Concelho de Lagos está a matar a vida noturna de Lagos

Another report (in Portuguese) on the ongoing "Lagos Bar-Wars" saga!

Mais uma artigo sobre a saga "Lagos Bar-Wars"

Concelho de Lagos está a matar a vida noturna de Lagos com medidas anti – competitivas

Portugal - Bus - Evora to/vers Lagos, Algarve

Il n'y existe pas actuellement des trains en direct entre Evora et Lagos. Pour deplacer entre ces deux villes, par train, il faut changer des trains aux gares de Pinhal Novo e Tunes. Car il y a, aujourd'hui, des gréves fréquentes sur a ligne ferrovaire de l'Algarve, c'est pas conseiller utiliser ce moyen à voyager entre les deux villes!

Aussi il n'existe pas pendant l'hiver des services direct de autobus quotidien entre Evora et Lagos. Outre que transiter Lisbonne, la seule connexion quotidien entre Evora et Lagos est par Albufeira (Terminal Caliços).

La compagnie Rede Expressos, ( http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ ) a deux départs quotidien sur la trajét Évora - Albufeira (Terminal Caliços).

Evora Albufeira
              (T.Caliços)
D 09:00 A 12:15
D 14:30 A 17:45

Ensuite, a partir de l'Albufeira, la compagnie Eva Transportes ( http://www.eva-bus.com/ ) a deux départs quotidien avec des connexions pour Lagos.

Albufeira Lagos
(T.Caliços)
D 13:25 A 14:40
D 18:00 A 19:25

Restaurant Portal do Infante, Marina, Lagos, Algarve

We had a long-planned party for friends and family in Lagos on a Saturday in mid-September 2012.

We required a location with a pleasant view, Portuguese cuisine and capacity up to 80 persons. Planning started in March 2012. We trawled the main restaurants and hotels in Lagos. Either they did not have enough capacity, were ridiculously expensive and/or turned us away saying mid-September was still "tourist" season.

The Portal do Infante was among one of the first restaurants visited and the manager, Sr. Paulo was about the only manager to whom we spoke who understood what we wanted, was able to offer a good price per person and was interested in what we as customers required. The Restaurant is situated in the area around the corner from the main Marina complex. It is a more tranquil location and offers a direct view over the moorings.

The party passed off perfectly. It was a beautiful sunny Lagos Saturday evening. Drinks were served to all guests on arrival and then we sat down to a lovely dinner. We had arranged a pianist and a traditional Fado group, comprising two guitarists and an excellent female Fado vocalist. (Even guests from Lisbon and Coimbra complimented her talent.)

All this time, the staff of the Portal were extremely attentive and continued to be so until we finished at 1 a.m.

The food was of the highest quality and included for the first course arroz de peixe com Gambas/Fish Rice with shrimps or Bacalhau no forno à Infante/Baked bacalhau (cod) á Infante. The second course offered Borrego assado no forno/ Roast Lamb or Medalhões de Vitela Madeira/ Veal Medallions in Madeira.

The wine selection was also excellent.

We cannot more highly recommend this restaurant which also has a cafe section which offers snacks and light refreshments at good prices.

This is an excellent location just for a dinner for two or for an anniversary/wedding party.

Website: http://www.gelanel.pt/portal/portal.html

Lote 31 - Cais de Honra - Marina de Lagos 8600-780 LAGOS Tel: 282 792 197 e-mail: portalinfante@sapo.pt

Alvor to Lagos

Sorry for the delay in commenting on this.

http://dolphinseafaris.com/ have now mutated into a group operating under the name of Seafaris.

See: http://www.seafaris.net

What they do not yet advertise on the web, but what they are punting at Lagos Marina this summer is their Lagos - Alvor - Portimão Marina water taxi service.
According to their current flyer, Lagos/Alvor - one way is € 10.00 - Return € 15.00 (per person, I presume.) Lagos/Portimão add € 5.00 each way.
Their contact phone numbers for Lagos are (+351) 912009075 and (+351 282 798 727)

Lagos, Algarve, Portugal or Hvar, Croatia?

