Lagos is located in the southern part of Portugal, nestled in the heart of the beautiful Algarve region. Situated less than a three-hour drive from Lisbon, its central location offers easy access to both the eastern and western coasts. The area is packed with family-friendly amenities and feels significantly more developed than nearby Sagres to the west, which offers a much more laid-back, rustic vibe. From sandy beaches and flat, panoramic walking trails to fantastic restaurants and even a vintage carousel in the pedestrian section of the old town, Lagos has so much to offer families. For the interactive Google Map of the locations in Lagos, click here.
Here is a quick overview of our top recommendations for exploring the area, followed by all the details!
| Category | Location/Name | Highlights for Families |
|---|---|---|
| Activity | Lagos Old Town | Lagos Old Town Stroller-friendly pedestrian streets, shopping, and a vintage carousel. |
| Activity | Passadiços da Ponta da Piedade | Wide, safe, and stroller-accessible boardwalk for stunning cliffside views. |
| Activity | Praia do Porto de Mós | Easily accessible beach perfect for fossil and crystal hunting. |
| Activity | Praia da Salema | 125-million-year-old dinosaur footprints right on the beach! |
| Dining | Restaurante Azimute | Modern Portuguese food with a lovely outdoor patio. |
| Dining | CIUCCIO | Cozy Italian-fusion with friendly staff and "magic fries." |
| Dining | Gelícia Italian Gelato | Fantastic gelato with fully chocolate-dipped scoops for kids. |
| Dining | Gloosi By Artisani | "Slow service" gelato with generous free samples and outdoor seating. |
| Dining | O Lourenço (Salema) | Seafood restaurant featuring a live aquarium to keep the kids entertained. |
Things to Do Near Lagos
During our visit in July 2026, we found navigating the area remarkably easy thanks to great infrastructure and hassle-free parking. Here are a few of our favorite places to explore in and around Lagos.
1. Stroll Through Historic Lagos Old Town
Exploring Lagos Old Town is easily one of the best things to do with kids. This charming, pedestrian-only center is flat and easy to navigate with a stroller, filled with street performers, artisan boutiques, and traditional ceramic shops.
- Local Shopping Highlights: We loved stopping by Toranja, a cute shop featuring unique products designed by Portuguese artists. We picked up a mini Lagos micro-puzzle that fit easily into our daypack.
- Best Photo Spot: Don’t miss the famous historic “Green House” (Casa das Alcaçarias) on Praça Luís de Camões. Its stunning green-tiled facade makes a picture-perfect backdrop for a family photo—plus, there’s a cozy souvenir shop inside.
- Kid-Friendly Entertainment: Younger kids will love taking a ride on Carrossel Júbilo, a vintage carousel right in the town center.
- Tip: When you’re ready to cool off, the surrounding cobblestone streets are packed with gelato shops and cafes. Check out our “Where to Eat in Lagos” section below for our top family restaurant picks!
2. Walk the Passadiços da Ponta da Piedade Boardwalk
If you want breathtaking cliffside views without the dangerous drop-offs, the Passadiços da Ponta da Piedade is a must. This family-safe boardwalk stretches along the coast, offering wide wooden pathways and railings.
- Getting There & Parking: There is an ample parking lot right at the main trailhead.
- Best Time to Visit: Head out for an early morning or golden-hour sunset walk. For the best sunset light, follow the boardwalk trail to the right.
- Trail Accessibility: The main boardwalk is flat and smooth, making it perfect for strollers and toddlers.
- Steep Steps Warning: Adventurous families with older kids can take the steep staircases down toward the water for an up-close look at hidden sea arches. However, the climb back up is brutal on little legs. Stick to the top wooden boardwalk if you’re traveling with toddlers or a stroller
3. Relax at Praia do Porto de Mós
Located just a five-minute drive from central Lagos, Praia do Porto de Mós is an accessible family beach. It features a convenient parking lot, a drop-off zone, and a wide flat ramp leading right onto the sand.
- Beach Amenities & Activities: During the summer, the beach is monitored by lifeguards. You can rent pedal boats (some even have slides!) or hire kayaks directly on the beach.
- Fossil & Crystal Hunting: If your kids love hunting for treasures like my son does, walk left along the shoreline toward Praia do Canavial. We spent hours here finding smooth rocks embedded with natural crystals and fossilized shells.
- Beach Tips & Sunbed Warning: Like most beaches in the western Algarve, afternoon winds can pick up quickly, so keep an eye on your umbrellas! While sunbed rentals are available through beachfront spots like Campimar, we had a poor experience with them and recommend bringing your own towels or a lightweight pop-up sun shelter instead.
4. Day Trip to Praia da Salema
Located less than a 30-minute drive from Lagos, Praia da Salema is a broad, golden-sand beach in the sleepy fishing village of Salema. With crystal-clear water, soft sand, and fascinating prehistoric history right on the shore, it’s one of the most unique family-friendly beaches in the western Algarve.
