Following the Phoenicians and Carthaginians came the Romans.

The bridge enclosing the Lagos Marina is of Roman origin. There are Roman remains in Praia da Luz. At Boca do Rio there is an important Roman villa with frescoes, mosaics, bathhouse and warehouses used in the fish-salting industry. In Salema there are also remains of a Roman villa and a fish preserves factory.

Then came The Moors who were finally ejected in 1249 by Dom Afonso 111 with the help of crusaders on their way to the holy land.

Lagos became the capital of The Algarve and in the early 15 to 16 Century (The Discovery Age) many ships were built in Lagos and set sail on hazardous journeys to discover Africa, the east and it is thought some ships may have reached America. Lagos was Henry the Navigators port and his statue stands in the square bearing his name. He was one of Portugal's most renowned explorers and related to royalty.The Town Walls
The ramparts turned to the sea date, presumably, from the Carthaginian or Roman presence, with subsequent Arab and Christian additions. Two proud watchtowers defend the entrance to the harbour.
The remaining walls around the town were built between 1520 and the end of the 16th century to protect the rapid growth of international trade. They include a number of bulwarks adapted to allow the use of artillery and several gateways. The town walls afford panoramic views over the town, the bay and the Monchique hills.

The Slave Market - Gold, ivory and slaves arrived here in Lagos from Africa. Indeed in Lagos just below the Customs House on the main square of Praca da Republica, the first European slave market was held in 1444. Four arcades at floor level define a small patio. One of the walls bears the arms of the Marquis of Nisa (17th century).  Portugal was the first European nation to abolish slavery in the 1750s.

In 1568 Dom Sebastiao became King at 14 hence his boyish statue in Praca Gil Eanes (the main square). In 1578 he took an army to Morocco and was annihilated. Lagos then became the capital of the Algarve, but dipped after almost total destruction by the earthquake in 1755.

The Governors' Castle
Of Arab construction, and possibly once a fortress, this building was altered on many subsequent occasions. During the 16th and 17th centuries it was the residence of the Governors, Captains-General of the Algarve. The façade includes a window in the Manueline style (16th century) where, tradition has it, King Sebastião heard mass before setting off for the fateful battle of Alcácer-Quibir.

Regimental Stores
17th century building. The facade bears an interesting baroque mortar decoration (18th century), two shields of arms of the Kingdom of the Algarve and a seal referring to its construction in 1665.

Forteleza da Ponta da Bandeira Fort
Opposite the entrance to the harbour. It used to defend the old port Built in the 17th century, with a moat, a drawbridge and an imposing gateway. Inside, there is a small chapel decorated with 17th century tiles and a museum all about the Portugese discoveries and explorers. It is an excellent viewpoint from which to look out at the city.

The Municipal museum on Rua General Alberto da Silveira is a mix of Roman and more contemporary artefacts, as well as baroque paintings and a collection of Portuguese chimney pots.

Lagos Regional Museum
Attached to the Church of Santo Antonio (St. Anthony), this museum boasts an important collection of religious art works, with paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. In the archaeology section there are examples of decorated menhirs (4,000 to 3,000 B.C.) and remains from Roman sites. There is also an interesting Algarvean ethnology collection.

You can easily wander on foot around Lagos taking in its churches, historic squares, remaining old town walls, museums and its 17th century fortress. The narrow winding streets within the city walls are a delight of charm and character with the stonework around their windows and doorways, their wrought iron balconies, handpainted tiles and cool shady squares.

Small shops sell popular local crafts that include handpainted pottery and decoartive tiles, beaten copperware and wrought iron possibly arab in origin, printed texttiles, leather, articles in cane and cork, delicate needle and bobbin lace, baskets, bags and mats made from weaved rushes and palm leaves, dolls from Martinlongo and Querença, wood carvings and carts, wool rugs, unique jewellery design.

Churches

Church of Santo António (St Anthony)
Rebuilt in 1769 at the initiative of the commander of the Lagos Regiment of Infantry, it served him as a chapel. The facade is typically baroque with an interesting eye-window and pediment. Inside there is a the rich profusion of gilded carving which covers the high altar and the side walls, making it a prime example of what is one of the most striking features of the Portuguese baroque.

