Keep reading to know how to make the best visit to Ponta da Piedade in Lagos : how to get there, what to do and some key tips on how to find the best views!
Located 3km from the center of Lagos, Ponta da Piedade is one of the most stunning places in Portugal! No joke!
Ponta de Piedade, which means Piety Point in English, is a mesmerizing collection of rock formations perched majestically above the Atlantic Ocean. Reaching heights of up to 20 meters, these dramatic cliffs harbor secret grottoes and sea caves, embraced by pristine, translucent waters!
But what are the best ways to enjoy Ponta da Piedade? On foot from above? On boat from below? The answer here is : both! No trip to Lagos is complete without seeing Ponta da Piedade at least twice.
Keep Reading // 9 amazing things to do in Lagos
In this short guide, I share tips to get the best views and the top activities to do in and around Ponta da Piedade.
How to make the best visit to Ponta da Piedade
How to get there?
Getting to Ponta da Piedade on foot
Walking to Ponta da Piedade will take around 40 minutes. There are two possible options :
- Use the Ponta da Piedade Trail. The trail starts in Lagos city center and is made of a mix of paved road, dirt trail and boardwalks. In total the trail covers 5.6-km (out-and-back ) and will give you an aerial view of some of the best beaches in Lagos. And you may even spot a hidden beach or two. Apart from some small section with erosion, the trail is fairly easily. You can find a map of the trail here.
- Walk along Estrada Ponta da Piedade (the main road that leads to the point). You will walk slightly uphill until you reach Praia Dona Ana; from there you join the same boardwalk as the trail. You can find a map of the walk here.
Getting to Ponta da Piedade by car
It is possible to drive to Ponta da Piedade, but finding a parking spot might be a problem (especially during the high season). There is a parking at Praia Dona Ana, right next to the beginning of the boardwalk. You’ll still have to walk about 20 minutes to reach the point.
Instead, I recommend taking a Uber or a Taxi: it will cost you around 5-6€ from the center of Lagos.
During the summer months, there is also a hop-on-hop-off train that connects Lagos to Ponta da Piedade. The day pass will cost you 5€ and children under the age of 4 travel for free. This is a great way not only to reach Ponta da Piedade, but also other key sites and beaches in Lagos. Find all the information you need about the hop-on-hop-off train here.
Getting to Ponta da Piedade by boat
There are many boat tours and kayak tours that will take you to Ponta da Piedade (I will cover them in more details later in this post). These tours usually leave from Lagos’ Marina.
How and Where to see the best of Ponta da Piedade?
Hike the Ponta da Piedade trail & check out the views from the boardwalk
The Ponta da Piedade Trail is definitely the best trail in Lagos, and probably one of the most stunning in the Algarves.
The trail starts in Lagos city center and is made of a mix of paved road, dirt trail and boardwalks. In total the trail covers 5.6-km (out-and-back ) and will give you an aerial view of some of the best beaches in Lagos. And you may even spot a hidden beach or two. Apart from some small section with erosion, the trail is fairly easily.
Although the hike itself won’t take you very long – it take around 40 minutes to reach the lighthouse at Ponta da Piedade – I recommend you reserve at least half a day to explore the many beach you’ll see along the way.
Though the lighthouse itself remains inaccessible to the public, the vistas from its vicinity are absolutely incredible!
Recently, Ponta da Piedade underwent a significant transformation, featuring a revamped car park and a network of interconnected boardwalks. From there you’ll be able to enjoy different view platforms in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.
THE DETAILS
Where | You can find a map of the trail here.
Warning // Some areas have no guardrails. It is therefore crucial to exercise caution. The natural cliffs can be unstable, emphasizing the need for extra care, especially when taking photographs. Some areas pose a risk of falling directly off the cliff if one slips. So, while exploring, it’s essential to stay safe and mindful of your surroundings.Although Lagos has plenty of beautiful beaches, this is not one of them due to the absence of sand. You visit Ponta de Piedade for the views! And don’t forget to climb down the 190 steps to see the grottos (caves) of Ponta da Piedade.
Head down to the Grotto viewpoint
One of the best viewpoint of Ponta da Piedade is by heading down to the grotto. Now to get there you’ll have to go down (and then back up…) 202 stone steps, Prepare for a descent via 202 stone steps. This will bring you right to the water’s edge where you’ll be able to admire the majestic sea arches and intricate formations that adorn the coastline.
So how to you find this staircase?
Once you pass the lighthouse, take a left and you’ll see a stone pathway. Follow it to the steep staircase.
Travel Tip // In my opinion, the best view is from the midway point of the staircase itself. Prepare your camera!
