Guide to the best beaches in Lagos, Portugal

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In the western Algarve, Lagos is my favourite small city to make my base – and around Lagos you’ll find some of the most spectacular beaches in the Algarve. If you’ve ever seen pictures of dramatic and rocky orange cliffs against the vibrant blue sea, then chances are they were taken around Lagos. 

I’m based in Lisbon and I’ve been to Lagos many times, scouting out the best patches of sand to lay my towel to read books and take naps quick dips in the icy Atlantic Ocean.

In this guide I’ve included the best beaches in Lagos, going from east to west. From family-friendly stretches of endless sand, to hard-to-reach nudist coves – here are the top beaches to explore in Lagos, Algarve. There’s a map down the bottom.

General tips for beaches near Lagos

The beaches around Lagos are some of the nicest in the Algarve. Most of the beaches listed below have lifeguards on duty during the bathing season, which typically runs from mid-May to mid-October

Most of these beaches feature stunning natural cliffs, so take care as they can be unstable. Local authorities tell people to avoid laying your towel near the cliffs. Around Lagos you will find lots of boardwalks, which are safe. Going off them can be dangerous as some cliffs are unstable due to natural erosion.

If you plan to visit the beach in the late afternoon, I’d avoid the beaches on the eastern side of Ponta da Piedade as they will be in full shadow close to sunset. Try Porto de Mós or Meia Praia at that time.

What is a Blue Flag beach?

Portugal is obsessed with the idea of Blue Flag beaches. Essentially, if a beach ticks a bunch of boxes in terms of access, safety, environmental care and facilities then it can receive the special European “Blue Flag” rating. 

This is good as it means many beaches have public toilets, lifeguards, high water quality and meet certain environmental protection standards. There are nearly 300 blue flag beaches in Portugal, and around Lagos you’ll find Porto de Mós, Dona Ana and Meia Praia all have the blue flag rating.

Read next… Itinerary: My ideal 7-day Algarve road trip

Meia Praia – largest stretch of sand

Meia Praia literally means half beach, but I’d argue this is a whole beach or even a beach-and-a-half. Meia Praia is a mammoth stretch of relaxed golden sands where you can find beach bars and clubs, umbrellas for rent, and plenty of space. This Algarve beach runs for about 4.5 kilometres (almost 3 miles) from the Bensafrim River mouth in Lagos until the Ria de Alvor, forming a huge natural bay.

Meia Praia is one of the longest beaches in the Algarve and along its sands you’ll find half a dozen carparks, lifeguards, a handful of cafés, bars, and restaurants, plus chairs and umbrellas for rent and the 17th-century Forte da Meia Praia, built to defend the bay of Lagos. There’s a train station and you’ll have to cross the tracks to reach the sand. 

Need to know: From the old town of Lagos, you can cross the Bensafrim River by foot over a pedestrian bridge, or take a tiny ferry boat closer to the oceanfront called Vai Vemto reach the other side. 

Facilities at Meia Praia

Blue Flag beach: Yes
Lifeguards: No
Parking: Yes, lots of car parking
Restaurant or bar: Yes, lots of beach bars – too many to list!
Toilet: Only inside the restaurant
Sunbeds: No
Activities: None

Read next… Where to stay in the Algarve: Ultimate guide to choosing your base

Ponta da Piedade – the cliffs around Lagos

Ponta da Piedade is not a beach in Lagos, but I wanted to talk about geography for first-timers. Piedade Point is the bit of land that juts out south of the old town of Lagos. The craggy cliffs of Ponta de Piedade is where you’ll find most great Lagos beaches. There are great boardwalks along the top of the cliffs, and staircase that wind down to different patches of sand.

Personally I think the best way to see and explore Ponta da Piedade (a must-do in Lagos!) is from the water. On the opposite side to the old town you’ll find the marina where boats leave for tours of Ponta da Piedade – recently I joined this boat and kayaking experience and I absolutely loved it! There are small boat tours too, but nothing beats having your own paddle.

Tip: Before the boat tour, stop by one of my favourite specialty cafés in Portugal, Everyday People, less than a kilometre from the marina, then set out to explore the cliffs.

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Praia da Batata – closest to Lagos

“Potato Beach” is the closest nice stretch of sand to the old historic town of Lagos, making it an easy choice if you’re based in town and want to lay out on the sand or only have an hour or two to be at the beach. 

It’s located at the mouth of the Bensafrim River and near the 17th-century Forte da Ponta da Bandeira. The beach is about 160 metres long and the sheltered cove is protected from strong sea breezes by high rocky cliffs. Its eastward direction makes it a family-friendly Lagos beach that is protected from swells.

In summer you might see a music festival set up, or a volleyball court for a contest.

As for the name, legend has it that a ship carrying potatoes sank off shore and potatoes started washing up on the beach – makes sense. 