OK I am biased as I live in Lagos, but I do think that Lagos fits yor bill.

We has a steady throughput of young travellers from the US, OZ, NZ and Canada, most staying at one of the various hostels here in Lagos.

We have excellent beaches, including the 5km long Meia Praia Beach.

At night there are several bars and great restaurants where everyone hangs out.
Lagos is less busy than Albufeira and more attuned to an varied International crowd.

List of Hostels in Lagos here: http://bit.ly/ci0kyk

One downer though is that getting to Malaga from here means either hiring a car or changing buses in Seville.

This link may be helpful: http://bit.ly/cYBCK1

Also Malaga itself is a port city. Nice as it is, I'm not sure you shouldn't be looking at places down the coast from there like Fuengirola, Marbella etc.

Driving from Madrid to Lagos?

Just back in Lagos from the North of Spain. Salamanca area.)
I drove Madrid to Lagos last May 2009.
There are two routes.
1) Madrid - Cordoba - Seville
2) Madrid - Merida - Seville - Lagos.
On Saturday, I ran Salamanca to Lagos on the A66 Ruta da Prata in 8 hours with stops, cruising at the speed limit. Merida to Lagos took me about 4,5 hours. The A5 from Madrid to Merida took about 4 hours last year.
There are no tolls on the Spanish side once you leave Madrid.
Route 2, although a bit longer offers much better road quality, (Motorway throughout and does not require transiting Seville which can be a pain owing too traffic.)
Do not forget to fuel up either at the Cartaya or Ayamonte Service Areas before you leave Spain as fuel is up to 20c/l cheaper in Spain that in Portugal

Transporte entre Lisboa e Lagos, Algarve

Boa Tarde,

Há tres opções para viajar entre Lisboa e Lagos.

1) Carro.

Há uma auto-estrada A2/A22 com portagens tudo a distancia entre Lisboa e Lagos.

Distancia - +- 300km.
Duração: 2hrs 45mins.

2) Comboio

A Cp oferece 5 ligações diariamente entre Lisboa e Lagos.

Publiquei uma extracto aqui: http://bit.ly/dq8IRg

3) Autocarro.

Existe dois servicos entre Lisboa e Lagos.

www.renex.pt

Saida de Lisboa: Estação do Autocarros - Gare Oriente -  Metro Oriente

e
www.rede-expressos.pt / eva transportes

Saida de Lisboa: Estação do Autocarros - Sete Rios - Metro: Jardim Zoologico

Podes encontrar ligações aos todos os horários na secção intitulada "Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links" da painel direita do meu blog em:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/


Não existe ligações aereas.

Boa Viagem,

Aguardamos dar vôce bem-vindos aqui em Lagos!

Ibiza to Lagos, Algarve

Regrettably, there is no easy nor cheap option to allow you to travel direct from Ibiza to Lagos or the Algarve.

Air Berlin (http://www.airberlin.com) do operate daily flights from Palma da Mallorca to Faro in the Algarve. There do appear to be ferries between Ibiza to Palma,(see for example, http://www.balearia.net)

There are no direct buses from Faro airport to Lagos. You would have to arrange a hire car (I recommend http://www.lagoscarhire.com/), an airport transfer, (e.g. http://www.low-cost-transfers.com/faro-airport/index.php) or take a taxi. There are trains from Faro town to Lagos, but you would have to take a taxi into Faro and then should make sure that you have a taxi waiting for you on arrival at Lagos station as there are often none there on arrival.

As regards the return trip by train, this will be tortuous. You will need to catch a local train from Lagos to Tunes Junction. There you connect to the Alfa-Pendular high speed train to Lisbon Gare Oriente Station. From Gare Oriente, you will need to connect with the daily 16:14 Overnight Sud Express Departure for Hendaye where it connects with a TGV to Paris Montparnasse. From there you will have to transit to Gare du Nord to catch the Eurostar.

