Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Lagos?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Lagos?
Most visitors spend three to five days in Lagos when visiting. The scenic resort town offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the beaches, the beautiful scenery, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the hiking.
Lagos has long been a favorite holiday destination for both European and international travelers. The resort town is famous for its stunning golden beaches that have dramatic rock formations as well as stretches of sand. The town itself has a historic center with many great restaurants and a fun atmosphere. The area is popular with all types of travelers, from backpackers to families, honeymooners, and resort-goers.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Lagos? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Lagos?
Three days is generally not enough time to experience the beach and other activities of Lagos. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy the most popular activities such as the beaches, the beautiful scenery, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the hiking. To genuinely appreciate the scenic resort town, a longer visit is recommended so that you can have more time to relax at the beach. Many tourists opt for at least 3 or as many as 5 days here, after all. After all, As a popular and famous resort town, Lagos offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend 3 days in Lagos
The beautiful beaches await you in Lagos, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana. For convenience, Praia da Batata is the closest beach to town. Praia de Porto de Mós is one of the more quiet beaches, but it's still along a bus line. For beautiful nature head to either Praia dos Estudantes or Praia dos Pinheiros.
A few tour suggestions include:
- TUK TUK Tour around Lagos Old & New Town & beaches - Best way to know Lagos ($32)
- Kayak 2H30 Grottos Ponta da Piedade - Lagos ($44)
- 2 Hour Surf Lesson at the Beautiful Algarvian West Coast ($71)
Lagos is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With its dramatic landscapes and beautiful beaches, this area is truly one-of-a-kind.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Full-Day West Coast Adventure with Hiking, Sunset, Dinner & Wine ($120)
- Boat trip to the grottos at Ponta da Piedade, Lagos ($25)
- Boat Trip to Ponta da Piedade from Lagos ($25)
Don't miss Ponta da Piedade during your trip to Lagos, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this resort town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The city offers some of the best food in the Algarve. The old town has plenty of restaurants that are both affordable and high quality. Seafood is the obvious choice, but you'll also find tapas, paellas, and local dishes such as cataplana (a seafood and chorizo stew). Most restaurants serve up a local fish of the day as well as prawns and other seafood items.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Lagos Wine Tasting and Tapas ($44)
- Classic Food Tour - Lagos ($97)
- Small-Group Day Tour of Silves and Monchique with Wine Tasting ($86)
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Lagos is very popular. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. With its unique rock formations and caves, there are many spots where you can snorkel or scuba dive nearby. There's also sparkling blue waters and plenty of marine life including lobster, shrimp, anemones, octopuses, and brightly colored fish.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kayak tour in Lagos to visit the caves and snorkel. ($38)
This resort town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has a mellow vibe, even at night, but that's not to say there aren't good parties going on, particularly during the peak of the travel season. There's a local charm to the nightlife scene here and you'll likely start to recognize other party-goers. Many of the bars are housed in character-filled old buildings which can feel a bit cramped, but that's all part of the charm.
Is 4 days enough time in Lagos?
Lagos offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. So, four days is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything in Lagos while also relaxing at the beach. Most visitors prefer to spend three to five days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Lagos is popular with families, couples, and backpackers which enjoy visiting because the city offers fun activities for them.
Lagos, Portugal
How to spend 4 days in Lagos
If you have more than 4 days in Lagos, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the resort town has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Lagos sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The city makes an excellent base for exploring some of the nearby hikes and walks. Favorite places to hike include the famous Ponte de Piedade Trail, which is the last part of the multi-day Fisherman's Trail. It takes you by many beautiful rock formations and scenic viewpoints. Another scenic hike is The Alvor Walkways, which is a series of boardwalks through sand dunes.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Full-Day West Coast Adventure with Hiking, Sunset, Dinner & Wine ($120)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Lagos?
Five days is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Lagos. Many visitors prefer to spend three to five days here, so more time would allow you to experience the beaches, the beautiful scenery, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the hiking at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend 5 days in Lagos
Having 5 days in Lagos will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the resort town.
Shopping in Lagos is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The town has a long history of local artisan crafts. You can head to the seafront promenade and find local traditional items such as ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Lagos.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Lagos, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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