Things to do in Lagos
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Lagos Beaches
South of town the beaches - Batata, Pinhão, Dona Ana, Camilo and others - are smaller and more secluded, lapped by calm waters and punctuated with amazing grottoes, coves and towers of coloured sandstone. Avoid swimming at Batata and, to the east, at Ana. There's a ferry to Lagos beach.
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Algarve Airsports Centre
Algarve Airsports Centre offers courses, lessons and trial flights.
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Praça do Infante
Near Praça do Infante is a less-than-glorious site - where slaves were auctioned off in Portugal in the 15th century. It now houses an art gallery. Just south of Praça do Infante is a restored section of the stout town walls, built (atop earlier versions) during the reigns of both Manuel I and João III in the 16th century, when the walls were enlarged to the existing outline. They extend intermittently, with at least six bastions, for about 1.5km around the central town.
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Ponta da Piedade
Protruding south from Lagos, Ponta da Piedade (Point of Piety) is a stunning, dramatic wedge of headland. Three windswept kilometres out of town, the point is well worth a visit for its contorted, polychrome sandstone cliffs and towers, complete with lighthouse and, in spring, hundreds of nesting egrets. The surrounding area is brilliant with wild orchids in spring. On a clear day you can see east to Carvoeiro and west to Sagres.
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Castelo dos Governadores
Castelo dos Governadores was built by the Arabs. After the Reconquista in the 13th century, the Algarve's military government was established here in the 14th century. It's said that the ill-fated, evangelical Dom Sebastião attended an open-air Mass here and spoke to the assembled nobility from a small Manueline window in the castle, before leading them to a crushing defeat at Alcácer-Quibir (Morocco).
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Blue Ocean Divers
If you want to go diving or snorkelling, contact Blue Ocean Divers, which offers a half-day ‘Snorkelling Safari’ (€30), a full-day diving experience (€90) and a three-day PADI scuba course (€250). It also offers kayak safaris (€30/45 half/full day, child under 12 years €15/22.50).
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Cervejaria Dois Irmãos
Cervejaria Dois Irmãos. Hordes of local businessfolk head to this relaxing and stylish place – which is housed in a quaint historical building and overlooks the beautiful Praça do Infante. The sublime selection of petisco plates (Portuguese tapas) includes everything from pipis to pork ear.
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Adega da Marina
This barnlike place is a bit like a Portuguese grandmother – she hasn’t changed her hairstyle in a while. But she dishes out generous portions of reliable (and economical) tasty grilled chicken and seafood favourites to grateful guests. Her accessories include iron chandeliers and farming implements.
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Joe's Garage
With a dishevelled, bar-scene-from-Star Wars vibe (think Aussie backpackers, not aliens), this is the kind of place where you're not sure what might happen next, though shots and dancing on the tables are likely. Staff set fire to the bar to signal closing time and chase out stragglers with chainsaws.
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Igreja de Santo António
The little Igreja de Santo António, bursting with 18th- and 19th-century gilded, carved wood, is a stupendous baroque extravaganza. Beaming cherubs and ripening grapes are much in evidence. The dome and azulejo panels were installed during repairs after the 1755 earthquake.
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Meu Limão
This handsome international-style tapas bar has a trendy feel, a smart crowd and a postcard view of Igreja Santo António from the outdoor tables. Tapas choices (€3.50 to €6) include shrimp with coconut, lemon chicken and mussels. It also serves heartier plates and good wines.
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Taberna de Lagos
Boasting a stylish space and brooding electronic music, this airy and atmospheric bar attracts a somewhat savvier bar-goer (higher cocktail prices also keep some punters away). It’s set in a handsome town house, complete with high ceilings and old stone walls hung with vibrant paintings.
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No Patio
Run by an English expat, No Patio (which means 'on the patio') is a charming and petite restaurant, with a sunny enclosed terrace, where fusion cuisine comes expertly prepared. Prawns and guacamole, asparagus risotto and tasty grilled fish go nicely with the sangria. Reservations advised.
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Igreja de Santa Maria
Igreja de Santa Maria dates from the 15th and 16th centuries and retains a 16th-century entrance; the rest dates largely from the mid-19th century when it was restored after fire. Don’t overlook the strange orange and purple battling angels mural behind the altar.
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Bora Café
Tiny Bora is the ideal place for your healthy fruit and veggie fix, delicious batidos (fruit and milk drinks) and a cool setting. The downsides are that outdoor tables cost more, smoking is allowed, and the computers’ fashionable rubber keyboards are impractical.
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Vino Divino
Rich and flavourful Italian dishes come beautifully prepared at this elegant restaurant. Appetisers like goat's cheese and roasted eggplant are fine preludes to homemade pastas and raviolis (try the tagliatelle with seafood). There are good wine selections and a rooftop terrace.
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Museu Municipal
Museu Municipal, a glorious and fascinating historic mishmash. There’s an entrancing haphazardness about it all, from Roman nails found locally and opium pipes from Macau to bits of the Berlin wall sharing a case with scary-looking surgical instruments.
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Southwest Charters
Southwest Charters offers powerboat or yacht charters carrying eight people for €220 to €385 per half-day, €300 to €565 per full day. Larger boats and weekly rentals are available. A skipper costs €60/100 per half-/full day.
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Boat Trips & Dolphin Safaris
Various operators have ticket stands at the marina or along the promenade opposite the marina for Boat Trips & Dolphin Safaris. Local fishermen offer jaunts to the grottoes by motorboat trawl for customers along the promenade and by the Fortaleza da Ponta da Bandeira.
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A Forja
A ForjaThis buzzing place pulls in the crowds for its over-hearty, top quality traditional food served in a bustling environment at great prices. Plates of the day are always reliable, as are the fish dishes.
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Bom Dia
Bom Dia runs trips on traditional schooners, including a five-hour barbecue cruise (€49/25 adult/child), with a chance to swim; a two-hour grotto trip (€25/12.50, four daily) or family fishing (€39/29).
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Zoo
This zoo is a shady 3-hectare kid-pleaser, with many small primates, and a children’s farm housing domestic animals. It’s near the village of Barão de São Miguel, 8km west of Lagos.
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Tiffany’s
About 10km west of Lagos, Tiffany’s charges €30 an hour for horse riding and has other options, including a three-/five-hour trip (€80/125); the latter includes a champagne picnic.
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3 Monkeys
This is a backpacker’s favourite for a good time. This classic bar has friendly staff who dish out plenty of shots and glasses to its jolly clientele. Its gimmick is a funnel-full of whatever you want to scull.
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Bar Lota
One of the few traditional authentic ‘what-you-see-is-what-you-get’ fish places around. Think wooden benches with paper tablecloths, loads of clients, and piles of fabulously fresh seafood daily plates.
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