Where to Stay in Lagos Portugal for Your Next Holiday
Lagos Old Town and Lagos Marina are two of the most practical places to stay in Lagos, especially if you’re visiting for the first time.
Both are close to restaurants and the main attractions, but they offer different advantages.
The Old Town is a good choice for exploring historic streets and walking to nearby beaches. Lagos Marina works well if you’re arriving by train or planning boat trips. Meia Praia and Praia do Porto de Mós suit holidays with more time at the beach.
Your choice also depends on whether you have a car. Staying centrally makes it easier to explore on foot, while the beach areas offer more accommodation outside the town centre.
Your choice also depends on whether you have a car. Staying centrally makes it easier to explore on foot, while the beach areas offer more accommodation outside the town centre.
For sightseeing and transport advice, see my Lagos Travel Guide. My 2 Days in Lagos, Portugal itinerary also shows how to explore the town and coastline.
Lagos Areas at a Glance
| Area | Best For | Setting | Getting Around | Main Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagos Old Town | First visits, short stays, dining | Historic streets, shops and squares | Walking, taxi | Limited parking and some evening noise |
| Lagos Marina | Boat trips, train arrivals, waterfront dining | Harbour, restaurants and modern hotels | Walking, train, taxi | No beach directly beside the marina |
| Meia Praia | Beach holidays, families, longer stays | Long sandy beach, resorts and apartments | Walking, taxi, car | Some hotels are far from the Old Town |
| Praia do Porto de Mós | Beach access, coastal walks, sea views | Sandy beach beneath limestone cliffs | Bus, taxi, car | Fewer shops and restaurants than the centre |
Hotel prices are approximate nightly guide rates for two adults, based on published accommodation listings reviewed in October 2026. Prices vary by travel dates, room type and availability.
Stay in Lagos Old Town
Lagos Old Town is a good place to stay if you want to explore without a car. Its narrow streets lead to restaurants, cafés, shops and historic squares. You’ll also be close to landmarks such as Praça Gil Eanes, Igreja de Santo António and Praça Infante D. Henrique.
Praia da Batata and Praia dos Estudantes are within walking distance. You can also walk to the marina for boat trips along the coast. Staying in the centre means you can visit the main attractions without spending much of your holiday getting around.
BEST FOR
First-Time Visits
Explore historic streets, nearby beaches and local attractions, all within easy walking distance of your accommodation.
Short Stays
Visit the Old Town, enjoy local restaurants and explore nearby beaches without spending too much time travelling.
Food & Cafés
Discover traditional cafés, local bakeries and a wide choice of restaurants throughout the historic town centre.
Historic Sights
Visit historic churches, explore old town squares and discover the city walls, all within easy walking distance.
Hotel Style
Boutique Hotels
Smaller hotels offer individually designed rooms and useful facilities close to the Old Town's main attractions.
Traditional Guesthouses
Guesthouses provide smaller accommodation with convenient access to local restaurants, shops and historic streets.
Serviced Apartments
Apartments offer kitchens and extra living space, with shops and restaurants within easy walking distance.
Recommended Hotels
Casa Mãe
Casa Mãe is a boutique hotel in Lagos Old Town, with rooms spread across buildings that combine vintage Portuguese interiors and modern, minimalist design. You’ll also find gardens, swimming pools, and a restaurant serving seasonal food.
After exploring Lagos and its nearby beaches, you can return to the hotel for a swim or spend some time in the gardens.
Location: Rua do Jogo da Bola, Lagos Old Town
Price: From €320 per night
(about $370 USD)
Type: Boutique Hotel
Casa Margô
If you’d like more space, Casa Margô offers modern apartments in a restored 17th-century building overlooking Praça Luís de Camões. The apartments have kitchen facilities, and guests can enjoy the outdoor pool and terrace.
You’ll be right in the Old Town, with cafés, restaurants, and shops just a short walk away. It’s also convenient for exploring Lagos without a car.
Location: Praça Luís de Camões, Lagos Old Town
Price: From €275+ per night
(about $320+ USD)
Type: Serviced Apartment Hotel
3 Marias Guest House B&B
Breakfast on the terrace is one of the highlights of staying at 3 Marias Guest House B&B. This small guesthouse has five double rooms and a shared kitchen, with restaurants, cafés, and historic streets nearby.
It’s a good alternative to a larger hotel if you prefer smaller accommodation with a more personal feel.
Location: Rua Jogo da Bola, Lagos Old Town
Price: From €170+ per night
(about $200+ USD)
Type: Bed and Breakfast
Stay Near Lagos Marina
Lagos Marina is a good choice if you’re arriving by train or planning boat trips. The railway station is close to the marina, and several sightseeing tours leave from the waterfront. You’ll also find restaurants and cafés overlooking the boats.
