Lagos (lah-goosh) is a town in southern Portugal’s Algarve region. The port town, which launched many naval excursions during Portugal’s extraordinary Age of Discovery, lies along the bank of the Rio Bensafrim. Its old town’s pretty, cobbled lanes and picturesque squares and churches are enclosed by 16th-century walls. Beyond the walls are a modern but not overly unattractive sprawl and some truly fabulous beaches.

Lagos is also known for its cliffs and Atlantic beaches. Steep wooden steps lead to the sandy cove of Praia do Camilo. The nearby cliffs of Ponta de Piedade offer sweeping headland views and a lighthouse. Igreja de Santo António, an ornate 18th-century church, sits across from the Castelo dos Governadores, a castle with a baroque facade and watchtowers.