Lagoa Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Marinha Beach featuring rocky coastline and general coastal views
Benagil Beach featuring rocky coastline and general coastal views
Benagil Beach featuring rugged coastline
Benagil Beach showing rugged coastline and general coastal views
Marinha Beach showing rocky coastline and general coastal views

Lagoa is a town situated between Portimão and Silves in the centre of the Western Algarve. The town was founded around a lagoon, which is where the name Lagoa comes from. Its marshes were dried to create fertile farmland and homes for settlement.

A few decades ago, the vineyards and the fishing industry was the town’s main source of income. Today, Lagoa’s economy is geared almost completely around tourism, making it an incredible place to visit.

Church of Our Lady of Light

The Igreja Matriz, or Church of Our Lady of Light, is located in the centre of the village. The exterior of the church displays elements of Baroque design while inside you can see the beautiful image of ‘Our Lady of Light’, amongst other examples of 17th and 18th Century religious art. Every year, on the 8th September, there’s a grand procession to honour ‘Our Lady of Light’. It follows the Via Sacra (Sacred Route) past several beautiful chapels, which display beautiful tiles depicting the Passion of Christ.

Convent of Saint Joseph

Built around the year 1713 by members of the Carmelite order of nuns, this convent fostered and educated abandoned girls. At the entrance of the Convent you can see the ‘baby wheel’, which was once used for receiving unwanted children. This convent is now used as a cultural centre with painting, photography and pottery exhibitions.

Municipal Park of Springs or Fontes de Estômbar

This nature park located on the left bank of the Arade estuary has a restored watermill, a reconstructed Algarvean house, an open-air amphitheatre and a gorgeous area for picnics. It also has a number of beautiful rock pools created by the natural water springs, which can be used for bathing. The amphitheatre plays host to the Lagoa Jazz Festival every year, which is held on the third weekend of June.

Beaches

Lagoa has a brilliant selection of beautiful beaches, lined by clear, turquoise water. The most popular beaches in the area include Benagil and Marinha. You can also hire boats to get to more isolated beaches such as Corredora, Pau, Malhada do Baraço, Barranquinho, Salgueiro or Estanquinha – perfect for a little peace and quiet.

Golf

The Algarve is famous for its golf, and Loagoa is no exception. Golf lovers should not miss the Vale da Pinta: a championship course located in an old olive grove near Carvoeiro. Vale do Milho and Quinta do Gramacho are short nine hole courses but offer a challenging play that will keep even the most well-versed golfer interested.

Food and Drinks

Lagoa is famous for its wines, which offer a fruity taste and low acidity, and Adega Cooperativa do Algarve and Quinta do Vale offer popular guided wine tasting tours. Remember, they fill up quick, so we recommend booking well in advance. When it comes to food, no visit to the Algarve is complete without sampling the local fresh seafood. Traditional favourites include grilled sardines, aromatic fish soup, fish stews known as ‘Cataplana’, boiled mackerel ‘carapaus alimados’ - and Arabian style lamb for those who like their meals a little more meaty.

Where to stay in Lagoa

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Alporchinhos

If you're spending some time in Alporchinhos, Senhora da Rocha Beach and Cova Redonda Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Alporchinhos
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Benagil

If you're spending some time in Benagil, Carvalho Beach and Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos are top sights worth seeing.

Benagil
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Areias Dos Moinhos

While there might not be top attractions in Areias Dos Moinhos, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Vale Centeanes Beach and Carvoeiro Beach.

Areias Dos Moinhos
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Sesmarias

When in Sesmarias, you can plan a visit to Gramacho Pestana Golf and Carvoeiro Tennis Club, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Sesmarias
Tivoli Carvoeiro
Tivoli Carvoeiro
5 out of 5
Apartado 1299, Vale Do Covo, Praia do Carvoeiro, Lagoa
The price is £313 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
£313
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
Cliff top paradise
"Great location and great property. Deck around pool needs some TLC but everything else was postcard perfect. 5 stars! So many places to swim and have adventures within close walk."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Tivoli Carvoeiro
Vila Vita Parc
Vila Vita Parc
5 out of 5
Rua Anneliese Pohl, Alporchinhos, Porches, Lagoa, Algarve
The price is £634 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
£634
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (638 reviews)
"The swimming pools and fountains and beautiful landscape. Rooms and bathroom beds a face lift / upgrade"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Vila Vita Parc
White Shell Beach Villas
White Shell Beach Villas
4 out of 5
Empreendimento White Shell, Quinta da Sra. da Rocha, Lagoa, Faro
The price is £288 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
£288
19 Jul - 20 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (87 reviews)
Will come again
"Great place, as a family 3 rooms was great - close to the beach and inside and outside pool - great parking! Not much more to do in the area but to have fun and rest with the kids ."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

White Shell Beach Villas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pestana Palm Gardens
Pestana Palm Gardens
4 out of 5
Vale De Centeanes, Lagoa
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Carvoeiro Beach and Benagil Beach ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (307 reviews)
"10 minute walk to an amazing beach. Quiet patio for morning coffee. Allowed late checkout."

Reviewed on 11 Jun 2025

Pestana Palm Gardens
Vitors Village
Vitors Village
4 out of 5
Rua Infante D. Henrique, Lt. 79, Fr. B, Ferragudo, Lagoa, Faro
Stay at this 4-star golf aparthotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Portimão Marina and Rocha Beach are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (501 reviews)
"The breakfast was really good. The property was very well designed with easy access to the pool and common areas. Pool towels would be appreciated."

Reviewed on 27 Apr 2025

Vitors Village
Placid Village
Placid Village
4 out of 5
Sitio Dos Moinhos, Lagoa
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Lagoa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (236 reviews)
"This is beautiful place very clean with Friendly people highly recommended"

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2025

Placid Village
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Lagoa

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
23
5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
25
4 - Good 48%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Nice place try it yourself

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

There is not as much to do in the close proximity but there are soem excellent nbeach bars and restaurants within a 20-30 minute walk. If its shopping you want thats in Vilamoura and Faro

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

It’s a quiet unspoilt area

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Very nice area for a few days as there restaurants and supermarkets within walking distance of the hotel.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Have visited this area many times before so know it well and great for a family holiday.

5/5 - Excellent

Emily

Beautiful place. Maybe need abit more entertainment around. But then it was quiet what was lovel

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