Our 8 Favorite Beaches in Lagos, Portugal: A Detailed Guide

Everyone we’ve met in Lagos seems to approach the town in their own way. Some are here for the nightlife, others for the charming historic Old Town. And of course, there are plenty of travelers drawn by the beautiful beaches in Lagos and the Algarve’s abundant sunshine.

Three weeks into our time here, and Lori and I are finding that our experience has definitely centered around the beaches. You don’t need a car to explore most of the best beaches in Lagos, and there are more beaches within a mile of Old Town than there are days of the week.

This guide focuses on the Lagos beaches we keep coming back to. Each one is easy to reach, straightforward to enjoy, and offers its own unique vibe.

We’ve also included maps, essential information—why go, activities, facilities, how to get there, food & lodging nearby—and lots of tips to make your Lagos beach day fun and easy.

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We put together this map of the best beaches in Lagos to help you get oriented. The map above measures just 3km (2 mi.) from top to bottom, which should give you some idea of how compact and accessible Lagos is.

It’s worth noting that about half of the beaches on the map, above, are connected by an excellent network of raised boardwalks. All the beaches on our list, below, are easily accessible via stairs or pathways.

Now, let’s dive in!

A Detailed Guide to the Best Lagos Beaches

If the sun is shining and we’re up for a twenty-minute walk from Old Town, Praia do Camilo is usually where we head to first.

This is perhaps one of the best beaches in Lagos to get that cliffs-and-stairs experience that shows up in Lagos photos and postcards everywhere.

Praia do Camilo isn’t the biggest, and it’s not the easiest to reach, but we think the payoff makes the effort worth it.

After descending the long wooden staircase, it sort of feels like you’ve stepped into a secret corner of the Algarve. Camilo is by no means a secret, but the high cliffs and calmer atmosphere can often make it feel that way.

We’ve returned to Praia do Camilo multiple times, both early in the morning and close to sunset, and each visit confirms why it keeps landing on “best beaches in Lagos” lists.

The hidden pockets and alcoves keep it from feeling crazy on the weekends, and the two small coves connected by a hand-carved tunnel add a fun element (the boys love exploring here).

✓ Why Go Camilo has a reputation for being one of the standout Lagos beaches, and its clear why from the outset—the long staircase gives you a clear view of what you’re walking down to, and the beach itself is split into small coves that feel tucked away. Even though it gets busy in summer, the layout helps it keep a calm, manageable feel.

✓ Activities Swimming and snorkeling are the main draws here. The water near the rocks tends to be good for spotting fish, and it’s easy to join a kayak tour that passes by Camilo from the marina. A lot of people we see just stop long enough to enjoy the walk down, take photos of the outlook, and hop between coves during low tide.

✓ Facilities Camilo is light on amenities. You’ll find a restaurant at the top of the stairs, seasonal lifeguards, and basic safety signage, but that’s about it. Most people pack in their own umbrellas, snacks, and gear. Because the beach is compact, arriving earlier helps with finding a spot.

✓ How to Get There Walking from Lagos old town takes about 20 to 25 minutes. You can utilize the raised boardwalk network for about half of the route there, so it’s a pleasant walk. Driving is quick and easy, but parking fills up early. If you’re traveling during high season, aim to get there before 10 a.m.

✓ Food Nearby Restaurante Camilo, just above the staircase, is the most convenient option for seafood and lighter meals. If you’d rather eat in town, it’s an easy walk back to cafés with more casual pricing.

✓ Lodging Nearby Uma Casa a Beira Sol sits in a prime location for anyone who wants to visit multiple cliffside beaches without relying on transportation. The property is spread out, calm, and designed for travelers who want good access to the coast.

✪ Hot Tip If you want to enjoy Camilo without crowds, come early. Even during busier periods, we’ve found that the first hour or two after sunrise stays surprisingly peaceful.

If you had to choose just one beach in Lagos to visit, Praia Dona Ana ticks all the boxes.

It’s close to town, yet far enough away not to get completely inundated with visitors during much of the year. It’s got the classic Algarve cliffs you’re probably envisioning, and there’s plenty of space to spread out.

We think families will appreciate the calmer water, backpackers will like the easy walk from town, and travelers staying in nearby guesthouses end up here by default because it’s pretty darn convenient.

It’s the sort of beach where you can show up with a towel and not much else and still have a great day.

Even if you’re exploring beaches in Lagos for only a short time, it’s smart to put Praia Dona Ana high on your list because it gives you a quick, reliable dose of the region’s signature coastline.

