Faro or Lagos: Which Algarve destination is right for you

Are you stuck between deciding on Faro or Lagos for your next big trip to the Algarve, and want to know which one is right for you. Well good news, this article covers everything you need to know about these two popular Algarve destinations.

We look at everything from cost, attractions, food, nightlife, and much more to help you decide if Faro or Lagos is best for your Portuguese break.

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Faro or Lagos: Some background

If you are deciding on Faro or Lagos for your next trip here is a little bit of background on each one.

Faro

Faro is the capital of the Algarve region and is located on the eastern side. It’s famous for it’s gorgeous old town, natural beauty, as well as being the gateway to the rest of the Algarve.

Is Faro worth visiting you might be wondering? This article is for you.

Lagos

Lagos is the biggest city in the western part of the Algarve, and is situated along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a popular tourist destination and is famous for its beautiful beautiful beaches, and colourful architecture.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better for accommodation

Accommodation and neighbourhoods are a big part of any holiday. So deciding where to stay is a pretty important decision. Here is a breakdown of accommodation in Faro and Lagos to help you decide which one is better.

Faro

Accommodation in Faro is easy to find. It’s a popular city, and the capital of the Algarve as mentioned at the beginning of this article. For that reason you will find accommodation to suit all budgets.

For the best areas to stay in Faro you want to look for accommodation around the marina or the old town. Unlike Lagos it isn’t a beach resort type place so you won’t get a lot of hotels by the beach. So for something by the water and with a view the marina is your best bet.

There are a number of hostels in Faro if you are looking for budget accommodation, or you can also book out an apartment for your holiday. Alternatively there are a number of mid range to luxury hotels located in the city.

Lagos

Lagos is also a popular tourist destination which means that like Faro accommodation is easy to find. You have everything from campsites and hostels, to your fancier 4 star hotels and resorts.

There are a number of great areas to stay when visiting Lagos. We stayed right near the beach at the start of the Ponta da Piedade walk. It was only 15- 20 minutes walk into the old town, and a 2 minute walk to the beach itself. This is probably one of the best areas to stay as you sort of get the best of both worlds. It’s also a lot quieter in the evening.

Other great areas include the old town itself. This is where a lot of the hostels are located, as are the bars and restaurants. Or you could stay around the marina, which is really close to the action in the old town.

Faro or Lagos?

Honestly accommodation in Faro and Lagos is pretty on par. The prices are similar, and you have a wide range of accommodation to choose from to suit all budgets. If we really had to decide we would go for Lagos because here you can get accommodation right on the beach, but also within walking distance to the old town.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better for attractions

Obviously a huge part of deciding where to stay in the Algarve will depend on the best things to do in each of the areas.

Faro

There is a lot to do in Faro, particularly if you love the idea of mixing a city break, with a sun holiday. Here are some of the top activities we recommend.

Ria Formosa National Park

The Ria Formosa National Park is a section of marshes, white sand banks, pine forests and freshwater lakes in the heart of Faro. It’s basically a 60km tidal lagoon that separates the town from the beach. You can hop on a boat from Faro and explore the area which is well worth it.

Enjoy the beaches

You do need to travel a little to get to the beaches in Faro, as they aren’t directly near the old town. Praia de Faro is one of the top spots to sunbathe and take a dip. And here you can partake in a number of water activities from here, or just enjoy the beautiful beaches.

Explore the Old Town

The old town is a great part of Faro to explore. This is where you can find a lot of the restaurants and bars in the city. It’s also incredibly picturesque filled with beautiful tree lined squares, and traditional Portuguese style buildings.

Igreja da Sé

This is a great place to visit if you want to get some cool views of Faro. The interior is beautiful but the main attraction has to be the bell tower and the views from here. Entry is €5 and you can explore the church, bone chapel, museum, and bell tower as part of this.

Igreja do Carmo

This isn’t just your run of the mill church because the highlight here is the bone chapel. It’s essentially a small chapel behind the main church with walls that are lined with the bones and skulls of Carmelite monks. The idea here is to act as a reminder that life on earth is short.

Lagos

Similar to Faro Lagos has a striking old town, and a lot of natural beauty to keep you entertained. Here are some of the best things to do in Lagos.

