Location: Praia da Luz / Luz in Portugal
Nearest Airport:
Faro at 90
Kilometres
Nearest Ferry:
Santander at 600
Kilometres
Nearest Train:
Lagos at 8
Kilometres
Nearest Motorway:
A22 at 6
Kilometres
Nearest Beach:
beach at 150.0
Metres
Car: not necessary
Lagos – once the home of Henry the Navigator, this Anglo Portuguese explorer became the pioneer for the Portuguese age of discoveries which lead to the opening of the Western Europe and Asian sea route. His statue in Lagos' Praca da Republica is a reminder of the past when the walled city of Lagos was the return destination for Henry's ships which usually bore a sinister cargo of slaves which were then traded at the nearby slave market. Infante Henrique (as he is known in Portugal) was the initial catalyst for later explorers such as Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus (who is said to have been a student at the Navigation school in Sagres) and Ferdinand Magellan. The local museum makes for an interesting visit and leads out into the Golden Chapel, a stunning place of worship.
Lagos still has a very nautical feel and it is no wonder that its centre piece is an attractive marina which is an ideal place to stroll around to admire the boats or enjoy the many cafes, restaurants and bars.