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Trip Report
Best Place to Stay in Algarve - Lagos and Sagres
Short and sweet trip along the southern Portuguese coast. Our focus was on finding beautiful beaches and the best custard tarts (Pastel de Nata)!
+ 9
EuropePortugal5 days / April 2022
Highs & Lows
The sunsets were magical
The sea was freezing (this is a highlight or a lowlight depending on what you love!)
Itinerary Overview
We took the bus from Seville across the border with Portugal and straight to Lagos. The bus ride was fairly long and not particularly comfortable but very manageable and cheap. We did not book a return bus which was half a mistake and half an adventure. We planned to find a Blabla car to take us home but unfortunately they were all fully booked. Luckily for us there was someone driving our same route home afterwards!
Before taking the trip we had not planned much as we were originally supposed to be going to Morocco however COVID testing disrupted our plan. So we went in knowing very little and just hoping for a lovely holiday.
Would definitely recommend doing a trip along the Algarve, it is a beautiful area with stunning hikes and beaches. However, there are places that get especially over packed and therefore more expensive especially in summer so timing is everything and prepare yourself for beach crowds.
Lagos We knew we will have the best time in Lagos Portugal: kayaking, wine tastings, and sun-kissed days
1+Lagos is a touristy summer town and tame that as you will. It is set up perfectly for visitoes with amazing activities such as kayaking on your doorstep. On the first full day we went kayaking in a big group of ten from our hostel and we had a terrific time exploring the caves and swimming around a bit too. Afterwards we went for an all you can eat sushi lunch (only 10 euros) in town…not exactly traditional Portuguese cuisine but delicious nonetheless. We wandered around the town a bit and popped into little shops on our route around and then we spent our afternoon relaxing on the beach in the sun. In the evening after drinks and family dinner at the hostel we headed out to the town and discovered a delicious shot that tastes exactly like a pastel de nata. The following day we did a divine wine tour at a vineyard in the Algarve. It was a little bit of a trek to get to (about a forty five minute taxi) however on the way back we discovered a train that was possible (with a thirty minute roadside walk) to get. The wine was amazing, but it was the experience as a whole that really shone. We were given a tour of the vineyard, expert advise on wines and tastings and also a platter of food that was delectable. So if you are in the Algarve and enjoy a drink then I would definitely recommend seeking out a vineyard near where you are basing yourself. On the final day we got the bus to Sagres. Our original plan had been to hike part of the way however we had too much stuff and timing didn’t work out. But next time!
Sagres
5+We loved Sagres. The town has cool surfer vibes and is very chilled out. It is situated right at the edge of Europe so you get to witness some truly magical sunsets. Definitely make sure you make time to visit the lighthouse (Lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente) and watch the sunset there. Take a blanket and some food and drinks and pass the time watching the sunset at the furthest point in Europe. Whilst in Sagres we walked a lot to different beaches along the coastline. The walks were clifftop and stunning. Hiring bikes and is also a great option. At the LightHouse Hostel there are bikes available to hire if you don’t bring your own. It is also a really popular surfing destination so if that is an activity you enjoy there is no shortage of board hire places.
There is not really a town centre as such but a few streets with lovely restaurants and a few cool bars. We went to a great pizza restaurant called Arte Bianca and I would highly recommend going there! The food was amazing and the staff were lovely. Along the same street are some nice bars to get some after dinner drinks. On the second night we went to a restaurant called Laundry lounge which is interesting as it used to be a laundrette and they have kept the decor as it used to be. There is a very pretty garden area at the back too. But if you’re not going in summer pack jumpers!
Q & A
What would you have changed?
Would have brought less stuff and hiked more! There are some great hikes in which you can go from coastal town to coastal town without the need for buses. But obviously for this type of activity you need to make sure you back light and don’t buy bottles of wine at a tasting event…Tips you would give a friend?
Plan out transport well. Maybe this should have been obvious to us but in Spain we were so used to getting blabla cars easily and cheaply it came as a surprise that they booked up so quickly in Portugal.Packing tips?
If you are going in Spring like we did, pack for every weather. It’s freezing at night and there is such a bitter wind but during the daytime is great sunbathing weather.Transportation Tips?
Don’t rely on BlaBla car too much in Portugal. Use buses. They are cheap and usually very reliable.Any surprises?
Portugal had strict COVID protocol so make sure you check the rules before booking anything.
Lodging
Banana Beach House Lagos, very social hostel. Most nights everyone has a few drinks together outside and it is perfect if you want to do surfing - no matter what your level is. However, it is a little out of town, so if you would rather be more in the centre of things then its not the one for you.
The Lighthouse Hostel. If it wasn’t for the fact that you share a dorm room with strangers, this hostel would be considered more of a highly rated hotel. The hostel is lovely and very clean. There is a big swimming pool at the front which wasn’t very used when we were there due to the time of year. There is a great BBQ area where you can cook and some lovely outdoor tables to enjoy. There is also a rooftop yoga class on some days.