Where to Stay in Lagos, Portugal
Are you trying to figure out where to stay in Lagos, Portugal?
Keep reading for my top picks on the best areas and properties in Lagos for every budget!
Lagos is a beach destination in southern Portugal in the Algarve region. It’s known for its stunning and dramatic coastline with interesting rock formations, excellent beaches, and quaint Old Town.
I recommend spending at least three nights in Lagos, but you could easily spend much longer here enjoying the beaches and taking day trips to other beautiful towns and beaches in the Algarve.
Here are some of the best activities to do in Lagos:
- Take a kayaking tour and visit Ponta da Piedade
- See the incredible Benagil Caves on a boat excursion from Lagos
- Enjoy amazing beaches like Praia do Camilo and Praia do Pinhão
- Relax on a catamaran cruise with lunch along the scenic coast
- Go out for dinner in the bustling town of Lagos
There are plenty of hotels and hostels in Lagos, but many people also opt to stay in a rental apartment instead (which is what I did.) Below I’ve included a mixture of both accommodation types.
Best Places to Stay in Lagos
Which part of town is best to stay in Lagos, Portugal? I recommend staying within walking distance of Lagos Old Town because this is where all the restaurants and nightlife are located.
In my opinion, the best area is just southeast of Lagos Old Town, in the area around Praia do Pinhão. This is where I stayed, and I was less than five minutes from the beaches and just a ten-minute walk into town.
If you don’t have a car (which you definitely don’t need in Lagos!) then this is the best area to stay since it’s so walkable. However, Ubers are also extremely cheap in Lagos (think €3-4) if you need one.
I wouldn’t recommend staying in the marina area (which is just northeast of the Old Town and close to the train station) because this area is further away from the best beaches in Lagos.
Here are my top three picks for where to stay in Lagos, Portugal:
- Best luxury: Carvi Beach Hotel
- Best mid-range: Apartamentos Pinhão
- Best budget: Olive Hostel Lagos
And here’s a full breakdown of where to stay in Lagos.
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Luxury Accommodations in Lagos
Carvi Beach Hotel
Carvi Beach Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Lagos if you are looking for nice amenities and want to be close to some of the best beaches in Lagos. This hotel is within easy walking distance of Praia de Dona Ana, Praia do Pinhão, and Praia do Camilo, all of which are extremely beautiful.
The hotel has amenities like a rooftop pool, an on-site restaurant, and a fitness center. Breakfast is included each morning of your stay. Praia de Dona Ana is literally right outside, and you can walk to other beaches in less than ten minutes, while the center of Lagos Old Town is about a 15-minute walk away.
Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve
Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve is one of the best luxury hotels in the area, but I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. However, I did want to include this five-star hotel as an option. It’s not located near Lagos Old Town (it’s about a 15-minute drive) but rather in the Meia Praia beach area.
Meia Praia is a long, flat, sandy beach that is very different from the small beaches surrounded by rock formations that you’ll find on the Lagos headlands south of the Old Town. However, this is a great place to stay if you want to lounge on the beach and enjoy the amenities of a five-star hotel on your vacation.
You can easily Uber to the Old Town for dinner or rent a car to explore further. The hotel offers free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, three swimming pools, a hot tub, a sauna, and a fitness center.
Villa Doris Suites
Villa Doris Suites is a great place to stay in Lagos if you are looking for upscale apartment-style accommodations with a full kitchen, living area, and one or two bedrooms. Some apartments also have private balconies and ocean views. Praia de Dona Ana is right outside, and other beaches are nearby.
You can walk to Praia do Pinhão and Praia do Camilo in less than ten minutes. This property is also a 15-minute walk from Lagos Old Town, where you’ll find restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. There’s a small pool and hot tub at this property, and guests have access to a larger pool at the nearby sister hotel.