Explore the old town

Exploring the old town in Lagos is really beautiful. There is so much charm walking through the cobbled back streets, and passing the colourful buildings.

Lagos old town is relatively flat and compact enough that you can do it all on foot. Make sure you explore the squares, eat some gelato, and make the most of the food and drink in the area.

Igreja de Santo António in the Museu de Lagos

Lagos has a number of museums but one of the best is the Museu de Lagos. It’s only a few Euros for entry, and the museum itself doesn’t take long to explore, but it is worth it.

Here you can learn all about the history of Lagos, and marvel at religious and cultural artefacts.

The real highlight though is Igreja de Santo António which is a stunning chapel that you can only access through the museum. It’s pretty spectacular and one of the best things to see in Lagos.

Enjoy the beaches

Lagos has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. Two of our favourites have to be Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo. These beaches are the most beautiful in Lagos as they encompass the rock formations, golden sand, and clean blue waters that Lagos is famous for.

Ponta da Piedade

Ponta da Piedade is a beautiful coastal area in Lagos with rugged rock formations, beautiful viewpoints, and a number of caves and grottos to explore.

If you are planning to walk you can see the area from above. There is a boardwalk that you follow and it’s around 2.5km in length. This walk will also take you past Praia Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo so bring your swimming gear if you decide to do it.

There are a couple of restaurants/bars along the boardwalk as well, which is good news if you need to refuel on a hot day.

You can also view Ponta da Piedade by boat. If you can we recommend a grotto/cave tour as you get to really checkout the cool caves in the area.

Faro or Lagos?

When it comes to attractions we preferred Lagos. This is mostly down to the fact that the beaches here are top notch and you have some really beautiful coastal walks that you can do. The old town is full of nooks and crannies to explore, and you certainly won’t be bored.

Faro is beautiful too but Lagos was just that little bit nicer for us because of the beach element.

Faro or Lagos: which one has the better vibe

I know deciding on Faro vs Lagos in terms of vibe is a bit of an ambiguous statement but here us out. In terms of assessing a ‘vibe’ we are looking at which place is friendlier for tourists and is more fun.

Faro

Faro is a popular tourist destination particularly for those looking to mix up a city break with a beach break. It’s more of a working city, so in some ways it feels more authentically Portuguese than the more tourist focussed Lagos.

Lagos

We found that Lagos had a real party vibe. It’s incredibly popular among tourists looking for a relaxing beach holiday. Everyone is really relaxed and chilled out. It’s a very friendly place that welcomes tourists wholeheartedly.

There seemed to be more tourists in Lagos than Faro, despite Faro being the capital of the Algarve region. It’s got a more beach resort vibe than Faro which might be part of the reason tourists flock here.

Faro or Lagos?

This is a hard one to decide on, as it really depends on what you are looking for in a city break. We would probably say Lagos had the better vibe, possibly because it’s more about the beaches, and caters a little more to tourists. Locals are also a little friendly possibly because they are used to an influx of tourists in the summer months. It’s also a little more relaxed.

Faro still has a great vibe though, but as it is a working city it offers a more authentic Portuguese experience.

Faro or Lagos: which one is easier to get to

No one wants to spend ages trying to get to their holiday destination, so you might be wondering in the battle of Faro vs Lagos which one is easier to get to.

Faro

Faro is the capital of the Algarve region which essentially means that there are a number of public transport links. You can get express trains from Lisbon to Faro for example, and there is even an international airport near the city.

A lot of European carriers fly to Faro, including the likes of Ryanair and Easy Jet. From the airport it is about 15-20 minutes in a taxi to the old town.

Lagos

Lagos is a little harder to get to. If you are coming via train from Lisbon for example you will need to make a few changes.

If you are flying Faro is the closest airport. From here you will either need to get a train which will take you around 1.5 – 2 hours. You can also drive or get an Uber. This is around an hours travel time. If you are looking at getting an Uber from Faro Airport to Lagos this will set you back around €70.

Faro or Lagos?

Faro is the clear winner here because it is the capital of the Algarve. It’s essentially the gateway to the rest of the Algarve which means that it is much easier to get to than Lagos. Particularly if you are flying you will need to get to Faro first before making your way to Lagos.

