Lagos (Portugal)

Advantages: Relaxing, hot, beautiful scenery
Disadvantages: very steep streets, mad drivers

...a few miles out of Lagos - We were only there for a week and had a day trip into Lagos - we caught the local bus, which was air conditioned, but was a bit rickerty, the journey took us about 40mins, through very narrow streets in places. At one point we thought the bus would not make it, but it limped and got us there. It cost us the equivalent of £2.00 each on the bus. Once there the main highway boarding along the coast and the marina is very ...
...steak, burgers etc. Lagos also has an extremely large fish market, for anyone to walk through, buy or just look - wow that stunk, but an amazing variety of fish, for you fish lovers. Me being a fat 43 yrs old, I found the streets a little steep, but theres no rush here, just take it steady and they are a piece of cake. For those of you that like shopping, there is a big market, lots and lots of little shops, the streets seem to intertwine, if you ... Read review

Advantages: It's a very charming holiday destination
Disadvantages: On the touristy side... (if this bothers you)

I went to Lagos shortly before end of the tourist season (middle September). GETTING THERE: I got there by taking the coach (4.20 euros) from FARO. I definately would recommend you to take the train instead (except at siesta time), it only costs about 1 euro more. The reason I do not recommend the coach is because delays can occur quite easily (my 2 hour journey turned into a 4.5 hour nightmare with no toilet break). STAYING IN LAGOS: Once I ...
...a Kajak tour at the Lagos Surf Centre (Price: 25 Euros). The tour lasts 3-4 hours, and you will paddle along the rocks, through small tunnels and inside hidden grottos with your kayak. You will paddle from the peaceful Mediterranean to where it meets the wilder Atlantic (the water will be a lot wilder there). The sights and the fun factor of this trip tops the boat trip a zillion times, but then, kajaking is not for everybody. FOOD: Lots of traditional ... Read review

Advantages: tree lined streets bars and cafe
Disadvantages: does get steep in places.

...the road, heading inland is Lagos town itself, a traffic free zone in the central parts, starts of flat but does rise quite substantially, mainly Bars and Small cafes, all very reasonably priced, and a few Larger restaurants specialising in seafood, so fresh you get to pick you meal while its still alive, there is a small Nightclub with Bouncers, but little in the way of trouble. Cobbled streets lined with mainly Lemon and Orange tree's a beautiful ...
...said this, I would say Lagos is aimed at the slightly older generation, with grown up kids, as there's not a lot around for the younger ones. If needed there is a Hospital on the edge of town, Police station, Doctors and several Chemists. There is a few large hotels in Lagos, but I would consider staying on the many closer resorts and hiring a car, as there is so much more to see and do on the Algarve. If visiting by car, park on the sea front, ... Read review

Advantages: see above
Disadvantages: see above

...I went to, Lagos. Lagos is on the western end of the Algarve, about 100km from Faro, and it is one of the most historical places in Portugal. On the front, there is a huge statue of Henry the Navigator, possibly Portugal's biggest hero, but you can find a much stranger statue in the centre. It is supposed to resemble a spaceman, although it is actually a statue of a 15 year old king, and it is a very controversial statue, because this king led ...
...Lagos the capital of the Algarve, which earned him this statue. The town today is one of the least built up in the Algarve, probably because it does not actually have its own beach. To the west, there are alot of smaller beaches, and not much building, except in the west part of Lagos. From Luz, a small resort about 5km from Lagos to Cape St Vincent (the most westerly point in Europe" there is very little to see or do. To the East, there is much ... Read review

Advantages: sunny!! friendly, relaxed, picturesque
Disadvantages: can be a bit too hot, not much shade, constantly people trying to sell daytrips

...EXPERIENCE----- I went to Lagos for a week with my boyfriend last summer. It was a brilliant experience! You pronounce Lagos as Lagosh. The currency is in Euros. About an hours drive in the bus from Faro airport. Pleasant jouney in the Thomson bus provided. Brief tour involved in this journey as the holiday rep gives details on the area and interesting facts, I still remember that talk to this day. Lagos seems to thrive on tourism as everything ...
...building beside the beach in Lagos (do not go here as it is a waste of money although a pleasant view from the top of the building... otherwise hardly anything to see inside and annoying that you spent so much to get in!) There was a lot of building work going on as we were staying there although we refused to let that dampen our experience (and it also means there will be a lot more built now to enjoy this summer). There are lots of good places ... Read review

Advantages: Not too crowded, good accommodation, good weather, Spanish culture
Disadvantages: Barcelona's traffic, lack of genuine sandy beaches

...for the lack of genuine sandy beaches, I came across only 1, at Aigua Blava. Still, there was alot to do in and around the area. I spent a day taking in Barcelona, which is somewhere you must go to, and another day in the nearby town of Girona, famous for bull fights, although there was plenty to do otherwise, and there was an incredible range of ice cream flavours. Staying on the coasts, the resorts of Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell were good to look around in the evening, and both had excellent Mini-Golf courses, if that matters, which it does to me. One thing lacking from the Costa Brava was good restaurants, bud my advice for that is to go inland. Personally, the best restaurants i've been to were in the Algarve. Spain is also alot cheaper than France, but more expensive than Portugal (for an in depth opinion on the Algarve, see my opinion... Read review

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Advantages: I'm a bit in love with it, so I can't be objective...
Disadvantages: The same; well, maybe the transports outside of Lisbon

..., if you have the time be sure to visit it at least for one day. The town centre is a small jewel that can be visited on foot and to relax and restore yourself you can try some of the typical sweets, “travesseiro” (flaky pastry filled with pumpkin jam) and “queijadas de Sintra” (tartlets with a cheese and cinnamon filling). If you ventured as far as Sintra, you cannot miss Palácio da Pena, real triumph of kitsch, but fascinating in a strange kind of way! And the Castelo dos Mouros, the very impressive ruins of a Moorish castle; from the top tower the view stretches out to the Vasco da Gama Bridge on the Tagus river in Lisbon and on to Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of mainland Europe). I can assure that it is really impressive, you have no doubt why they built the castle there! Well, of course, Portugal is not only Lisbon. My tour in 1997... Read review

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