The Algarve region of Portugal is simply magical: sun-soaked cliffs with breathtaking views, mouthwatering cuisine, and a dash of history create the perfect adventure. This travel guide is a two-day itinerary in Lagos, Portugal, that promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Whether you’re into history, consider yourself a beach bum, or a foodie, this Lagos itinerary is perfect for you!
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Located in Portugal’s Algarve region, Lagos is famous for its dramatic coastline, sunny weather and friendly locals. Whether you’re into relaxing on sandy beaches, exploring sea caves by kayak or the elaborate history, Lagos has something that will stick with you long after you leave.
This region in Portugal strikes the perfect balance between lively and chill – great for couples, solo travelers and even families. The mix of beach time, cobblestone streets of old town (it reminds me of my 2 days in Athens, Greece!), and fresh seafood makes it a destination that feels both relaxing and exciting at the same time.
👉Don’t have time to read the whole article? This is the best boat tour for seeing the gorgeous Algarve coast from the water!
Map of your 2 days in Lagos
This is a map of the itinerary in this guide. If you’re curious about what to do in Lagos, check out the icons within the map and the descriptions below.
Before diving into what to do on each day of your time in Lagos, let’s go over some details that will help you plan your trip.
How to get around Lagos
Honestly, there are so many options in Southern Portugal for transportation! I truly love this about European cities!
- On foot: Lagos is a walkable city and the region lends itself well to those who don’t have a rental car.
- Rental car: having a rental car allows you to venture further out from the city and provides flexibility.
- Bus: this is a super common way to get around Lagos. It’s affordable and reliable.
- Taxi/rideshare: this is also a very reasonable option for local transportation, especially if you’ve already been walking a lot or if it’s rainy or really hot.
If you opt for a rental car, I recommend searching with Discover Cars. It’s a free search tool that finds the best rate from all the major rental companies. I typically save 10-30% using Discover Cars!
👉Planning to explore Portugal further? Check out this complete Portugal Travel Guide for easy planning!
Where to stay in Lagos
You’ll want a location convenient location while staying in Lagos. These are my recommendations:
- Costa D’Oiro Ambiance Village: this charming hotel is a great location for walking to the beach or town. I loved the pools and the restaurant for breakfast and dinner, too!
- Carvi Beach Hotel: located right on the water, this hotel has stunning views with quick access to beaches and the dramatic shoreline. Be sure to have dinner at Luca’s here, too.
What to pack for your Lagos itinerary
Be prepared for an amazing two days in Lagos with these essentials!
- Comfortable shoes. You’ll do a lot of walking, and the town is mostly cobblestone. Bring comfortable shoes. I loved my Vessi shoes during my time in Portugal!
- Seasonal layers. Summer is hot, winter is cold, and the between seasons require layers. The weather can change throughout the day, so pack layers for comfort.
- Sun protection: sunglasses, hat, and mineral sunscreen are essentials for Lagos!
- Portable charger: you’ll be taking lots of photos and using GPS, so keep a battery handy to recharge.
- US-Europe adapter plug. If you’re from the US, you’ll need an adaptor to charge anything. I love this two-pack because it can charge all my devices easily.
- Shoulder bag or backpack: carry around your essentials like water, money, charger, sunblock and more in a small yet comfortable day bag.
- Umbrella or rain jacket. In the cooler months, rain is common. I was certainly happy to have both during my time in Lagos!
- Packing cubes. I love these packing cubes to squeeze everything together. They’ve traveled with me everywhere; from San Juan Puerto Rico to the best beaches in the Bahamas, while exploring Mykonos and Santorini, and many more places.
- Reliable luggage. You’ll want great luggage to handle in Europe. I love Level8 Luggage for the size options and value it offers for the price. This carry-on was perfect in Lagos! Use code SSST for 10% off!
Day 1 on this Lagos itinerary
Your first day in Lagos is a perfect blend of city and nature. Let’s dive in!
Morning: Old Town Lagos
Grab some breakfast at your hotel, or head to a nearby coffee shop. Pastry and coffee shops truly abundant in Portugal, and definitely in Lagos.
Then head down to Old Town Lagos. This area is made up of adorable tile buildings, lots of shops and restaurants. Walk the cobblestone streets and marvel at the architecture!
There’s an abundant amount of souvenir shops here, too. From kids toys and outfits to seasonal clothing and hand-made pottery and Portuguese tiles, there’s so much to see and do in Old Town Lagos.
Patel de Nata at Adoce a Vida
Worth pointing out, I’ve had patel de nata all over Lisbon and Portugal, and my very favorite version of it is at Adoce a Vida. It’s delightful and amazing and a must-do during your two days in Lagos!