Faro or Lagos: which one is easier to get around

When you go on holiday you want to make sure that the place you are visiting is easy to get around and public transport links are decent.

Faro

Whilst there is public transport in Faro, you probably won’t need to use this as most of the tourist hotspots are within walking distance.

Lagos

Similarly you probably won’t need to use public transport in Lagos as the majority of attractions are within walking distance of each other.

Faro or Lagos?

Both places are pretty on par with this, and honestly you probably won’t need to use public transport when getting around either places as the majority of the attractions are within walking distance of each other. Faro has slightly better transport, but that is because it is a working city, and the capital of the Algarve.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better for beaches

If you are visiting the Algarve chances are you will want to explore some of the beaches on offer. Here is a breakdown of Faros vs Lagos when it comes to beaches.

Faro

Many people flock to Faro for their summer vacations. There are some beautiful beaches in Faro but you do have to keep in mind that these are about 10 km away from the town. To get here you will either need to drive or get the bus.

One of the best beaches in Faro is Praia de Faro but just keep in mind it does get incredibly busy particularly in the summer months.

Lagos

Lagos is known for its beautiful beaches which brings in the tourists every year. There are also plenty of beach resorts where you can enjoy a relaxing holiday.

One of the best beaches in Lagos is Praia Dona Ana, but there are several smaller beaches nearby that you can also enjoy.

The beaches in Lagos are incredibly beautiful as they tend to be located among the unusual rock formations, particularly around Ponta da Piedade.

Faro or Lagos?

Lagos by far has the better beaches. For starters they are a lot closer to town and there are several beach resorts you can stay at in the area too.

Whilst Faro does have some popular beaches the prettier of the two is definitely Lagos.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better for food

Ok let’s be real for a second, food is by far one of our favourite things when it comes to travel. There is something so exciting about arriving in a new city, and exploring it’s culture and history through food. If like us you are also a bit of a food lover, you might be wondering in the Faro vs Lagos battle which one fares better when it comes to eating.

Faro

There is so much choice when it comes to food in Faro. The old town is where you will find a lot of the main restaurants particularly if you are looking for your traditional Portuguese cuisine. But there is so much more here than just Portuguese food. There are also many seafood restaurants, tapas bars, and international cuisine that you can chow down on.

Lagos

Lagos also has some decent food options. From cheap and cheerful cafes to your more upper class restaurants there is food to suit all budgets. There are many places serving fresh seafood and Portuguese cuisine as well.

Faro or Lagos?

Honest when it comes to food, Faro and Lagos are both similar in terms of choice and quality. That being said particularly when it came to seafood and Portuguese dishes, we favoured Lagos just that little bit more. This was probably down to luck and where we ate, but Lagos felt like it had slightly higher quality food places than Faro.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better for nightlife

Depending on the kind of holiday you are looking for nightlife might play a big part in your chosen destination. A lot of people tend to visit the Algarve to party the night away, whilst others like us, prefer to sip cocktails and watch the sunset. So which one is better for nightlife?

Faro

Faro is a great place to go if you are looking to party, sip cocktails, or try some fancy wine. The entertainment options feel almost endless. Overall we felt there was something to suit all tastes when it came to nightlife. Some of our favourite spots included:

Epicur

If you are after wine and cheese this is the place for you. They have a huge selection of wines and ports by the glass, as well as wine flights, and cheese boards.

LAB Terrace 

This is the best bar in Faro to watch the sunset. Just make sure you get there early because it isn’t exactly a secret. They do great drinks, and there is a really fun atmosphere here.

Columbus

This was our absolute favourite cocktail bar in Faro. They do top quality drinks, and the prices aren’t too bad either. It’s perfect if you are after some creative cocktails, in a well shaded location.

Lagos

Lagos also has a good selection of places for nightlife. There are a number of great rooftop bars, as well as cheap and cheerful places to party the night away. Some of our favourites are:

Skybar

If you love a good rooftop bar then head to Skybar in Lagos. It’s in the middle of the historic centre with stunning views, and a really cool seating area. They also have a random pool in the middle of the rooftop although we didn’t actually see anyone swimming.

The Sanctuary

This is another great rooftop bar in Lagos with awesome views. They do some really good cocktails, but make sure you get in early as it does get busy of an evening.

