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An historic and picturesque town situated on the western Algarve 20km from Cape St Vincent, the tip of Europe. Unspoilt, but active, this one time fishing village is a great place for a family holiday with the best beaches on the Algarve.
LOCATION
Faro Airport 78 km - motorway all the way about 1 hour
Lisbon - 260 km - on motorway 4 hours
Ayamonte (Spanish border) - 131 km - motorway 1:20 hours
Seville - 268 km - on motorway 2.30 hours
Santander or Bilbao ferry ports - 1,200 Km on motorway
PORTUGAL
The Algarve is famous for its reliable Summer weather which makes it the holiday choice of many families who love the uncrowded beaches.
In comparison to other destinations, Portugal is also safe from the threat of natural disasters and terrorism. At our end of the Algarve the streets and promenades are also free from the 'booze brigade'. Locals have seen what has happened to Albuferia, Praia da Rocha and the like and have developed their town to maintain a more traditional attractiveness. Old fashioned family values mean a lot to the Portuguese. Children of all ages are welcomed anywhere, anytime and it remains a safe place to let them run around in freedom so parents can relax while keeping them in sight. We are on British Summer Time so evenings are light and there are spectacular sunsets.
LAGOS FOR A HOLIDAY OR WINTER BREAK
Lagos gained importance in the 15th Century when Portuguese sailors like Vasco da Gama made their globe encircling voyages of discovery. Virtually destroyed by an earthquake in 1755 the town was rebuilt in the classic 18th century style which the old town retains to this day. Cosy, car free streets with outside restaurants and street markets have retained the ambience of old Portugal .
Lagos is a perfect centre for a family holiday. Local beaches range from the snug Praia D'ana to the 4km emptiness of Meia Praia. The town lies on the river with a wide palm lined promenade, castle, fishing harbour and marina complex.
Great effort has been made to preserve the character of this ancient town with its narrow streets and many sidewalk restaurants. The daily fish and veggie market provides flavours forgotten in supermarket produce. Disco's and live music bars provide plenty of life but they are discreet leaving the centre to the artists and street vendors. During the summer there are plenty of fairs and music events in town most of which are free. Food and wine are cheap from the large supermarkets and the gypsy markets and fairs offer local handicrafts at bargain prices. Children's clothes and shoes are good and cheap. Stock up.
In winter Lagos does not die like many tourist towns. Calm but active would be a fair desription. In the past year Lagos has opened its own sports stadium and now has a public swimming pool and an indoor sports gymnasium complex. Winter visitors can swim in the heated indoor pools and sauna for very little cost. The west coast has spectacular walks and there are five championship golf courses within a few minutes drive.
CLIMATE
Hot, dry, reliable summers. Our solar pool is normally swimmable by mid April through mid October with temperatures between 24C and 31C. Winters temperatures allow lunch al fresco in the sun but a log fire is pleasant past 5pm. We get an occasional frost at night. The rainy season in October depends on the Azores high which can also bounce the depressions up to UK quite nicely.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
(deg C) 15 16 17 20 22 25 28 28 26 22 19 16
(deg F) 59 61 63 68 72 77 82 82 79 72 66 61
WHAT'S ON
A visit to Cape St Vincent for the sunset after a day on Sagres beach is a must. The artists village of Monchique with its old spa village is close by; Silves and its dramatic Moorish castle, cork museum and daily summer show, visit Silves, Cafe des Ingles on Sunday at 3pm for live Brazilian music on the terrace for free : Odiaxere horse fair ; the empty and rugged west coast surfing beaches - all worth a visit. We now have a very active boating scene with trips to watch dolphins at close quarters; which children adore. The boats also visit the famous grottos at Point de Piedade. A few kilometers east at Zoomarine there are daily dolphin and sea life shows with an option to swim with the dolphins.
A trip over the mountain range into the Alentejo region gives a different picture of rural Portugal. It is well worth a trip along the new motorway East to the old Roman town of Tavira and the fishing village at St Lucia. Olhao, the regions biggest fishing resort has a fine market and great fish restaurants and the opportunity to take a ferry boat out to the quaint fishing villages on the Isles of Armona and Farol with their fine beaches. More local are beach villages at Salema and Burgau.
For more action there are boat trips, wind- surfing, tennis, horse-riding, two big 'slide and splash' centres and flying, either micro light, sight seeing or aerobatic. We can arrange a day Surf Safari. Even a day sail on a 42 foot yacht.
There are good cinemas at Algarve shopping, Modelo Portimao as well as Lagos. All the bars have SKY TV and show all the important sports matches. Have a family ten pin competition in Giai mall.
The gypsy market visits Lagos on the first Saturday of every month. The horse fair and morning market on the fourth Monday of every month in Odiaxiere and is good for kids . Try the chicken and chips cooked al fresco, the cost is peanuts and you won't need dinner.
The area has plenty to offer apart from just lying in the sun and doing nothing at all...
WEB SITES FOR THE LOCAL ACTIVITIES CAN BE ACCESSED ON THE 'USEFUL LINKS' PAGE
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Lagos - unspoiled gem of the Algarve
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