The Best Airbnbs and Vacation Rentals in Lagos, Portugal

Lagos is a charming Portuguese town by the Atlantic Ocean
Lagos is a charming Portuguese town by the Atlantic Ocean | © devi / Alamy Stock Photo

Beyond the golf courses and five-star hotels of the Algarve, you’ll find the quaint cobblestone fishing town of Lagos. Book a holiday apartment for a more independent stay. From here, you can easily stroll to the golden sands of Praia do Camilo, learn to surf the Atlantic waves and tuck into chargrilled piri-piri chicken, a Portuguese classic.

Few places in the world can boast a richly historic old town – complete with cobbled lanes, pretty plazas and medieval walls – a hop, skip and jump from seriously spectacular cliff-fringed beaches. But, Lagos is one of them. Add a high-octane nightlife and a top-notch dining scene, and it’s no wonder this is one of the most popular tourist spots in Portugal. Prefer your accommodation with more of a holiday-home vibe? We’ve picked out some top options for just that, which are now bookable with Culture Trip.

1. Budget-friendly terracotta villa with sunset views

Apartment

An outdoor swimming pool at Amadeus Sunset Villa by Dreamalgarve, beside a small terrace with chairs and a table
Courtesy of Amadeus Sunset Villa by Dreamalgarve / Expedia

This family-friendly villa is located among a patchwork of fields in the peaceful rural area of Alagoas, about a 10-minute drive west of Lagos. With three bedrooms, three bathrooms and bunk beds for kids, it can comfortably accommodate up to seven guests. In the garden, there’s a small swimming pool to cool off in, or there are several lovely beaches just 5 minutes away by car.

2. Three-bedroom villa, complete with an outdoor pool

Villa

A large outdoor swimming pool next to cream villas at Heaven Golf Villa, with yellow sun loungers and palm trees
Courtesy of Heaven Golf Villa / Expedia

The undeniable highlight of this three-bedroom villa is its fabulous kidney-shaped pool, big enough for a decent swim and with plenty of poolside loungers. The two-storey rental can sleep up to eight, as well as providing a full kitchen and spacious lounge. Jump in the car, and you can be in Lagos town or Porto de Mós in just 5 minutes.

4. Huge five-bedroom property with private pool

Villa, Serviced Apartment

A birds-eye view of Bay View Villa in Vale da Lama, with a swimming pool and a terracotta-coloured roof
Courtesy of Bay View Villa in Vale da Lama / Expedia

Lots of knotty pine furnishings, whitewashed walls and terracotta tiling give this holiday villa more than a touch of the rustic. With five bedrooms and five bathrooms, the two-storey property can sleep up to 10 guests. An outside terrace leads directly to the pool, which is long enough for a decent swim. Alternatively, Meia Beach is 5 minutes by car. Upstairs, you get lovely views of the scenic surroundings of the Vale da Lama bay.

5. Luxurious contemporary villa on Lagos outskirts

Villa

An outdoor terrace at Luxury Gold Villa by DreamAlgarve, with a dining table and a barbecue section
Courtesy of Luxury Gold Villa by DreamAlgarve / Expedia

With a private swimming pool set in tidy lawned gardens, outside dining and a barbecue area, you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, when you stay at this upscale villa. It sleeps groups of up to eight in three bedrooms, plus there are four bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. It’s just a 5-minute drive to the nearest beach at Porto de Mós. If you fancy something a little livelier, Lagos town is just under 10 minutes away.

6. Sunny beach pad dotted with citrus trees

Apartment, Villa

Set in the small seaside settlement of Luz, this charming villa is just a 5-minute stroll from the picturesque Praia da Luz. A sunny garden with orange and lemon trees makes for a lovely spot to unwind; you can even catch sea views over the hedge. With three bedrooms and two updated bathrooms, it easily accommodates up to six people. A modern kitchen and nearby shops make self-catering a breeze.

7. Simple, affordable apartments in central Lagos

Apartment

Casa Celina offers two apartments located on a quiet road in the centre of Lagos town. Each comes with simple kitchens – but, with Lagos’s buzzing dining scene practically on your doorstep, you’ll probably want to eat out. Both apartments sleep two in a queen-size bed, and there are separate lounges, too, if you just want to chill. The location also means a trio of beaches within walking distance, so you have the best of both worlds.

8. Retreat in Lagos’s old town

Apartment

Designed as a retreat, this apartment has lots of little spots to read or relax in between enjoying Lagos’s old town, which is only minutes away on foot. Take a nap in the hammock on the private patio, or gaze at the almond trees that peek into the property. This budget-friendly and fully equipped apartment has two bedrooms and can accommodate up to four guests.

9. Flat 200m (656ft) from the beach

Apartment

The picturesque Dona Ana Beach, one of the best beaches in Europe, is right in front of this 200-square-metre (2,153sqft) flat, and the views are hard to beat. Located in a condominium, there is 24-hour security and access to the pool area during the summer months, as well as free parking. The town centre is also only approximately 10 minutes away.

Nina Santos contributed additional reporting to this article.

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