At the bottom of the stairs you’ll find a tiny port. During peak seasons, opportunistic boat operators may wait at the staircase’s base, offering impromptu coastal tours. While tempting, reliability and availability fluctuate unpredictably. I recommend booking a tour ahead of time rather than jumping on one of these tours.
This viewpoint gets extremely crowded in the Summer months so I suggest you head there bright and early!
Catch a sunset
I think that everyone will agree that the best sunset in Lagos is over Ponta da Piedade. And yes, by the end of your stay in Lagos you’ll have seen Ponta da Piedade from all angles! But trust me, you’ll never get tired of seeing this place.
If you are lucky enough to visit around sunset, prepare to see the cliffs bathed in a warm orange glow, offering a gorgeous backdrop for this spectacle unfolding in before your eyes
Travel Tip // If you want to enjoy some of the best views of Ponta da Piedade, follow the boardwalks westwards!
Tour // If you want to see the sunset from the water, why not join this small guided boat tour of Ponta da Piedade at sunset.
Take a Kayak Tour
Kayaking at Ponta da Piedade is one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of the area.
As you paddle along the coast, you’ll navigate under the graceful arches formed by nature and delve into the depths of mesmerizing sea caves. The crystalline waters provide a window into the underwater world, offering glimpses of fish darting beneath your kayak. Additionally, the area is perfect for bird watching with numerous birds nesting amidst the coastal cliffs.
The majority of Ponta da Piedade kayak tours leave from Lagos Marina, where several companies operate kayak excursions. Others leave from Lagos Fortress which is slightly closer to Ponta da Piedade.
Throughout the tour, an accompanying boat remains with the group, providing a secure place to store belongings and offering a convenient option for those who may opt out of kayaking at any point (or if like me you start feeling seasick on the way back!)
Tours usually last around 2 hours to 2 hours and a half, weather permitting.
THE DETAILS
What tour to choose | There are many kayak tour options in Lagos. They all are very similar in price and in what they offer. I chose this one and it was great
Price | 40€ per person
How long | 2h30
Or a Boat Tour…
If a kayak tour sounds a bit too intense for your taste, then why not join a boat tour?
The Ponta da Piedade boat tour is one of the shortest yet most captivating excursions you can do fromLagos. The tours usually last between 60 to 75 minutes in total. This condensed timeframe encompasses a journey through a breathtaking array of caves, beaches, and grottoes nestled between Lagos and Ponta da Piedade.
Much like for the kayak tours, most of the options available to you are similar in price (you can see the full selection here).
The best boat tours from Lagos
- Popular boat tour to Ponta da Piedade : I had booked this tour but unfortunately because of a storm coming in it was canceled.
- Half-day catamaran tour to Ponta da Piedade : On this half-day tour you’ll have time to swim and snorkel in the beautiful aqua water of Lagos.
- Ponta da Piedade at sunset : This is the perfect tour if you want to enjoy a sunset on the water.
- Best rated boat tour to Benagil Caves : It’s important to note that boat tours are the only way to see the caves at the moment. Since 2023, Kayaks and SUP are not allowed in the caves and in some beaches surrounding it.
- Daulphin-watching Tour : Join this “seasafari” boat tour to see some daulphins.
What if I want to go for a swim?
Although Lagos has plenty of beautiful beaches, Ponta da Piedade is not one of them due to the absence of sand. You visit Ponta de Piedade for the views!
However, if you want to go for a swim, Praia do Camilo, which happens to be my favorite beach in Lagos, is the closest.
Located between Praia de Dona Ana and Ponta da Piedade, Praia do Camilo is one of the smallest beaches in Lagos. It can fit no more than a 100 beach umbrellas so be sure to get there early if you visit in the summer.
Nestled amidst ochre-colored cliffs, rock pillars, dramatic cutouts, and hidden caves, Praia do Camilo emerges as a photographer’s paradise. With its unique features including a tunnel through the rock, a long set of stairs, and two small beaches connected by a charming cave, this beach offers a dreamlike setting for capturing stunning photos.
Travel Tip // At the top of the staircase that leads to Praia do Camilo, you’ll find the restaurant O Camilo. This is the best food option near Ponta da Piedade. There is another restaurant called Sol Nascente near the lighthouse but I would skip it unless you only want a quick drink (or if, like me, you are trying to hide from a sudden rain storm!).
READ THESE POSTS BEFORE VISITING PONTA DA PIEDADE!
LAGOS GUIDES | 9 amazing things to do in Lagos; How to get from Lagos to Sagres by bus?; Where to stay in Lagos?
LISBON GUIDES | 14 Things to Know Before Visiting Lisbon; How to make the best of your visit to Belém; 1 day, 3 castles: How to make the best of your day in Sintra; 5 tips for riding Tram 28 in Lisbon; Where to Stay in Lisbon?