Links (pdf format) to the train timetables can be found on my blog on the right hand side in the panel entitled:

>> Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links

You will need to check three timetables:

> Algarve Regional Line Train Timetable
> Porto - Lisbon - Faro (Algarve) Train Timetable
> Paris to Lisbon Train Timetable - Sud Expresso

ACADEMIA DE MÚSICA DE LAGOS of Lagos

The ACADEMIA DE MÚSICA DE LAGOS of Lagos has a very good reputation.

Website here:

http://www.academiamusicalagos.net/

Address:

Rua Dr. José Cabrita – Rossio de S. João
Apartado 411 – 8601-905 Lagos
Tel : [ 282 082 786 ] Fax : [ 282 081 905]
Telemóvel : [ 919 804 662 ]

http://www.academiamusicalagos.net/index.php?lg=1&idmenu=25

They are near the bus station in Lagos in new recently custom-built installations..

Videos here:

http://www.academiamusicalagos.net/index.php?lg=1&idmenu=8#99

Lagos vs Faro - Hostels and How to get here

I would recommend Lagos any day over Faro,

Faro, although the capital of the Algarve, is really an administrative centre and not a travel destination. The old centre around the Sé (Cathedral) is small.

Lagos, however retains the feel of a historic Portuguese town while having great beaches as well as restaurants and night life. The west coast, if you have a car, is well worth exploring.

I must declare an interest here....I live in Lagos.

As regards hostel accommodation, the Pensão MarAzul is great but be aware that a dirty great big car park is being built right behind it at present.

If you are hostelling and on a budget have a look at the following.

http://3monkeys.me.uk/monkeyhouse/
(Good food at night in their cafe next door )

http://www.risingcockhostel.com/
(In-crowd destination - But you are always well looked after by Mama)

http://juventude.gov.pt/Portal/Lazer/pt/PLagos.htm
State-Run Youth Hostel

http://www.goldcoasthostel.com/
Gold Coast Hostel

For information on getting to Lagos, have a look at the articles on the following page on my blog:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Lisbon+to+Lagos

Lagos to Morocco

The only logical and direct way to get from Lagos to Morocco via Algeciras on a budget is by bus via Seville.

1) Lagos to Seville (Price one way € 20:00)

Take the twice daily coach service from Lagos to Seville Plaza das Armas bus staion.

Lagos Sevilha 06:30 13:00
Lagos Sevilha 13:45 20:15

2) Seville (Prado ) to Algeciras (Fares unavailable but will not be expensive.)

There are at least two companies operating this route:

TG Comes

Timetable here: http://www.tgcomes.es/horarios_33.htm

Linesur also operates this route but no online timetables.


You will need to get a local C4 bus between Estacion Plaza das Armas to El Prado Bus Station which runs from just after 6 in the morning till 23:30.

Lisbon to Lagos

You can get down from Lisbon by either long distance bus or train.

Cost will be between € 16:00 and € 23:00 per person each way dependent on which service you chose.

Buses:

Eva Transportes/Rede Expressos operate several daily services leaving Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station / Metro Jardim Zoologico Bus Station and taking approx 3hrs45min to Lagos.

Renex operate several daily services from Lisbon Gare Oriente Bus Station to Lagos. Transit time circa 4hrs30mins.

Trains

Take between 4hrs and 4hrs:30mins. Note you have to changre trains at Tunes Junction and take an Algarve Line train to Lagos.

If you visit my blog:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/

»» Scroll down on the right hand side until you come to the panel entitled "Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links"

»» Click on:

- Porto - Lisbon - Faro Train Timetable
- Algarve Regional Line Train Timetable for connections along the Algarve.
- RENEX Bus Service - Lisbon to Algarve timetable
- Rede-Expressos - National Bus Timetable - Updated. (National Coach Operator) - Portuguese only.
- Eva Bus Service - Lisbon Sete Rios to Lagos

Also see Cubsur's excellent site here, complete with the Lisbon to Lagos Timetable.

http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/006.htm#times

Bus is cheaper but train is more scenic and at least you can walk around.

Lisbon to Salema

There is no direct public transport link from Lisbon to Salema.

You would either have to take a train or bus from Lisbon to Lagos and then a local EVA bus to Salema.

You best bet would be by EVA Transportes bus from Lisbon Sete Rios Bus Station to Lagos and a local bus to Salema.

