Taking a Holiday in Lagos in the Algarve
Although Lagos, Algarve has only become a popular tourist destination in Portugal in the last few years, you will still be able to see much of the town's past as you wander its many streets. Spend time doing this admiring some of the most beautiful and oldest buildings in this part of Europe one of which dates back to 1445. The city which many people often get confused with the city of the same name in Nigeria is in the southern part of this popular tourist destination and is located at the entrance of the River Bensafrim.
The town has many wonderful beaches and which are considered to be some of the most beautiful in this part of Portugal. However, to get some like Praia de Dona Ana is not easy and will take you about 25 minutes to walk from the center of the town to it.
However, if you don't feel like walking you are sure to find a taxi or local bus that can get you to this beach and others further along the coastline such as Praia do Comilo and Meia Praia. The Meia Praia beach is the furthest one along from Lagos town and stretches for 4km. Here you have the chance to enjoy the beach or take in one of the many water sport activities that are available. Plus if you can take a trip out to the sand bank on which stands Meia Praia Fort that was built in the 17th and 18th Centuries to help protect Lagos Bay.
Although these beaches prove to be extremely popular the main tourist area in Lagos is Ponta da Piedade which is situated in Lagos Bay. So it is protected from the winds that drive in off of the sea and here there are many things for one to see as the waters are very clear.
Although most people come to spend time relaxing on the beaches in Lagos there are plenty of other things for one to do and see during your holiday here. Certainly during the 15th and 16th Centuries this town was a very important naval center and its was from here that many explorers set out to seek the new worlds. It was also the Algarve's capital from 1576 until 1756.
However, many of the buildings that were erected when the Arabs came and throughout its history was badly damaged during the earthquake that hit the town in 1755. Much of the architecture you see in the town today is that built during the 18th and 19th Centuries.
As you wander around the streets of Lagos, Algarve you will come across some very interesting statutes depicting famous people from the towns past. Certainly, the most controversial of all of these is the one dedicated to Dom Sebastio and which is to be found in the town's main square directly in front of the Town Hall.
One can visit Lagos, Algarve at just about any time of the year because of its location the weather remains pretty reasonable at all times. Although it does get colder and wetter in the winter months, but not enough to prevent many people from having a week or two at this time of year. If you do intend to stay during the summer then book well in advance to ensure that you get the accommodation that you want.
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Pick from one of the numerous holiday villas in the Algarve most of which have personal pools & gardens. An advantage of booking an Algarve holiday villa is that you have choice to treat it like your home from home.
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by: SteveWoodward
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