What are the transportation options from Lisbon to Lagos?
Lagos can be reached by bus, rail, or car. The train and bus are reliable and good for travelers on a budget. Driving yourself or taking a private car is faster, more convenient, and lets you travel at your own speed and with greater freedom.
Can I book tickets in advance to travel from Lisbon to Lagos?
Definitely! It's always recommended to purchase your tickets in advance, particularly during the busiest travel times. Early reservations are possible on online platforms for buses and trains, frequently at a discounted price.
How long does it take to travel from Lisbon to Lagos?
The travel time varies depending on your choice of transportation. By rail, the trip is around 4 hours, while by bus is roughly 3-4 hours. Depending on traffic and the route traveled, a car ride usually takes 2.5-3 hours.
WhatтАЩs the best time to visit Lagos?
The best seasons to travel to Lagos are spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) when there are fewer crowds and still-pleasant weather.
What are the parking options in Lagos?
There are several parking solutions available in Lagos, including free and paid parking areas. It is better to go for the designated parking lots or garages in order to avoid fines and to guarantee your vehicleтАЩs safety. If you take a private car from Lisbon to Lagos you don't have to worry about parking.
Can I use public transportation to get around in Lagos?
Lagos has a reliable system of buses, so yes. There are also taxis and ride-sharing services available if you need on-demand transportation.
Is it possible to visit Lagos only for a day?
While visiting Lagos for a day trip is feasible, it is not recommended because you would end up with a pretty tight schedule. Staying at least one night in Lagos is recommended to enjoy Lagos a little bit more.
What are the emergency numbers in Portugal?
The general emergency number is 112 which will connect you to the police, fire, and ambulance.
Leaving behind the buzz and liveliness of Lisbon, and hitting the road on a car trip to explore the west coast of Portugal are some of the best ways to enjoy the country's sunny weather. Portugal's western coast offers incredible views, irresistible towns, and a howling ocean of waves and bright blue. So instead of taking a bus or a train and missing all the chances to see more of the coast, renting a car, or even better, booking a private car on with Daytrip with a local driver lets you make the most of your trip.
Getting from Lisbon to Lagos by car is about 186 miles (300 km) and takes around 3 hours without stops. But because the road is not right by the coast the whole time, it's worth stopping at some of the towns and beaches along to boost the fun of the trip.
One of your first stops can be visiting the Bacalhoa Winery, where they've been creating excellent Portuguese wine since 1922. Here you can learn about how some of the best wines of Portugal are produced and have a wine tasting. Especially after having some wine, you will be tempted to jump into the wavy waters of the ocean several times throughout the way if the weather allows it. And you'll have many options to do so! A great place for a dip is Cavaleiro Beach, where high cliffs protect the golden sands from the wind.
As your car trip comes to an end in Lagos, your driver will drop you off at your accommodation, where you can refresh before exploring one of the top destinations in the Algarve.
About Lagos
After your sun and sand-washed drive along the west coast of Portugal from Lisbon to Lagos, you will arrive at this ancient town in PortugalтАЩs southernmost region, the Algarve. Although it is a small town of around 33,000 inhabitants, Lagos has over 2000 years of history. Not only was the first slave market of Europe built here, but it was also home to several civilizations from Romans to Byzantines. Today, there are many ways to enjoy Lagos, from bar crawls and booze cruises to scuba diving and history tours.
Logas still preserves elements of its long history, and walking through its Old Town feels like an open-air museum. The city castle, known as Castelo dos Governadores, is one of the outstanding examples of LagosтАЩs history. It was built by the Moors in the 10th century and has now been turned into a museum. There are also several historic churches, some of which display Baroque architecture, such as the Church of Antonio. Another one worth visiting is the Church of Santa Maria, some parts of which were destroyed by a fire but the church still stands as a culturally significant one.
One of the main reasons for visiting Lagos is to enjoy its plentiful and beautiful beaches. Since Lagos has a vast coastline, you're spoiled for choice. Head to Meia Praia if you love volleyball, crowds, and beach bars. If you are not a big fan of sunbathing next to many people, you can go to more secluded beaches, such as the cliff-covered coves of the Ponta da Piedade or Praia da Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo.
Being open to the Atlantic, Lagos is a popular destination for all kinds of watersports, from surfing to kayaking. If you would like to enjoy more clear waters and explore some cool rock formations, you can explore Ponte de Piedade which lies 1.7 miles (2.8 km) from the center. You can also book a boat tour to admire the dramatic cliffs from the water.
