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
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I almost made a very different version of this reel.
Last time I posted about Smiths Falls, the comments surprised me and a lot of them seemed to come from people who actually live there. There’s nothing to do here. It’s boring. My first instinct was to make a whole clap-back video, screenshots and all.
But honestly? I get it. Nobody is a tourist in their own town. The canal is just the thing you cross on your way to work. The museum is where you went once on a school trip in grade four. When you see a place every single day, it goes invisible.
I grew up near the Bay of Fundy - home of the highest tides on the planet - and as a kid I thought it was the most boring place on earth. It took moving away to realize people cross oceans to see what was in my backyard.
So this reel is me being a tourist in your town for you. The 1912 bridge you’d paddle under if you hadn’t stopped noticing it. The museum where you can climb into the trains, and even sleep in one. The thrift trail. The mural. All of it.
To everyone who’s never been: this is your sign for an easy day trip from Ottawa or Kingston.
And to Smiths Falls locals: I dare you to do one thing from this list this weekend. Report back. 😌
What’s the thing in YOUR town that you’ve stopped noticing? I want to hear it.
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#SmithsFalls #RideauCanal #OntarioDayTrip #ExploreOntario #smalltownontario
I have a confession: half my road trips are reverse-engineered.
I don’t pick a destination and find a coffee shop nearby. I pick the coffee shop, then build a whole day around justifying the drive. A hike here, a beach there, some antiquing, all very respectable cover stories for the fact that I drove two hours for an iced latte.
Because here’s what I’ve figured out after years of crisscrossing Ontario: the best coffee shops are never just coffee shops. They’re the unofficial welcome centre of every small town. The barista knows which trail is muddy this week. The regulars will tell you where to park for free. The bulletin board has better local intel than any travel blog, mine included.
So this list isn’t really about coffee. It’s about the 12 places I use as an excuse to keep exploring this province. Swipe through, every single one comes with what to pair it with so you can build your own cover story.
From Thunder Bay to the County, consider this your permission slip to drive unreasonably far for caffeine.
Which one’s closest to you? And more importantly, what’s YOUR coffee shop worth driving for? I’m always taking notes. ☕
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#OntarioCoffeeShops #OntarioRoadTrip #DiscoverOntario #OntarioTravel #SmallTownOntario
For over a hundred years, the men who lived in this house woke up, looked at the lake, and went to work captaining the Wolfe Island ferry. Three generations of them. Same water, same crossing, every day.
I thought about that a lot during my stay at @themullinhouse_ (mainly from the bathtub, because the tub faces the lake and once you’re in it there’s no reason to be anywhere else.)
The Mullin House just opened as a stay, and those who brought it back to life did it in the best way that possible. Keeping the soul of the place.Places with an actual story make my job as a photographer easy. I just have to pay attention.
And if you want to stay here too: It’s a free 20-minute ferry from Kingston, 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10. So this is your sign to plan the group trip you keep talking about.
Save this for when you book it, and be honest, would you make it out of that bathtub by checkout?
Thank you to @themullinhouse_ for having me!
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I grew up an hour from the Bay of Fundy. And every few years, my school would pile us onto a bus and take us to Hopewell Rocks or Fundy National Park. And every single time, as a kid, I thought : ‘okay, cool. Rocks. Trees. Can we go home now?’
I had absolutely no idea what I was standing next to.
It took me leaving New Brunswick, travelling across the country before I came back to the Bay of Fundy as an adult and genuinely had my breath taken away. I grew up next to one of the most extraordinary places on the planet and completely took it for granted. And I think a lot of Maritimers probably feel the same way.
This carousel is my attempt to fix that, for myself, and for anyone who’s never made the trip. Scroll through and I’ll show you exactly how I’d plan a road trip along the New Brunswick side, from the tidal flats to the coastal cliffs to the little fishing towns that feel completely frozen in time.
And if you have extra days to spare, Saint John is absolutely worth a stop, underrated city, great food scene, and it sits right on the bay.
I’m also heading back this summer to try a stay I’ve had my eye on for a while, I genuinely cannot wait to tell you all about it. 👀
Save this for your New Brunswick road trip. 🙌
👇 Have you ever been to the Bay of Fundy? Were you as underwhelmed as I was at 10 years old? 😄
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#BayOfFundy #NewBrunswick #ExploreCanada #CanadaTravel #FundyNationalPark
I’ll be honest, when I pulled up to @whispering_springs I didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen the photos, I’d read the website, but nothing really prepares you for the moment you walk into your safari tent and realize this might actually be nicer than your apartment.
We’re talking a king bed, more space than I expected, and an actual bathtub, in a tent. I took a bath. In the woods. And I would do it again without hesitation.
Oh and the s’mores bar? Someone thought really hard about what would make people unreasonably happy at the end of a summer night and they nailed it.
Save this for your summer planning because at 90 minutes from Toronto there is really no reason to wait.
Now tell me have you ever gone glamping? If not, what are you waiting for!
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