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Lagos Town Hall
Algarve Dolphins
Photo from Quim Rodim post in Tapornumporco
CataplanaMore on the nearby beaches
The sun-soaked coast of southern Portugal is well known to holidaymakers for the quality of its beaches, resorts and golf courses. But the Algarve has a secret: it harbors plenty of deserted beaches and a whole section of coast where you can see life as it was in the region before the onslaught of tourism.
On the far western strip of the Algarve – from Lagos to Sagres and reaching up the west coast to the village of Odeceixe – is the little-known and undeveloped Vincentina Coast, a protected nature reserve of stunning, rugged beauty.
Nearby to the city of Lagos are many, many nice beaches. The main beach is Meia Praia which lies to the east of the town and is long enough that you’ll find a space, even on the most crowded summer days. West of Lagos are the pretty cove beaches, like the one in the photograph that is Praia do Camilo Beach.
Praia Dona Ana is one of the most picturesque, with its weird sandstone rock formations rising out of the sand. The beach is 650 feet long (200 m) and accessible via a stairway. It is situated in a slightly curved half-circle formed by the surrounding cliffs, and during the tourist season more visitors come here than is probably good for this beautiful spot. Unfortunately, the water here can sometimes be somewhat dirty during the tourist season. The restaurants at Praia Dona Ana provide visitors with drinks, grilled sardines, and other snacks.
Close by the harbor you can find tourist boat tours that will acquaint you with the local marine areas with the highlight being the tide and wind sculptured cliff-side caves and gardens.
