Guests' Luz & Lagos Guidebook
Activities
Places to visit / things to do for a fun family day out
Fantastic water pack only 30mins drive from Luz. Sadly the bus service has been stopped due to Covid but discounted tickets and taxi transfers can be booked at Estrela da Luz Reception
540 locals recommend
Slide & Splash station
125 Vale de DeusFantastic water pack only 30mins drive from Luz. Sadly the bus service has been stopped due to Covid but discounted tickets and taxi transfers can be booked at Estrela da Luz Reception
Fun oceanographic adventure park, with family friendly shows and rides too. Perfect for all ages
19 locals recommend
ZooMarine station
Fun oceanographic adventure park, with family friendly shows and rides too. Perfect for all ages
Closest 18 hole golf course to Luz. With spa and clubhouse restaurant too. Just 5mins drive away. All equipment can be hired and cheaper deals at twilight times
24 locals recommend
Boavista Golf & Spa Resort
Closest 18 hole golf course to Luz. With spa and clubhouse restaurant too. Just 5mins drive away. All equipment can be hired and cheaper deals at twilight times
Another handy 18 hole inland course with beautiful modern clubhouse serving great food
24 locals recommend
Espiche Golf
701 – N R. Matos BrancosAnother handy 18 hole inland course with beautiful modern clubhouse serving great food
Fun boat trips from the marina in Lagos to visit the grottos off the coast between there and Luz - options to suit everyone
Lagos Grotto Trips
8600 Av. dos DescobrimentosFun boat trips from the marina in Lagos to visit the grottos off the coast between there and Luz - options to suit everyone
Shack on the beach where you can rent pedalos, jet skis, paddle boards or head off on a giant fly fish, rings or inflatable chairs for a crazy ride around the bay.
Chico Time
Parque da praiaShack on the beach where you can rent pedalos, jet skis, paddle boards or head off on a giant fly fish, rings or inflatable chairs for a crazy ride around the bay.
Similar to Chico time, You can go kayaking, waterskiing, fide inflatables or jet skis and even go boat trips to the grottos directly from Luz beach - saves you a trip into Lagos.
Beach Hut Watersports
Rua da PraiaSimilar to Chico time, You can go kayaking, waterskiing, fide inflatables or jet skis and even go boat trips to the grottos directly from Luz beach - saves you a trip into Lagos.
Newly refurbished with lovely rooftop lounge bar overlooking the action. Padel tennis is proving really popular in Luz
OCEAN PADEL CLUB LUZ
Newly refurbished with lovely rooftop lounge bar overlooking the action. Padel tennis is proving really popular in Luz
High ropes courses and paintball for the thrill seekers amongst us
46 locals recommend
Parque Aventura Lagos
Rua Sophia de Melo Breyner AndresenHigh ropes courses and paintball for the thrill seekers amongst us
Bike hire shop just round the corner from our flat. Very friendly, helpful staff. For rentals - e-bikes, mountain bikes and gravel bikes.
Bica Bikes
26 Rua 25 de AbrilBike hire shop just round the corner from our flat. Very friendly, helpful staff. For rentals - e-bikes, mountain bikes and gravel bikes.
Local surf school where you can book group or private surf lessons for adults and kids. All levels.
Email: contact@thesurfexperience.eu
Call/Whatsapp: +351 914 980 997
7 locals recommend
TSE
Local surf school where you can book group or private surf lessons for adults and kids. All levels.
Email: contact@thesurfexperience.eu
Call/Whatsapp: +351 914 980 997
Amazing annual exhibition of sand sculptures near Lagoa. The theme changes each year and it’s open throughout the summer. Fun for all ages with over 100 exhibits.
Just search for Sandcity online for information
99 locals recommend
Fiesa sand city
Amazing annual exhibition of sand sculptures near Lagoa. The theme changes each year and it’s open throughout the summer. Fun for all ages with over 100 exhibits.
Just search for Sandcity online for information
A cheaper option than Boavista and only 15mins drive west from Praia da Luz, the greens are excellent too. €110 for 2 players including a buggy in 2023
8 locals recommend
Santo António - Parque da Floresta
A cheaper option than Boavista and only 15mins drive west from Praia da Luz, the greens are excellent too. €110 for 2 players including a buggy in 2023
Local vineyard runs wine tastings each month. Situated on the cliff walk between Praia da Luz & Lagos. Well worth booking up
Falesia Wine
Local vineyard runs wine tastings each month. Situated on the cliff walk between Praia da Luz & Lagos. Well worth booking up
Eating out in Luz
A selection of our favourite tried and tested local Luz restaurants
Quirky tapas restaurant right on the seafront promenade
Open 7 days
16 locals recommend
Boaty's Tapas Café
130-0 Av. dos PescadoresQuirky tapas restaurant right on the seafront promenade
Open 7 days
Restaurante Paulo's
16 R. 25 de AbrilOur favourite, great staff, delicious food
Closed Sundays
Tasty Italian food, reasonably priced in the Baia da Luz complex.