I have posted the current Lisbon to Lagos EVA bus timetable in pdf format on Scribd here:

www.scribd.com/doc/12917712/Lisboa-Lagos-Eva

I have posted the current Lagos to Salema bus timetable in pdf format on Scribd here:

www.scribd.com/doc/12917675/Lagos-Salema

Lagos - New Urban Bus Service

Further to my previous post, I have now obtained further details of the service courtesy of the website of the Camara Municipal de Lagos and the nascent web-site of the ONDA bus service.

Portuguese versions here:

Camara Municipal de Lagos

Onda - Timetables - PDF download

I have also translated a large part of this info which is available at the bottom of this article in three png images.

The interesting thing about these new services, resutling from a €1mn investment in new buses is that Lagos, Praia da Luz, Barão São João and Bensafrim will now have regular services at good frequencies between them even on Sundays from early in the morning till around 20:00.

It still means that is you want to go to Lagos from Praia de Luz for a night out you will have to take car but for those who only need day services it is going to be a great improvement.

Lagos Zoo will also now benefit from several services a day.

Just click one them and they will enlarge.

Onda Page 1



Onda Page 2



Onda Page 3

Portugal, Spain, Morocco

Some observations:

1) Seville & Cordoba in August will be hot hot hot! (Possibly +40ºC between 11:00 and 17.00) You will be hard pushed to do much therefore in two days. If time is a constraint I would recommend scratching Cordoba and spend two days in Seville.

2) Day 12 Tarifa - Lagos is going to be a very long day, you will have to route via Seville as previously explained:

Timetable for coaches between Tarifa and Seville can be found here:

http://www.tgcomes.es/horarios_33_english.htm

The bus at 08:00 arriving Seville at 11:00.

There is a DAMAS/EVA bus to Lagos at 13:30 arriving 16:40.

See Cubsur's excellent site here

Note that this routing by coach is really the only feasible way of travelling by public transport from Gib/Tarifa/Cadiz to the Algarve/Lagos.

There is no train connection between Seville and Portugal/Algarve and the only flights between Mainland Spain and Portugal is the Ryanair Faro to Madrid Flight 4 days a week.

There are no direct flights between Faro International Airport (Airport for the Algarve - situated 70kms from Lagos) and Faro. TAP/Air Portugal offer a service but it routes via Lisbon and is a pain owing to frequent delays and cancellations.

A much better way to visit Porto would be to catch the early train from Lagos which connects with the Alfa-Pendular Express from Faro and arrives Porto at 12:44.

If you go to my blog at:

http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com

scroll down on the right till you get to the panel entitled:

>>Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links

You will find a link entitled:

Porto - Lisbon - Porto Train Timetable.

Click and you will download a timetable for the Alfa Pendular Service including the service from Faro.

You can also find in the same panel a link to the Algarve line train timetable.

A final thought now I have come to think about it!

Spanish airline ClickAir operates Barcelona - Tangier although costs of flights in August are expensive. Early August - + Euro 300. Mid August onwards circa Euro 170.00 & taxes. However, if you are already flying to Seville.....

So you could fly Barcelona - Tangier direct spend your few days in souks seeing the carpet salesmen and then take the ferry to Tarifa.

Then take the bus to Seville.

Spend a couple of days in Seville and maybe Cordoba and then go Lagos.

A further option is the above flights are to expensive is to fly Barcelona to the airport at Jerez la Frontera near Cadiz and then get a bus teh last 130km from there to Tarifa. Spanish low costs SPANAIR, CLICKAIR, S.A. and VUELING AIRLINES appear to operate this route according to AENA the Spanish airports authority.

Then ferry over to Morocco and then do Seville on your way back.