From Lisbon to Lagos: Travel tips
You might feel like the time spent traveling from Lisbon to Lagos is eating into your vacation time, but follow these travel tips, and you wonтАЩt just have a great trip, but youтАЩll make sure your holiday is the best it can be!
Pack appropriately
Although your trip around the coast of Portugal will be mainly sunny and warm, especially if you travel in the summer, the Algarve can get pretty windy. So pack a lightweight rain and wind jacket to fight the brisk Atlantic winds, even if you're only expecting sunny days.
And obviously, as one of the best beach-going destinations in Portugal, make sure to pack a swimsuit (or several!) and casual attire for the day. You will need light and comfortable clothing and shoes for hot days exploring the Algarve.
And while you can purchase it after you arrive in Lagos, remember to wear sunscreen! It's easy to forget about the direct sun when you're being cooled off by the wind.
### Book accommodation early
Accommodation in Lagos fills up quickly, especially during the high travel season which is from June to September. So it is better to book in advance, ideally several months before. If you are trying to decide which neighborhood would be best for your stay in Lagos, we have some recommendations.
If itтАЩs your first time in Lagos, look for accommodation in the Lagos Marina area. You'll have Lagos' best beachside activities right at your doorstep, as well as sunsets, wine-tasting events, and maybe even drawing lessons. Alternatively, if youтАЩd prefer to wake up to cobblestone streets lined with cafes, restaurants, and historic landmarks, the Old Town of Lagos is a perfect choice.
Other options could be staying in Porto de Mos, a village just outside of Lagos, for a holiday mostly focused on surfing. Batata Beach can offer a great stay if you are looking for calm water with no currents and a popular beach.
### Stop for sightseeing
The drive from Lisbon to Lagos passes through PortugalтАЩs wine country before hitting the coast of the Algarve. By taking a car trip rather than public transportation, you have the chance to visit everything from wineries to medieval castles to coastal cliffs, so why wouldnтАЩt you take advantage of this freedom to enrich your trip?
### Talk to your driver
DaytripтАЩs English-speaking drivers love sharing their insights about local history and culture. Rather than spend the drive in silence, chat with them! ItтАЩs a great opportunity to learn about Portugal and get insider tips on the best things to do in Lagos.
How to get from Lisbon to Lagos
Since Lagos is a popular destination, there are several ways to get from Lisbon to Lagos. Which you choose depends entirely on your preferences. If youтАЩd like to make your travel as cheap as possible, the bus or train will be most suitable for you. While flying to Lagos from LisbonтАЩs airport can be a fast alternative, the most convenient and enriching way to make the trip is by driving or booking a private car ride with Daytrip.
Lisbon to Lagos by bus
Traveling from Lisbon to Lagos by bus takes around four hours. Rede Expressos buses run hourly from Lisbon's Sete Rios Station to the centrally located Lagos Terminal Rodovi├бrio from early morning until late evening.
While you can buy tickets at the Sete Rios station, it's best to make reservations in advance online at Rede Expressos. Most buses have charging stations and wifi.
### Lisbon to Lagos by train
Since there are no direct trains from Lisbon to Lagos, the trip takes around 4.5 hours. Tickets can be purchased in person at the station or in advance online. Trains are operated by Comboios de Portugal and depart from Lisbon's Entrecampos station five times daily for Tunes. Once you arrive in Tunes, you'll have to change to the train to Lagos, which departs every 3 hours during the day.
### Lisbon to Lagos by plane
It is possible to get from Lisbon to Lagos by plane, but it is questionable whether it is worthwhile or not. Lagos doesn't have an airport, so while the 45-minute flight from Lisbon to Faro sounds appealing, you then have to take a bus or private car from Faro to Lagos. Between the trouble and time getting to the airport, going through security, and changing to a bus that only runs five times a day, it's probably not worth it.
### Lisbon to Lagos by car
The driving distance from Lisbon to Lagos is 187 miles (301 km) and only around 3 hours without stops. If youтАЩd like to drive yourself, Lisbon has numerous car rental companies you can rely on. If youтАЩd like to make the most of the trip around the western coastline of Portugal, then booking a private car will be a better option for you. With Daytrip, an English-speaking local driver will bring you door-to-door from Lisbon to Lagos. And you can easily visit sightseeing stops along the way. During the car ride, your driver will be happy to share insightful tips about Lagos since they will be a local. An added benefit of taking a private car is you donтАЩt have to worry about where to park, traffic, or tolls.
