The beaches around Lagos are some of the most beautiful of the Algarve, like Praia de Dona Ana, which can be reached after a 25 minutes walk from the center of the town, Praia do Camilo, a bit further on, and Meia Praia, whose sands stretch for 4 km (2.5 miles) east of Lagos. However, it is the promontory named Ponta da Piedade and sheltering the bay of Lagos which is most admired by visitors, with its caves, rocks and wonderfully transparent waters. North of Lagos, Barragem de Bravura is a water reservoir offering fine views.

Enclosed within 5th century walls, with its Manueline window, are the magnificent churches of  S. Sebastiao (Renaissance portals and 17th-18th century tiles), Santa Maria of Misericordia (16th- 19th centuries), Santo Antonio (Baroque) and the very old S. Joao Hermitage (8th-9th centuries). Other points of interest: Regional Museum, Governors' Palace, Forte do Pau da Bandeira and the Old Slave Market. Charming marina.