Mid-Range Accommodations in Lagos
Apartamentos Pinhão
This is where I stayed in Lagos and I would highly recommend it. This property has apartments with ocean views and private balconies at a very reasonable price. I loved the location because it was five minutes to the beach, five minutes to the grocery store, and ten minutes to the center of Lagos Old Town.
The only thing I didn’t like about staying here was the housekeeping situation. It’s only done every third day. I asked for two fresh bath towels on the second day, and I was told it would cost €20 (!!) at which point I might as well go buy my own towels. I eventually got the fresh bath towels for no extra charge, though. It was especially odd given that the property provides beach towel rentals for free.
Other than that one little issue, I would definitely recommend staying at Apartamentos Pinhão, and I was extremely glad to be in this location because it was so well situated to everything in Lagos.
Lagos Uptown Bed & Breakfast
Lagos Uptown Bed & Breakfast is another great mid-range property in Lagos. This bed & breakfast is located in Lagos Old Town. It’s a little further from the beaches (about 15 to 20 minutes of walking distance), but the property has great views of the ocean, which you can enjoy from the rooftop terrace.
Breakfast is included every morning of your stay at Lagos Uptown Bed & Breakfast. You’re also just a short walk away from all the restaurants of Lagos Old Town. The rooms here are modern and comfortable, making this a good place to stay in Lagos that is reasonably priced and won’t break the bank.
Dona Ana Garden
Dona Ana Garden is another excellent mid-range property in Lagos. It’s located less than five minutes from Praia de Dona Ana, and extremely close to other beautiful beaches. There’s a mini-supermarket right next to the property, and it’s about a 15-minute walk to the restaurants, shops, and nightlife of Lagos Old Town.
This accommodation offers standard hotel rooms, as well as one- and two-bedroom apartments for guests who are looking for more space and want a full kitchen and separate living area. One major highlight of Dona Ana Garden is that it features a year-round heated outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace.
Budget Accommodations in Lagos
Olive Hostel Lagos
Olive Hostel is one of the top-rated places to stay in Lagos if you are on a budget. This cozy and homey hostel is a great place to stay if you are looking for a laidback vibe but still want to be in the heart of everything. The hostel is located in the midst of Lagos Old Town, just a short walk away from the beaches.
Private rooms and shared dorm rooms are available. There’s a common kitchen, lounge area, garden, and rooftop terrace. The hostel organizes events like yoga classes and movie nights. If you’re on a budget, this is one of the best places to stay in Lagos while still being in a fantastic central location.
Topcity Hostel & Suites
Topcity Hostel & Suites is another one of the best places to stay in Lagos on a budget. This hostel offers a mixture of private suites (some with private terraces) and shared dorm rooms. There are shared facilities like a kitchen, lounge area, and the highlight of the property is a rooftop pool overlooking the ocean.
This hostel is in a prime location in Lagos Old Town, just a short walk away from all that the town has to offer. Beaches are less than ten minutes away on foot, and you’re also within easy walking distance of the marina, where boat tours and water sports rentals are available. Breakfast is included with your stay.
Rising Cock Party Hostel
I feel the need to include Rising Cock Party Hostel just because the name kept giving my friend and me a laugh every time we passed it. Dodgy name aside, this hostel is exactly what it claims to be: a party place. So if that’s what you’re looking for on your trip to Lagos, you will certainly find it here. The hostel is located in the heart of Lagos Old Town, and it’s less than a ten-minute walk to the nearest beach.
You may not get a lot of sleep, but you’ll enjoy partying until the sun comes up. The hotel organizes events like a pub crawl and a booze cruise. It receives high ratings from travelers who are looking for a fun-filled party atmosphere. This hostel also offers a delicious included breakfast each morning.
Where to Stay in Lagos, Portugal
This guide showed you where to stay in Lagos, Portugal.
To recap, my top three picks for where to stay are:
- Best luxury: Carvi Beach Hotel
- Best mid-range: Apartamentos Pinhão
- Best budget: Olive Hostel Lagos
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Lagos!
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