Need to know: In summer there are lifeguards here during the bathing season. There’s a small car park here too, and a café above the cliffs. Note that it gets very busy in the summer.

Fun idea: The best way to see the landscape of the Algarve is from the water – and if you love to kayak you can book this 2.5-hour kayak tour that departs from this beach and paddles past the various beaches of Lagos and around Ponta da Piedade.

Facilities at Praia da Batata

Blue Flag beach: No (lost the title in 2020)
Lifeguards: Yes
Parking: Yes, here
Restaurant or bar: Yes, Batata Beach Bar on the beach, or Mar at the top of the cliff
ToiletPublic toilets, yes.
Sunbeds: No
Activities: Kayaking

Praia dos Estudantes – iconic bridge

This is a fun little beach to visit. You can reach it by wandering down a staircase from Mar Restaurant, or you can slip through a tunnel carved into the cliffs from Praia da Batata. Praia dos Estudantes – which means Student Beach – is usually a little less crowded than Praia da Batata, but it’s still close to the city. 

From the first beach you can continue through another tunnel to another part of the beach where you’ll see a Roman-style bridge connecting two rocks. That bridge belongs to a private home, which if you have a cheeky €27 million in the bank could be yours – as of writing this in early 2025, the house is on the market.

The sand here is quite coarse and the sea is calm for swimming.

Tip: Praia dos Estudantes is a favourite spot for photos with the bridge, but this beach is in shadow for much of the day so going early might not be the best idea!

Facilities at Praia dos Estudantes

Blue Flag beach: No
Lifeguards: No
Parking: Yes, here
Restaurant or bar: Yes, Mar at the top of the cliff
Toilet: Only inside the restaurant
Sunbeds: No
Activities: None

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Praia do Pinhão – closed due to unstable cliffs

This small beach is one of the most beautiful around Lagos, but sadly it was closed during my last trip (October 2024) due to unstable cliffs. There are two parts to this beach, which requires access via a stone staircase or newer wooden staircase – but both were blocked off with official signage and barriers. You may be able to reach the beach at low tide from Praia dos Estudantes.

If you find the beach has reopened, please message me or leave a comment! If you’re looking for a nice beach, try Praia da Dona Ana to the right or Praia dos Estudantes to the left.

Praia da Dona Ana – considered the most beautiful Lagos beach

With clear waters, towering cliffs, and golden sands, Praia da Dona Ana is the Lagos beach that pops up when you Google “most beautiful beach in the Algarve”. From the edge of the historic centre of Lagos it will take you around 15 minutes on foot to reach this moderately sized Algarve beach, with its sea stacks and 160 metres of ocean frontage.

Descend almost 100 steps to find sunbeds and umbrellas in the summer, along with a beach shack serving simple food and ice-cold beer. Sitting here you’ll be surrounded by the rocky cliffs and unusual limestone formations found all around the Ponta da Piedade area. The waters here are calm (and cold, like all other beaches) and I’ve heard it’s a nice spot to go snorkeling.

Controversially, Don Ana Beach was reconstructed in 2015. Essentially the council increased the beach size by doubling the sand area. The project was done to improve the safety of visitors so people could lay on the sand away from the unstable cliffs. The locals didn’t seem to be happy with the €1.8 million pricetag and feel Dona Ana lost its original beauty.

Facilities at Praia da Dona Ana

Blue Flag beach: Yes
Lifeguards: Yes
Parking: Yes, here
Restaurant or bar: Yes, beach shack Marisol on the sand, or a little kiosk at the car park. Hotels nearby have places to eat too
Toilet: Yes, public
Sunbeds: Yes
Activities: May have kayak and paddle board rental

Praia do Camilo – with the cascading staircase

Praia do Camilo is the Lagos beach that I’m most fond of. Not because it’s the most beautiful, or most special (though it is pretty as a postcard) – I just fell for the landscape of this particular beach on my very first visit to Lagos, back in 20219. Surrounded by high cliffs on all sides, from the restaurant at the top you’ll follow a long wooden staircase – about 200 steps – down to a small patch of sand. 

Need to know: This beach is best at low tide, as there isn’t much sand to share in the first place. It’s popular as well, so in summer you’ll be fighting for space. Go early to get a spot when the beach is in full sun. By late afternoon the cliffs and eastward facing beach are in shadow. On this beach you’ll also find tunnels to explore.

Facilities at Praia do Camilo

Blue Flag beach: No
Lifeguards: Yes
Parking: Yes, here
Restaurant or bar: Yes, Restaurante Camilo at the top of the cliff
Toilet: Public toilets at the restaurant
Sunbeds: No
Activities: None

Praia do Canavial – for adventurous nudists

If you like a challenge and enjoy more secretive beaches, then set out to find Praia Canavial. This hidden beach is set on the western side of Ponta da Piedade and it isn’t easy to find or reach, but you have two options. 

