Holiday destinations in the Algarve, Portugal

take a quick look at the western beaches - Batata to Porto do Mos beach

There are several good beaches in and around Lagos:  Meia Praia to the east side of Lagos is the largest beach, stretching right round the bay from Lagos Marina towards Alvor. It is a long wide golden sandy beach and there are plenty of beach bars and water sport facilities to choose from.  The beach is approached by crossing the bridge over the River Bensafrim at the east end of Lagos. 

The beaches on the west side of the town are more spectacular but smaller.  Batata beach is the nearest to the town centre.  It is next to the small fort at the entrance to the harbour and opposite the gardens on the other side of the Avenida.  There are no steps at the fort end of the beach but there are quite a lot of steps down from the top of the hill at the other end of the beach.  You can also go snorkeling and scuba diving from this beach.

Following the coast, you come to Pinhao beach and then on to Praia Dona Ana beach.  This is a popular beach, even though the access is down steep cliff steps but, because it faces east, the beach is nicely sheltered  from the prevailing westerly wind.  The beach has good sand and beach bar facilities and there is plenty of parking. 

Making your way further round to Ponta da Piedade, the coast is punctuated with picturesque coves, towers of coloured sandstone, tunnels and grottoes.  You can visit this area by small boat and view this extraordinary coastline from the sea.  Just walk down the river side of the Avenida and there will be plenty of opportunities to find a boat tour to the grottoes.  Egrets nest on the rocks in this area and from the lighthouse on the point, you can see from Sagres to the west right round to Cabo Carvoeiro to the east on a clear day.  A little further round the headland and you reach Porto de Mos beach.  This is a small bay between Lagos and Praia da Luz, flanked by cliffs which usually and usefully can give shelter or shade on one side or the other.  There is a large car park and beach access is easy.  The beach is sandy and shelves quite gently into the sea.  The Campimar Restaurant sits just above the beach and serves a selection of salads, pasta, shellfish, meat and fish dishes.  Algarve Retreats offers a number of holiday destinations to choose from in this area.  Take a look at Clube Porto Mos which has twin rooms, studios and one bedroom apartments and is only a couple of minutes walk from the beach or it's sister resort of Vila Mos, again only two minutes walk to the beach and offering 1,2 or 3 bedroom apartments.

A little further away is Vilabranca with 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.  All three resorts have pools and restaurants and some sports/games facilities.  To drive to Praia Dona Ana, Ponta da Piedade or Praia de Porto de Mos, coming from the Lagos town direction, pass the Bombeiras (fire station) on your right and turn left at the roundabout with the swinging ball and follow the signs.  If you are really keen on walking, it is possible to continue on from Porto de Mos and walk along the cliff tops to the town and beach of Praia da Luz.

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