Should You Visit Lagos?

Are you thinking about visiting Lagos, Portugal? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.


Is Lagos worth visiting?

This resort town is a good place to visit for three to five days. 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.

Lagos, Portugal Lagos, Portugal

Reasons to Visit Lagos

Resorts
As a resort town, you'll find no shortage of places to stay in the area. If you don't have a car, your best options are in the historic center. If transportation isn't a concern, then you'll find plenty of great resorts in the Marina, Meia Praia, Dona Ana Beach, Camilo Beach, and Porto de Mós Beach.

Beaches
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.

Food
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.

Nightlife
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.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
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.

Hiking
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.

Shopping
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.




Is Lagos worth visiting in the Summer?

The high season for travel in Lagos is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.

The weather in Lagos is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 25°C (77°F). But it can get as warm as [No Data] at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.

With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the beaches, the hiking, and the resorts. Also, you'll be able to take advantage of the local nightlife.


Summer Weather in Lagos
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
July 25°C (77°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
August 25°C (77°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
September 26°C (79°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)

Is Lagos worth visiting in the Autumn?

The weather in Lagos is fairly warm during autumn, and stays around 26°C (79°F). But it can get as warm as [No Data] at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Lagos, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery and take a hike.


Autumn Weather in Lagos
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
October 26°C (79°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
November 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
December 27°C (81°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)

Is Lagos worth visiting in the Winter?

Winter is the low season for travel in Lagos. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.

The warm weather in winter is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 27°C (81°F) with daily high temperatures often more than [No Data].

You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to dine out at amazing restaurants and grab some drinks at a bar.


Winter Weather in Lagos
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
January 27°C (81°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
February 29°C (84°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
March 29°C (84°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)

Is Lagos worth visiting in the Spring?

This is the shoulder season for travel in Lagos. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

The weather in Lagos is fairly warm during spring, and stays around 28°C (82°F). But it can get as warm as [No Data] at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.

One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the beautiful scenery, and the nightlife.


Spring Weather in Lagos
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
April 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 202 mm (8 in)
June 26°C (79°F) 316 mm (12.4 in)

Things to Consider Before Visiting Lagos

Lots of Tourists
Lagos sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.

Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.

The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Lagos might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Lagos here or see if Lagos is expensive here.

Related

What is Lagos most famous for?

Lagos is most famous for its dramatic beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife. The resort town is very popular for its resorts and beaches. It is also known for its great food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and hiking. And many visitors also come to this resort town for its shopping. It is often described as dramatic, vibrant, beautiful, scenic, and adventure-filled.

What is the most famous sight in Lagos?

The most popular sight in Lagos is Ponta da Piedade. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Lagos on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Ponta da Piedade and other attractions here.

How touristy is Lagos? Is it a popular resort town to visit?

Lagos is a very touristy resort town that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

  • Private Monchique Tour (Half day): $92
  • National Park West Coast Half Day Tour from Lagos: $53
  • Amado Beach Walking Tour: $54
  • Algarve: Lagos sightseeing guided tour with E-bikes: $71
  • Private Algarve Coast Tour From Lagos By Van: $88
  • Private Tour to Costa Vicentina (Full Day): $103
  • Half-Day Sailing Tour in Baia de Lagos with Lunch: $65
  • 4x4 Off-road Algarve Natural Park West Coast Tour: $58

How long should I spend in Lagos?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Lagos is at least three or as many as five days. Since Lagos has a variety of activities such as resorts and beaches, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Lagos?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Lagos?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Lagos?.