Follow a beautiful boardwalk past figs, pines and carob trees. This walk appears to do a loop from one side street to another but if you pay attention part-way along you’ll see “nudism beach” scribbled on one of the balustrades. Slip under a railing and follow a dirt path down to the lesser-known Praia do Canavial. From the top of the cliffs here there is a semi-maintained path and staircase down to the beach.

The other, easier way, is available only during low tide, when you can walk from Canavial to Praia de Porto de Mós. Apparently during high tide most of the skinny stretch of sand of Canavial disappears under water. 

Good to know: Everyone is welcome at Praia do Canavial, though due to its private nature the stretch of sand is unofficially a nudist beach. It seems that the naturists like to relax down the eastern end of the beach. 

Facilities at Praia do Canavial

Blue Flag beach: No
Lifeguards: No
Parking: Street parking – try here
Restaurant or bar: No
Toilet: No
Sunbeds: No
Activities: No

Praia do Porto de Mós – large beach with cliff

The final beach close to Lagos is Praia de Porto de Mós, another expansive stretch of golden sands almost 1 kilometre long. I’d compare this one to Meia Praia – though I prefer the beauty of Porto de Mós as the large beach is backed by a huge cliff face on either side. Here you can have fun on the sand, go surfing, hire kayaks, or eat at one of two restaurants. 

Ponta da Piedade protects most of Lagos from ocean swell, but since this is on the other side you may find waves here (more likely out of summer). That makes it less safe for families with young children, but means you can join a surf lesson plus, the sand here is softer and finer! 

You can also hire kayaks, which you can use to visit nearby Ponta da Piedade, or those silly summer pedal boats. Alternatively you can walk from here along the boardwalks that cross Ponta da Piedade – though I really feel the rocky peninsula is best seen from the water. 

Praia do Porto de Mós is a great spot for sunset as it faces slightly west. Or if you visit during low tide, you can walk east to access Praia do Canavial, an unofficial nudist beach.

Facilities at Praia do Porto de Mós

Blue Flag beach: Yes
Lifeguards: Yes
Parking: Yes, here
Restaurant or bar: Two beachfront restaurants – O António and Campimar
Toilet: Public toilets
Sunbeds: Yes
Activities: Watersports like kayaking

Other beautiful beaches near Lagos, Portugal

If you’re looking for quieter beaches a little further from town, I’d continue west towards Sagres. I’m a fan of Praia do Burgau, a beautiful stretch of sand beneath grey cliffs and tiny white-washed village (pictured). It’s worth dropping by for a coffee, wine or lunch at Sul here.

Or if you keep heading towards Sagres, society seems to melt away and you’ll find half a dozen wilder beaches (that may require a bit of a trek) and some with small townships, such as Praia da Salema, where A BÓIA is meant to be a great lunch spot.

Map of the best beaches around Lagos, Algarve

Extra tips for visiting beaches around Lagos, Algarve

Beaches without seaweed around Lagos?

At times, seaweed or algae can be a bit of a problem in the summer months. On occasion large masses of algae will wash ashore, and the smaller beaches tend to trap it. If you’re visiting these Algarve or Lagos beaches and find there is too much seaweed for you to enjoy the beach, I’d try visiting a larger beach and look for an opposing current. For example, if Praia do Camilo is covered in seaweed, try Praia do Porto de Mós, which faces a different direction.

Are the Algarve beach cliffs dangerous?

Yes and no. The natural process of erosion does mean there is a danger of landslides and rock falls. When visiting any of these spectacular natural landscapes, bring common sense. Pay attention to any signs warning you about unstable cliffs, avoid parking or standing right at the cliff edge, and don’t put your towel right under any cliffs. 

Which Lagos beaches are easy to access?

Many of the beaches I’ve mentioned require walking down very long staircases to reach the sand. If you want a more accessible beach, try Meia Praia, Porto de Mós or Praia da Batata

Is the Atlantic Ocean always so cold?

Yes, the Atlantic Ocean is always super cold. The warmest water temperature is just after summer, around September. The warmest the water gets is about 21°C (around 70°F). The coldest month is March, with an average water temperature of 16°C (60°F).

Are you planning to visit the Algarve soon? Beyond the best beaches in Lagos, don’t miss my 7-day Algarve itinerary, and tried-and-tested Algarve restaurant guide.

Read next… 

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Daniela Sunde-Brown

I'm an Australian travel and food writer who has called Lisbon home since 2018. To help others explore Portugal, I write deep stories about Portuguese traditions, regional dishes, local artisans, and sustainable fashion and ceramics
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Olá, I'm Daniela

I’m an Australian travel and food writer who has called Lisbon home since 2018. To help others explore Portugal, I write deep stories about Portuguese traditions, regional dishes, local artisans, and sustainable fashion and ceramics 🙂

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