Faro Airport to Praia da Luz

Travelling by public transport from Faro Airport to Praia da Luz is a bit of a number:

You have four options:

1) Taxi direct from Faro Airport to Praia da Luz

The Summer 2007 officially quoted price (Faro Airport Guide )
is between Euro 79.00 and Euro 120.00. (At this price you are almost better hiring a car)

2) Shuttle Service direct from Faro Airport to Praia da Luz

See the following:

http://www.low-cost-transfers.com/
http://www.polotur.com/
http://www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=transfers&lang_opt=en

Costs circa Euro +-60

3) Bus - Train - Bus

See Cubsur's

www.algarvebus.info

and

http://www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=cheg_en

Essentially you have to take a bus from Faro Airport into Faro Bus Station, then walk to Faro Station. Get a train from Faro to Lagos.
The walk to Lagos Bus station and then get a bus to Praia da Luz.

4)

Bus - Train - Bus

See Cubsur's

www.algarvebus.info

and

http://www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=cheg_en

Essentially you have to take a bus from Faro Airport into Faro Bus Station, then walk to Faro Station. Get a train from Faro to Lagos.
Then walk to Lagos Bus station and then get a bus to Praia da Luz.

4) Bus - Bus - Bus

Again see Cubsur's

www.algarvebus.info

and

http://www.solpraiaferias.com/index.php?content=cheg_en

Essentially you have to take a bus from Faro Airport into Faro Bus Station, then get a bus from Faro to Lagos, (soemtimes via Albufeira). Then another bus to Praia da Luz. Note last daily bus (weekdays) Depts. Lagos 19:15

In summary, unless you flight arrives before 14:00 you will probably find it difficult to get to PDL by bus/train.

Hope this helps!

Dom Manuel hotel - overbooking warning!

This is a copy of a post on the Lagos forum at TripAdvisor from SpongeRob in the Netherlands about overbooking problems with the above mentioned hotel in Lagos, Algarve, Portugal - June 2007

"Hi all,
Not nice at all... OK it can happen, but it is still strange and a bit sad for us.

We booked 3 rooms for June 15 - 22 (my parents, my brother&girlfriend, me&girlfriend) on January 3 (2007) through a big Dutch tour operator, Holland International (part of TUI) and got an instant confirmation.

Today, 3 days prior to our flight, we got a phonecall from TUI that the owner of Dom Manuel overbooked the rooms! Of course we complaint, but TUI could nothing do, because it's is a fault of the owner. But we booked allmost half a year ago. We choose this hotel for the great reviews in this forum, and it's in the walking distance of Lagos. My parents are not that young anymore.

Tui made confirmed tonight that it's Dom Manuels fault, and booked us to another hotel outside Lagos, because all options in Lagos were booked. Now were staying in Luz Bay hotel, seems also OK, but it's 5km to Lagos.

Despite, of course, we're looking forward to our trip to the Algarve!"

My thanks to SpongeRob www.spongerob.nl for permission to reprint his Tripadvisor Post.

Driving in the Algarve

Firstly the good news is that according to recent statistics the quality of driving and in Portugal has steadily improved over recent years. I can vouch for this to the extent that driving in Spain these days is more "exciting" than in Portugal.

The road network is constantly being improved.

In the Algarve there is spinal motorway - the A22 Via de Infante - that runs 140km the length of the Algarve from the Spanish border at Ayamonte in the East to near Bensafrim north of Lagos in the West and 30km from Sagres the most South Westerly Point in Europe.

This motorway, which has free access, means that nowhere in the Algarve is more that 120 minutes from anywhere else. With access to the North via the A2 toll motorway at Paderne, regions to the North and even Lisbon are accessible within 3 hours drive.

From Vilamoura, I would recommend the possible following itineraries:

1)

Vilamoura - Lagos by A22 Motorway (Exit at the Lagos Este Off-ramp)
See Lagos
Then Lagos - Sagres by the EN 125 road
Visit the villages and beaches at Salema and Ingrina
See Sagres & Cape St. Vincent
Return Vilamoura

or

On return from Sagres take the left turn at Vila de Bispo for Carrapateira and Aljezur.
Visit Aljezur
Return Aljezur - Bensafrim.
Pick up the Motorway at Bensafrim
Return Vilamoura.

You probably would need two trips to do the above as Lagos itself needs a day.

2)

Vilamoura - Tavira - Castro Marim
A22 motorway

- Alcoutim.

