Lagos

If idyllic beaches are your thing then a trip to the Portuguese town of Lagos will be right up your alley. This historic town lies on the Algarve and was once the capital of the region before an earthquake wrought havoc on it in 1755. Once a famous sea port, nowadays most visitors visit Lagos to indulge in its fantastic range of restaurants, 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.

Typical Costs

• Hostel Prices: A night dorm room is about $15 USD per night, while a private room with a shard bathroom about $35.
• Budget Hotel Prices: A double room in a hotel begins at $35 per night.
• Average Cost of Food: You can find snacks in bakeries for around $2, light meals and sandwiches for around $8, and fast food for around the the same price. If you want sit down meal with drinks, you’re looking at spending closer to $20 or more. Groceries will cost around $40 for a week’s worth of food. Because of all the backpackers in the city, there are a lot of cheap food options in the city.
• Transportation Costs: The bus travels throughout the town and costs $2 USD per trip.

Top Things to Do

• Lounge at the beach – One of the main reasons to visit Lagos is to laze on one of its beaches. The beaches range from the long, broad Meia Praia on the eastern edge of town, usually crowded in summer with a young crowd, volleyball and beach bars, to the secluded coves beneath the towering cliffs of the Ponta da Piedade.
• Eat, Eat, Eat – Lagos is full of lovely little restaurants where you can order fish, meat dishes, and tapas. There are also many vegetarian restaurants in town. Lagos is great city to eat in, especially if you are on a budget.
• Go diving- The coastline between Lagos and Sagres is the site of numerous underwater caves and shipwrecks. One dive with equipment will cost you $65.
• Visit the fish market – Get here early and see a wonderful selection of fresh sea food as it’s pulled in from the ocean. On the first floor there is a fruit and veg market, and above that is the terrace and roof top veranda with restaurant. This is a great place to spend a morning and buy some fresh food.
• 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 where 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 hundred years up to 10,000 slaves were being shipped from Africa every year just to meet Portuguese demand alone. The Customs House now serves as an art gallery which is free entry.
• Explore the historic churches - Built in the 16th Century the Church of Santa Maria became the Parish church of Lagos in the mid-18th century as the old Parish church was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. The 18^th Century Church of Santo António sits just off the waterfront The altar is decorated with some of Portugal’s most notable baroque gilt carvings.
• See the castle - There is a small castle sitting by the river. It has been very nicely restored and turned in to a small museum . Don’t forget your camera because once at the top there are breath-taking views of the sea. It’s located very close to the center of town. Admission is $3.

Budget Tips

• COMING SOON!!!