The Garden

This was an accidental find for us in Lagos, but it turned out to be fantastic. It’s set in a proper beer garden and is a fully outdoor bar and restaurant. It’s kind of like a little oasis in the middle of Lagos. There is a real BBQ vibe here, with food to match. Cocktails are pretty decent too.

Faro or Lagos?

When it comes to nightlife we would have to say Faro is better BUT that is because there was more option for our kind of nightlife. There were some really good cocktail bars in Faro that we enjoyed, as well as some gorgeous rooftop bars with incredible views. Basically it just felt like there was more choice. Faro has wine bars, cocktail lounges, nightclubs, dive bars, and much more.

Lagos has a large selection, but as a whole Lagos felt like it was more catered towards holiday makers looking to party. For that reason it was harder to find decent cocktail or wine bars in Lagos.

If you are like us and enjoy a glass of wine, or an experimental cocktail to sip on, you will probably prefer Faro. But if you want cheap and cheerful drinks, and a great summer party atmosphere then Lagos is for you.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better for safety

When travelling an important fact to consider is safety in your destination. Here we breakdown how safe Faro and Lagos are.

Faro

Faro is a relatively safe city, and the biggest issue tourists face are things like pickpocketing or petty theft. Obviously you should have your wits about you, as you would anywhere in the world.

Lagos

Lagos too is an incredibly safe city. It’s popular with tourists and you don’t hear of many incidents of tourists being targeted in serious crime. Again you should have your wits about you like you would when visiting other destinations.

Faro or Lagos?

Honestly when it comes to safety Faro and Lagos are both pretty on par. If we desperately had to choose we would say Lagos is slightly better, but that is only because it is completely geared towards tourists, and is slightly smaller than Faro.

Both destinations are favourable for those looking to party which tends to involve a lot of alcohol. There aren’t usually many incidents or issues, but anywhere you go that involves a lot of alcohol is probably worth keeping your wits about you.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better for couples

If you are travelling as a couple you might be wondering if Faro or Lagos is better for you.

Faro

Faro has some great things to do if you are travelling as a couple. For starters there are a number of bars and restaurants to enjoy a romantic meal or cocktails. There are some really cool bars geared towards watching the sunset too which is perfect after a long day of exploring.

The atmospheric old town with its cobbled streets, and Portuguese style buildings is also perfect for wandering around as a couple.

Lagos

Lagos is another great choice when travelling as a couple. It’s more touristy, but this also means there is a lot to do as a couple. For starters you can book a romantic sunset boat tour, or hike around Ponta da Piedade, or just get lost in the gorgeous old town.

Faro or Lagos?

Both Faro and Lagos are great destinations if you are travelling as a couple. You will definitely find something romantic to do in both locations. Lagos is probably the slightly better option just because there is a little bit more to do, and has a few more romantic settings.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better for families

When it comes to travelling as a family you might be wondering if Faro or Lagos is better for you. Here is our breakdown.

Faro

Faro has a lot of great accommodation options if you are travelling as a family. A lot of hotels are family friendly or you can opt to stay in an apartment near the old town.

There are several museums you can visit in Faro, as well as boat tours, and of course the Ria Formosa National Park which is perfect for families to tour.

Lagos

Lagos is very popular for family holidays. The gorgeous beaches, and family friendly resorts make for a fantastic holiday destination, particularly if you a travelling with kids.

There are also some great museums and tons of water based activities to partake in around Lagos.

Faro or Lagos?

Lagos is the better option for families. It is very much geared towards family holidays and there are a lot of hotels and resorts that cater towards this. There is also a lot more to see and do, particularly when it comes to beaches.

Faro or Lagos: which one is cheaper

You might be wondering if Faro or Lagos is cheaper when it comes to tourist activities. Here is our breakdown.

Faro

Accommodation in Faro ranges between the super cheap hostels to the more expensive luxury style hotels. For a mid range 4 star hotel we paid €162 per night.

Food and drink are relatively cheap too depending on what you order. On average a meal meal will set you back somewhere between €12 – €20, and cocktails cost around €8.