Seeing the 125-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Footprints
The absolute highlight for our family was finding real dinosaur tracks embedded in the rocks. For my dinosaur-obsessed son, this was an unforgettable stop!
- Location: The tracks are located on a flat limestone slab near the wooden stair access at the end of the beach. You can easily walk over along the sand from the main town entry.
- Best Viewpoint: Head up the wooden stairs onto the walkway for the best angle to see the distinct three-toed tracks.
- What You’ll See: Informational signs in both English and Portuguese detail how a large three-toed herbivore (likely an Iguanodon) walked across the mud here over 125 million years ago. My son was thrilled to step in footprints left by a real dinosaur.
- Tide Warning: Check the tide schedule before you go! The dinosaur footprints are much trickier to access and can be partially covered by water during high tide. Aim for low to mid-tide for the best experience.
Beach Facilities & Parking
- Parking Options: You can park for free in the main town lot or use the secondary parking lot located right at the top of the stairs above the dinosaur tracks.
- Amenities: The main beach area features lifeguards on duty during the peak season, sunbed rentals, kayak rentals, and an outdoor foot shower to rinse off sand right next to Restaurante Atlântico.
- Wind Advisory: Be sure to anchor your beach umbrella securely, as afternoon winds can pick up quickly here.
- Where to Eat Nearby: We highly recommend having lunch at O Lourenço. This family-friendly seafood restaurant features a giant live aquarium stocked with lobsters, crabs, and local fish that kids love checking out while waiting for their food.
Where to Eat in Lagos
We loved heading into the charming town of Lagos for dinner and ice cream. The Old Town area is relatively flat and stroller-friendly. During the cool evenings, it was wonderful to stroll around, browse the shops, ride the carousel, and grab a delicious meal. Here are our top personal favorites.
Restaurante Azimute Lagos
If you’re hunting for a fantastic family dinner in historic Old Town, Restaurante Azimute is an incredible find. This modern Portuguese spot features a cozy indoor dining space (complete with air conditioning in the back) alongside a small, shaded outdoor patio. The staff is welcoming and eager to guide you through their standout menu. We highly recommend sharing a pitcher of fresh sangria and trying regional dishes like traditional Algarve carrots, soft cheese with sweet jam, the signature Azimute steak, and their incredible migas loaded with fresh cod and octopus.
While there isn’t an official kids’ menu, this hidden gem is extraordinarily accommodating for families. The kitchen easily prepared plain pasta and salmon with rice for our children, and they also have high chairs available. Because it’s a smaller venue that fills up fast, be sure to book a table online in advance.
CIUCCIO
Another absolute must-visit for families in the pedestrian center is CIUCCIO, a cozy and welcoming Italian-international fusion restaurant. The space features a mix of standard tables and high-top seating, which is worth noting if you’re making a reservation with very young children. We had an unforgettable dinner here, starting with their famous “magic fries” tossed in truffle and Parmesan, followed by fresh bruschetta. For mains, we loved the rich gnocchi and savory pork ragù pasta, paired perfectly with refreshing local sangria for the adults.
What truly makes CIUCCIO special is its friendly staff. Even without a formal kids’ menu, the kitchen happily whipped up a simple, delicious bowl of homemade pasta with Parmesan cheese that our kids devoured, and the chef even came out to greet our table personally. Reserving a table online ahead of time is highly recommended for this intimate setup.
Gelícia Italian Gelato
For incredible gelato right in the pedestrian center, Gelícia is a must-visit spot. It’s popular, so prepare for a brief line, but rich flavors like dark chocolate, caramel, mint chocolate chip, and limoncello make it entirely worth the wait. Kids will love the special treats here, including chocolate-dipped cones with sprinkles and the option to have their entire gelato scoop dipped in chocolate!
Ordering Tip: You must order and pay for your cup or cone size at the register before hopping in the flavor-selection line.
Gloosi By Artisani
Another top-tier gelato option in Old Town is Gloosi By Artisani. The welcoming staff embraces a relaxed “slow service” approach, giving every customer personalized attention and free samples to help you pick the perfect flavor. We loved their rich chocolate, stracciatella, mint chocolate chip, coffee, and tiramisu. With convenient outdoor seating and a location less than a five-minute walk from the kid-favorite Carrossel Júbilo, it’s easily one of our favorite spots for a sweet treat.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hunting for ancient dinosaur footprints, strolling along breathtaking coastal boardwalks, or indulging in artisanal gelato, Lagos offers a truly unforgettable family escape. The combination of easy accessibility, beautiful beaches, and welcoming restaurants makes it the perfect home base for your Algarve adventure. To see more Portugal family-friendly recommendations, click here for more information.