Closed Tuesdays
10 locals recommend
Restaurante ALLORO
Rua José Pedro das LagesTasty Italian food, reasonably priced in the Baia da Luz complex.
Closed Tuesdays
Great for takeaway or very casual sit in. The curries and Caesar salads are also just as good as the pizzas!!
Tel: +351 282 788 369
Open 7 days until 11.30pm
Pizza Real
14 Rua da PraiaGreat for takeaway or very casual sit in. The curries and Caesar salads are also just as good as the pizzas!!
Tel: +351 282 788 369
Open 7 days until 11.30pm
Tasty Indian Restaurant close to the Church. Cheap, cheerful and friendly.
Open 7 days
6 locals recommend
Saffron
10L4 Av. dos PescadoresTasty Indian Restaurant close to the Church. Cheap, cheerful and friendly.
Open 7 days
Lovely local tapas bar. Their Sunday brunches are highly recommended.
Closed Wednesdays
7 locals recommend
Latitude - Wine & Tapas
10 Travessa do BillLovely local tapas bar. Their Sunday brunches are highly recommended.
Closed Wednesdays
Busy daytime cafe right on the Promenade, with reasonably priced food and drinks and amazing views of the beach.
Open 7 days
Luz Beach Café & Bar
Avenida dos PescadoresBusy daytime cafe right on the Promenade, with reasonably priced food and drinks and amazing views of the beach.
Open 7 days
Stylish dining. When booking ask for an upstairs front table to get sweeping views of the beach and the Rocha Negra.
Closed Thursdays
6 locals recommend
A Concha
6 Av. dos PescadoresStylish dining. When booking ask for an upstairs front table to get sweeping views of the beach and the Rocha Negra.
Closed Thursdays
Promenade front casual dining with good pizzas, burgers and cocktails. Surfing vibe.
Open 7 days
23 locals recommend
Endless Summer beach bar & pizza
Promenade front casual dining with good pizzas, burgers and cocktails. Surfing vibe.
Open 7 days
For something a bit different try this South African eatery. Also known as Bosman's.
Closed Sundays
10 locals recommend
The Dolphin Restaurante
14A R. da CalhetaFor something a bit different try this South African eatery. Also known as Bosman's.
Closed Sundays
Just recently relocated to within our very own Estrela da Luz complex. Was always queued out the door when we last visited.
Tel: + 351 962 742 033
Closed Saturdays
Chicca's
Just recently relocated to within our very own Estrela da Luz complex. Was always queued out the door when we last visited.
Tel: + 351 962 742 033
Closed Saturdays
Spectacular setting, and cool historic interior (if you are sitting inside ask to book a table inside the Fort itself). Food is fine, you are here for the location. Jazz lunches are fun on the terrace.
Closed Tuesdays.
Jazz Lunch Sundays
34 locals recommend
Fortaleza DA LUZ
3 Av. dos PescadoresSpectacular setting, and cool historic interior (if you are sitting inside ask to book a table inside the Fort itself). Food is fine, you are here for the location. Jazz lunches are fun on the terrace.
Closed Tuesdays.
Jazz Lunch Sundays
Extensive Portuguese menu, reasonably priced, attentive staff. Book ahead to avoid disappointment - this place is busy all year round!
Open 7 days
14 locals recommend
Ondaluz-restaurante Bar Lda (luz)
4 R. DireitaExtensive Portuguese menu, reasonably priced, attentive staff. Book ahead to avoid disappointment - this place is busy all year round!
Open 7 days
A new wee Italian in the village, our co-hosts have been and highly recommend the fresh pasta. Worth a visit.
Fluìdo - Italian Food & Good Wine
3 Rua da VárzeaA new wee Italian in the village, our co-hosts have been and highly recommend the fresh pasta. Worth a visit.
New pizzaria where Barroca used to be. Raised terrace, chilled vibe.
Open evenings only
Closed Sundays
Zest Pizzaria
New pizzaria where Barroca used to be. Raised terrace, chilled vibe.
Open evenings only
Closed Sundays
Recently opened next to Kelly’s bar, this restaurant gets good reviews, but I’ve still not been. Looks lovely though.
Open 6 days from 2pm
Closed Mondays
Jacaranda
Recently opened next to Kelly’s bar, this restaurant gets good reviews, but I’ve still not been. Looks lovely though.
Open 6 days from 2pm
Closed Mondays
Just behind the church, this is a cool wee Mexican eatery, with great food and cocktails. Happy hour from 4-6pm every day. Only recently tried it and will be back 😋
Puerto Escondido Mexican Bar/Restaurant
Just behind the church, this is a cool wee Mexican eatery, with great food and cocktails. Happy hour from 4-6pm every day. Only recently tried it and will be back 😋
Bars and cocktails in Luz
Some serve food, others cocktails and all serve ice cold beers in the sun!
Young vibe, great cocktails and superb views, ideal for a sundowner. Also serves food with a Thai influence.
Closed Mondays
21 locals recommend
Zazu Beach Club
130 Av. dos PescadoresYoung vibe, great cocktails and superb views, ideal for a sundowner. Also serves food with a Thai influence.
