Hiking to Ponta da Piedade in Lagos, Portugal
If you’re like me, when you hear “Lagos,” you think of Lagos, Nigeria. So when we were originally researching for our fall trip to Portugal, I was surprised to discover a Lagos in Portugal (pronounced “lah-gouche”).
Portugal’s Lagos is situated in the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal. With sun and mild temps year round, Lagos is a vacation destination for Portuguese, EU residents, and other travelers alike. It’s not hard to see why it’s popular - just take a stroll around to enjoy the whitewashed houses with tile roofs, gorgeous weather, and stunning beaches.
When most people go to Lagos, sitting by the pool or heading to the beach is the popular activity du jour. But you know me - I can’t sit still for more than an hour or two. So we opted to hike out to Ponta da Piedade for the day.
Ponta da Piedade (Piety Point if translated into English) is a beautiful headland about 3km south of the town of Lagos. Ponta da Piedade’s vibrant cliffs and red limestone rock formations are especially rich in color when viewed in the late afternoon leading up to sunset.
There are two options for enjoying the scenic views - by sea or by land. Kayak or boating tours are very popular and a great way to get up close and personal with the unique rock formations. Typically the tours range from a little over an hour to half-day tours, so there are a few options depending on your preferences and your schedule. Booking online ahead of time is a great way to save some money - some options of tours are listed below!
If you get a little seasick, Ponta da Piedade is accessible from Lagos by taxi, bus, or walking on the main road. However, the best option in my opinion is to walk the scenic coastal boardwalk route instead, which as you can see by the following pictures, is absolutely THE CHOICE to make. If you want to do this as well, plan to start the boardwalk up around the corner from Praia Dona Ana, close to the Carvi Beach Hotel Algarve. You can find the entrance on Google Maps here!
The start of the boardwalk to Ponta da Piedade, around the corner from Praia Dona Ana
The coastal path not only offers stunning views of the ocean and limestone cliffs, but access to local beaches, restaurants, and miradouros (lookout points) as well. While the hike takes about an hour from Lagos, it’s smart to plan extra time for stops along the way to explore and enjoy the views and the vibes. We stopped for a quick sangria break at O Camilo restaurant and it was well worth it! They offer a full sit down restaurant as well as a quick “snack shack” that offers takeaway drinks and sandwiches, which you can bring down to the beach or to the close-by miradouro.
Fresh, locally made sangria on a hike? Count me in.
When you arrive at Ponta da Piedade, be sure to walk out to the cliffs and around to the west side of the point for spectacular ocean views. While you won’t be able to go inside the lighthouse, it still is worth a quick pic as the stones, red dome, and palm trees make for a picturesque photo. There is a snack shop and toilets close to the lighthouse, if needed.
If you want a bit longer of a seaside escapade, you can also walk above the cliffs from Praia do Pinhão (close to Lagos city center) to Praia Dona Ana (where the boardwalk currently begins), or vice versa. Please do be cautious as the limestone cliffs and trails can be slippery due to erosion. When we visited, we learned that the city is currently building a new portion of the boardwalk from Praia do Pinhão to Praia Dona Ana to connect to the current boardwalk and to preserve the cliffs / prevent further erosion. When the boardwalk is completed, you will be able to take the boardwalk pretty much all the way from central Lagos to Ponta da Piedade.
Praia Dona Ana from the cliffs above the beach
We loved our time exploring and enjoying the views at Ponta da Piedade and we hope you will too! Would you rather kayak, hike, or take a boat out to Ponta da Piedade? Let us know in the comments below!
