The best areas to stay in Lagos, Portugal
Choose your area first and your accommodation second. Lagos is compact, but the old town, the long beach at Meia Praia and the quieter hotel strips to the west each have a different feel.
Old town and the centre
Best for first-timers and short staysCobbled lanes inside the old walls, the main squares, the marina and most of the restaurants, bars and shops. Praia da Batata and the start of the cliff path are a few minutes on foot, and the train and bus stations are just across the river. The easiest base without a car, and where the hostels are.
Meia Praia
Best for a long beach and apartmentsA four-kilometre stretch of golden sand running east from the marina, lined with low-rise apartments and aparthotels. Quieter than the centre, good for families and longer stays, and still a 20 to 30 minute walk or a short drive from the old town.
Porto de Mos
Best for a quieter beach hotel stayA wide beach between cliffs on the western edge of town, with a handful of hotels and apartment complexes set back from the sand. Calmer than the centre, with a cliff-top walk towards Ponta da Piedade, and most places here run shuttles into Lagos.
Ponta da Piedade and the cove beaches
Best for scenery and cliff walksThe headland south of the old town, with the famous rock formations and small cove beaches such as Dona Ana and Camilo. Mostly villas, guesthouses and a few hotels on the clifftop, a 20 to 30 minute walk from the centre or a short hop by car or bike.
Praia da Luz
Best for a slow family holidayA former fishing village about 10 minutes' drive west of Lagos, with a sheltered beach, a promenade of cafes and plenty of villas and apartments. A good option if you want a quieter base and do not mind driving or taking the bus into Lagos for the evenings.
Our 6 recommended places to stay in Lagos, Portugal
Booking sites list hundreds of options in and around Lagos. These are the six we would look at first, chosen across budgets and areas, with a mix of a social hostel, beachfront apartments, two resorts, a quiet hotel and old-town apartments.
Budget pickHostel · Town centre
Olive Hostel Lagos
A very social hostel in the centre of Lagos, a short walk from the beach, with great staff, communal dinners and a rooftop terrace. The location feels safe and easy, and it is one of the best-value ways to stay close to the old town.
- Communal dinners and a rooftop terrace
- Central, safe-feeling location a short walk from the beach
- Best for solo travellers and anyone who wants to meet people
Mid-range pickAparthotel · Meia Praia
Meia Praia Lagos - Beach Club Apartments
Beachfront apartments opposite the long sandy sweep of Meia Praia, with big balconies and sea views, a lovely pool area and a quiet, relaxing feel. Every unit has a kitchen or kitchenette, the staff are friendly and parking is free and easy.
- Spacious apartments with big sea-view balconies
- Quiet pool area, free parking and a kitchen in every unit
- Best for couples, families and longer stays by the beach
Mid-range pickResort · Town centre
NH Lagos Algarve Resort
A resort within walking distance of the old town, with three pools, a spa and sauna and free parking. Guests praise the breakfast and the friendly staff, and there is a free shuttle to the hotel's private beach club.
- Three pools, a spa and sauna
- Free shuttle to a private beach club
- Best for families and anyone who wants resort facilities close to town
Mid-range pickApartment hotel · Porto de Mos
Agua Hotels Vila Branca
Very spacious, modern apartments with a kitchen and a private balcony or terrace, in a quiet spot between Porto de Mos beach and the town. There are two pools plus children's pools, friendly staff and a free shuttle to the beach and to Lagos centre.
- Large, clean apartments with kitchens and terraces
- Two pools, kids' pools and a free shuttle to the beach and town
- Best for families and groups who want space
Premium pickHotel · Porto de Mos
Lagos Atlantic Hotel
A quiet hotel about 500 metres from Porto de Mos beach, with sea-view rooms, a large saltwater pool and a gym with a view. The rooms are spacious and spotless, breakfast is included, the staff are very friendly and the WiFi is rated 9.5 by guests.
- Large saltwater pool and sea-view rooms
- Breakfast included and WiFi rated 9.5
- Best for couples and remote workers who want calm and comfort
Premium pickHoliday apartments · Old town
Old Town Apartments Sea View
Newly renovated apartments in the heart of the old town, with a balcony, a roof terrace and sea views, yet quiet at night. Each has a fully equipped kitchen and the host is very helpful. A good choice if you want to step out of the door into the old town's lanes.
- Roof terrace and sea views in the heart of the old town
- Fully equipped kitchen and a very helpful host
- Best for couples and friends who want the old town on the doorstep
Ratings are from Booking.com guest reviews at the time of writing and can change. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Getting to and around Lagos
Faro airport is the closest, about 90 kilometres east. By car it is around an hour on the A22 motorway. Without a car, the simplest route is the bus or train from Faro to Lagos, about two hours in total, or a private transfer booked through your accommodation. From Lisbon, direct buses take around three and a half to four hours and the train about four with a change at Tunes; both arrive just across the footbridge from the marina.
Once you are here, the old town, the marina and Praia da Batata are all walkable, and Meia Praia and Porto de Mos are a 20 to 30 minute walk or a short cycle or taxi ride away. Local buses connect the beaches and Praia da Luz, and many hotels outside the centre run their own shuttles. Parking in the old town is tight in summer, so choose a place with parking if you are driving.
Staying connected is simple too. Our guides to the best eSIMs for Portugal and the best travel insurance for Portugal cover the rest of your trip, and if you are heading up the coast afterwards, see our guide to where to stay in Ericeira.
