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| Avenida dos Descombrimentos - Lagos |
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Considered to be one of the most liked towns in the Algarve, Lagos is famed for being the birthplace of the great discoveries, where Henry the Navigator launched his ships to unknown and mysterious destinations. Lagos celebrates it’s esteemed historical past with statues, museums and preserved ruins.
Today Lagos is a beautiful place, a mix of ancient and modern buildings with a relaxed atmosphere. You will often be greeted with a cheery smile & “Bom Dia!” from locals. In its winding cobbled streets you will find amazing array of shops and restaurants.
Once night has fallen and the last shoppers have long gone, Lagos undergoes a metamorphosis bursting with bars and clubs for those seeking buzzing nightlife.
5 kilometres west of Lagos is Praia da Luz, once a traditional fishing village Luz has, in recent years welcomed tourism and blossomed into a gently bustling haven for tourists from the North of Portugal, as well as the UK and other European countries. Luz is well equipped for the holiday maker with 5 small supermarkets, pharmacy, bars, and restaurants catering for every palate and an array of shops from electrical suppliers to beach wear.
Just 3 kilometres west of Praia da Luz is Burgau, bordering the national park area known as the Costa Vicentina, it is still a working fishing village. At night it is possible to see the fishermen in their boats fishing by lantern light in the bay. Burgau village is composed of narrow cobbled lanes crammed with white-washed houses that lead down a steep hill to the beach, restaurants and bars.
Salema is the next coastal village after Burgau. The centre is a sleepy little place with a wide sandy beach and a sprinkling of bars and restaurants. Holiday accommodation includes guest houses, a hotel and many apartments, townhouses and villas.
Most famously known for being the ‘End of the World’, Sagres is the most south-westerly town in Europe. This was the port from which the great hero of Portugal’s history – Prince Henry the Navigator set sail to discover new frontiers. Another famous discoverer also set sail from this innocuous little town in his quest to find the New World, one Christopher Columbus! Today Sagres and Cape St. Vincent draw many tourists, some interested in historical buildings, the spectacular scenery and rare plant and bird life. While watersports enthusiasts are eager to take advantage of the amazing winds and tides.
The Western Algarve is littered with glorious sandy beaches, many holding the prestigious blue flag for high standards of safety, facilities and cleanliness. Below are just a selection starting from Lagos and ending with those in Sagres.
Meia Praia is the biggest beach in Lagos stretching round to the Alvor river estuary from Lagos Marina. There are many beach bars scattered along the length of this long open beach. Best to take your own sunshade as there is no natural shade.
Batata is small and just a stones throw from the middle of town, next to the fort at the harbour entrance.
Dona Ana is a highly popular beach at the bottom of steep cliffs, a set of steps from the parking area close the Hotel Golfinho gives access to this sheltered beach.
Porto do Mós is situated on the western side of Lagos, in a small bay edged by cliffs.
Praia da Luz is popular for many reasons this beautiful bay sits infront of the village of Luz and stretches eastward beyond the village perimeter and to the west the golden sandy beach surrenders to a rocky outcrop.
Burgau beach is situated at the bottom of a steep hill that is Burgau village. Popular for snorkelling and scuba diving, as well as an anchorage point for passing yachts wishing to take advantage of the quiet cove and excellent beach bar. Parking it limited so best to arrive early.
Salema beach is a long sandy beach enclosed at each extremity by dramatic cliffs. Popular with windsurfers, snorkellers and scuba divers, Salema is also a working fishing village with fishermen bringing in their catch in the early morning for sale on the beachside.
Zavial is tucked away of the EN125 at Raposeira. A surfers’ hotspot it also has a discreet naturist area to its extreme far left.
Martinhal is just before the entrance to the town of Sagres, it has a large swaith of sand with a beach bars at each end and also a windsurf school to the far right which makes for spectacular viewing from the beach.
Tonel is located on the western side of the Sagres headland and is open to westerly winds and Atlantic breakers.
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