A pedestrian bridge connects the marina with the Old Town. You can walk across for dinner, shopping or sightseeing without needing a taxi. Avenida dos Descobrimentos also provides a walking route along the harbour.
BEST FOR
Boat Excursions
Take coastal cruises, explore sea caves, and join dolphin-watching tours, with departure points just a short walk from your hotel.
Train Travel
Reach the railway station, catch trains along the Algarve, and return to your hotel without arranging taxis or other transport.
Marina Dining
Enjoy waterfront restaurants, outdoor terraces, and cafés overlooking the boats, with plenty of dining options close to your hotel.
Car-Free Stays
Walk to the Old Town, visit waterfront restaurants, and reach the railway station or boat departures without needing a car.
Hotel Style
Waterfront Hotels
Hotels overlooking the marina offer harbour views, with boat departures and restaurants within easy walking distance.
Apartment Resorts
Apartments provide kitchens and extra space, along with shared swimming pools and other resort facilities.
Contemporary Hotels
Modern hotels offer comfortable rooms and useful facilities, with easy access to the marina and Old Town.
Recommended Hotels
Lagos Avenida Hotel
Overlooking Lagos Marina, Lagos Avenida Hotel has modern rooms, a rooftop infinity pool, and a restaurant. Some rooms also have balconies with views of the harbour.
Boat excursions depart nearby, and the Old Town is within walking distance. It’s a convenient choice if you want to explore Lagos without relying on a car.
Location: Avenida dos Descobrimentos, Lagos
Price: From €190+ per night
(about $223+ USD)
Type: Boutique Waterfront Hotel
Hotel Marina Rio
Hotel Marina Rio is a family-run hotel with views across Lagos Marina. Rooms come with furnished balconies, and there’s a rooftop pool where you can enjoy the harbour views. The pool is heated from October through April.
With the Old Town, railway station, and waterfront restaurants nearby, it’s a good base for exploring Lagos on foot.
Location: Avenida dos Descobrimentos, Lagos Marina
Price: From €115+ per night
(about $134+ USD)
Type: Waterfront Hotel
Marina Club Lagos Resort
If you’d prefer more space, Marina Club Lagos Resort has studios and apartments with balconies and kitchen facilities.
There are also indoor and outdoor swimming pools, plus a spa for guests who want some time away from sightseeing.
The resort is close to the marina’s restaurants and railway station. You can also reach the Old Town on foot via the pedestrian bridge.
Location: Marina de Lagos
Price: From €85+ per night
(about $96+ USD)
Type: Apartment Resort
Stay Near Meia Praia
Meia Praia is a good choice if you plan to spend much of your holiday at the beach. Its long stretch of sand extends east from Lagos Marina. There’s plenty of room for walking, swimming and spending time by the water.
The area has beach resorts, apartment hotels and self-catering accommodation. Many properties offer swimming pools, gardens and larger rooms. This makes Meia Praia a practical option for families and visitors staying for a week or longer.
The distance to central Lagos depends on your accommodation. Some properties are close enough to reach the marina on foot. Others are farther along the beach, so you may need a taxi or car for restaurants and sightseeing.
BEST FOR
Beach Holidays
The long sandy shoreline provides plenty of room for swimming, sunbathing and walks beside the sea.
Family Trips
Spacious beaches and apartment accommodation give families more room, with swimming pools at several resorts.
Longer Stays
Self-catering apartments offer kitchens and extra living space, making extended holidays easier to organise.
Resort Facilities
Larger hotels provide swimming pools, restaurants and activities for spending more time at the property.
Hotel Style
Beach Resorts
Larger hotels offer swimming pools, restaurants and leisure facilities, with Meia Praia within easy walking distance.
Apartment Resorts
Self-catering apartments come with kitchens, balconies, and shared resort facilities, including swimming pools and landscaped gardens.
Beachfront Hotels
Hotels close to the sand offer private rooms, daily housekeeping, and convenient beach access without needing additional transport.
Recommended Hotels
Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve
Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve is a five-star resort near Meia Praia, with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, restaurants, a spa, and activities for children. You can choose an all-inclusive package if you’d prefer to have meals and drinks covered.
The beach is just a short walk away, while the Old Town is a short drive from the hotel. It’s a good option for families and couples who want resort facilities close to the coast.
Location: Estrada da Meia Praia, Lagos
Price: From €170+ per night
(about $197+ USD)
Type: Beach Resort
Vila Palmeira Beach Resort
If you’re planning a longer stay, Vila Palmeira Beach Resort offers spacious apartments with equipped kitchens, living areas, and private balconies or terraces. There’s also a saltwater swimming pool surrounded by gardens.