Another nice itinerary but the second part will be very hot in August.

3)

Vilamoura - Silves - Monchique Mountain.
A22 motorway to Lagoa
Turn left for Silves.
Visit Silves Castle
Follow signs for Monchique.

Car hire companies:

See the many posts on this forum.

I usually recommend Luzcar.

Although their prices appear a bit higher than others they are all inclusive.

You can find their details here:

http://www.solpraiaferias.com/carhirealgarve/index.php?option=en

Hope this helps. Others will hopefull add their comments.

Lisbon to Lagos by Road

You are really not leaving much time to spend in Lisbon which is a lovely city.

While you are there you must see at a minimum the Castelo São Jorge from where you will get a great view of the City, the Praça do Comercio, Jeronimos Monastery and Belem. Also the town and Castles at Sintra.

I think you will find the IBIS Saldanha not great for parking and a lot of traffic. When I drive up from Lagos to Lisbon we usually head to the IBIS Malhoa at Avda. Jose Malhoa. This has easier access to the ring road with routes to the Algarve over either one of Lisbon's Bridges.

Parking is easier there as well. You can go round the back of the hotel where there is free parking. The Metro Stations at Jardim Zoologico and Praça de Espanha are 5-6 minutes walk away and give great access to the rest of the city. You should walk or take public transport as you will see nothing by driving.

As regards travelling to the Algarve by car be warned we are now entering the hot season. The inland route to the Algarve through the Alentejo will be hot. I always try to leave at this time of year (going either way) early morning circa 07:30 to miss the worse of the traffic in Lisbon and teh heat in the Alentejo. The Coastal route can also be hot.

Note the Motorway is a toll road from Lisbon until you get to the Algarve A22 motorway.

If you want to take the scenic route I recommend leaving Lisbon on the Motorway and coming of just past suitable a Marateca. Once on the old National Road IP1 follow the signs for Alcacer do Sal and Grandola.

Option 1

At Grandola you can go right to Sines and then follow the coast road through Vila Nova Milfontes to Odeceixe, Aljezur and Lagos.

Option 2

Continue on through Grandola until you pass Mimosa. (Stop for a coffee and a break at the first cafe on the left.) Just after Mimosa you will find a road signed to the right indicating Lagos. Take this and you will eventually wend you way to coast road mentioned above.

Option 3

Another 25 km further there is another road to the right marked Odemira. Take this and pass through Odemira following the signs for Odeceixe, Aljezur and Lagos

Option 4

Continue down the IP1 towards Albufeira. You will intersect with the A22 coastal Motorway. Bear right and continue 60km till you get to Lagos.

On the return you could follow the coastal route to Sines and from there follow the road to Troia and take the ferry over to Setubal. From there you are only 40 km from Lisbon.

There is a great IBIS at Setubal as well with garden and pool. A nice place to relax after a days drive.

Portugal - Algarve - Bus Transport - Lisbon & Lagos - New Timetables - 1 June 2017

After many years,as from today, 1 June 2017, there have been big changes in the bus services operating between Lisbon, Portugal and Lagos in the Algarve Region of Southern Portugal

This article also applies to former RENEX services to the towns of Alvor, Portimão,Praia da Rocha, Lagoa, Armação da Pera.

As from today, RENEX Services have been merged with the services of the main national bus company Rede-expressos. 

Tickets on buses to the Algarve operated by EVA, RENEX and Rede-Expressos can now be bought online via the Rede-Expressos website:

http://www.rede-expressos.pt/ 

In Lagos, ALL bus services to Lisbon now depart from the main bus station just off the Avenida dos Descobrimentos.. 

RENEX Services continue to serve Lisbon Oriente Coach Station at Gare Oriente Railway Station, including the overnight services.



However, all services now call at Lisbon Sete Rios Coach Station first.


Links to extracts (pdf) from the new timetables valid from 1 June 2017 are shown below
(Disclaimer: Please check the bus company's online websites for latest timetables): 

Lisbon Sete-Rios <> Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

Lisbon Oriente via Lisbon Sete-Rios <> Lagos, Algarve, Portugal