Portugal’s Algarve region is home to some of the most unique and beautiful beaches Iβve ever seen. I recently checked out three stunning beaches in Lagos, one of the Algarveβs most popular towns.
Honestly, if youβre looking for breathtaking coastlines, panoramic views, and plenty of photo opportunities, then most any Lagos beach will deliver.
That said, thereβs no such thing as the βperfect beachβ for everyone, as it depends on individual taste. Some will prefer lively beaches with restaurants/amenities, whereas others seek the seclusion of the less-touristy locations, for instance.
To help you decide which Lagos beach will best suit your individual style, Iβve put together the pros and cons of my favorites in the area.
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3 Popular Lagos Beach Options to Consider
1. Praia Dona Ana
Beach Description:
Praia Dona Ana is frequently regarded as the most beautiful beach in the Algarve. In fact, in 2013, CondΓ© Nast named it the best beach in the world.
Once you visit, youβll understand immediately why Praia Dona Ana earned this distinction.
Frankly, I knew from the initial pictures I saw that this Lagos beach would be beautiful, but experiencing it in person completely exceeded my expectations.
As with many places, pictures (and even videos) simply donβt do Praia Dona Ana justice. Itβs hard to capture the feeling of the majestic rock formations surrounding you in a big bear hug. You really have to go to understand their magnetic pull.
Pros:
Cons:
How to Get to Praia Dona Ana:
The closest international airport to reach Praia Dona Ana is in Lisbon. From Lisbon, you can either fly, drive, or take public transportation to Faro, the Algarveβs capital. Faro is located in the Eastern Algarve. You can then take public transportation or drive to Lagos in the Western Algarve.
Personally, my route was a bit different, as I hiked the Camino de Santiago in Spain right before visiting Portugal. I flew from La CoruΓ±a, Spain to Madrid and then caught a second flight to Faro Airport. Once in Faro, I took the train to Lagos, a trip of just under two hours.
Once in Lagos, I stayed at Apartamentos Turisticos Marsol, which was only about a twenty-minute walk to Praia Dona Ana.
Fortunately, if youβre driving to Praia Dona Ana, you’ll find a platform relatively close to the parking area where you can take in the spectacular views.
How to Access the Beach:
There are two different staircases that provide access to Praia Dona Ana.
Outside of the obvious main platform and stairs, you can take an alternate way where you’ll find these beautiful bougainvillea (season-dependent).
If youβd like to check out this spot, head left once you enter the beach from the main street (going in the opposite direction of the giant staircase and platform). As you walk, youβll come across a couple of pretty white homes with orange rooftops.
Right by those you’ll notice another staircase thatβs much more enclosed than the main one. If you follow these steps up to the second level, you’ll find this ridiculously beautiful spot.
After you snap those Insta-worthy shots, keep following these steps for what I consider one of the most stunning views of this amazing beach.
GPS Coordinates for Praia Dona Ana: 37.0916Β° N, 8.6693Β° W
2. Praia do PinhΓ£o
Beach Description:
To be honest, when I first reached Praia do PinhΓ£o, I actually thought it was an extension of Praia Dona Ana. The two are very close geographically and almost feel like theyβre part of one beach.
However, the main difference is that Praia do PinhΓ£o is much more secluded and private. When you find it, you may have the feeling that you happened upon it by accident. Actually, itβs only really obvious to those who are specifically seeking it out. Honestly, if I didnβt come across it on my GPS, I probably never would’ve found it.
Pros:
Cons:
How to Get to Praia do PinhΓ£o:
Praia do PinhΓ£o is just north of Praia Dona Ana. However, since parking near the vicinity of the beach will be incredibly difficult, walking here (especially from Praia Dona Ana) is your best bet. Β
Keep in mind that the beach may surprise you when you first see it, as itβs somewhat tucked away at the bottom of the steep cliffs.
Thereβs one large β and very steep β staircase leading down to it. Exercise caution when walking down the stairs (or around them).
GPS Coordinates for Praia do PinhΓ£o: 37.0944Β° N, 8.6680Β° W
3. Ponta da Piedade
Beach Description:
How does one even describe the spectacular beauty of Ponta da Piedade?
With cliff-like rocks up to 20 meters high, Iβm not exaggerating when I say this beach is jaw-droppingly beautiful. If you can only visit one Lagos beach during your stay, let it be this one.
