Located along Portugal’s breathtaking Algarve coast, a short 31-minute drive from Portimao, Lagos is a bustling city with beautiful beaches, dramatic seaside landscape and a vibrant nightlife. The historic part of Lagos in the Algarve is great for walking and exploring. The wind blows away the summer heat and even in the middle of summer the temperature is pleasant. Lagos is definitely the part of the Algarve where the creative people hang out. Artisan shops selling pastries, coffee, jewellery, clothes and artefacts are everywhere. Street musicians add a special touch to the wonderfully relaxed bohemian vibe.

Take a kayak tour around the coast to get the maximum effect of the region’s rose-hued cliffs, azure waters and golden sands, or spend a few hours wandering through the walled old town, with its historical churches and central piazza lined with sidewalk cafes.

To explore the darker side of the city’s past, visit the Slave Market Museum, which traces the history of the slave trade in the Algarve from 1441 when slaves were first transported into Europe through Lagos. Lagos is the perfect springboard from which to explore Portugal’s southwest coast, with its idyllic beaches and excellent surf.