A holiday to Lagos, Portugal would be incomplete without a visit to one of the many wonderful beaches Lagos has to offer. There’s something for everyone, from the “I just want to lie here in the sun” to the avid surfer, to the “I just want to see everything”.
From the golden sands to the jagged cliffs to the gorgeous grottos, Lagos really is one of the most beautiful and exciting places to explore in the Algarve.
My Top 10 Best Beaches in Lagos Portugal
1. Meia Praia – Most Popular
A 4 kilometer stretch of sand makes it a favorite among both locals and tourists for sunbathing, water sports, and enjoying beachside restaurants. There is a 3 kilometer boardwalk running parallel to the beach which is great for strolling, serious walking, bicycling and many access points for the restaurants and car parks.
2. Praia do Porto do Mos – Easiest to Access by Foot
Gorgeous beach with white sand, great for sun bathing, walking and surfing. There are two good restaurants here; Campimar and O Antonio which get really busy so bookings are recommended. Just over 3 kilometers from the old town, there’s a bus service (Onda Line 2 – the bus stop is near the taxi rank in Avenada dos Descobrimentos) or park your car in one of 2 large car parks right at the beach)
3. Praia Dona Ana – Best For Chillin’
Dona Ana Beach is a smallish beach ideal for those who just want to chill, go for a paddle and sun bake the day away. The setting amongst the cliffs is quite spectacular, there’s a cafe on the beach open during the summer months and you can grab boat tours to the Grotto and Ponta da Piedade.
4. Praia do Camilo – Best Views
Small beach with panoramic views accessed by a long wooden stairway, great for swimming and exploring the rock formations and grottos. Camilo is perfect for those looking to capture the beauty of Lagos’ cliffs and turquoise waters. There are two car parks nearby on Estrada da Ponta Piedade and Restaurant O Camilo, at the top of the stairs to the beach, is one of the best seafood eateries in Lagos. The car parks and the restaurant get very busy in high season. By foot you can access Camilo Beach by boardwalks from Praia da Pinhao and Ponta da Piedade.
5. Ponte da Piedade – Best for Grotto Tours
OK, so it’s not really a beach, but had to be included for its breathtaking rock formations. A must-visit location for boat tours that offer close views of the caves, arches and grottos. Take the stairs to see the rock formations and boat tours of the grottos. A great starting point for walking on the boardwalks and taking in the incredible scenery. If you do only one thing when you visit Lagos, Portugal go to Ponta da Piedade and explore this wonderful part of the Algarve.
6. Duna Beach – Best For Learning To Surf
When the easterly blows the surfers appear. It’s a great little beach for the surf schools and anyone learning to surf. At the southern end of Meia Praia, Duna Beach is the go-to for visitors looking to socialize and enjoy a brilliant beach day. Access from the old town is by a small ferry (in season) or walk from the marina and go past the train station.
7. Praia do Pinhao
Closed since a landslide in January 2024 and now only able to viewed or accessed from sea. It’s a small beautiful beach and deservedly one of the 10 best beaches in Lagos.
8. Praia da Batata – Closest to The Old Town
Close to the old town center and easily accessible, it’s perfect for a quick beach visit without the need for extensive travel. Walk up past the Forte da Ponta Bandeira. There’s car parking just up the hill alongside Mar Restaurante & Bar (one of the best restaurants in town)
9. Praia dos Estudantes – Best Scenery
Famous for its historical Roman bridge and picturesque rocky surroundings, this is a gorgeous small beach a sort walk from the old town.
10. Praia do Blanca – For The Most Adventurous!
A beautiful beach but difficult to access via a goat track but doable if you’re the adventurous type! Better to access it by boat or kayak.
These are my top 10 beaches in Lagos but there are many more to explore. Did you know there are at least 19 beaches in Lagos?
Full List of The 19 Beaches in Lagos Portugal
Here’s a list of the 19 Beaches (from north-east to south-west) – there are probably more but these are the main ones I have identified.
- Praia do Vale da Lama
- Meia Praia
- Praia de Sao Roque
- Duna Beach
- Praia do Cais da Solaria
- Batata Beach
- Estudantes
- Praia do Pinhao
- Praia Dona Ana
- Praia do Maryi
- Praia do Camilo
- Praia da Boneca
- Praia dos Pinheiros
- Praia da Balanca
- Ponta da Piedada
- Perttu’s Cove
- Praia do Barranco do Martinho
- Praia do Canavial
- Porto do Mos
Note: Some lists of the best Portugal beaches includes Praia da Luz, however in my opinion, Praia da Luz is NOT Lagos. Yes, it’s a beautiful beach and all, but it has no place in my list of the best beaches in Lagos, so if you were wondering, that’s why it’s not included here.