Lagos, Portugal: Beach Guide

Trip overview

Lagos is indeed where you’re going to see those picture-perfect, postcard-esque beaches. We’re talking dramatic cliffs, turquoise waters, and limestone pillars. You’ll soon realize that there are many beaches to choose from. However, I’m going to walk you through the beaches that are worth your time (and that don’t involve you scaling a mountain to get to).

Praia dos Estudantes

One of the beaches at Praia dos Estudantes

If you are staying in or near Lagos’ city center, then this beach is going to be the easiest beach to get to. Essentially a 10-minute walk from the Old Town area, all you need to do is pack your beach bag and walk on over. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find a string of three small beaches in this area, all connected by cave-like walkways. The keyword here is small, so I do advise being a part of the earlier crowd if you’d like a spot at these beaches.

As far as what to bring, there are a few beach bars that are walkable, but I always recommend packing plenty of water and snacks of your own.

Praia Dona Ana

Praia Dona Ana

This large stretch of beach is surrounded by dramatic cliff formations, with a few independent rock formations right in the middle of the sand. This beach was one of the few that we saw set up with rentable beach chairs and umbrellas. Even if you don’t plan on posting up at this beach, it’s definitely worth the visit for the photo alone. Keep in mind that there are about 100 steps between the pedestrian boardwalk and the beach, so this spot is not for everyone.

Located a little further south than our first recommendation, Praia da Dona Ana is about a 20-minute walk from the Lagos city center. You can access this beach by walking the Ponta da Piedade Boardwalk, which is a lovely way to see the views along the entire coast.

If you are not coming from a walkable point, there is nearby parking, but the lots are small. Coming early is imperative if you are banking on finding a parking spot.

Praia do Camilo

View up top of Praia do Camilo (and its staircase)

Easily the most beautiful beach, in my humble opinion. This beach is perfectly tucked away, feeling like a hidden oasis (even though it is likely to be totally crowded by noon). Here you’ll find calm and clear waters, great for snorkeling. Similarly to Praia dos Estudantes, there are tunnels made through the caves, connecting you to another small beach that isn't visible from the top.

This beach does come at a price, and that price is a staircase of about 200 steps. So again, this beach is not for everyone.

Ponta da Piedade

Ponta da Piedade

This last recommendation is not technically a beach, but it’s a must-see. No doubt, when you Google “Lagos”, this is the view that pops up. There are a few ways to experience Ponta da Piedade. The first and least “involved” way is to take in the view from the top, no stairs, just views. You can check out the neighboring lighthouse and grab an ice cream at the nearby shop.

If you’re ready and able to get a little closer to the views, make your way down the 150+ stairs to take in the caves, grottoes, and crystal clear water. Once you’re at the bottom, there’s a small staircase that goes into the water, making for an easy swim if the tide allows.

There are also small boat tours and kayak tours that leave from Lagos to explore this area, so if you prefer to skip the stairs and experience these views from the water, let me know and I can help you find the perfect tour.

The earlier you arrive at these beach spots, the better. We went between 9–10 am and we got great spots, but by no means were we the first ones to set up shop. Many of these beaches are small and tucked away, so space is limited. If you plan on driving to Lagos for the day, parking is also limited, so be sure to plan ahead.

Speaking of beach space, don’t forget that the amount of real estate changes with the tide. When high tide comes in, there may be 50% of the beach available that was there during low tide. My advice is to claim your space further back than you think, so that you aren’t having to scurry and relocate when the tide comes rushing in in the afternoon.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Lagos page.