Day trips from Lagos

Train. The Algarve line runs from Lagos east to Vila Real de Santo António. Since 19 July 2026 the electric trains run straight through, with no change in Faro. From Lagos it is about 20 minutes to Ferragudo, about 30 to Silves and about 1½ hours to Faro.

Bus. Vamus runs the regional buses. For Sagres, bus 47 leaves from the Lagos bus station and takes about 55 minutes, with fewer buses at weekends.

Car. For the west coast and Monchique, a car is the realistic option. Rough driving times from Lagos old town without traffic: Silves and Sagres about 35 minutes, Ferragudo about 40, Cabo de São Vicente and the west coast beaches about 45, Fóia about 55, Faro about 1 hour, Olhão about 1 hour 10 and Tavira about 1 hour 15. The A22 motorway has electronic tolls, so check how your hire car pays them.

Timetables change with the seasons, so check cp.pt and vamusalgarve.pt before you go, especially for the last service back. More in our Algarve without a car guide.

Car, or bus 47 from Lagos · A full day · Sunset at the cape

The fortress on the headland, fish simply done, sunset at the cape. Bring a jumper: it can be windy out there.

How we would do it: coffee by the water in Burgau or Salema, a swim at Praia da Luz if the day is warm, then the fortress at Sagres. Fish for lunch, then out to Cabo de São Vicente for the sunset.

Our pick on the way: Cerâmica Paraíso, the yellow shop covered in painted plates on the N125 near Raposeira. Cash only. More in Local favourites.

Good to know: bus 47 takes about 55 minutes and runs less often at weekends. If you go by bus, check the last one back before you plan on the sunset.

Car is easiest · A full day · Surf, dunes and tide pools

Amado and Bordeira: surf, dunes and almost no buildings. The Atlantic on this side is much stronger than in Lagos, so swim only where there are lifeguards and the flag allows it.

Our pick: the Rock&Reel tide pool safari at Monte Clérigo, near Aljezur. We took a group of children and they were completely absorbed. Ages 4 and up, small groups, and bring shoes that grip when wet. More in Local favourites.

Dogs: on lifeguarded beaches dogs are usually not allowed during the bathing season (each council sets its own dates, roughly June to September). Outside the season the rules are usually more relaxed, but always read the sign at the beach entrance.

Car · Half a day or more · The view from Fóia, 902 m

The hills behind the coast, a few degrees cooler, and the view from Fóia, the Algarve’s highest point at 902 metres. On a clear day you can see the ocean from the top.

Fóia is about 5 km past the little town of Monchique, up a winding road. Give the town itself some time on the way back.

Good to know: there is no direct bus from Lagos (it means changing in Portimão), so this one is really a car trip.

Train, then a short taxi · Half a day · The red castle

The red sandstone castle above the Arade, with the cathedral and cobbled streets below it.

Good to know: the train from Lagos takes about 30 minutes, but Silves station is about 2 km south of town along a busy road. Take a taxi rather than walking. By car, park outside the old centre: the streets inside are narrow.

Silves pairs well with Ferragudo, two stops back towards Lagos.

Car or train · Half a day · Fish lunch on the river

Grilled fish on the river, and a small fishing village made for slow wandering.

Good to know: Ferragudo has its own stop on the Algarve line, about 20 minutes from Lagos. Pair it with Silves for a full day by train.

Boat from Lagos Marina · Half a day · Sea caves, often dolphins

By boat from Lagos Marina, passing hidden beaches and often dolphins. Ask us and we will book it.

Our pick: BlueFleet at Lagos Marina. We have been out with them and are happy to arrange a trip for you. More in Local favourites.

Good to know: since August 2024 the cave has strict rules. No swimming in, no landing on the beach inside, kayaks only with a licensed guide, and a short time limit inside. Boats only go out when the sea allows, so trips can be cancelled at short notice.

Nearby: Morgado do Quintão, a historic wine estate near Lagoa. Book tastings ahead.

Train, about 1½ hours · A full day · The old town and the lagoon

Walk into the old town, the Vila Adentro, through the Arco da Vila, the early 19th-century gate with storks nesting on top. Inside the walls: cobbled lanes, the cathedral square and, just beyond, the Ria Formosa lagoon. Boats to the lagoon islands leave from the Porta Nova pier.

Good to know: the station is in town, so no car needed. Check the last train back to Lagos on cp.pt before you settle in for dinner.

Direct train, about 2 to 2½ hours · A long day · Island ferries

Since July 2026 the trains run straight from Lagos to the far east of the Algarve, with no change in Faro. It is still a long ride, so pick one town rather than both, or stay a night.

Olhão: the fishing port on the lagoon, with ferries from the town pier to the islands of Armona (around 15 minutes) and Culatra.

Tavira: the old bridge over the river, and boats to Ilha de Tavira from Quatro Águas, about 2 km outside town.

Good to know: ferries run much less often out of season, so check the times before you go, and plan to head back to Lagos by early evening.