THE CITY OF LAGOS

Lagos

Lagos is situated on the coast at the mouth of the river Bensafrim and at the foot of the Monchique hills.

A small city with a population of 18,000 relies mainly on tourism, services and the traditional fishing industry. The majority of people of the surrounding areas  work in forestry and agriculture.

Located approximately 24 miles east of the most south westerly tip of Europe (Sagres Point), Lagos and the immediate area offer everything for a perfect holiday.  Sun. beaches, a marina, fishing, boating, water sports, adventure sports, traditional wares and customs, historical buildings, restaurants, cafes, markets and all the services needed for an enjoyable stay. Beyond the ancient city walls and further afield, the hills, forests, nature reserves and lakes around Lagos remain untouched by the pace of the modern frantic and competitive world. Amid the fruit groves, cork woods, settled pasturelands, traditional villages and peaceful valleys you will find outdoor activities such as horse riding or hiking, nature trails, flora and fauna and people which will make you want to stay forever.  

History  

Lagos originated as an ancient settlement 2,000 years ago by the native Celtic peoples.

Lacobriga as it was then known has since been subject to a number of exciting and cultural changes (in retrospect of course) which has left the city  and the region with a colourful history  of famous names, achievements and notoriety.

Lacobriga became a settlement of  Carthage,which recruited Celtic tribesmen in their battles against Rome, eventually  falling under the yolk of Rome as part of the province Lusitania. Some Roman remains can still be found in Lagos and the surrounding countryside.

For two hundred years the town of Lacobriga was occupied by the Visigoths and then the Byzantines until the Moors conquered the area in the 8th century, naming it al -Gharb (Algarve). The oldest church in the Algarve is found in  Lagos. The church of  St. John the Baptist was built outside the town walls with the permission of the Islamic ruler-ship.

The Algarve was re-taken  from the Moors by King Afonso III of Portugal in 1241 who united Portugal and the Algarve under his crown. Lagos became an independent jurisdiction under the rule of King Pedro I in 1361 and later the city was used as the base for the fleet of  King João I  before setting sail to conquer Ceuta in 1415. Thus it is historically recognised that Lagos served as the staging point for opening the Arabian world to medieval Europe. Perhaps even Sinbad found his way here t some point?

Prince Henry the Navigator, lived in Lagos.

Lagos was also the home for Gil Eanes who was the first to sail beyond Cape Bojador and consider the end of the world.

Through Lagos the first African slaves entered post-medieval Europe and a building stands where the first slave markets were held in the 15th century.

Of course the British also defeated a French fleet at the Battle of Lagos in 1759.

Beaches

• Meia Praia (Half beach) - Soft white sand, is one of the biggest bays in Europe and has a calm sea due to its width. Owing to its lack of rocks it is ideal for nautical sports. When the wind is strong, there are many sheltered sand beaches between the cliffs.
• Praia Solaria (Sunny beach).
• Praia da Batata (Potato beach) - It's a small beach tucked between two small cliffs, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is also known by the small music festivals that take place there during Summer.
• Praia dos Estudantes (Students' beach).
• Dona Ana - Probably the beach most frequented by tourists, and for good reason. The sand on Dona Ana is slightly thicker than the beaches in the surrounding area, and the beach itself is bounded by lovely rock formations. Many different shapes come alive when you look at the rock formation, a birthday cake, the titanic, and the sphynx's to name a few. Dona Ana is essentially split into two beaches with a protruding cliff separating the two sides at high tide.
• Canavial
• Camilo
• Praia da Luz (Light beach) - A beach in the popular nearby tourist town of Luz, the beach has water sports facilities and is bounded on its Eastern side by the so-called 'Rocha Negra'.

LAGOS MARINA

LAGOS TOWN

LAGOS BEACHES