✓ Why Go It’s bigger than Camilo and feels more open, but still has that quintessential Algarve look with rock formations plunging into the water. Dona Ana is a beach that pretty much works well for everything: short swims, longer beach days, and quick visits on the way back to town. It’s one of the easiest beaches in Lagos to reach on foot, which helps a lot if you don’t want to deal with parking or keep track of bus schedules.

✓ Activities Swimming is the main activity here. The waves tend to be calm to moderate, and the beach shape creates natural sections where families gather and swimmers spread out. There’s generally enough space for paddleboarders and kayakers, too. Low tide opens up pathways around the rock formations, offering more to explore.

✓ Facilities Dona Ana is well-stocked (more so in the summer time): seasonal sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, and lifeguards, and stairs with rails make access straightforward. It’s one of the few beaches in town where you can stay all day without needing much advance planning (particularly in high season).

✓ How to Get There From Lagos old town, the walk is around 15 minutes. You’ll follow sidewalks and the boardwalk, making it simpler than some of the neighboring beaches. There’s a small parking lot on top of the cliffs, but spaces are limited. The #2 (Linha 2) Onda Bus also services Praia Dona Ana, but you’ll want to check the schedule at it only runs every hour or so.

✓ Food Nearby Marisol is a reliable bet for baguette sandwiches, snacks, and drinks on the beach. There are also a handful of cafes tucked into the hotel enclave around the parking lot.

✓ Lodging Nearby Carvi Beach Hotel basically overlooks the beach, offering quick access and straightforward rooms. Its rooftop pool is a nice perk if you want a swim without sand.

✪ Hot Tip If you prefer sun throughout the day, arrive early. The cliffs create shifting shade, especially late in the afternoon.

Don’t let the diminuitive size of Praia Estudantes fool you—this beach packs a punch.

Most folks seem to seek out Estudantes for the grotto tunnels, which provide access to neighboring Praia da Caldeira. What’s there, you ask? Lagos’ iconic and frequently photographed Roman-style stone footbridge connecting two towering rock formations.

If you’ve seen photos of Lagos with a natural stone bridge framing the water, there’s a good chance it was taken from somewhere above or near Praia da Caldeira.

Even without these two attractions, the beach, itself, is a picture-perfect slice of Algarve paradise, conveniently located just steps from Old Town. When we’re feeling lazy, this is where we head.

Keep in mind that both of these Lagos beaches (and access between the two) are heavily affected by the tides, so we recommend checking your tide tables before visiting.

It’s also worth mentioning that you can’t walk across the stone footbridge, unfortunately. But it still makes for a nice view.

✓ Why Go This is one of the best Lagos beaches for travelers who want something easy to reach without sacrificing the area’s famous cliff scenery. The stone bridge is the defining feature, giving the beach a distinctive look that shows up in a lot of Lagos photos.

✓ Activities Swimming, sunbathing, and light snorkeling on calm days. If you arrive during low tide, you can explore the connecting tunnels between the small beach pockets.

✓ Facilities There are no facilities here—no cafés, bathrooms, or sunbeds most of the year. We hear that lifeguards sometimes appear in the summer.

✓ How to Get There It’s an 8–10 minute walk from the center of Lagos old town, making it one of the easiest Lagos beaches to visit without transportation.

✓ Food Nearby Since the beach doesn’t have its own services, you’ll need to head back into town for food and drinks. But your close enough that it won’t feel too inconvenient.

✓ Lodging Nearby Apartamentos Marvela is a solid mid-range choice that puts you close to multiple beaches and offers larger rooms than many hotels in the area.

✪ Hot Tip Visit early for photos. The arch is one of Lagos’s most photographed features, and morning timing helps you avoid the crowds.

If you find yourself bouncing between beaches in Lagos and want a break from the busier spots, we’ve found that Praia do Pinhão is often a quieter choice.

We first stumbled upon this one by accident (trying to access the stone footbridge from above and discovering it’s not possible).

The path there is a bit hidden (see below), but it’s worth the effort for a more peaceful and less commercial alternative, especially during the busier months.

✓ Why Go It’s more compact than Dona Ana and Camilo, but it’s also a lot less busy. Pinhão tends to attract travelers who want a quieter day without having to venture far from the main part of town. It also connects at low tide to small pockets of sand and small rock areas that give you more room than we expected.

✓ Activities Swimming and sunbathing are the primary activities here. The beach is simple—no rental operations, no restaurants, no organized tours—so it’s a great spot to chill out and unwind.

✓ Facilities No facilities here. You won’t find sunbeds, restaurants, or bathrooms down on the sand. Bring what you need and plan to wander back toward town for food or drinks.

