Lagos, Portugal
After a five hour train ride from Porto, we moved into our new residence for the month called The Marine Place. It is a very spacious 1,000 sf residential 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment that is well located in the historic old town of Lagos, just a quarter mile from Maia Praia Beach, and just 3 minutes to the city center.
Located next to a wide bay, Lagos is a city full of life. Where we enjoy the various pedestrian streets, many restaurants and cafes, craft shops and urban art, that invites for a walk. Lagos is also famous for the beautiful surrounding beaches with cliffs and caves.
The old building of the City Hall (Paços do Concelho), dated from the beginning of the 19th century,
For an introduction to our new town, we walked down to the center of the old town and found the main Largo Gil Eanes (square) alive with people, performing musicians, art and historical architecture.
In the center is the Statue of Dom Sebastião was created by the Portuguese sculptor João Cutileiro, in homage to the king who gave the status of city to Lagos, in the 16th century. When was placed there in 1972, the statue triggered some controversy. Mainly because, at that time, it was breaking with a more conservative type of sculpture, which had existed in Portugal till then.
Statue of Dom Sebastião
As we follow the street under several arches of old houses and along the way we see an interesting Portuguese traditional style pavement with pieces of black stones arranged in fish patterns.
As we stroll down the old town's pretty, cobbled lanes, lined with shops and restaurants we find another square, the Praça Luis de Camões, which is also the location of the famous ‘green tiled building’, you’ll see this building on much of the media and photos of Lagos. When we were searching for a place to stay in Lagos we discovered that the green tiled building is a townhouse and we could rent one of the apartments in the building. Although we were tempted we figured that the apartment would be a very noisy place to live.
After acquainting ourselves with the old town, it was time to take a look at the Marina that Lagos is famous for. it is just a short walk along the inlet to a bridge to cross over to the Marina.
The Marina is a small and quiet one, that has stunning views across to the sea The “Marina de Lagos” is a modern marina located in the Bay of Lagos, next to the Historic old town Center of the city. It has shopping and dining areas residential areas, green and leisure areas, also booths offering activities such as deep-sea fishing kayak trips,and boat trips for visitors who wish to discover the Algarve from the sea.
It also has a unique pedestrian draw bridge over the inlet to the Marina to let the larger yachts and the sailboats with high masts to pass through.
Everyday Shopping
Living here in the old town where the tourists visit to enjoy the restarants bars and historic sites, we were concerned that daily normal shopping may be a bit of a problem. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the everyday shops and services were very close by. Sprinkled throughout the old town there are local markets with fresh fruits and some grocery items and close by were larger market chains like Spar and the big hypermarket like Pingo Doce.
Local Market
Mini Store with Basics
Spar
Small Grocery Store with Basics
Pingo Doce
Hypermarket
FARMERS MARKET
For fresh organic produce we go to one of the weekly farmers markets. We went to the Wednesday organic market which was a 15 minute walk from our apartment.
The market has live entertainment, food truck, craft beer, crafts, and of course fresh, local grown produce.
The apartment need a few household items and had a broken electrical plug in the kitchen so we went looking for a household store and electrical store, We were able to find stores in our neighborhood in the historical old town. At the electrical store we met a couple from Devonshire England who were shopping for a fuse. They purchased a home here in Lagos near the Marina in 2006 and split their time between their home in the UK and Lagos. they were very helpful in suggestions for shopping and service providers for a hair salon and also recommendations for restaurants, We met them for dinner and drinks a few days later. We shared a delightful dinner with them at an Indian Restaurant Shailimar and got along famously with them. We plan to meet up with them in the UK and accept thier invite to visit them in Devonshire.
We have met many people while traveling and have made a few friends along the way. The Australian couple we met in Porto in the Taberna Santo Antonio restaurant, Richard and Mel, emailed that they were going to be in Lagos for a couple of days. We set dinner plans with them at a The Garden Restaurant which is just around the corner from our Apartment, It has a really cool vibe in an outdoor garden setting with eclectic couches, tables and seating. we caught up with them on their travels and shared some of our experiences. Their insights were very valuable to us since they are essentially living the same way we are. We are certain our paths will cross again, and maybe our timing will be right to visit them in their home in Melbourne.