Things to do when you get to Lagos
After you travel from Lisbon, youтАЩll find that Lagos is quite a small town. But since it sits on one of the prettiest coastlines you could ever wish for and has thousands of years of history, you'll find plenty of things to do when you get to Lagos.
Explore the Old Town of Lagos
Lagos's history stretches back over 2000 years, and its Old Town has done a wonderful job of preserving this history. Surrounded by 16th-century walls the brick lanes and cobbled streets lead to some unmissable monuments - the Old Town is compact enough that you really can't miss them! Walking the streets lined with white buildings, you will come across Museu de Lagos adjacent to the Church of Santo, where you'll find exhibits on the townтАЩs history, regional artifacts, and religious works. Another interesting stop is the Slave Market and museum, which offers insights into Lagos' slave history and is part of the UNESCO Slave Route project.
### Dive into the blue
Lagos has an impressive number of golden sand beaches, rock formations, and hidden coves. And with year-round warm weather, one of the best things to do is to spend your days exploring all the beaches around Lagos. With so many beaches comes a wide variety of seaside activities, from sunbathing to surfing. One of the beaches you should make sure you visit is Ponta da Piedade for its stunning lighthouse and caves. Closer to the town center, you shouldnтАЩt miss Praia dos Estudantes and its Roman bridge.
### Visit the Lagos Market
Lagos has a lively food market called Mercado Municipal de Lagos. On the ground floor, you can find fresh seafood, while the first floor offers seasonal fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers. Even if you don't plan on buying ingredients to cook yourself, the market is worth visiting solely for the atmosphere - there's a rooftop cafe and restaurant overlooking the marina where you can enjoy the view with a drink. But chances are you'll find some local delicacies to take home as souvenirs or gifts.
### Enjoy the local cuisine
Portugal's cuisine is fresh and colorful, ranging from mouth-watering seafood to pastries. Take a food tour in Lagos to explore up to ten different dishes with tour guides explaining the process and the ingredients to you. Or lead your own food tour by restaurant hopping around town. Try the house prawns, cataplana, and any other seafood dish that catches your eye. While you might not think of it at first, sushi restaurants are also great considering how fresh the fish is here. Because Lagos gets so many visitors, there's an array of international restaurants if you need a break from seafood. But be sure you always leave some space for dessert because PortugalтАЩs famous egg tart pasteis de nata will be within reach each time you leave a restaurant, and itтАЩs hard to resist!
Best time to visit Lagos
June through August Portugal is high travel season in Lagos, with a flood of visitors descending on the town to enjoy the beach and blazing temperatures. While it's a great time to visit, the crowds make it hard to find accommodation if you don't book months in advance, and you can expect the beaches to be packed. If you would prefer fewer people around, pleasant weather, and reasonable prices, the best time to visit Lagos is from April to June or September to November. The temperature is still 68-77┬░F (20-25┬░C), perfect for exploring the town, being by the beach all day, or even hiking and walking.
тАЬAfter a lot of research for our trip to Spain/Portugal, I happened upon Daytrip. The company arranges drivers all over Europe тАФ not just Prague. The website is easy to use and the staff answers your questions within hours. Apprehensive at first because I never heard of them, i asked lots of questions and always got quick satisfactory answers. I booked two trips тАФ from Seville Spain to Lagos Portugal and then from Lagos to Lisbon. Both drivers showed up timely with nice cars and dropped us off at our destination as scheduled. The prices are reasonable and the private car relieves you of all stress related traveling. No need for buses or rental cars. Simple. Highly recommend.тАЭ
тАЬNeeded a connection from Lagos to Lisbon to catch a flight to Dubai. Day trip pick up was on time and arrived at Lisbon airport as planned. Driver was excellent and informative.тАЭ
тАЬWe took the daytrip service from Lagos to Lisbon in July 2019. The service was outstanding. We were a bit worried trying this for the first time, but it worked out extremely well. Daytrip sent us the driver name and car information a few days before the trip. Duarte, our driver was there on time and picked us up from the hotel. We had a nice stop at Silves castle en route. This was our first trip to Portugal and we had a great conversation with Duarte and received nice tips from him on what to do in Lisbon. It was a very comfortable drive and we reached Lisbon on time as planned. This service is a great option if you want to stop en route, visit sites or stretch your legs, and prefer door to door service.тАЭ
Tripadvisor рдпрд╛рддреНрд░реА Govind R рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рд╕рдореАрдХреНрд╖рд╛ рдХреА рдЧрдИ
тАЬThree of us booked a driver in June to take us from Lisbon to Lagos on the southern coast and a few days later, had another driver take us to Seville. We looked into renting a car, but it was too expensive to take it across the border into Spain.We also looked into buses or trains, but decided on the private driver with -door to door service. The price was very reasonable and emails were quickly returned and the details worked out smoothly.