✓ How to Get There It’s one of the shortest walks from Lagos old town, roughly 10 to 12 minutes. It makes for a good “first stop” if you’re boardwalk-hopping your way south to Ponta da Piadade. You can access the beach by first heading to Pinhão Restaurant & Bar, then following the road on the left side of the building (Rua Jose Formosinho) until you arrive at the clearly-marked boardwalk on your right.

✓ Food Nearby Pinhão Restaurant & Bar offers a huge and diverse menu (though the prices are higher than what you’ll find back in town).

✓ Lodging Nearby Apartamentos Marvela is a hop-skip-and-a-jump from Praia do Pinhão, offering large, mid-range accommodation and a convenient location to town and other beaches.

✪ Hot Tip Visit during low tide to access little side coves that aren’t reachable when the water is high.

Praia da Batata is the closest beach to central Lagos and the first one we stumbled upon after arriving here. Since then, we’ve found ourselves stopping here countless times, usually on days when we just need a quick beach fix.

Due to its central location, Praia da Batata sees a steady stream of travelers, locals, kayakers, and tour groups heading out to the grottos. The result is a beach with a bit of everything happening at once, which gives it a livelier vibe than the more secluded Lagos beaches farther south.

Be sure to explore the many nooks and crannies as there are many hidden spots in and around this beach.

✓ Why Go If you want a beach you can walk to from Old Town in under five minutes, Batata is your answer. It’s not the most dramatic and photogenic of the beaches in Lagos, but it’s extremely convenient and works well for quick swims, meeting friends, or visiting after a meal in the old town.

✓ Activities Swimming, paddleboarding near the entrance, and beach volleyball during busy periods. Because it’s next to the tourist piers and kayak rental shops, you’ll see a lot of boat tours leaving and returning, making it easy to combine a short swim with a tour.

✓ Facilities Seasonal sunbeds, umbrellas, bathrooms, lifeguards, and snack options nearby make this a low-effort choice for families and other travelers.

✓ How to Get There Walk through the Porta de São Gonçalo (old main city gate that looks like the entrance to an ancient fort) and you’re practically there. This is the most accessible beach in town.

✓ Food Nearby Mar Restaurant overlooks the beach from the south. But if snacks or a meal are what you crave, there are better options a short walk away in Old Town.

✓ Lodging Nearby Porta da Vila Apartments sits just inside the old city walls and offers modern rooms and easy access to both town and the beach.

✪ Hot Tip This is a major hub for kayak rentals and boat tours. Late afternoon is the best time to visit if you want a bit more space and mellow conditions.

Set apart in the far southwestern corner of Lagos, the Porto de Mós neighborhood of town has a vibe all its own—and so does its beach.

Praia do Porto de Mós is wide and open-feeling, much like a smaller Meia Praia, but with the characteristic golden cliffs for which the Algarve coast is known.

On busy weekends, we tend to make the pilgrimage here on foot or by bus. If you happen to have your own wheels, your in luck. The parking lot here is one of the largest beach lots in town.

The south-facing orientation of Praia do Porto de Mós also makes it a fantastic beach for surfing in Lagos and catching the sunset (especially during the winter month).

And there may be no better place in town to grab a beach sundowner than at Campimar, right at the edge of the sand.

✓ Why Go This is one of the best Lagos beaches if you enjoy long walks or prefer more room to stretch out than the cliffside beaches can offer. It’s also good for days when you want a beach that stays sunny throughout most of the day without too many shadows creeping in (perfect for those shorter winter beach days).

✓ Activities Surfers come here for consistent conditions, especially in winter. During summer, it’s popular for swimming, sunbathing, and walking along the long shoreline. The restaurants at each end of the beach make it easy to combine swimming and lunch without a whole lot of pre-planning.

✓ Facilities Porto de Mós has sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and lifeguards during the busier season. Having two beachfront restaurants gives it more infrastructure than many beaches in the area.

✓ How to Get There Walking from Lagos takes us about 30 minutes, though most people opt for a quick drive or taxi/Uber. Parking is available along the cliffs, but peak days do fill up early. The #2 (Linha 2) Onda Bus conveniently services Praia do Porto de Mós and Old Town but with limited departures, so you’ll want to check the schedule.

✓ Food Nearby O António and Campimar offer seafood, salads, and drinks with beach views. They stay busy but are reliable choices for lunch or dinner.