Lagos

Similarly Lagos has super cheap accommodation, including a campsite, to higher end hotels. Accommodation was a little more expensive in Lagos as we paid €212 per night for accommodation and this was a 3 star hotel. It was right on the beach though.

Food and drink were the same as Faro, and it really depends on where you eat and drink as to how much it will cost.

Faro or Lagos?

Faro and Lagos are pretty on par when it comes to prices. Getting a good deal will depend on the time of year you are visiting. As a whole Portugal tends to be a lot cheaper than other western European countries which is good news if you are planning a holiday there.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better for nature

One of the best things about the Algarve is that you can really experience some of the natural beauty Portugal has to offer. But is Faro or Lagos better for nature lovers?

Faro

Faro is more of a city break destination, but it does also have some pretty awesome natural beauty to explore. For starters the Ria Formosa National Park is a must as well as the beaches and islands surrounding Faro.

Lagos

Lagos too has a lot of natural beauty including rugged beaches and the incredibly beautiful Ponta da Piedade. Lagos is also relatively close to the Benagil Caves, making it a great place to visit if you are hoping to do a day trip.

Faro or Lagos?

Faro and Lagos are both excellent choices when it comes to nature. Faro has the Ria Formosa National Park, which is great for exploring birdlife and ecology. Lagos on the other hand has the incredible rock formations and grottos of Ponta da Piedade.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better in summer

Faro and Lagos are both popular summer destinations, but you might be wondering which one is better at this time of year.

Faro

Summer is peak season in Faro, with temperatures ranging between 17 – 30 degrees Celsius. That being said it is not unusual for temperatures to reach 35 degrees at times.

There are many hotels with pools and bars, to help keep you cool in the summer months. There are also a number of beaches (although as discussed they are a bit of a trek out of town) where you can swim, or get involved in water sports.

Lagos

Summer is also peak season in Lagos with tourists flocking here to enjoy the beaches and nightlife. Temperatures are similar to those in Faro, making it a great place to visit for sunshine and warmth.

There are several beaches you can enjoy in Lagos over the summer months, as well as water activities like kayaking and paddle boarding.

Faro or Lagos?

Lagos is probably a little bit better as a summer destination as the beaches are a lot closer to town than they are in Faro.

Faro or Lagos: which one is better in winter

If you are visiting the Algarve in winter, you might be wondering if Faro or Lagos is the better option.

Faro

Faro is the capital of the Algarve, and is bigger than Lagos. It isn’t just solely a tourist destination but is also a working town. A lot of the restaurants and bars are still open, and temperatures are mild averaging between 10 – 20 degrees celsius.

Lagos

Lagos is still open for business in the winter months, although it is much quieter. It might not be ideal for swimming but you can still do dolphin watching tours, go hiking, and explore the old town.

Faro or Lagos?

Both Faro and Lagos are on par when it comes to winter. There are still lots of fun things to do in both places in the cooler months, including visit the museums, eat some incredible food, and enjoy the nightlife.

Faro or Lagos: which one is for me

So hopefully you have found this guide useful in trying to decide if Faro or Lagos is the best place to go for your Algarve destination. Here is a final breakdown to help you decide.

Faro

Faro as mentioned above is a popular holiday destination, but it is also a working city. The beaches are a little further from the old town, and it’s less resort style holiday more city break mixed with sunshine.

Lagos

Lagos is a more relaxed holiday destination with some awesome beaches, and incredible nightlife, It’s a bit more touristy than Faro, but still has a Portuguese feel to it.

Faro or Lagos?

If you want a beach holiday that is relaxed, and let’s you enjoy some lively nightlife go to Lagos.

But if you want something a little less touristy, that is part city break, part sun holiday you should go to Faro.

We travelled as a couple and personally preferred Lagos, just because there was a little bit more to do here. The beaches and rugged coastal landscape also made it a firm favourite for us.

That isn’t to say we didn’t enjoy Faro, in fact, we sort of underestimated how much time we would need to explore Faro. Already we have so many things we want to see and do if we get the chance to go back.

Hopefully this article has been helpful for you, and if so make sure you pin it for later.

And if you are trying to decide between Lagos and Albufeira this article might be useful for you. Or alternatively if you are tossing up between Faro and Albufeira this might be helpful.

Happy travels!