Lagoa
Lagoa is a municipality rich in beaches. They have been improved dramatically over the last few decades, in terms of infrastructure and access, as well as in terms of water quality and the environment.
Get in
Private transport from Faro Airport to Carvoeiro, Ferragudo, Porches and all Lagoa area
See
* Praia da Marinha – It is one of the most beautiful and emblematic beaches of Portugal. In 1998 it was awarded the distinguished “Golden Beach” award by the Portuguese Ministry of the Environment because of its outstanding natural qualities. Furthermore, pictures of the beach have often been used in promotional material and “Guides to Portugal” distributed around the world.
This beach is not only famous for its cliffs but also for the pristine quality of the water. Praia da Marinha has often been used by advertising agencies and by television producers in advertising campaigns.
* Praia da Nossa Senhora da Rocha – The beach is one of the most rustic ones along the coast and was used as a refuge for small fishing boats in the area. The beach is flanked by cliffs. At the west end is a promentory on which is the old Fort and Shrine of Nossa Senhora da Rocha. A tunnel has been excavated through this promentory to link Praia da Senhora da Rocha with Praia Nova on the other side.
The fact that the beach/Praia da Senhora da Rocha is protected by cliffs is not only a great advantage for the fishermen, it also offers shelter to tourists when the wind is very strong.
* Praia Grande (Large Beach) is on the east bank of the wide estuary of the Rio Arade, south of Ferragudo. This beach is just inside the mole which shields the river entrance and the port area of Portimão, and runs north to the Forte de São João do Arade.
Like other beaches in the western Algarve, it is bordered by cliffs from the Miocene epoch, very rich in marine fossils.
* Fortress and Chapel of Nossa Sra. da Encarnação (Built around 1670, this polygon-shaped fortification is located on the cliff near the Carvoeiro Beach.). edit
* Carvoeiro Village – Carvoeiro represents a particulary atractive option when it comes to tourism (beaches, Golf and water sports). The scarped coast, the water quality, the warm climate and the famous Golf Courses, offer the right conditions to make Carvoeiro stand out, as a quality destination for portuguese and foreign tourists.
Walking by the seaside while admiring the natural beauty and pieces of history (achitectonic patrimony, an ancient fortress and the Shrine of Nossa Senhora da Conceição), that remained in this location, is a great advise for those who like to relax and to contemplate the beauty of nature’s work.
- Shrine of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação – To the west of the town is the site of an old ruined fort, ordered built in 1670 as part of the coastal defenses of the Algarve. Only a gate survives. At the same site is the Shrine of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação, a chapel overlooking the sea, whose construction is said to have antedated the fort.
- Alfazima’s Lightouse – This lightouse was built on December 1st 1920. This building is located in the edge of the cape (named Alfazima), consists in a square tower and it is lined with white tiles.
- “Algar Seco”, a few hundred meters along the coast east of the main square and beach, is a popular nature site where ocean wave erosion has carved out grottos, islets and “water chimneys”.
Eat
* Restaurant O Boteco, Praia do Paraíso, Carvoeiro, 8400-556 Lagoa, (+ 351) 282 357 265. Located in the quaint Carvoeiro Village, “O Boteco” stands out for the quality of its cuisine, especially its regional dishes (various chargrilled dishes and seafood platters), excellent service and privileged location with a breathtaking panoramic view of the sea and the small Praia do Paraíso (Paradise beach).
Sleep
You can Stay in different freguesiaswith stautus of towns from the Town of Lagoa where the major hotels are located, Porches, Carvoeiro, Mexilhoeira da Carregação e Ferragudo. You will finf top spot near the Beaches.
Luxury Hotels
* Vilalara Thalassa Resort (First Thalasso in Portugal), Praia das Gaivota, Alporchinhos, 8400-450 Porches, +351 282320000 (reservas@vilalararesort.com, fax: +351 282320077). checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00. Located by the sea where nature is found in its purest state, the Vilalara Thalassa Resort, with its expressive but tasteful architecture, is a place dedicated to well-being and the senses.
ApartHotel
* Hotel Apartamento Solférias****, Sitio do Mato Serrão, Praia do Carvoeiro, 8400-556 LAGOA, (+351) 282 357 401 (solferias.reservas@graopara.pt). At the Solférias ApartHotel, guests will be able to enjoy a relaxing holiday, in a tranquil area, since the hotel is located near the Carvoeiro town, but far from the busy center; within a calm environment, the hotel is close to the famous nearby beaches.
Praia da Marinha, Lagoa. Photo by Had01
Praia Grande (Ferragudo), Lagoa. Photo by Francisco Santos
Carvoeiro, Lagoa. Photo by Dr.G.Schmitz
