Lagos, Coastal Atlantic Boat trip, Cabo S. Vicente and Sagres Fortress

Today we have a jammed packed day of adventures planned. Our group is heading to Lagos for a Coastal Atlantic Boat trip, then a visit to Cabo S. Vincente and ending with a quick visit to the Sagres Fortress.

It's beautiful morning in Portimão. 

After breakfast, we have some time to explore before our bus leaves for Lagos. So Jay and I head out to check out the Marina and the beaches.

The marina is packed with boats from all over Europe.

The hotel caters to boat owners and tourists.

A short walk and we're at the beach.

Surf's up, so some of the local are taking advantage of the waves.

We walk to the end of the jetty to the lighthouse. It's a morning ritual for many walkers, joggers and bicyclists.

We hoof it back for our 10 AM lobby call and we're off for our short ride to Lagos.

The Lagos Marina is HUGE.

Our guide, Richard, secures our boat tickets for our 1.5 hour Grotto Trip for us with Bom Dia Coastal Atlantic Boat trips.

We board our boats (10 people per boat) and off we go. Each boat has a captain and a guide.

We leave the harbor for the Atlantic Ocean.

Our tour takes us along the Ponta de Piedade

Ponta da Piedade (Portuguese for "point of mercy") is a stunning headland just south of Lagos, famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs, natural sea arches, caves, and grottoes. 

It's truly is one of the most scenic spots in the Algarve and a must-visit for nature lovers and photographers. You can explore it by land (there are hikes and boardwalks to explore) or by sea (many boat companies offering kayaking, sailing and grotto boats)

Some of the formations are quite dramatic.

Also in Lagos harbor is a replica caravel.

The Caravel Boa Esperança is an approximate replica of a 15th century Portuguese sailing ship known as a caravel. The original Boa Esperança caravel sailed on voyages of discovery as far as the Indian Ocean in the fifteenth century. 

The two-masted wooden ship was built using traditional shipbuilding techniques, with 18 meter tall main mast, and sails that are boldly marked with the Christian cross. The ship has berths for twenty two people. 

Once off the boats we make our way to the drawbridge to cross over into Lagos.

Richard points out our after lunch meeting place-the Carousel-but it's being put away for the winter.

We have time for lunch and a quick explore of Lagos.

Back at our meeting place we stop for a gelato and watch the Carousel animals get trucked away.

Our next stop is the southwesternmost point of Portugal and of mainland Europe, Cabo de São Vicente.

It reminded Jay and I of the Cliffs of Moher.

Back on the bus, we're heading to Sagres Fortress.

Looking back at the lighthouse from Sagres Fortress.

The Fortress of Sagres, also known as Castle of Sagres or Fort of Sagres (Portuguese: Fortaleza de Sagres), is a military structure built in the 15th century by order of Portugal's Infante Henry the Navigator. 

Heavily damaged in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, it was rebuilt in the late 18th century albeit with significant remodeling in the 20th century. 

The fortress is of great historical importance because of its connection to the history of Henry the Navigator and Portuguese discoveries. 

In 2018 it was the most visited monument in the Algarve, probably in the entire region south of the Tagus.

Because our time was tight, we didn't get to explore A Voz do Mar (Eng. the Voice of the Sea), which is a chamber of sounds inside a concrete maze. The maze leads to a small chamber. Inside the maze, you can hear the sound of the waves breaking against the rocks and the wind. The closer you get to the inner chamber the louder the sound gets.

We walk past the Sagres Lighthouse.

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça, also built by Henry the Navigator is just outside the fortress entrance, with a view of Cabo S. Vincente in the background.

Back on the bus, we're heading back to Portimão. We're trying to beat it back to our hotel, racing to see the sunset, however traffic is a bit slow.

But we make it just in time and folks run to their rooms to grab towels and sandals for a trip to the beach or a walk around the marina.

We're treated to a beautiful sunset set and moonrise.

It's been a long day, but oh so fun. We have a light meal in the hotel bar and call it a night.

More photos from Lagos, our coastal tour, Cabo S. Vincente and Sagres Fortress: CLICK HERE

Tomorrow we'll take the coast road to Lisboa (Lisbon) with a stop in Zambujeira do Mar for lunch.

Travel on Friends!