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Lagos History
The Romans gave the name of “Lacobriga” to the town but its natural river port
would indicate very much earlier occupation. The Moors then gave the town the
name of "Zawaia" It was captured from the Moors in 1189 but it was not until
1249 that it was finally conquered by Dom Afonso III and integrated into the
kingdom of Portugal with the name of "Lagus". This historic town has played an
important part in the story of discovery of many parts of the world. It was from
the harbour that Vasco da Gama sailed in 1499 on his historic and epic voyage of
discovery. Lagos was the capital of the Algarve from 1578 until 1756 and there
remain several ancient buildings to testify to its historic glory. From its Port
maritime expeditions were embarked upon to discover the world at the orders of
Prince Henry the Navigator. Also, the Armada of 800 vessels led by the ill-fated
heir to the throne Dom Sebastião embarked from Lagos in 1578 to capture the town
of Ceuta in Morocco.
It is written that the very first time the famous explorer Columbus from Genoa
set foot in the Iberian Peninsular, was when the inhabitants of Lagos saved him
and other sailors from the shipwreck of a vessel in which he was sailing.
Another interesting fact is that Francis Drake in 1587 failed in his attempt to
raid Lagos and then sailed on to Sagres to sack the occasional historic home of
Henry the Navigator".
Lagos Description
Essentially now an important tourist town there are still many architectural
signs of its ancient past, even a building dating originally back to around 1445
which is recorded as being Europe’s first building used as a slave market. The
walls of the town in the most part remain after sections were restored. Attached
to the famous 17th Century "gold" church of Santo António there is a small
museum of regional items, some of which are quite odd!
There are several interesting statues erected to the famous figures of the past
that are associated with the history of this town. None more controversial that
the sculpture of Dom Sebastião standing in the main square in front of the Town
Hall. A more recent statue commemorates the Algarve’s only Saint, São Gonçalo de
Lagos, who was born in 1360 and died in 1422 in Torres Vedras. Pope Pio VI
raised him to Sainthood in 1778. The town’s more recently constructed Marina
presents a lovely picture and this harbour is practically the first sight a
visitor has of Lagos. Besides the boats that find it convenient as a permanent
mooring it is usually full of yachts passing on the way or returning from the
Mediterranean and the Americas. At the entrance to the harbour is the "Forte da
Bandeira" which was constructed in the 17th Century.
The municipal council has constructed near to the centre of the town there is a
reasonably modern Cultural Centre in which various exhibitions and culturally
related events are held during the year. In the Marina visitors will find
different boat tours, yacht hire, and deep sea-fishing outings that can be
booked.
Lagos Nearby Locations
To the east and across the river from Lagos is Meia Praia, a very long sandy
beach sheltered to the north by a gentle slope dotted with comfortable villas.
To the west of Lagos the once upon a time fishing village of Praia da Luz is now
devoted to the quieter side of the tourist trade and is the home of many
residents from the colder northern climates. Further to the west is a another
small fishermen's beach village of Burgau. Moving even further west is the
coastal village of Salema. Here will be found some small Roman ruins proving the
existence of its past importance.
The furthest west town is Vila do Bispo and is a very small administrative town
for the Sagres area, the later being the most south-west corner of Europe! This
area is a must for every visitor to the Algarve as it presents a very impressive
and dramatic sight of towering sheer cliffs being beaten by the weight of the
vast Atlantic Ocean. It is from here that Prince Henry sat and planned the
several epic voyages of discovery that enlarged the known world of that time.
Cape Santo Vicente is the name given to this promontory as it was here that
fable has it that the Saint supposedly landed and decided to reside here for a
period.
To the north of Lagos on the road to Lisbon is the small town country town of
Aljezur with some fine nearby west coast beaches. Originally a hamlet, the Moors
constructed a castle in the 10th Century whose ruin still stands today
overlooking this town.
Lagos Map (Click Here)
Lagos Golf
Parque da Floresta ·
Boavista · Palmares
Faro Airport Transfer to Lagos
Faro Taxi to Lagos
Lagos Weather
     
Lagos Information
 800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
112 - SOS
282 762 055 - Town Hall
282 770 790 - Fire Brigade
282 762 930 - Police
282 770 100 - Hospital
282 760 181 - Hospital Privado São Gonçalo
282 771 000 - Emergency Treatment
282 760 115 - Ambulance
282 998 229 - Tourist Office (Aljezur)
282 763 031 - Tourist Office (Lagos)
Lagos Events
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Feira Coral do Algarve (Choral) |
May |
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Feira da Arte Doce (Sweets) |
29th and 30th July |
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Feira da Gastronomia (Food) |
August |
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Feira de N. Sra. Da Glória |
15th August |
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Feira de Tradicões e Arte do Algarve |
Sept. |
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Festival de Flamenco |
Sept. |
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Festa N. Sra. da Conceição e São Luís |
Sept. Odiáxere |
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Feira de Outubro |
12th October |
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Feira de S. Gonçalo |
27th October |
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Town Holiday |
27th October |
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Festival dos Descobrimentos |
Oct. & Nov. |
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Feira Franca de Lagos |
22nd to 24th Nov. |
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Market Day |
1st Sat. all Months |
Lagos Beaches
Boca do Rio
Meia Praia
Praia da Almâdena
Praia da Batata
Praia do Burgau
Praia do Canavial
Praia da Dona Ana
Praia da Figueira
Praia da Luz
Praia de Marina de Lagos
Praia da Meia-Praia
Praia de Monte Clérigo
Praia de Odeceixe-Mar
Praia de Porto de Mós
Praia da Salema
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Portugal Golf