Of course, there’s coffee and other treats here as well.
Pro tip: you’ll want comfortable shoes for walking on the cobblestone. I loved my Vessi’s for this area of Lagos!
Lunch: Lagos Old Town
While you’re in the area, grab some lunch and enjoy the view. One of the things I love about western Europe is the café culture and people watching. People are always eating outdoors!
Afternoon: explore the Ponta Da Piedade
One of the most scenic places in all of Portugal is the Ponta Da Piedade! It’s a boardwalk that takes you along the coast for incredible views!
This coastline includes cool rock formations that are simply incredible to see in person. It’s a must-do on this Lagos itinerary in Southern Portugal. The limestone cliffs are abundant and have been weathered away for centuries, leaving a beautiful coastline.
The boardwalk was built for safety and to preserve the eroding cliffs, so there’s signs saying to stay on it, instead of walking out to the cliff edge.
Ponta Da Piedade goes all along the coast, you could literally spend the entire day exploring all the views. I’d recommend spending at least one hour on foot, even more if you can. There’s also staircases down to the beaches where you can see the formations from another viewpoint, and even enjoy the beach.
Dinner at Luca’s Rooftop
One of my very favorite places to eat in Lagos is Luca’s Rooftop. Literally everything on their menu is so so so good! I especially love the vegetable curry – yum!
Pro tip: you’ll probably want a reservation for Luca’s, especially during the busy summer season.
👉Grab this Portugal Travel Guide to easily plan your trip to the Algarve and more!
Day 2 in Lagos Portugal
Another mix of exploring nature and soaking in the history of the area. Oh, and additional options based on the season you’re traveling to Lagos!
Morning: boat or kayak tour (a favorite activity on this Lagos itinerary)
Kick off your second day in Lagos by grabbing breakfast in your hotel or a spot nearby.
Next, head out on a kayak tour or boat tour to see the limestone cliffs up close! Day one includes these fun rock formations from above, but it’s a whole other view from the water!
With towering cliffs and hidden grottoes, you’ll have plenty to see and explore.
Note: these tours operate during the warm months when the water is calmest.
Alternative morning: Marina and Praia dos Estudiantes
If you’re not a fan of being on the water, then an alternative way to spend the morning during this Lagos itinerary is to take a leisurely morning to see more of it from another viewpoint! Grab breakfast at a convenient location, then head to the waterfront near Lagos Old Town.
The marina is a fun place to walk around, listening to street performers and seeing what the vendors have to offer. Further up the road is the famous Praia dos Estudiantes
The beach caves are fun to walk through and take photos of. What an absolutely beautiful area of Portugal!
Lunch day 2: Lagos Old Town
Another day in Portugal, another great lunch! I loved the kebab and Indian food options in Lagos Old Town. Of course, you could go for traditional Portuguese food, pizza or a variety of other options as well.
You could do gelato after if that’s what you’re into! My favorite gelato spot in Lagos is Gelicia.
Afternoon: museum tour
The museums in Lagos each offer something unique. You could spend an hour checking out one spot, or the afternoon bouncing between!
- I really enjoyed Museu de Lagos Dr. Jose Formosinho’s collection. The chapel with all the gold was especially stunning (fact check).
- The Centro Ciencia Viva de Lagos is a science museum, which is also family-friendly if you’re traveling with kids.
Alternative afternoon: trip to Sagres
This gem in southern Portugal is just about an hour west of Lagos, which is convenient if you have a rental car. Filled with beaches and more history, a day trip to Sagres might just be the perfect way to spend the day!you can visit the Sabres Fortress,
I recommend seeing some of the area’s incredible beaches (beach gal here, can you tell😉) like Praia da Mareta, Praia do Tonel or Praia do Beliche.
And perhaps what Sagres is most famous for, you’ll definitely want to check out the Sagres Fortress. This area was once known as the end of the world, before the Americas were ‘discovered’ by Europeans.
The views and history within the fort are worthy of a visit!
Dinner
Whether you choose to spend your afternoon in Sagres or Lagos, there’s plenty of places to choose from for dinner! I loved the vibe at the Laundry Lounge Bar and the affordable pricing at House of Kebab!
Or, search a spot that’s open and close to your accommodations. There’s so many options to choose from!
2 days: Lagos itinerary – that’s a wrap!
Can you believe this dreamy spot in Southern Portugal? Rich in history and surrounded by stunning landscapes, this area will truly blow you away!
This two day itinerary for Lagos, Portugal will have you busy enough to get a feel for the area, but not so swamped you’ll be stressed during your valuable vacation time! I hope you enjoy your time in Lagos, Portugal!
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