Lagos

With its castle walls, narrow cobbled streets, pottery shops, numerous pavement cafes and restaurants, Lagos has a relaxed atmosphere and quiet charm, making it one of the most attractive towns in the Algarve.

The Port has been connected with several important moments in history, it was from Lagos that many of Portugals great explorers set off for the New World.
During the 15th century Europe's first slave market was established here by Henry the Navigator, who also founded a School of Navigation in Sagres, one of who's most famous students was Vasco da Gama.
In 1577 Lagos became the administrative capital of the Algarve, a position it maintained during the 60 years of Spanish occupation. Its prominence meant that Lagos became a target for Sir Francis Drake who attacked the harbour in 1587 during Britain's battle with Spain for maritime supremacy. Despite this, Lagos continued to thrive, until 1755 when much of the town was destroyed in an earthquake.

Despite the fact that the earthquake caused great damage, the streets and squares of Lagos still preserves the charm of a centuries-old city.

Beaches

The coast around Lagos offers a variety of stunning beaches, to the east Meia Praia and to the west there are a series of of cove beaches backed by cliffs, with outcrops of purple tinted rocks cut from the cliffs.

Meia Praia lies just over the river estuary to the east of Lagos, it stretches almost as far as the eye can see. A stunning 4km sandy beach which curves around the bay and never seems to get crowded. There are plenty of beachside cafes and restaurants dotted along the beach as well as the Windsurf Point watersports centre.

Praia da Dona Ana (seen right) is one of the most photogenic of the Algarve's beaches and its easy to see why. With its wide expanse of sand framed by cliffs, wierdly-sculpted rock pillers and caves. Naturally the beach gets very busy during high season, but away from then it is a real gem.

From the cliff top above Praia da Dona Ana you can follow the path around the cliffs to Praia do Camilo, another lovely beach which is usually a bit less crowded and then onto Ponta da Piedade, a craggy headland where a lighthouse makes a great vantage point fot the sunsets.

Luz, Burgau & Salema

Just 5 minutes from Casa Pomar is the resort of Luz with a wide sandy crescent beach, popular in the summer due to its proximity to Lagos. A pretty resort with some excellent local coast walks within easy reach of the town, plenty of restaurants and a few bars.

An hours walk along the cliffs will bring you to Burgau, a picturesque fishing village with narrow cobbled streets leading down to the lovely sandy beach. Colourful boats line the lower roads making it almost impossible to drive through the streets. Fishermen still mend their nets during the day and launch their boats fot the evening fishing trips.

Salema sits at the bottom of a narrow valley where the local fisherman continue to go about their daily chores amongst sunbathers on the beach. Much of the traditional charm still remains with little white washed cottages, cobbled streets and colourful fishing boats in abundance. It boasts a handful of shops, restaurants and bars along with the regular weekly market selling local handicrafts and fresh produce. The excellent sandy beach is encompassed by magnificent cliffs at either end and provides safe bathing and secluded sunbathing areas for holidaymakers.