Closed Mondays
A long time favourite for pre and post dinner cocktails, great music and good chat from Clive.
Closed Sundays
Clive's Cocktail Bar
14 R. 25 de AbrilA long time favourite for pre and post dinner cocktails, great music and good chat from Clive.
Closed Sundays
Perfect for people watching, doggy spotting, with regular live music and a cool relaxing vibe. Give the loaded nachos a go!!
Tel: +351 912 211 212
Open 7 days
6 locals recommend
Habana Bar
14 R. da PraiaPerfect for people watching, doggy spotting, with regular live music and a cool relaxing vibe. Give the loaded nachos a go!!
Tel: +351 912 211 212
Open 7 days
Another great cafe in the heart of Luz.
Tel: +351 282 789 816
Open 7 days
7 locals recommend
Lazuli Bar
1 R. José da Conceição CondeAnother great cafe in the heart of Luz.
Tel: +351 282 789 816
Open 7 days
Ollie's Bar
108 R. DireitaGreat wee joint at the end of Rua Directa. Live music too at times.
Closed Sundays
Kellys Bar
6 Rua da CalhetaNewly reopened multi TV screen pub showing all your sporting events throughout the year
Great pub, nice staff, big screen outdoors for sports events and a hidden west facing terrace, perfect to watch sunsets out to sea.
The upstairs restaurant has reopened but not tried it yet!
Open 7 days
The Bull
5 R. da CalhetaGreat pub, nice staff, big screen outdoors for sports events and a hidden west facing terrace, perfect to watch sunsets out to sea.
The upstairs restaurant has reopened but not tried it yet!
Open 7 days
Eating and drinking beyond Luz
Our favourite places to eat and drink in Lagos, Burgau and surrounding areas
Cool location right on the beach, brilliant fish and seafood, lovely relaxing vibe.
Tel: +351 282 697 553
Closed Mondays
25 locals recommend
Beach Bar Burgau
Rua da PraiaCool location right on the beach, brilliant fish and seafood, lovely relaxing vibe.
Tel: +351 282 697 553
Closed Mondays
A hidden gem of a space nestled under the trees in a back street of Lagos. Good food to go with the drinks.
Tel: +351 913 187 142
Open 7 days
29 locals recommend
The Garden
48 R. Lançarote de FreitasA hidden gem of a space nestled under the trees in a back street of Lagos. Good food to go with the drinks.
Tel: +351 913 187 142
Open 7 days
Tasty food in a candlelit cellar space. If you’re ever in Glasgow, visit another family venue Rab Ha’s 🇵🇹🏴
Tel: +351 918 480 071
Open 7 days
21 locals recommend
Mullen's
86 R. Cândido dos ReisTasty food in a candlelit cellar space. If you’re ever in Glasgow, visit another family venue Rab Ha’s 🇵🇹🏴
Tel: +351 918 480 071
Open 7 days
Even if you’re not a golfer, the clubhouse is lovely for lunch and the staff are fabulous.
Tel: +351 282 000 100
Open 7 days
24 locals recommend
Boavista Golf & Spa Resort
Even if you’re not a golfer, the clubhouse is lovely for lunch and the staff are fabulous.
Tel: +351 282 000 100
Open 7 days
Cheap and cheerful with massive pizzas making for great insta photos!!
Tel: +351 282 788 676
Closed Sundays
6 locals recommend
Pizza do Francês
1 Largo da FonteCheap and cheerful with massive pizzas making for great insta photos!!
Tel: +351 282 788 676
Closed Sundays
Stylish restaurant with nice first floor terrace. Quality food.
Tel: +351 282 763 563
Open 7 days
16 locals recommend
Dom Henrique
75 R. 25 de AbrilStylish restaurant with nice first floor terrace. Quality food.
Tel: +351 282 763 563
Open 7 days
Long time classic Portuguese restaurant in the heart of Lagos. Choose to sit on the pedestrianised street front, indoor or on the first floor hidden terrace.
Tel: +351 282 270 480
Open 7 days
22 locals recommend
Don Sebastião
20-22 R. 25 de AbrilLong time classic Portuguese restaurant in the heart of Lagos. Choose to sit on the pedestrianised street front, indoor or on the first floor hidden terrace.
Tel: +351 282 270 480
Open 7 days
Supermarkets
Local
Best in Luz for its fresh bakery products made daily, great wines selection and handy cafe for coffee & pastel de nata.
41 locals recommend
Baptista
Best in Luz for its fresh bakery products made daily, great wines selection and handy cafe for coffee & pastel de nata.
Sightseeing
Cape Saint Vincent
Most westerly point of mainland Europe
Lovely bustling big sister town 10mins drive from Luz. Lots of historic sights plus a lovely marina and miles of golden sands too
249 locals recommend
Lagos
Lovely bustling big sister town 10mins drive from Luz. Lots of historic sights plus a lovely marina and miles of golden sands too
Burgau
Quaint fishing village with hilly streets falling away to the sea.
Praia da Luz
1 R. José da Conceição CondeOur home village, just perfect