THE REST OF PORTUGAL | 11 amazing things to do in Porto
PIN THIS FOR LATER
Follow me on Instagram!
Some places you visit and forget about a week later. And then there are the ones that stay with you.
I had never heard of the Phantom Piper before I went to Kincardine. Someone mentioned it in passing - « there’s this thing with a piper and a lighthouse at sunset » - and I filed it away as something to maybe check out if I had time.
I had time. And I am so glad I did.
I’m not going to tell you too much because I think this is one of those experiences that deserves to be felt rather than described. What I will say is that I stood there on the shore of Lake Huron as the sun went down and the pipes started playing and something about the whole thing - the water, the light, the sound carrying across the harbour - just got me.
This summer marks a milestone anniversary of a tradition that has been happening in this small Ontario town since the 1990s. And if you ask me, that’s reason enough to finally make the trip.
This year the Phantom Piper will run every day of the week (except for Saturdays) from 1 July to 31 August.
Have you ever witnessed the Phantom Piper?
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#kincardine #phantompiper #exploreontario #ontariotravel #ontariobucketlist
If someone asked you to name an Ontario weekend getaway right now, Lanark County probably wouldn’t be the first thing that came to mind. Maybe not even the fifth. And honestly, that’s exactly why I want to talk about it.
It sits right between Ottawa and Kingston. About hour from either city. And somehow, most people drive right past it without ever stopping. I did too, for years.
Then I actually went. And I’ve been recommending it to everyone since.
Because what’s here is the kind of thing you don’t expect to find so close to home. A thermal spa tucked into the forest. A restaurant with one of the best patios in Ontario. A town that looks like it was designed for a Hallmark movie. Rivers and lakes that beg to be paddled. A treehouse on a peninsula with water on every side. And enough charm per square kilometre to make you feel like you’ve properly gotten away, even if you were home by Sunday night.
Lanark County is the weekend getaway that’s been right there the whole time. Swipe through for everything you need to plan it.
Have you been to Lanark County before? Is it going on your list this summer 👇
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#lanarkcounty #ontariogetaway #exploreontario #ontariotravel #ottawaweekend
When I walk into a space for the first time, I’m not really looking at the room. I’m looking at the light.
Where it comes in. How it moves through the curtains. What it does at 7am versus 4pm. That’s what tells me what kind of story I’m going to be able to tell.
Closs Crossing gave me a lot to work with.
The morning light through the treehouse windows. The deck faced east so the sunrise came in early and golden, through the trees, catching the string lights just right. By late afternoon the whole property turned amber. The hot tub at sunset, the hammock in the trees, the still water reflecting everything back, I was basically chasing light from one corner of this property to the other and I didn’t want to stop.
The interiors were just as beautiful. Every room had its own personality: the wallpaper, the vintage furniture, the carefully chosen details that tell you the people behind this place genuinely care about how it feels to be here. That kind of intentionality shows up in photos. You can’t fake it.
This is the kind of property that makes my job feel less like work.
If you own a cottage, a rental property or a stay and you’re looking for someone to capture it, this is what I do. Feel free to reach out. 🌿
Which shot is your favourite? 👇
A huge thank you to my friend @melina.e.l.i.a.s for helping me capture this one, some shots just need a second set of hands and she was the best person to have behind the lens. 🤍
Thank you to @closscrossing for hosting me.
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#closscrossing #lanarkcounty #ontariophotographer #travelphotography
Ontario is big. Like, really big. And most of us end up visiting the same handful of cities on repeat, which honestly makes sense because they’re great.
But this province has so many towns and cities that fly completely under the radar and I have been on a mission to find them.
Some of these I stumbled across by accident. Some were recommended by people who clearly had very good taste. And a few of them genuinely surprised me in ways I didn’t expect.
Swipe through and tell me how many you’ve actually been to. I have a feeling most of you will surprise yourselves.
Drop a number below : how many have you visited? 👇
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#exploreontario #ontariotravel #ontariotowns #ontariocities #canadatravel
Muskoka. Algonquin. Haliburton.
Three of Ontario’s most beautiful regions, and most people visit them separately, on different trips, in different summers. But do them together as one loop and something clicks. It just makes sense. And it is so good.
363 kilometres of waterfalls, lakes, hikes with, wildlife encounters you’ll be talking about for years. And some of the most beautiful stays in Ontario tucked right along the route.
Save this, summer fills up fast and this loop deserves a spot on your calendar.
Have you done this loop before? What was you favourite stop?
🇫🇷 La version française est dans les commentaires.
#muskoka #algonquin #haliburton #ontarioroadtrip #exploreontario
