Lagos, Portugal

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Lagos is located approximately 35 kilometers east of the southwesternmost point of Europe, the locality of Sagres Point. To the north of Lagos stands the road to Milfontes and Sines, that winds through the scenic protected ladscape of the Southwest Natural Park.

History

Lagos is an ancient maritime town with 2,000 years of history. It became important during the 15th century period of Portuguese exploration. Prince Henry the Navigator lived in Lagos, and from there expeditions to Morocco and to the western coast of Africa were embarked on. Nigeria's former capital, Lagos, was named after the Portuguese location. The old Portuguese town was a very beautiful city with many monuments until it was destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami of 1755, but it still preserves some walls from the 16th century, a governor's castle and an ancient slave market.

Economy and culture

Lagos' economy, like many coastal towns in Portugal, has always been closely linked to the sea, and fishing has been an important activity since very ancient times. Since 1960, the city has embraced tourism, which has become its most important economic activity. It has beautiful beaches, good climate, the sea, a scenic coastline, and historical patrimony. It also has plenty of cultural and night-life entertainment venues. Many local traditions are celebrated, ranging from architecture to gastronomy and handicrafts.

In gastronomy, there are the local specialties: Dom rodrigos and morgados cookies based on local products, such as almonds, figs and eggs. Lagos is also a wine producing region and is famous for its moscatel wine, and also for a strong alcoholic spirit, the aguardente de medronho, made of berries of strawberry tree.

Lagos has many natural interest sites, including:

• Ponta da Piedade (Mercy Point)
• Grutas da Costa d'Oiro (Golden Coast grottos)
• Laguna de Alvor (Alvor Lagoon)
• Mata Nacional de Barão de S.João (National forest of Saint John's Baron)

Parishes

• Barão de São João
• Bensafrim
• Luz
• Odiáxere
• Santa Maria
• São Sebastião

Beaches

• Meia Praia (Half beach), with soft and white sand, is one of the biggest bays in Europe and has a calm sea due to its width. Owing to its lack of rocks it is ideal for nautical sports. When the wind is strong, there are many sheltered sand beaches between the cliffs.
• Praia Solaria (Sunny beach).
• Praia da Batata (Potato beach).
• Praia dos Estudantes (Students' beach).
• Dona Ana, the beach most frequented by tourists.
• Canavial
• Camilo
• Praia da Luz (Light beach), a beach with an awesome view and excellent equipment.

See also

• Battle of Lagos

External links

• [City Portal]
• [Municipality official website]
• [Photographs of Lagos]
• [Lagos, Portugal] Website Dedicated to Lagos Portugal in English
• [Lagos, Portugal] Website of Portugal Travel, in English.
• [Webcam Lagos]
• [Lagos, Luz and Sagres] Historical and tourist information