Ponta da Piedade

Ponta da Piedade is a headland a short distance south of Lagos old town, crowned by a lighthouse and fringed by some of the most dramatic rock scenery in Portugal. Over time the sea has cut the golden limestone into free-standing stacks, natural arches, tunnels and sheltered grottoes, with water in shades from jade to deep blue. There are two ways to see it, and the best visit uses both. On land, a clifftop path and viewing platforms around the lighthouse look down on the stacks and out over the Atlantic, and a long staircase leads down toward the water. It costs nothing, and it is spectacular at sunset when the rock glows orange. On the water, the grottoes are visited by small boats, catamarans and kayaks that nose between the stacks and into the caves, which you cannot appreciate properly from above. Boat trips run from Lagos marina and the nearby beaches, and options range from a short grotto run of around an hour, to a longer coastal cruise that continues to nearby beaches, to a guided kayak trip that takes about two hours. Tiqets lists several of these, including a catamaran cruise and a kayak tour, so you can pick the style that suits.

Walk first, or paddle first: if you can, do both on the same day. A morning or late-afternoon walk along the headland, when the light is low and the crowds are thin, is the classic way to take photographs. Sea conditions matter for the boats, and tours can be cancelled in rough weather, so book a flexible ticket and keep a spare day. Kayaking lets you slip into the narrowest gaps between the stacks, but it needs a modest level of fitness and a calm sea; motor boats and catamarans are easier for children and older visitors.

Practicalities: the headland is on the southern edge of Lagos, and it is reachable on foot from the old town in under an hour, or a short taxi or car ride away, with a car park near the lighthouse that fills up around sunset. Wear sturdy shoes, because the steps and paths are uneven, and keep well back from the cliff edge, which is unfenced in places. In summer bring water and a hat, as there is little shade.

Making a day of Lagos: Ponta da Piedade pairs naturally with the beaches of Dona Ana and Camilo just along the coast, and with a stroll through Lagos old town and its harbour. It is also a gentler alternative to the Benagil crowds, since the grottoes here are open to the sea and the boats move freely among them.