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Lagos Things to do
You will be spoilt for choice for things to do in Lagos, west Algarve, Portugal - relax on one of the beautiful Lagos beaches, visit the famous church of St. Anthony, a fun trip for the family to Lagos Zoo, take a boat trip to the caves or go dolphin watching. There are lots of water sports available - windsurfing, scuba diving and sailing, or if you prefer dry land, how about horse riding, tennis and golf? Lagos really does have something to offer for all the family.
Here you will find lots of information about things to do in Lagos! Information about places of interest to visit, churches, galleries, museums, historical remains and leisure activities in and around Lagos.
Book Algarve things to do online! If you would like to book Algarve tours, sightseeing and things to do online before you come to the Algarve on holiday then visit isango! They have a variety of wonderful activities, such as the Algarve Jeep Safari, a Sea Safari on a catamaran with BBQ lunch, Fishing trips, Cave and Dolphin Spotting cruises along the Algarve coast, a Pirate Ship Cruise, Eastern Algarve Sightseeing Tour and even an overnight trip to Lisbon! Booking is available in several currencies and isango! offer a best price guarantee, multisave discount and they only work with hand-picked suppliers to ensure the best service.
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Areas of interest in and around Lagos
- Forte Ponta da Bandeira - The Fort of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, popularly known as the Fortaleza Ponta da Bandeira, is a small military fortress, located at end of the promenade (running parallel to Avenida dos Descobrimentos). Forte Ponta da Bandeira was constructed at the end of the 17th century at the mouth of the river, to defend the city of Lagos from attack by enemy boats entering the bay, protecting the wealth and property of its citizens. The fort constitutes one of the best, and most well preserved, examples of this type of military installation. Today the fort is used for exhibitions and other cultural activities, and visitors can expect magnicifent views of Lagos bay from the battlements.
Forte Ponta da Bandeira, Cais da Solaria, 8600 Lagos (Tel: 282 761 410)
Open Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday's and holidays).
Open 9.30am to 12.30pm and re-opens at 2pm until 5pm.
- Visit the Bravura dam- follow the signs from Odiaxere (on the EN125 towards Alvor) and get a fantastic view of the dam and surrounding countryside.
- Visit Praia do Camilo - It is a beautiful beach cove just past Dona Ana on the way to Ponta da Piedade. Access is by means of some steep steps but well worth the effort and from the clifftop above it - a spectacular view of the Algarve coastline; there's a good local restaurant there too.
- Ponta da Piedade - A lighthouse stands on the point and from here you can see for miles (to Sagres in the west and Albufeira in the east) and the views of the clear blue waters and Algarve coastline are simply breathtaking. The cliffs have eroded over the years to form spectacular caves and arches which are best seen on one of the many boat trips that depart from the water front in Lagos. There is also normally a boat trip available from the bottom of steps on the point (to the left of the lighthouse).To get to the Ponta da Piedade, follow the road past Dona Ana beach and carry straight on to the end where there is a large car park, café and toilets. The cliffs are perfect for walking and there is a fantastic display of wild flowers that cover the cliffs from January onwards.
- Lagos fish market, near to the main entrance to the town centre has a wonderful selection of freshly caught seafood. Upstairs there are also fruit, vegetables, freshly baked bread, and an open-air terrace with restaurant, which offers an amazing view of Lagos bay.
- Centro Cultural de Lagos - there is nearly always something going on - they host exhibitions, concerts and many other culturally related events throughout the year.
Centro Cultural de Lagos
Rua Lançarote de Freitas
8600-605, Lagos
Tel: 282 770 450
Churches in the Lagos area
- Igreja de Santo António on Rua Silva Lopes (recognisable by it's two bell towers of different heights.)
Adult entrance fee: €2,20 (January 2007)
You can also buy a lovely brochure, with lots of information and colour photographs for €2,50.
The Church is often known as 'The Golden Church' because the walls and the altar are decorated in the gilded intricately carved baroque style. It was rebuilt in 1769. Entrance is through the Regional Museum adjoining it.
Opening hours: 09.30h to 12.30h and 14.00h to 17.00h. Closed Monday and holidays.
- Igreja de Misericórdia (or Santa Maria) is beside Praça D.Henrique and originates from the 15th /16th centuries, but was largely rebuilt in the 18th/19th centuries.
- Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo was part of a 16th century former monastery.
- Igreja de São Sebastião, Rua Conselheiro Joaquim Machado, São Sebastião, Lagos: originates from the 14th /16th centuries. It was constructed on the site of a hermitage and in the 15th century was transformed into a church and dedicated to St. Sebastian.
- Hermitage of St. John the Baptist stands near the 'ship' roundabout at the entrance to Lagos and originates from the 15th/16th centuries and rebuilt during the 18th.
- Igreja Matriz de Odiáxere, Largo da Liberdade, Odiáxere. Although more in the baroque style there are vestiges pointing to it having Gothic beginnings.
Galleries and Museums in the Lagos area
- Regional Museum of Lagos, Museu Municipal Dr. José Formosinho adjoining Igreja de Santo António Visitors can admire collections of archeological finds that date back to the pre-Roman era, as well as collections of religious art and numismatics (coins, banknotes, medals, etc.). The gallery boasts some fascinating 17th and 18th centuries paintings, including a tall portrait of a man, which when you stand to one side of him, focus on him and then move across to the other side him whilst still holding his stare, he appears to follow you with his eyes and body!
