LAGOS

The historic town of Lagos is the undoubted capital of the Western Algarve. Once a sleepy place, it has over the past decade transformed into one of the liveliest towns anywhere in the region.

It is rich in history. Henry the Navigator had his famous school here, where he collated maps and information on the then known world, and from where he dispatched fleets on their voyages of discovery. From here these early explorers discovered sea routes around the Cape of Good Hope that opened up trading routes to Africa and India and set the scene for the Portuguese empire.

One of the darker sides of merchant trading was the slave trade and Lagos still has vestiges of what was an early slave market. St Antonio’s church and the museum next door to it are well worth a visit. The walls of the church are incredibly ornate, full of gold leaf, with panels depicting stories from the life of St António. The museum provides a glimpse of life as it was, with costumes and interesting artefacts from centuries gone by, including some rather gruesome relics of humans and animals!

By total contrast, the modern 500 berth marina has become a hub of activity in its own right with shops, bars and restaurants all around it. The marina plays host to a number of international events through the year, great for competitors and spectators alike. Visitors can choose from various cruises that leave from the marina – visit the grottos at Ponta da Piedade, go dolphin watching or cruise on a replica sailing boat.

Sports activities include horse-riding, lawn green bowls, diving, surfing, parachuting, micro lighting and much more.

The modern Lagos has a wide choice restaurants catering for all tastes and are all family and child-friendly. For the night-owls, the town comes alive at night and on into the early hours with bars, clubs and live music.