✓ Lodging Nearby Villa Esmeralda is a small boutique hotel with easy access to clifftop paths, the beach, and the center of Porto de Mós. It’s a good pick for couples or travelers who are looking for a comfortable and quiet place away from the tourist crowds.

✪ Hot Tip Come in the early evening if you want to pair a swim with sunset. The wide horizon makes Porto de Mós one of the better sunset-viewing beaches around Lagos.

Stretching for 5km, Meia Praia is easily the longest beach in Lagos. This is the ideal pick for beachgoers who crave space and lots of it.

The first time we stepped onto this beach, the sheer size surprised us—you can pretty much walk and walk and walk until you’ve completely lost track of how far you’ve gone.

This is one of the go-to beaches in town for surfers, wind surfers, runners, football (soccer) players, and anyone who just wants a long walk to clear their mind.

✓ Why Go If you’ve visited the cliff beaches to the south of Old Town and want a totally different kind of beach experience, then Meia Praia is your place. It stretches for five kilometers, so you can always find space regardless of how busy the town gets.

✓ Activities Kitesurfing is popular when the wind picks up, and paddleboarding is common on calmer days. We also see a lot of surfers here in the fall and winter months. Long walks and running are also popular activities due to the flat terrain that stretches for miles.

✓ Facilities There are several restaurants spread out along the coast offering seasonal sunbeds and umbrellas. Many of the restaurants are connected by a series of boardwalks. Parking is available in designated lots at various points, and lifeguards are present during high season on some of the more popular stretches. Waterslide paddleboats are also available for rent when the conditions are calm.

✓ How to Get There It’s a longer walk from Lagos old town (20–30 minutes), but you can take a bus, drive, or taxi/Uber. With that said, it will be the most accessible beach to you if you’re staying around the marina. The #2 (Linha 2) Onda Bus services Praia Dona Ana, but you’ll want to check the schedule at it only runs every hour or so.

✓ Food Nearby As we’ve said, this beach is long, and there are plenty of options spread out over much of its length. On the western end (closest to Old Town), Bahia Beach Bar is a reliably good option for fresh seafood, apps, and drinks. It’s a bit on the spendy side, but a better value than most places on Meia Praia (at least in our opinion).

✓ Lodging Nearby Vila Gale Lagos is the most convenient hotel for Meia Praia, set just a few minutes from the sand and offering resort-style amenities.

✪ Hot Tip Walk farther down the beach if you want quieter areas. The crowds thin quickly once you move away from Old Town and the main entrances.

Even though Praia da Luz isn’t technically in Lagos, it’s close enough—and popular enough—that many travelers seem to combine visits to both with ease.

We especially recommend heading to Praia da Luz if you’re doing an extended stay in Lagos and want a change of pace (or a nearby beach with more of a village feel around it).

It’s a great place to combine a leisurely stroll through town, a bite to eat, and some quality beach time, all in a compact area.

✓ Why Go Luz offers a more resort-style environment while still feeling relaxed and unhurried. The beach is wide and sheltered, and the promenade has a number of good options for food and drinks. It’s especially great for those looking to mix things up and explore a different part of the area.

✓ Activities Swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling near the rocks, and beach walks. The sheltered bay makes it relatively family-friendly. Many travelers rent SUP boards here because the conditions tend to be predictable. In the cooler months, the beach offers consistent and forgiving conditions for beginner surfers.

✓ Facilities Luz has everything: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, lifeguards, restrooms, and a well-developed waterfront, making it easy to spend the entire day here.

✓ How to Get There Drive there in ten minutes, or take a short local bus (#47 is a good bet), which takes around 15 minutes. Catch it right along the main promenade in Lagos headed south.

✓ Food Nearby The Luz promenade has plenty of choices (Boaty’s Tapas Café is one popular option). But if you’re willing to walk up the hill a bit, the view at Fortaleza da Luz is tops. If you want something quick, there are a number of beach shacks that can do that as well.

✓ Lodging Nearby Luz is all about resort-style apartment stays, and there are numerous excellent options throughout town.

✪ Hot Tip Walk the coastal trail toward Porto de Mós for superb coastal views and a low-effort, high-reward activity to your day.

Final Thoughts

Lori and I didn’t come to Lagos just for the beautiful beaches, but they’ve quickly become an integral part of our daily life here. We’ve been amazed by how accessible so many Lagos beaches are, and how many there are in a one or two kilometer radius not far from town.

Most of the beaches on this list are pretty easy to access, either via a short walk, driving, or taking the public bus. And most offer dining, drinking, and other services nearby.

We hope you enjoyed our guide to our favorite beaches in Lagos, Portugal! See you at the beach!

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