. Our host, Mirelia, met us at the door and gave us the grand tour of her home and introduced us to her pup, Noah.

We were both excited to be sharing the space with other travelers while also having a local host be able to guide us if needed. Mirelia’s place was perfect- a close proximity to the center of town, clean and comfortable, with a Kyle-sized shower, and a large and breezy rooftop patio with beautiful views of Lagos and the marina below.

After dropping our bags, our ears were drawn to the lively noises drifting up from the squares in the center of the city. We strolled down the steep alleyways cascading with off-white awnings, tables, and chairs and followed the sound of music that echoed throughout Praça Gil Eanes. The sweet scent of expensive perfumes mixed so well with the sea salted air around us- Lagos is a sea of exotic people and full of energy.

If you’re a foodie, like we are, the restaurant scene in Lagos is sure to impress! From international cuisines, fresh seafood, upscale, and budget-friendly options, there’s not much that Lagos doesn’t offer. One of our favorite stops was a walk-up and take-away panini shop, La Focaccia, where we could grab a freshly made panini and a drink for 6 euros before heading to the beach. And if you’re a digital nomad or just love a good spot for coffee in the morning, Abigail’s Cafe was a great place to connect to wifi and enjoy a good brunch.

For the few days that we enjoyed Lagos, our trip to Praia Dona Ana was by far one of the most memorable. After hiking the sandstone cliffs, we made our way down to the sandy shore where the crystal clear (and ice cold) Atlantic met our toes. I can honestly say that the views from the top took my breath away, and it’s an absolute must-see if you find yourself in this part of the world.

(Tip: For some of the most remarkable views of the crags I recommend visiting the south facing tip of Lagos at the Ponta da Piedade Viewpoint. A beautiful (and lengthy) hike or a 10 minute Uber ride for 5$.)

Three days in Lagos was definitely not enough for me. I could have stayed an entire week or more if we’d had all the time in the world (and maybe a quieter place to lay our heads at night).

EXPERIENCE LAGOS

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EXPERIENCE LAGOS 〰️

Lagos Top 5:

Hiking to Ponta da Piedade Viewpoint for a view of the sandstone cliffs and the grotto below. They offer several boat and kayak tours here too if you want to view Lagos and all of its beauty from a different perspective.
Grabbing all-you-can-eat sushi from My Sushi- it should only cost you 10$ per person if you read the instructions and do it correctly. (We did not. It ended up costing us $50 USD. Don’t ask.. we’re not proud.)
Sunbathing on one of the local beaches (our favorite was Praia Dona Ana) but if you’re a little more adventurous you may like the clothing-optional beach of Praia dos Pinheiros.
Catching the nightly street performances in Praça Gil Eanes.
Beach day in Salema - Brace yourself for the ice cold and crystal clear water and check out our day trip here.