Lagos and the Western Algarve: Ponta da Piedade, Sagres and the Wild West Coast

The western Algarve is the most dramatic stretch of Portugal’s south coast: golden cliffs, sea caves, quiet fishing villages and, at the far end, the wild “end of the world” at Cape St Vincent. Lagos is the perfect base, a lively historic town with beaches on its doorstep.

Quick answer: base yourself in Lagos, take a boat or kayak trip to the grottoes of Ponta da Piedade, spend a day driving west to Sagres and Cape St Vincent for sunset, and slow down in villages like Salema and Burgau.

Lagos

• The old town: cobbled streets inside the old city walls, packed with restaurants and bars. Lively in summer, cosy in winter.
• Ponta da Piedade: towering rock pillars, arches and sea caves just south of town. Walk the clifftop paths and wooden stairways, or see them from the water by boat or kayak. Early morning is calmest.
• Beaches: Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo (photogenic and small), Praia do Pinhão, and the long flat sands of Meia Praia for families. See our best Algarve beaches.
• Food: see our best restaurants in Lagos, or try a Lagos food tour or wine tasting.

See places to stay in Lagos

Villages west of Lagos

• Praia da Luz: a relaxed resort with a wide sandy beach and the Rocha Negra headland walk.
• Burgau: a small, steep fishing village with a sheltered beach.
• Salema: one of the Algarve’s most charming fishing villages, with boats pulled up on the sand. Places to stay in Salema.

Sagres and Cape St Vincent

At the south-western tip of Europe, the land ends in huge cliffs. Visit the Sagres Fortress on its windswept headland, then watch the sunset at the Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse, once believed to be the end of the world. Bring a jacket: it’s always windy. Sagres is a laid-back surf town with great beaches like Mareta and Tonel. Places to stay in Sagres.

The wild west coast

North of Sagres, the Costa Vicentina natural park has some of Portugal’s most beautiful wild beaches: Praia do Amado, Bordeira and Odeceixe. The water is colder and the waves bigger. Great for surfing and walking, but swim only where lifeguarded. The long-distance Rota Vicentina walking trails run along these cliffs.

Getting there and around

• From Faro airport: about an hour by car, or by Aerobus in summer. See our Faro airport guide.
• From Lisbon: train via Tunes (about 4 hours) or a direct bus. See Lisbon to the Algarve.
• Car: highly recommended for the villages, Sagres and the west coast. The A22 is toll-free. See our car rental guide.

When to go

June and September are ideal: warm water and fewer crowds. July and August are busy but buzzing. The western Algarve is also lovely for walking in spring and autumn. See the best time to visit Portugal.

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