Beaches:
The beaches around Lagos are amongst the most beautiful in the Algarve. Meia Praia is the nearest beach to the apartment and can be reached on foot in about 5 minutes. This beautiful beach forms part of one of the largest bays in Europe and its seemingly endless white sands stretch out for 4 km. There is a windsurf centre on the beach and at the Marina visitors can book many other activities, including diving, water skiing, big game fishing and boat trips around the spectacular coastline. Dotted along the beach you will find plenty of good restaurants and beach bars for drinks, lunch or dinner. In addition to Meia Praia there are numerous other beaches within a 5-10 minute drive of the marina. Dona Ana, Porto de Mos, Camillo, Luz, Salema and Burgau are favourites, they are all family friendly with good facilities. A little further afield one can visit the west coast with its wild and beautiful beaches. The enormous waves on these beaches make them very popular with surfers.
Day trips:
-Take the road up into the green mountains of Monchique, at almost every turn you will encounter a stunning panorama of sea and mountains. Foia at 903 metres is the highest point in the Algarve. Visit the Caldas de Monchique, the hot springs for which Monchique is famous, try some chicken piri-piri for lunch.
-Head out of Lagos on the N125 towards Sagres taking a detour via Ponte de Piedade, a huge rock formation hollowed out by the seas. From there continue to Sagres and Cape St Vincent, the most westerly point in Europe with its fortress and superb views of the west coast.
-The Barragem de Bravura is a man made lake, a beautiful and peaceful spot, a place to relax and enjoy nature.
-It is certainly worth a drive to Vila do Bispo and Aljezur to visit the wild and beautiful beaches at Castelejo, Cordama,Odeceixe, Amoreira,Bordeira and Amado.
-Take the exciting Dolphin Safari trip from the Marina, or the Bom Dia boat for an interesting and relaxing day trip around the coast.
Additional Info:
Two minutes walk from the apartment you will find an excellent supermarket - Pingo Doce. Here you will find everything you need from fresh fish, meat and fruit to wines, freshly baked bread and pastries. There is even a dry cleaners and a flower shop. The daily fresh fish market in the town is well worth a visit and on Saturdays there is a local market near the bus station.
If you enjoy culture you will be spoilt for choice in Lagos. In the summer months you can see open air concerts at the amphitheater. The art galleries in the old slave market building and regimental warehouse are well worth a visit. The cultural centre of Lagos frequently has recitals and art exhibitions and Lagos has a cinema showing the latest films in English. Take a walk along the promenade to the Governor's castle with it's famous manueline style window and the 18th century fort with drawbridge and moat at the entrance to the harbour. On the way visit the baroque church of St Anthony and the Museum of Lagos
Golf:
5 minutes from Lagos Marina lies the scenic and serene Palmares course, an 18 hole par 72 that perfectly combines beach and mountain scenery. This is reflected in the course, with its links outward nine and hillier back nine and arguably the most striking first hole in the Algarve, with its high tee position pointing straight out to sea. 5 minutes drive in the opposite direction brings you to Boavista, designed by Howard Swan, it is an 18 hole par 71Championship course situated overlooking the Atlantic and Lagos town. A new course, Boavista is a welcome addition to Algarve golf and the discerning visitor, as its combination of design, location and the sheer variety of holes make playing Boavista a wonderful experience for all. Boavista also has the benefit of a driving range and excellent teaching academy. A mere 10 minutes from the Marina is the Penina course, this is the master work of legendary golfer Henry Cotton and the first golf course to grace the Algarve. This Championship course, five times host to the Portuguese open, is an 18 hole par 73 requiring length and accuracy to score low. A 15 minute drive along the N125 towards Sagres will bring you to the superb Parque de Floresta golf resort. The course is an 18 hole par 72 laid out through valleys and inland hills, which in spring are blanketed in flowers. The course provides a good and attractive challenge with lakes and rivers to negotiate and with spectacular views of the shimmering Atlantic to the south side.