Meia Praia is about 200 metres away, so you can easily walk to the beach. The extra space and self-catering facilities are particularly useful for families.
Location: Rua Ruy Belo, Estrada da Meia Praia, Lagos
Price: From €140+ per night
(about $163+ USD)
Type: Self-Catering Apartment Resort
Meia Praia Lagos – Beach Club Apartments
Just a short walk from the sand, Meia Praia Lagos – Beach Club Apartments has studios, one-bedroom apartments, and larger two-bedroom options.
Accommodation includes kitchen facilities and balconies, while some apartments overlook the sea. Guests also have access to an outdoor swimming pool.
The property is about 2 km from central Lagos. It’s a practical choice if you want easy beach access without staying too far from town.
Location: Pinhal da Meia Praia, Lagos
Price: From €135+ per night
(about $158+ USD)
Type: Beach Apartment Hotel
Stay Near Praia do Porto de Mós
Praia do Porto de Mós is a good choice if you want to stay close to the beach but outside the Old Town. The sandy shoreline sits below tall limestone cliffs. You’ll find hotels and holiday apartments in the surrounding residential streets.
The beach has plenty of room for swimming, sunbathing and long walks along the sand. There are also restaurants near the waterfront. However, you’ll find more places to eat and shop in central Lagos.
Getting around takes a little more planning than staying in the Old Town. Local buses and taxis connect the area with the centre. A car is useful if you want to explore other beaches and towns across the western Algarve.
For other places to visit along the coast, see my 10 Best Things to Do in Lagos, Portugal guide.
BEST FOR
Beach Access
Hotels and apartments near Porto de Mós keep the sandy beach within easy walking distance.
Coastal Walks
Nearby cliff paths and viewpoints provide opportunities to explore the coastline without travelling from central Lagos.
Sea Views
Some hillside hotels and apartments overlook the Atlantic, with balconies or terraces facing the coast.
Exploring by Car
Road access makes it convenient to visit other beaches and towns across the western Algarve.
Hotel Style
Beach Resorts
Larger resorts offer swimming pools, restaurants, spa facilities, and spacious accommodation, with Praia do Porto de Mós just a short walk away.
Boutique Hotels
Smaller hotels offer individually styled rooms, landscaped gardens, swimming pools, and sea views, with easy access to the nearby beach.
Holiday Apartments
Self-catering apartments provide equipped kitchens, private balconies, and comfortable living areas, with resort facilities and beach access nearby.
Recommended Hotels
Belmar Spa & Beach Resort
Just a short walk from Praia do Porto de Mós, Belmar Spa & Beach Resort has modern studios and apartments with kitchen facilities. Guests can enjoy several swimming pools, a spa, and a restaurant overlooking the coast.
The spacious apartments are well suited to families and longer holidays. You can spend the day at the beach or enjoy the resort’s facilities without travelling into central Lagos.
Location: Estrada de Porto de Mós, Lagos
Price: From €125+ per night
(about $145+ USD)
Type: Spa and Apartment Resort
Villa Esmeralda Hotel
Overlooking Praia do Porto de Mós, this small boutique hotel has Moorish-inspired interiors, landscaped gardens, and a solar-heated outdoor swimming pool. The beach is just a short walk away.
Guests can enjoy breakfast on the garden terrace with views of the Atlantic. Lagos Old Town is about 3 km away, with restaurants and historic attractions to explore.
Location: Estrada de Porto de Mós, Lagos
Price: From €235+ per night
(about $273+ USD)
Type: Boutique Beach Hotel
Clube Porto Mós
Clube Porto Mós sits on the cliffs above Praia do Porto de Mós, about 100 metres from the beach. Its apartments have kitchenettes and private balconies with sea or garden views. The resort also has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gym, and a sauna.
With the beach so close, you won’t need transport for a day by the sea. The Old Town is about five minutes away by car if you want to explore central Lagos.
Location: Praia do Porto de Mós, Lagos
Price: From €80+ per night
(about $93+ USD)
Type: Beach Apartment Resort
Choosing Where to Stay in Lagos
Lagos Old Town is the easiest choice for a first visit. You’ll be close to historic landmarks, restaurants and beaches that you can reach on foot. Lagos Marina is another practical option, especially if you’re arriving by train or planning boat excursions.
Meia Praia is better suited to families and longer beach holidays. Its wide sandy shoreline is close to resorts and self-catering apartments. Praia do Porto de Mós is another good option if you want to spend more time at the beach. However, you’ll need to plan transport when visiting the Old Town.
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