Lagos
Lagos is a town on Portugal's western Algarve coast, known for the sea stacks at Ponta da Piedade, sandy coves and a walled old town.
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Lagos is a town on the western Algarve coast in southern Portugal. Its walled old town has narrow streets, and the coast nearby has sandy coves and yellow limestone cliffs. In the 15th century, ships sailed from its harbor on Portuguese voyages down the African coast, and the old town still has churches and sections of its old walls. Many people come for the sea. Ponta da Piedade, a short way south of the center, has sea stacks, arches and grottoes that are best seen from a boat or the clifftop paths.
The town suits travelers who want beaches and a center they can walk around. Two or three days cover the old town and a few coves. A week leaves time for slower walks along the cliffs and a boat trip. Spring and autumn are the easiest months for walking, while summer has the warmest water and the busiest beaches.
Lagos in five
- Arrive by Algarve line train and walkRegional trains run along the Algarve line between Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira-Ferreiras, Faro and Vila Real de Santo António. Lagos is the western end, and the station is close to the old town.Faro travel guide
- See Ponta da Piedade from the water at calm hoursThe sea stacks and grottoes are reached by small boats from the marina and by a cliff path. Swell cancels trips, so keep a spare morning.
- Decide whether Benagil is worth the detourIt is a boat trip in its own right, usually booked from the Carvoeiro side. From Lagos, fold it into a day that also covers the Carvoeiro coast rather than a separate outing.Carvoeiro
- Use Lagos for the west, not the whole coastBeaches around Lagos are short hops, but the wild west coast near Aljezur and Carrapateira needs a car or a long bus ride. Decide whether you want a town base or a coast base.Costa Vicentina
- Compare Lagos with Albufeira before bookingLagos has a smaller historic core and quieter beaches; Albufeira has bigger resorts and more nightlife. A side-by-side comparison helps with a first Algarve week.Albufeira or Lagos?
Things to do in Lagos
See all attractions in Lagos
Need to know
- Airport
- Faro (FAO), then Algarve line train or road transfer
- Getting there
- Algarve line regional trains from Faro and Portimão Read more
- Getting around
- Walking in town; boats, taxis or a car for the coves
- Best base
- The old town and marina area
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 days; more as a base for the west coast
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low12°Almond blossomFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Almond blossom
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Mild, rainMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Warm, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Warm, quietMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Beach seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Hottest, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, busy
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Mild, calmOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Cooler, rainNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooler, rain
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Mild, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
Average daily high and low in Lagos, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Lagos
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Lagos
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today25°13°0%Monday: Clear. High 25°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue22°11°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed22°10°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu20°11°11%Thursday: Fog. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Fri21°15°42%Friday: Rain. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Sat20°18°51%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Sun20°19°86%Sunday: Rain. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 86%.
Updated 06:19 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Apr–OctInternational Sand Sculpture FestivalSilves, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Carvoeiro and Benagila short driveSmall coves, Algar Seco and licensed boat trips to the caves.Read the guide
- Aljezur and the west coasta short driveSurf beaches, a hill town and the start of the Costa Vicentina trails.Read the guide
- Albufeiraby car or regional trainA bigger resort with an old town and the strongest nightlife in the region.Read the guide
Before you go to Lagos
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Rules for Lagos, checked
- Algarve line regional trains link Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira-Ferreiras, Faro and Vila Real de Santo António (CP timetable valid from 19 July 2026).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Lagos
Resort strip or old-town base
Read the guideSagres travel guideThe windy cape at Portugal's southwest tip
Read the guideCarvoeiro travel guideSmall coves and Algar Seco on the way east
Read the guideCosta Vicentina guideWild west-coast beaches and cliff trails
Read the guideAljezur travel guideA hill town near surf beaches
Read the guideAlgarve overviewCliffs, caves and beaches by region
Read the guideAll of PortugalCities, coast and entry rules
Read the guideLagos FAQ
Is Lagos worth visiting?
Yes for a beach trip with a real old town, a marina and short hops to coves. It is a better fit than a big resort if you want to walk to dinner and still reach beaches.
How many days do you need in Lagos?
Two to four days cover the old town, Ponta da Piedade and two beaches. Add a day if you want a boat trip to the Benagil caves or a day on the west coast.
Is Lagos or Albufeira better?
Lagos suits a historic walkable base and coast walks; Albufeira suits families and nightlife. Both reach the Benagil area, so choose by evenings rather than beaches.
Can you get to Lagos by train from Faro?
Yes, regional trains on the Algarve line run between Lagos and Faro, stopping at Portimão and Albufeira-Ferreiras. Check CP's timetable for your day, as services change by season.
When is the best time to visit Lagos?
May, June, September and early October are warm and quieter than July and August. Winter is mild but boat trips thin out and some restaurants close.