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Lagos, Portugal
Lagos has been a seafaring town since the Phoenicians, and its old town within medieval walls is a compact delight of cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and lively restaurants. The town was a major port during Portugal's Age of Discovery, and the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira guards the harbor entrance. But Lagos's greatest walking asset is its coastline — the Ponta da Piedade headlands south of town are a spectacular formation of golden limestone cliffs, sea caves, and rock arches rising from turquoise water. A clifftop trail connects a series of dramatic viewpoints, and boat trips explore the caves from water level. Praia Dona Ana, consistently rated among the world's most beautiful beaches, is reached by steps carved into the cliff. The old town's nightlife, centered on pedestrian streets near the church of Santo Antonio with its extravagant Baroque gilt interior, is among the liveliest in the Algarve.
explore by interest
Walk the clifftop trail from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade in late afternoon — the golden limestone cliffs glow most dramatically in the low sun.
April through June and September through October offer warm beach weather without the peak summer crowds, with spring wildflowers adding color to the clifftops.