Igreja de Santo António, Rua Silva Lopes, Lagos.
Adult entrance fee: €2,20 (January 2007)
You can also buy a brochure, with lots of information and colour photographs for €2,50
Museu Municipal Dr. José Formosinho
Rua General Alberto da Silveira
8600 - 594 Lagos
Tel: 282 762 301
Opening hours: 09.30h to 12.30h and 14.00h to 17.00h. Closed Monday and holidays.
- Cultural Centre, Rua Lançarote de Freitas, Lagos has various art exhibitions and cultural events.
Opening hours: 10.00h to 20.00h. Closed Sunday and holidays
- Galeria do Armazém Regimental (Regimental stores), Praça Infante D. Henrique, Lagos - has temporary exhibitions with lots of different themes. Opening hours vary. Tel: 282 780 430
- Galeria do Governador, rua Dr. Mendonça, no 3, Lagos. - Various art works and sculptures on display.
Opening hours: 10.00h to 13.00h and 14.30h to 19.00h. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
- Museum of Barâo de São João is in the cultural centre in the village.
Opening hours: 11.00h to 12.30h and 13.30h to 18.00h. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Historical remains in the Lagos area
- The Slave market - a reminder of the times when slaves brought back from Africa during the 15th century were sold. It is the opposite side of Praça D.Henrique from the Misericórdia Church.
- The city walls that still surround the older part of Lagos give a real feeling of history as you follow them around the town. Opposite the fort on the water front are the twin watchtowers either side of St. Gonçalo's gate. The walls date from the 16th century and have bulwarks at intervals that allowed the use of artillery . There are gateways through at various points. The best way to see them is to walk around the outside - there are landscaped gardens and paths to enjoy while you walk.
- The Governors Castle, just along from St. Gonçalo's gate, is of Arab construction, but has been altered many times since.
- Forte Ponta da Bandeira - The Fort of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, popularly known as the Fortaleza Ponta da Bandeira, is a small military fortress, located at end of the promenade (running parallel to Avenida dos Descobrimentos). Forte Ponta da Bandeira was constructed at the end of the 17th century at the mouth of the river, to defend the city of Lagos from attack by enemy boats entering the bay, protecting the wealth and property of its citizens. The fort constitutes one of the best, and most well preserved, examples of this type of military installation. Today the fort is used for exhibitions and other cultural activities, and visitors can expect magnicifent views of Lagos bay from the battlements.
Forte Ponta da Bandeira, Cais da Solaria, 8600 Lagos (Tel: 282 761 410)
Open Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday's and holidays).
Open 9.30am to 12.30pm and re-opens at 2pm until 5pm.
Leisure activities in the Lagos area
- Parque Zoológico de Lagos (Zoo Lagos) - a beautiful zoo, just on the outskirts of Lagos. It is a fantastic day out for all ages, with lots of lovely animals.
Open all year round, 7 days a week.
Winter (from the 1st of October to the 31st of March) 10.00am – 5.00pm
Summer (from the 1st April to the 30th September) 10.00am – 7.00pm
Quinta Figueiras – Sítio do Medronhal
Barão de S.João
8600-013
Tel: 282 680 100
Directions: With 'MacDonalds' on your right, take the turning right immediately after it (in the direction of Aljezur) - the zoo is signposted from here and is about a 10 minute drive.
- Tennis Club: Urb. Marina Sol, Lagos (near the 'ship' roundabout.)
Tel: 282 081 915
- Lagos Municipal Leisure Centre. (Opposite McDonald's at the entrance to Lagos). Great facilities with a 25m pool and two 17m pools ( one of which also has a Jaccuzzi) and gymnasium. The pools and gymnasium are open Monday to Friday 7am to 10pm and Saturdays 9am to 8pm. The centre is closed on Sundays and holidays. There is also a large multi use pavilion for various events both sporting and otherwise. To use the pool you will need to have sandals /flip flops for poolside use, a swim cap and swimsuit (not bikini). The men need to have lycra type trunks (not baggy swimshorts). Pay by the day or get a monthly pass for longer stays. The monthly pass is excellent value especially for use between 7am and 6pm at approximately 20 euros for the pool only or 35 euros for pool and gym combined.
- Horse riding:
Tiffany's Riding Centre (Almádena), Tel: 282 697 395
Quinta Paraiso Alto (Bensafrim), Tel: 282 687 596
- Dolphin watching trips, Tel: 282 799 209
- Zoomarine at Guia (10km from Albufeira): It's open all year round and is a great day out for the family with dolphin and sealion shows, birds of prey demonstrations and tropical birds show. It's both educational and fun. There are places to eat and drink, and also some fun rides like the pirate ship and water flume and pools to cool off in!
Opening hours are 10.00h to 17.00h in the winter (closed Mondays in January and February); 10.00h to 18.00h mid March to end of June and 10.00h to 19.30h during the summer.
- Slide and Splash water park near Lagoa - operates from the beginning of April to the end of October. It opens daily at 10am and closes between 5pm and 6pm depending on the time of year.
- Aqualand (The Big One): Water park near Alcantarilha. Open from 26th May to 12th September (2008) 10.00h to 18.00h.
- Sailing lessons with 'Algarve Sailing', Tel: 282 792 681
- Golf - 'Palmares', 'Boavista', 'Penina', 'Parque da Floresta' are the nearest courses
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