Advantages: see above
Disadvantages: see above

...After some helpful suggestions, I decided to do this opinion on the town in Portugal 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 Portugal to a disastrous defeat in Morocco, but he made 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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

...Lagos, pronounced lagoosh is situated on Portugal's Algarve region, A beautiful place, with at one end a Castle which sits on the see edge,(now a museum), and at the other a superb boating harbour, which is accessible via a small bridge or drive to it, taking the first left after the roundabout next to the Monopoly super market. At the waters edge, there is a large promenade made of small cobbles, each one laid by hand by an army of workers, the prom is lined with palm trees, and plenty of seating stops, perfect to sit and watch the world go by, take a glance over the sea wall, and watch a fall array of fish and small squid feeding of the underwater vegetation. A note of warning, keep children's hands away from the tree bark, it cuts skin easily. The beach is accessed via two main points, one just pasted the Castle, some... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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

...I went on my first holiday aboard in 20yrs last year, with my sister, her husband, and their family - to Portugal, we stayed in an apartment complex 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 wide and very busy, there are many crossing along the road, which you can us to cross safely and go into the town. We walked along the front, where you go to many little coves and swim in the sea - which is the most beautiful blue. One... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

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 arrived there, I headed to the pre-booked youth hostel. This hostel is very popular, so pre-booking is essential, no matter when you travel. It's located in the town centre, is quite modern, staff is very friendly, nice mix of travellers and a very relaxed atmosphere. Price: 10 euros per night. There are lots of portugese people trying to earn extra euros by subletting rooms for tourists... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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

...on a hotel or resort/holiday destination, is Holiday Watchdog, which tells the whole truth and nothing but the truth on every detail and quetion posible. PERSONAL TIP: dont go to the chinese restaurant in the centre of lagos! terrible service, cramped room with tables right beside each other and they laughed at us when we spoke!!!!! -----MY 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 is aimed at tourists. Hotels and appartments... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: History, beaches, amenities, weather, friendly people,now closer to airport
Disadvantages: Too busy during summer months, mad drivers

...Lagos is positioned in one of the largest bays in the Algarve. The town was conquered by the Moors in the 8th century, but unfortunatly most of the heritage dating back from those days was destroyed in the Great Earthquake of 1755. Therefore most historic buildings are posterior to this date. I'd never been to Lagos until I moved back from England to Portugal. I had always stayed in the Eastern Algarve, towards Spain, for my holidays. For working reasons I had to establish myself around Lagos area, and I was truly impressed with the beauty of the town, as well as its well preserved heritage. With its narrow cobbled streets, a variety of shops, restaurants and long sandy beaches Lagos has a lot to offer. The weather, like in the rest of the Algarve, is mild all year round. I decided to add my review to make note that getting... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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

...tour in 1997 went on to Porto and Lagos, in the Algarve. Porto is wonderful, especially if you visit it on foot (you must have understood by now that I like walking around), in fact I went back in ’99; if you happen to get here don’t miss the local “vinho verde”, a special kind of white wine made with unripe grapes, that tastes fresh and is easy to drink. Lagos is really touristy, even if can boast a Moorish fortress and a spectacular coastline. It is not far from Sagres, another of Europe’s limits, for the one interested in such things. In ’99 I discovered northern Portugal. As I said I went back to Porto and I went on to Braga, the religious capital of the country, that stands well up to its name: I have never seen so many shops for religion related items! A trip to Barcelos for the market (I think it is on Thursdays) where you can buy... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Scenery, quiet, friendly locals, excellent standard of accommodation.
Disadvantages: Food and drink expensive, some woodland damaged by fire.

...Are you a family or groups looking for a peaceful holiday location with lots of things to do to keep everyone happy? In my experience the best way to enjoy your hard earned time off work is to rent a villa! Villas in Portugal are amongst the highest standard of accommodation you will find for the price you will pay. Often villas are in beautiful, otherwise desserted locations. Having been on family and group holidays to apartments, hotels and even cruising, this is by far the best way to go. Holiday reps don't get involved here, they don't expect you to come to a welcome meeting and there isn't any attempt to sell you any day trips or, worse still, nights out. My friends and I went with Villaplus to an area of the Algarve called Quinta de Lago, a lovely part of the world. The villa we stayed in, Casa Talefe, had 7 double... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Bubbling city, pleasant places of interest
Disadvantages: Traffic Jams, over populated, police!!!

...It will be quite a challenge writing about this wonderful city, having lived there for many years. A very fast paced city it is and you certainly have to be tough and resilient to survive here. Lagos was formerly the capital of Nigeria, which happens to be the most populated country in the whole of Africa. It is even said that one in every black person is a Nigerian. During the Military rule in the 80;s though, the capital was moved to Abuja, much further inland. Lagos is by the Atlantic ocean, on the south west of the country. As any big metroplex would, it boasts of its highways, fly-overs, bridges, skyscrapers and the like. It has a population of perhaps 10million; perhaps because no one really knows the population. It tends to be more expensive than other parts of the country but virtually any large corporation that has any... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good summer climate, nice people, good food, need I go on?
Disadvantages: Had to come home

...I’d been to the Algarve before, four years ago, staying just to the west of the famous town of Albufeira, which was as good an introduction to the southern Portuguese coast as any, although the “Strip” of clubs, bars and Irish Pubs in the centre of Albufeira did tend to make you wonder whether you hadn’t stumbled through a rip in the space/time continuum, and come out with the date intact, but the location shifted to Southend or Blackpool during a heatwave! Anyway, we were encouraged by the fact that we didn’t HAVE to go anywhere near this part of town, and by the general friendliness of the area. Eating out is good value in Portugal – why, we even managed to dine at the next table to “Richard and Judy”, much to my wife’s angst, since she appreciates that kind of thing but was facing the wrong way! (Yes, she does look a lot older... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful