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We just returned from a summer trip to Portugal, and the Lagos coastal walk to Ponta da Piedade was easily one of our favorite experiences in Portugal. In fact, Matt and I loved it so much that we walked part of the trail twice—once at sunset by ourselves and again the next day with our teenagers. Each time, the views were just as breathtaking!
Stretching between Lagos Old Town and Ponta da Piedade, this scenic coastal walk passes dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, beautiful beaches, and has some of the Algarve’s most incredible viewpoints.
We loved watching the small grotto boats wind through the sea caves below after seeing the coastline from the water ourselves the previous day on our Lagos catamaran cruise, which I highly recommend!
Whether you’re staying where we stayed in Lagos Old Town or driving from elsewhere in the Algarve, there are two great ways to experience this walk. I’ll explain both options below. And, if you’re staying in Old Town, I think it’s worth adding a little extra to see some of the most beautiful beaches in Lagos, Portugal.
In this guide, I’ll share firsthand how we experienced the Lagos coastal walk, where to start, what you’ll see along the way, where to stop for food and drinks, and why I think adding one of the small grotto boat tours at Ponta da Piedade is the perfect addition.
Lagos Coastal Walk to Ponta da Piedade Overview
- Cost: Free
- Time: 2–4 hours
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Start: Lagos Old Town or Ponta da Piedade
- Wear: Comfortable walking shoes
- Bring: Water & sunscreen
- Pack: Small daypack & camera
- Optional: Grotto boat (€25 cash)
Where Should You Start the Lagos Coastal Walk?
One of the best things about the Lagos coastal walk is that you can start from either end. If you’re staying in Lagos Old Town like we were, I highly recommend walking south toward Ponta da Piedade.
If you’re driving from elsewhere in the Algarve, it’s much easier to park in one of the parking lots closer to Ponta da Piedade and walk the same trail in reverse. Old Town Lagos has limited parking and can get congested in peak season.
Start in Lagos Old Town
From Old Town, you have a couple of options. You can head directly to the official boardwalk starting point just south of MAR Restaurante & Bar, but you’ll miss some of Lagos’ prettiest beaches along the way. We actually did this once when Matt and I walked the trail at sunset. It was honestly a pretty uninteresting route!
Or you can do what we did the following day!
We walked toward the waterfront in Old Town Lagos first. This adds another half mile to a full mile, depending on where you start, but I think it’s well worth it.
The actual street name along the waterfront is Avenida dos Descobrimentos. You can stroll on the tiled walkway and watch the boats coming and going, as well as many kayak outfitters.
Then, you will pass by three of the most popular beaches in Lagos: Praia da Batata, Praia dos Estudantes, and Praia da Caldeira. These are pictured in the photos below, and a must-visit while in Lagos, Portugal!
Look for MAR Restaurante & Bar at the top of the bluff, which offers great water views and overlooks the beaches. We ate there once as a family. Then, Matt and I stopped there for cocktails at the end of our Lagos coastal walk!
The main starting point for the trail and beautiful new boardwalk in Lagos is just past the MAR restaurant. However, I think the extra distance is well worth it because you’ll see several of Lagos’ most beautiful beaches before the boardwalk even starts. From here it’s just under a mile walk to Ponta da Piedade.
Whether you’re visiting the Lagos beaches first, or just walking to get started on the boardwalk, you can click here for the exact location of the boardwalk’s starting point.
For a minute, it feels like you might be in the wrong place, but just keep walking—you’ll turn the corner and see the boardwalk.
Start at Ponta da Piedade
If you’re arriving in Lagos by car, park in one of the large parking lots closer to Ponta da Piedade. They’re easy to find in both Google Maps and Apple Maps. This is also where many tour buses stop. From there, simply follow the coastal trail toward Old Town Lagos.
You’ll see the same beautiful scenery I walk you through in this post, just in reverse!
And, from these parking lots, you can also continue walking beyond the Ponta da Piedade Trail (Trilho da Ponta da Piedade) to explore more of the Algarve coastline.
Walking from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade
The Lagos coastal trail is a mix of wide wooden boardwalks, paths, and a few staircases. Overall, we found it to be a very enjoyable walk. There is very little shade, so be sure to bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and take your time enjoying the incredible views.
Even though we visited in June, the trail never felt overly crowded. We loved stopping often for photos, watching the small grotto boats below, and admiring the limestone cliffs from different viewpoints along the way.
So, here is exactly how we experienced the coastal walk from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade, starting with the waterfront and popular Lagos beaches, before the actual trail.
The Beaches Near Lagos Old Town
If you’re starting in Lagos Old Town, just walk along the water toward three of Lagos’ most popular beaches: Praia da Batata, Praia dos Estudantes, and Praia da Caldeira. And in the summer, they were so very picturesque!
These beautiful beaches give you your first glimpse of the dramatic Algarve coastline before you even reach the official trail. Here are a few photos I took as we started out at around 10:00 am!
As you continue along Avenida dos Descobrimentos, you’ll gradually climb above the shoreline, giving you wonderful views back toward Old Town and the beaches below.
MAR Restaurant Lagos
Just above these stunning Lagos beaches, you will notice MAR Restaurante & Bar. This restaurant offers wonderful views of the beaches below, and that’s why we went there twice! This is a good landmark or starting point that you can also head straight to from Old Town Lagos before starting the actual Lagos coastal walk.
In the photo below, you can see the restaurant’s umbrellas up on the bluff!
I would recommend saving drinks at MAR for the very end of your Lagos coastal walk. On our way back, we let Abby and Jake detour back to the rental, while Matt and I popped over there to sip some crisp Vinho Verde overlooking the beaches and beautiful blue water!
Walk a little farther south, and you’ll reach the official starting point of the Lagos coastal boardwalk. From here, the beautiful wooden boardwalk follows the cliffs with spectacular views almost the entire way.
Lagos Coastal Boardwalk To Ponta da Piedade
And, once you reach the official boardwalk, the walk becomes even more scenic with sweeping views!
As you continue south along the Lagos boardwalk, you will arrive at Praia Dona Ana, one of Lagos’ most famous beaches. The golden limestone cliffs, turquoise water, and rows of umbrellas below make this one of the most photographed spots along the walk.
You can actually walk down to this beach from either side of this Lagos coastal trail.
Right on the beach, you will find Marisol, a beachfront restaurant, along with beach chair rentals (approximately €25).
And while this would be a great place to stop, I personally would recommend keeping moving and saving a beach day at Praia Dona Ana for another day!
As the trail continues, you’ll enjoy even more dramatic views of the Algarve coastline. Before reaching Praia do Camilo, you’ll pass overlooks above Praia dos Pinheiros, a small beach tucked beneath the limestone cliffs. It’s yet another beautiful spot to admire from above.
A little farther along, you’ll reach Praia do Camilo. During our visit in June 2026, the staircase to the beach was closed due to a rockslide. But the viewpoints from above were still incredible. This was one of my favorite places to stop for photos!
Beyond Praia do Camilo, the trail continues toward Praia da Boneca, where the rock formations become even more dramatic. This section of the walk felt especially scenic, with panoramic views of the rugged cliffs, turquoise water, and sea stacks stretching toward Ponta da Piedade.
Throughout the walk, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the limestone cliffs, sea arches, and turquoise Atlantic Ocean. One of my favorite parts was watching the small grotto boats weaving through the sea caves below.
We even saw the large Days of Adventure catamaran that we went out on the day before. I highly recommend adding that to your Lagos itinerary!
Ponta da Piedade & The Lighthouse
As you get closer to Ponta da Piedade, you’ll be able to see the top of the lighthouse in the distance, with various boardwalk sections taking you closer to the cliffside overlooks.
I was really impressed with this new boardwalk along the Lagos coastal trail! It was side, mostly flat, and very well built! I love how they incorporated multiple overlooks near Ponta da Piedade!
And, I want to mention the lighthouse really quick. Because that was a little anti-climactic for us. Although some people think of the lighthouse as the destination, I actually think the real highlight is Ponta da Piedade itself.
During our visit, the lighthouse was fenced off and closed to visitors, and I am not sure if that is always the case. But think of it more as a waypoint or landmark than an actual destination or activity!
However, the breathtaking views overlooking the Ponta da Piedade sea caves, towering limestone cliffs, and brilliant blue water were more than worth the walk!
From here, you can head down the staircase all of the way to the water. These are steep, weathered stone stairs, so please use caution. I always walk and hike in my favorite Birkenstocks, but they were so slick that I decided to take them off and walk down barefoot.
Down at the grottos of Ponta da Piedade, there is an option to take a 35-minute ride on a small grotto boat! More about that in just a minute, because I really regret not doing that.
Near the lighthouse area, there is a small cafe if you need a snack.
At this point, you can turn around and walk back toward Lagos, or continue farther along the coastal trail if you have extra time.
Should You Take a Ponta da Piedade Grotto Boat Tour?
After walking all the way to Ponta da Piedade, I really think the small grotto boat tour is worth adding to your day. Seeing the dramatic limestone cliffs from above is incredible, but getting out on the water gives you a completely different perspective.
It reminded me of visiting the Calanques in southern France, where seeing the coastline from both the hiking trails and the water made the experience even more memorable.
The boats leave directly from the bottom of the staircase at Ponta da Piedade. During our visit, tickets were €25 per person, cash only. I asked the attendant, and he said the ride lasted about 35 minutes, though you’ll want to verify the cost and duration yourself when you visit.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to squeeze in the boat tour because everyone was getting a bit hangry and it was already well past lunchtime. Looking back, I wish we had made time for it. We did the big sailing trip, but did not book a separate cave tour or grotto boat ride, and this would be a great little experience.
Consider it your reward for walking all the way down—and then back up—those stairs!
TIP: Wear comfortable walking shoes on this Lagos coastal trail!
If you’re deciding between a larger boat tour from Lagos Marina or one of the small grotto boats at Ponta da Piedade, I don’t think you can go wrong with either. They’re two completely different experiences.
My whole point here is that you’re already there! It’s a different experience from spending much of the Lagos boat tour cruising back and forth from the marina rather than exploring the famous caves and rock formations.
You can always do multiple boat outings during your time in Lagos! I don’t think anyone left Lagos and said, “Dang. I spent too much time on or near the coastline and water.” It’s really where the magic of Lagos and the Algarve is!
Food & Drink Along the Lagos Coastal Walk
One thing I really liked about the Lagos coastal walk is that there are several places to stop for food or drinks along the way. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely lunch, a quick snack, or a glass of wine with a view, you’ll have plenty of options.
If you’re starting in Old Town, MAR Restaurante & Bar is a wonderful first stop. As I mentioned earlier, we visited twice during our trip—once for lunch with the family and again for cocktails after finishing the walk. The restaurant overlooks Praia da Batata, Praia dos Estudantes, and Praia da Caldeira, making it one of the prettiest places to enjoy a meal or drink.
Marisol, right on Praia Dona Ana, offers a beachfront restaurant and nearby beach chair rentals. It’s a convenient stop if you’re spending time at the beach, but we chose to continue walking toward Ponta da Piedade.
There was also a small kiosk snack bar located at the top of the southern set of stairs down to Praia Dona Ana. We stopped here for ice cream and some cold water!
Near the lighthouse, you’ll also find Sol Nascente, a casual restaurant where you can grab a cold drink, ice cream, or a quick snack before heading back toward Lagos. We were looking for a slightly more elevated dining experience, so we kept walking.
From there, when we left Ponta da Piedade and headed back toward Old Town, we stopped to eat at Restaurante Camilo. Fresh seafood was on display, and everything we ordered was delicious. If you don’t want a full meal, there’s also a takeaway counter where you can grab a drink or snack before continuing your walk.
This would be my top recommendation if you’re planning to stop for lunch. We were able to get a table without a reservation, but I think you usually need one in peak season.
On the night Matt and I walked part of the trail at sunset, we planned to have drinks at Duke’s Rooftop Restaurant at Carvi Beach Hotel after seeing it recommended online. When we arrived, we realized it was a fine-dining restaurant and that reservations were required.
Instead, we headed upstairs to Alessandra’s Lounge, where we enjoyed cocktails overlooking the coastline. It wasn’t open very late, but it turned out to be the perfect place to end our evening.
Is the Lagos Coastal Walk Worth It?
Absolutely! The Lagos coastal walk was one of our favorite experiences in Portugal and something I would recommend to almost anyone visiting the Algarve. It’s completely free, easy enough for most families, and offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery you’ll find anywhere in southern Portugal.
If I ever return to Lagos, this is one of the very first things I’d do again!
If you’re staying in Lagos Old Town, I highly recommend starting there instead of driving straight to Ponta da Piedade. The extra distance is minimal, but you’ll get to experience several of Lagos’ most beautiful beaches before reaching the official boardwalk.
I think it’s the best way to appreciate just how stunning the Algarve coastline really is!
If you have time, make your Lagos coastal walk a full day. Pair it with a seafood lunch at Restaurante Camilo, a small grotto boat tour from Ponta da Piedade, or finish the day with cocktails overlooking the water.
That’s exactly what we did during our stay, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our family trip to Portugal!
Whether you’re traveling as a couple, visiting with kids, or simply looking for one of the best free things to do in Lagos, I don’t think you’ll regret spending a few hours exploring this beautiful stretch of the Algarve coastline.
More Portugal Travel Inspiration
If you are planning a trip to Lagos, be sure to check out my Lagos catamaran cruise post next. It pairs perfectly with this Lagos coastal walk because you can see the same dramatic cliffs from the water.
And, consider booking family photos while in Lagos! We did a session in Cascais during this trip (see the photo below), and it’s such a great souvenir!
I’m also working on more Lagos and Algarve travel guides, including things to do in Lagos, driving in Portugal, and more Portugal travel tips from our summer trip.
You can browse all of my Portugal posts here, and here are some favorites:
- Our Lagos Catamaran Cruise
- Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto
- Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon
- Family Photos in Cascais
- Pena Palace Tickets & Tips
- Visiting the Moorish Castle
- Is Livraria Lello Worth It?
- Hyatt Regency Lisbon
- Flight Deals to Europe
Pin My Lagos Coastal Walk to Ponta da Piedade for Later