Church of St. Sebastian (St. Sebastian)
Built in the 14th and 16th centuries on the site of a former hermitage, it was damaged in 1755. It has a plain facade, dominated by an imposing bell tower. At the side entrance there is a decorated renaissance doorway. The interior consists of three naves supported by doric columns. Built on a hill, be church enjoys a sweeping view over Lagos and the sea.

Church of Santa Maria or Misericórdia (Holy Mary or Mercy)
This building has a symmetrical facade, dates back to the 15th/16th centuries. It was rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its main doorway has doric columns and busts of St Peter and St Paul. The side doorway is dated 1568.

Church of Nossa do Carmo (Our Lady of Carmel)
Part of a former monastery (16th century) it displays harmonious proportions. Now in ruins.

Hermitage of São João Baptista (St John the Baptist)
Built in the 15th/16th centuries and rebuilt in the 18th. Its main chapel is built on an octagonal floor plan.

Hermitage of São Pedro do Pulgão (St. Peter of Pulgão)
A typical country hermitage with white walls and a baroque facade. Its doorway is in the Marceline style (16th century). It stands not far from the Monte Molião Roman archaeological site.

Oratory of São Gonçalo (St Gonçalo)
The place where, according to popular accounts, the saint’s parents lived. 18th century stonework and painting.

Lagos Fish and Meat market

Historic building recently restored to meet modern hygiene standards. Best place to buy fresh fish and meat from some real Algarve characters. Rooftop restaurant with spectacular views.

The New Marina

Posh boats and shops. A must visit for many. 

Boating trips

Most tickets for fishing and boat trips are sold along the Avenida entering the Marina or wander along to the old marina to negotiate directly. This is the best way to see Ponta Da Piedade, a wonderful headland with one of the largest concentration of sea arches, grottos and weather sculptured cliffs in front of Atlantic Ocean. The Bom Dia offers a sail in a traditional Algarve sailing a picnic and a swim in a secluded bay.

Alternatively book some big game fishing or a trip to see the dolphins.

Ponta Da Piedade

Taking your camera is an absolute must. By road turn left as you leave Lagos at the roundababout with the ball and pendulum and follow the signs to Dona Ana (a real picture postcard beach). Follow the road onto Ponta da Piedade and make sure you stop at Praia do Camilo for the most spectacular view of the Bay of Lagos and Algarve scenery that you dare imagine. A small café sits at the top of the cliffs from where you can take steps down to an enchanting beach and magical caves to an adjoining bay. Return to the road or walk across spectacular, unspoilt Algarve coastline to Ponta da Piedade and the lighthouse. Clamber down 182 steps to the caves and here you can take a boat trip with a local fisherman who will point out the many rock formations which all have names names like the Camel, the Kissing Couple, and the Sphinx.

Silves - History
This city was once the capital of the whole district and was still referred to in the beginning of the 19th Century as the “Kingdom of the Algarve”. Imported lions and other wild animals are reputed to have roamed freely through exotic gardens in palaces in the twelth century. The Rio Arade had given the town good access to the sea until it silted up in the 15 Century.

Most of the town and nearly all its ancient buildings were destroyed by the earthquake of 1755.

Silves Castle lies in the town of Silves in the Algarve province in Portugal. It is locally known as Castelo de Silves. The impressive remains of the castle dates back to Moors. 

The Museu Arqueológico has exhibits of locally found objects included items from the Stone Age.

Ponte Romana, a fine strong bridge from the Roman occupation over the Rio Arade below the city walls and having been rebuilt from the original in the 15th Century. The city’s earlier 13th Century Cathedral was built on the site of a Mosque and has suffered considerable alteration over the centuries.  

The Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Algarve, Portugal

On the main road from Lagos to Sagres, between the villages of Figueira and Raposeira, there is a small isolated church, dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, where it is known that Prince Henry the Navigator (1394 - 1460) attended Mass.

Rumoured to have been originally built by the Knights Templars in the 13th Century, this ermida, an isolated chapel, was one of the earliest to be dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe in Portugal. The miracle of Our Lady of Guadalupe took place in 1320 when a shepherd discovered an image of the Virgin. Immediately, this image was attributed to the workmanship of St. Luke

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