Praia da Luz

Praia da Luz beach guide, how to get there and where to stay


Praia da Luz, Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

About 6km (less than 4 miles) from the center of Lagos is this beach overlooked by a traditional Algarve village. It’s a quieter holiday destination, but still quite popular, especially among Portuguese and British families. Part of it is faced by the village’s white houses and churches, and another by a tall cliff.

Beach of Luz, Lagos

The fine golden sand and the scenery invite walks by the sea. The water is clean, shallow and often calm, which is why it attracts families with children. The eastern side, below the cliffs, is the quieter section, although between the rocks to the west (to the right, when facing the sea), is a cove known as “Prainha” (“little beach”) that also offers more peace. In between, there are tidal pools, but you should be careful not to slip or trip on the rocks.

Calm waters of Praia da Luz, Lagos

The big dark rock that you see in the distance, to the east, was formed by the lava of a volcano about 150 million years ago. There are no active volcanoes in Algarve, but this rock stands as an iconic natural feature of Praia da Luz. There’s a good view over the beach from the top of the cliff by the rock. This is a good spot to catch the beautiful sunset.

Parasols in Praia da Luz, Lagos

The middle section of the beach has lifeguard supervision and parasols and loungers for rent in the summer, and there are many places to eat and drink on the promenade throughout the year. Those interested in water sports, will also find rentals available. Possible activities include stand-up paddling, windsurfing, water skiing and kayaking. Although there are better surfing waves at Praia de Porto de Mós nearby, surfing is another possibility.

Kayaks in Praia da Luz, Lagos

You may also want to go for a stroll around the former fishing village. Its narrow streets lead to a 16th-century church and a restored 17th-century fortress. There are also ruins of Roman baths built in the 2nd century AD, but these are not currently open to the public.

Beach for: Families
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: Yes
Parking: Yes

How to Get to Praia da Luz


From Lagos’ bus station, you can hop on bus number 4 to Praia da Luz. There’s a bus every half hour, and the journey takes about 25 minutes. Tickets can be bought from the driver. If you’re driving, you’ll be there in about 10 minutes and will find free and paid parking spots not far from the beach. However, you may have to drive around for some time before you find one in the high season. To know how to get around Lagos, see the transportation guide.

Beaches by Praia da Luz


Walking trails lead to Praia de Porto de Mós to the east and towards the village of Sagres to the west. Walking over the cliffs offers beautiful views.
To locate Lagos' beaches, see the Lagos beaches map.

Hotels by Praia da Luz


Baia da Luz Resort, Lagos

Baia da Luz Resort

This highly-rated resort is a 5-minute walk from the beach. It’s made up of colorful apartments with balconies, and offers two swimming pools, tennis courts and a children's playground.

SEE PRICES, AVAILABILITY AND MORE DETAILS HERE: Baia da Luz Resort


Estrela da Luz Resort, Lagos

Estrela da Luz Resort

This resort is located in the center of the village, about a 10-minute walk from the beach. It has self-catering apartments accommodating between 2 and 6 people, and offers two outdoor pools, a gym and a tennis court.

SEE PRICES, AVAILABILITY AND MORE DETAILS HERE: Estrela da Luz Resort


Hotel Belavista da Luz, Lagos

Hotel Belavista da Luz

Located up the road from the center of the village and the beach (which is a 15-minute walk away), this family-friendly hotel overlooks the ocean. It has two outdoor pools, spacious rooms, a restaurant serving international cuisine, a tennis court and a sauna.

SEE PRICES, AVAILABILITY AND MORE DETAILS HERE: Hotel Belavista da Luz


Boavista Golf & Spa Resort, Lagos

Boavista Golf & Spa Resort

The luxury villas and apartments of this large resort are perfect for families and groups of friends. The 5-star facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a fitness center, and an 18-hole golf course. It’s not within walking distance of the beach, but those with a car can be there in about 10 minutes.

SEE PRICES, AVAILABILITY AND MORE DETAILS HERE: Boavista Golf & Spa Resort