Well you only have a week and you haven't really stipulated your likes and dislikes but here goes:
- Lagos has been a port for over 2000 years. the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors et al have been here.
The town, together with Lisbon, Sines and Sagres, was also the point of departure for the Portuguese Voyages of Discovery in the 15th Century, which opened up the European Sea Routes round the Cape of Good Hope to India which subsequently led to the Portuguese, Dutch, & British Empires.
Just imagine a bunch of guys in a wooden vessel not much bigger than a small trawler wandering off around Africa with no compass...no GPS ...nothing.
Lagos still retains its Portuguese character:
So in Lagos, culture:
- Have a walk round the old City walls
- Check out the rebuild of the type ship (caravel) than was used by the Portugues explorers.
- The Slave Market (One of the first in Europe)
- The Santa Maria Church
- The Museum
- The Fortaleza (small fort) at the end of the Avenida. Forts of these kind were built by the Portuguese all over the place. Even seen one in Mombasa,.Kenya.
Further afield, culture:
- Tavira - 75 minutes away by car. Old traditional Portuguese fishing port in the Eastern Algarve.
- Sagres - See the Fort built by Prince Henry the Navigator to supervise the voyage of exploration. 5km away visit Cape St. Vincent the most South Westerly point of Europe. While visiting this area check out the spectacular cliff lined coast.
Other -
Monchique - Dirty Great Big Mountain that dominates the skyline behind Lagos and the surrounding area. It is hot, take run up to Monchique village with is traditional. Also run further up to Foia at the top for views of the area. 5 kms out of Monchique on the Portimão Road you will find Caldas da Monchique where there is a Mineral Spa and restaurant.
Water Parks et al:
- Slide and Splash at Lagoa
http://www.slidesplash.com/
- Zoomarine at Guia
http://www.zoomarine.com/
The West Coast:
West of Lagos explore the beaches at Salema, Praia da Ingrina and run up the West Coast from Vila de Bispo to Praia de Amado, Carrapateira, Bordeira and Aljezur.
From Vila de Bispo also take the little road behind the Market down to the beach at Castelejo. Car will be required.
Right if that doesn't tire you out for starters - a good meal at one of our excellent sea food restaurants here in Lagos will! :))