We especially loved Carlos, our driver from Lisbon. We opted for a stop at a castle along the way and Carlos directed us to a wonderful spot for lunch.Prompt door to doo service at a reasonable price. Highly recommend.тАЭ
тАЬWe booked a private car to travel from Lisbon airport to our hotel in Lagos. The communication prior to the trip was excellent, emails that included a photo, license plate, and mobile # of the driver. We even had a vehicle upgrade!
We found Augusto right away at the airport and were on our way.
It may have been the easiest exit from an airport I've experienced!
The drive was fine, we stopped at a local cafe/rest stop.
I will definitely use DayTrip again and recommend to all my friends.тАЭ
Tripadvisor рдпрд╛рддреНрд░реА Christine G рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рд╕рдореАрдХреНрд╖рд╛ рдХреА рдЧрдИ
тАЬFantastic service and a truly viable option to car rental and so much more professional than Uber. I booked luxury car option (BMW 5 series estate) Lisbon to Lagos and regular option (VW MPV) Lagos to Faro. Both cars were spotlessly clean, drivers were on time and very courteous. I loved the email prior to pick up with car type, reg plate and picture and name of driver.
I will definitely use this service in the future.
Thank you so much Daytrip for providing this service.тАЭ
тАЬWe used DayTrip for three rides, Porto - Lisbon, Lisbon - Lagos, and Lagos - Lisbon. Each ride was a delight тАФ actually they were wonderful highlights of our trip to Portugal. All three drivers were highly professional, excellent and safe drivers. They were each on time and the cars were in perfect condition.
We have recommended DayTrip to many friends and acquaintances as a result of these trips.тАЭ
тАЬi want to reassure solo travelers, which i am, that transfers with mydaytrip.com are completely safe, reliable and pleasant. during the past two weeks, i reserved two transfers with the company, from lisbon to belmonte and from lagos to the lisbon airport, and both drivers were polite, friendly, on-time and totally great people.
when looking for such a company, i couldn't find many reviews on this company for transfers in portugal, so it was important for me to notify everyone that this company should be an option, if trains and buses just won't reach the areas in which you are traveling. they will give you quotes, and then you can decide.
one thing that i do want to say, however. a few days before the transfer, you are provided with the driver's cell and first name and last initial. being a single woman, 65 yrs young, i wanted to know the driver's full official name and then i provided the info to a friend, just in case, since i had never used this company before. i would do it again, even though i feel very comfortable, now. but, you must ask, because the company told me that they must first get permission from the driver to share the full name and when i explained why, they did it. so, if you want more info, ask.
also, both cars were in beautiful shape and one even had wi-fi :O))
i will return to portugal early in 2019 and plan to reserve any transfers that i need, with this company. thank you so much.тАЭ
Tripadvisor рдпрд╛рддреНрд░реА Pam L рджреНрд╡рд╛рд░рд╛ рд╕рдореАрдХреНрд╖рд╛ рдХреА рдЧрдИ
тАЬWe found Daytrip after researching car services to take us from Lisbon to Lagos. Vincent was prompt, found our back alley hotel without any direction after many cab drivers could not, gave us nice facts about Portugal along the way and stop for bathroom breaks whenever needed. The car was roomy, clean and had water and candy. It felt like a limo service. Would 100% travel like this around Europe again!тАЭ
тАЬWe had planned on taking a train from Lisbon to Lagos, where we had rented a condo for two weeks. Due to unforeseen events, we were unable to take the train. I contacted Daytrip, and they solved our problem. Our driver, Daniel, was a very competent driver, considerate and helpful. We very much appreciated having the option of door to door service. Thank you again Daytrip!тАЭ
