Winter Guide To Lagos, Portugal

Where is it? The Algarve, Portugal.
What currency is used? Euro
How do I get there? The nearest airport to Lagos is Faro, the main airport for the Algarve region of Portugal, and there are regular flights to Faro from all of the main airports in the UK; we flew with Jet2. There are buses and trains going straight from Faro into Lagos, but for ease, as the drive is about an hour, I would recommend hiring a car as it’s definitely the quickest and easiest option.

What is there to do? The Algarve is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the summer, but I would argue that it’s even more beautiful in the winter. Although the town isn’t as alive as it would be in the summer you get a more authentic Portuguese experience, and the beaches and restaurants are much quieter. One of my favourite things to do in Lagos is visit Ponta da Piedade, a gorgeous clifftop where you can walk down steps to the sea, where, if you visit on a slightly windier, rougher day, the waves can be rather majestic. Make sure to walk further around the clifftop and take in the magnificent views over the sea; they’ve also recently added in a walkway along this clifftop, where you can walk all the way to Praia de Luz.

Visiting the beach is a must, and Lagos is lucky enough to have lots of gorgeous beaches; our family favourite is Meia Praia, as it’s so easy to walk to from the town and has miles and miles of golden sand. Other beaches, including Praia do Camilo and Pinhao, can be accessed further along the coast, nearer to Ponta da Piedade, by going down the cliffs.

In the summer there are countless waterparks, but don’t fear, there are still plenty of family friendly events in the wintertime too. One of our favourite things to do is mini golf at Pro Putting Garden; watch out for the water squirting frogs! Also, if the weather is good, like it was for us this year, there will probably be people offering boat trips, just head down to the marina to book.

Where should I stay? My family actually own an apartment in the centre of Lagos, so we stay there each time we go; you can rent out our apartment here. There are also lots of gorgeous AirBnbs and hotels right in the centre of the town; this apartment is ideally situated in the centre of town, the views from this apartment are insane and this is my favourite hotel in the town.

Where should I eat? For all of you lovers of seafood, Portuguese cuisine is so, so good. I’m a real lover of fish, so I am always drooling at their shellfish dishes and grilled sardines, both of which I couldn’t resist on our trip. One of our favourite spots to eat at has to be Linda The Beach Bar, a stunning restaurant on the beach, with panoramic views of Meia Praia. I recommend their classic burger (you have to order the bacon and cheese burger without the cheese!) as it is just heavenly. Their tuna mayonnaise baguette is also scrumptious, and their prawn and salmon baguette is definitely next on my list to try!

A favourite in the town, loved by tourists and locals alike, is Adega da Marina, which is situated on the main road running through Lagos. Whenever we walk past this restaurant is always heaving, and more often than not there is a queue of people leading out the door. We managed to get in here on our last trip, I definitely recommend getting there early to ensure you get seated, and I can definitely see why the locals love it so much. I ordered the grilled sardines, and other members of my family had the chicken and the steak. I would definitely recommend ordering a lot of different dishes between you, as this is what I’d do if we go again, and also make sure to order a side salad if you’re a fan of greens, as the dishes literally just include the meat or fish.

If you’re looking for a little home comfort, The Lighthouse, a very English pub situated in the marina, is a perfect option. This is also a great place to visit if you’re a sport fan, as they have countless TVs showing all of the most popular sports. I recommend their garlic prawn linguine! This is also a great place to sit and eat if you want to watch the sunset, as the marina has the most stunning panoramic views of the orange, purple and pink skies.

What night life is there? Lagos is packed full of bars, whether it’s an authentic Portuguese bar nestled away in the centre of town, or a larger bar with a view over the marina, there’s a drinking spot for everyone’s preference. I have visited Lagos at New Year’s Eve and in the summer, two highlights for night life, and I have always found Lagos to be a buzzing town once the sun goes down. For a real night out, Inside Out is the place to go, though it is very different to any club you’d find in the UK, but that’s why I love it!

I would usually end these posts with a quick travel diary of our trip, but as this was a relaxing New Year trip we didn’t really get up to much! We spent most of this trip relaxing and getting over the madness of the festive period, but don’t worry, I’ll have plenty of travel content coming your way very soon.

Love Chloe x