The Beaches (Praia)
Lagos has some of the finest beaches of southern Portugal and within walking distance of the town are several beautiful beaches.
Praia da Batata
Lorded by a 17th-century fortress on one edge, the beach doubles as a historic center too. Praia da Batata is where you can meet the locals and socialize. If you want to sunbathe close to Lagos, then this beach is the one you head to. Cupped in a sheltered cove, it enjoys the beautiful rocky surroundings. We had our first meal in Lagos at a restaurant over looking this beach.
Praia dos Estudantes
Praia dos Estudantes or Students’ Beach is famous for its landmark bridge that was once a part of a majestic fortress of Pinhão. While the fortress does not exist anymore, the Roman style bridge continues to connect two rock formations and can be accessed from the beach. But not from the cliffs. Connecting this beach to the previously mentioned Praia de Batata is its man-made Northern Tunnel. Seen in the photo of the beach with Mary Kay above.
Meia Praia
Meia Praia is the largest of all beaches in Lagos and stretches as far as the eye can see. The beach ditches the cliff setting and embraces a more laid-back appeal, reminding of us of Huntington Beach. The waves here enjoy protection from the wind by the cliffs of Ponta de Piedade and remain calm. The water and the beach are crystal clean, you can stroll and splash barefoot. We have seen a number of surfers close to the mouth of the inlet to the Lagos Marina.
We walked for a quarter of a mile down the beach and decided to stop for a glass of wine at Mar Gaivota Cafe that overlooks the Praia.
There are some very unique beach rentals for fun in the surf.
This beach has a shallow shelf so that you can walk far into the water.
Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse
The dramatic honey-hued cliffs rise up from turquoise seas. Limestone arches, caves and pillars, chiseled by the wind and waves. Standing on the top of the headland, the views along the coast and down to the sea take my breath away. A flight of steps leads down to a little jetty where small boats are collecting tourists, timing each pick-up to avoid the large waves that periodically crash against the cliffs.
The Lagos Farol da Ponta da Piedade lighthouse was built on a cliff top surrounded by palm trees. The lighthouse is a stone tower of masonry, and is still operating to help guide the d=ships from the rocks along the coast line.The coast at Ponta da Piedade has magnificent and unusual rock formations of sandstone cliffs.
Ponta da Piedade Boardwalk
To the west of the Lighthouse, there are meandering pathways all over the rocky promontory and a sturdy cliff top boardwalk which affords far-reaching views along the coastline and out to sea. The rock formations are as fascinating as they are beautiful.
LITTLE PIECES OF HISTORY IN LAGOS
Lagos is a bustling town full of activity, nightlife, and modern attractions. However, it is also a town full of history and the monuments and architecture which take us back to the many different peoples who have settled here and the many maritime adventures which have started in Lagos impressive natural harbor.
Forte da Ponta da Bandeira
A drawbridge over a moat leads to the entrance of this squat little fort with its sturdy ramparts. Inside there is a small chapel dedicated to St Barbara, patron saint of armorers, artillerymen and miners, the walls of which are lined with traditional azulejo tiles.
Atop the fortress there are beautiful views of Praia de Batata beach and the entry to the harbor. It was a windy day and the waves were really high and breaking on the sea walls. Immediately after the photo of me was taken a huge wave crashed into the walls of the fort and showered me with water.
Castelo de Lagos
The ruins of the castle and those of the fortress nearby witness the importance of Lagos town at the time of the first discovery voyages during the 15th and 16th centuries. Its walls surrounded the entire city of Lagos, providing the town its main means of defense. They are very well preserved on the harbor side and the rest are remnants of the walls that surround old town Lagos. This is where the heart of the city lay centuries ago. The castle is currently a hospital so other than entering through arch, you cannot enter the structure shown.
Slavery Route (Rota da Escravatura)
The 15th century Slave Market building was the first slave trading post in modern-day Europe. In that time, a large number of slaves was arriving in Lagos, Portugal every year. They were transported aboard ships and caravels, after being captured or purchased on the west coast of Africa.
Reduced to the condition of commodities, the slaves were then sold mostly to the American continent. There they were used in heavy labor (mines and sugar cane, coffee and cotton plantations) or in domestic chores. On the ceiling of the enclosure is a map slave routes.