A destinations where you can kitesurf, wave surf, sniff some culture, enjoy the beautiful beaches and sail along the impressive rock walls? Then you are at the right place in Lagos. This picturesque village is hidden in the Algarve, surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches. The best known is Praia Dona Ana and this is also one of the most photographed beaches in Portugal. On a short drive from Lagos you will find Ria de Alvor, a huge lagoon with flat water and good wind. Ideal for kitesurfers! You don’t have to get bored when you are in Lagos. 

Five highlights near Lagos at a glance:

Walking through Lagos

The center of Lagos is not very big but therefore very charming. The center is characterized by white-painted houses, often overgrown with flowers, cobbled streets, beautiful churches and cozy squares. For a sunny holiday Lagos is the right place. The south of Portugal has a lot of sun hours and Lagos is surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches. A few kilometers from Lagos you will find Ponta da Piedade, one of the main attractions of the region.

A boat tour to Ponta da Piedade

From Lagos many boats departure to Ponta da Piedade, the most photographed rock in Portugal! A boat tour takes about 45 minutes and leads you through the various caves along the coast. The steep cliffs are very impressive. The caves and ‘bridges’ in the rocks were created by erosion.

Enjoying the sun in Praia da Luz

About 10 minutes from Lagos you will find the small holiday paradise Praia da Luz. We stayed here during our vacation. In the village you will find many holiday villas and resorts. Praia da Luz is especially popular with surfers, has beautiful sandy beaches and a number of shops and good restaurants. Is the name familiar to you? It is the village where Madeleine (Maddie) McCann disappeared in 2007.

Kitesurfing at Ria de Alvor

Ria de Alvor is located at a half hour drive from Lagos. Upon arrival you will find a large / wide lagoon with flat water and good wind conditions. Water from the Atlantic Ocean flows into the lagoon, so high and low tide play an important role in the lagoon. The water in the lagoon can therefore be colder than you expect on such a warm spot. Take a long wetsuit and a shorty with you, just to be sure.

The best wind can be found in the months of June to August. The steady thermal wind often comes after lunch. An ideal spot for both beginners and advanced. Want to learn kitesurfing? Then read this article first.

Surfing in Praia da Bordeira

A day without wind or just want to do something else? Praia da Bordeira is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. With its 3km of sand, it is one of the broadest beaches in the region. Praia da Bordeira is not very well known and therefore not too crowded. It is located in a natural park and is surrounded by beautiful extensive dunes. The conditions are consistent throughout the year. The waves are on average 3 to 5 meters and therefore suitable for almost all levels.