In addition to stunning rock formations, this beach also offers a lighthouse and Bar Sol Nascente, a casual eatery overlooking the shore.
Pros:
Cons:
How to Get to Ponta da Piedade:
By Car:
Unfortunately, thereβs no public transport to this beach, so if you donβt want to walk, youβll need to drive or take a taxi.
By Foot:
However, if youβd like to explore the land side through coastline foot paths, the walk here from central Lagos takes about 30 minutes. In addition, there’s a coastal path (which I didnβt take) that passes through Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo.
By Boat:
Another option I wish to explore on a future trip is to travel by boat. There are several boat trips from Lagos Marina that you can hop on to Ponta da Piedade offering different activities. For instance, some include visits to other rock formations/caves, some offer diving and snorkeling stops, and others will include lunch on the beach.
GPS Coordinates for the top of the Ponta da Piedade clifftop boardwalk: 37.080861, -8.669611
4: Bonus Beach: Praia do Camilo
Although I didnβt make it to Praia do Camilo myself, Iβve heard tell that itβs one of the prettiest beaches in Lagos. Therefore, I felt it deserved a spot on this list (albeit without pictures).
However, I do plan to check it out on a future visit and report back!
Have you visited a Lagos beach yet? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!
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Ok thatβs it! Iβm packing my swimsuit and booking a beach holiday ASAP! Thank you for some wonderful inspiration.
Oh I’m so happy! I hope you will! π
Pinning this for later FOR SURE!!! My husband has been learning Portuguese for the one day we finally go to Portugal! Lol! Hopefully it is soon!!
Oh yay! I really hope you get to go and enjoy it together!
Wowwww. These beaches are gorgeous!!!! Definitely not the beaches Iβm use to! Thanks for all the tips!
Thank you so much! The beaches here are unlike any I’ve ever seen!
What a beautiful post. Your photos are so inviting. Thanks for the great tips also, hopefully one day I will visit.
Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed it π
Beautiful photos!! Love how you did the pros and cons, and how to get there- its very very handy. All I need now is summer to hurry up to come here!
Thank you, I really hope you will experience it for yourself! π
This was a great post to read, I love going to beaches and here are some really amazing list of beaches. Will surely visit someday. Thanks for the share!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post and I hope you will visit! π
Okay, you sold me on the Algarve! Totally coming here next time I go to Portugal! Also beautiful photos Elena! π
*books ticket to Portugal* Seriously though these beaches are stunning! I have only been to Lisbon and feel like I missed out on so much by not visiting this part of the country.
Hahaha, do it!! You definitely need to make a trip back to explore the Algarve π
This is such a great guide! I would love to go back to Portugal to experience more of the beaches! Praia Dona Ana sounds so dreamy and I love the bougainvilleas!
Thank you, I’m so glad you liked it! I definitely recommend going back to explore more of this beautiful country!
This post has come at a perfect time, I’m based in Seville and looking to head to Lagos in April as it is so easy to get to. Would you recommend hiring a car?
I’m so glad that this post was timely for you! I personally explored Lagos without a car, but a car would definitely give you the freedom to explore more beaches, so I say go for it!
All your pictures are so beautiful Elena!! And you have definitely sold me on Algarve π
I love how you revamped this post!! Your pins also look great. Portugal is one of my favorite countries and this makes me want to go back 100 percent π
Thank you, the pin design is my favorite part actually π Portugal is one of my fav countries too!
I’ve only spent a few days in Lisbon, and since then, I’ve been wanting to go back to explore the rest of Portugal. Algarve is definitely on my list. Thanks for all the details!
I really hope you’ll go back to explore this stunning part of Portugal! Thanks for reading π
Portugal has been on my list for quite some time now. Absolutely love this. Great list of beaches!
Portugal is such an underrated destination! I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Omg I really need to visit Portugal asap!! These beaches look so amazing and I loved how you collected all the pros and cons for each of them! π
I’m so glad you liked it and I hope you’ll visit Portugal! The beaches really blew me away!
Great post. The Algarve looks beautiful.
Thanks, it really is such a stunning place π
Oh your photos took me right back to Lagos and now I really want to visit again! It’s been 10 years since I visited those beautiful beaches and I’m really pleased to see they look even more stunning than I remember π
I’m so glad I could rekindle those fond memories! I honestly want to go back myself!
These beaches look stunning! Definitely bookmarked this post for future reference π
I’m so glad it was helpful π The beaches here are truly breathtaking!