4 Nights on The Coast??. 2 in Lisbon

4 Nights on The Coast??. 2 in Lisbon.
So that's the plan after a week of driving around Holland and Belgium.

Was first thinking to stay in Lagos for those four nights to make use of the coast.
I'll want to do some activities... Fishing, hike, diving or whatever else is available in between sitting on beaches while the wife will probably get lost in a book.

If possible, I'd like to avoid hiring a car while in Portugal given that we would have spent most of the previous week in a car. So from what I understand, seeing the nicest beaches around the southern coastline requires access to a car.
If we were to spend time around the Estoril coast rather then Lagos, would a car still be required to make the most of the week and see / do things?
Obviously the appealing point to Estoril is the short trip into Lisbon as opposed to Lagos.

If either location would otherwise require a car to make the most out of the week, then I'd be happy enough to hire one for a few days, but ultimately I'm trying to avoid another car hire.

Travelling in mid September.
Thanks !!

I was in Lagos around that same time last year without a car, and I quite enjoyed it, although I did sometimes get tired of walking in the sun (it is still very hot in September).

In Lagos, you have three particularly nice beaches not far from the city center (<30-35 minutes on foot):

• Praia Dona Ana (longer cove)
• Praia do Camilo (small cove)
• Porto Mos (long, sandy beach)

We also went to Sagres by bus, which had some great views and was not far away. Praia do Tonel (just underneath the fortress) was especially lovely. There were also buses to other beach towns from the Lagos bus station.

So, the bottom line for me would be:

Yes, you can go to some very nice beaches without a car if you're based in Lagos, although be ready to do some walking. Getting taxis to get to and from places is also an option; they're not overly expensive and it will definitely cost less than hiring a car if you're just looking to get around the town. There are local buses, although they were not frequent nor very reliable.

Hope this helps!

Edited by: corinamz

Agree with above the three beaches mentioned are beautiful and if you do not mind walking a bit easily reached, there is also a beautiful walk from Porto mos to the seaside town of Luz. Where you can take a bus back to Lagos.

Lagos is a great place however in July and August it is part central so be warned if that is when you are going.

Hi there,

Lagos is really nice place to go and from Lagos you can do quite some walkings and one of the above answers mentioned some nice beaches to where yo can go.

However to arrive to Lagos you might find the car quite useful. Being in Lagos you can rent a bike, is fun and cheap.

About Estoril:
- is possible and afordable to get an hotel close to the train station from where you can go to many places as to Lisbon for example;
- walking is also a possibility taking the train to Cascais and with a taxi you can go until Guincho where this walk starts: http://walkinginportugal.blogspot.pt/2011/11/cape-roca-westernmost-point-of-europe.html
- to watch the sunset from Cascais (close to Estoril) is a marvelous experience

You might find more things to do at my blog: http://walkinginportugal.blogspot.pt/
And do not hesitate to give me a call or email if you need some help.

All the best for you,
David