THE ALGARVE - Portugal - page 174

Arrival in Lagos
By Train or Bus: The train and bus stations are a five-minute walk apart, separated by
the marina and a pedestrian bridge over a river. Neither station has baggage storage.
By Car: If you're coming from Spain on the A-22 freeway, exit at Lagos and follow
signs to centro. The most convenient free parking lot is just outside the old city wall off
Rua Infante de Sagres. There are other pay lots near the marina and a large, long-term,
underground parking garage on Avenida dos Descobrimentos, near Praça do Infante.
Helpful Hints
Internet Access: Western Union Exchange, behind the statue on Praça Gil Eanes, mul-
titasks as an Internet café and currency bureau (€1.75/30 minutes, daily 8:30-21:00).
Car Rental: English-speaking Nuno at Lagorent Rent-a-Car can set you up with
four wheels (Avenida dos Descobrimentos 43, tel. [phone], fax [phone],
www.lagorent.com , [e-mail] ).
Sights in Lagos
Coastal Boat Tours —Along the harborfront, you'll be hustled to take a sightseeing
cruise. Old fishermen (“who know the nickname of each rock along the coast”) sit at an-
chor on board, while their salespeople on the promenade hawk 45-minute exotic rock-
and-cave tours for €10 (cash only, 2-person minimum).
More serious maritime adventures are sold by a string of established companies with
offices in the marina strip mall over the marina bridge (credit cards accepted). There are
some pleasant cafés in the mall—sip a sumo de laranja (fresh orange juice) while ob-
serving the comings-and-goings of the yachts.
Bom Dia offers several different tours by sailboat: a two-hour €25 grotto tour (with a
chance to swim), a half-day €53 BBQ cruise that's basically a grotto tour with a meal, and
a three-hour €40 family-friendly fishing trip (cash only, in marina at Lagos 10, WC on
board, smart to reserve at least a day ahead in Aug, tel. [phone], www.bomdia.info ,
[e-mail] ).
▲ Church of Santo António —Rebuilt in part after the 1755 earthquake, this is con-
sidered one of the best Baroque churches in Portugal, and is dedicated to the patron saint
of the military, António. The church, with an incredible gilded altar and paintings of
António's life, is only accessible through the adjoining regional archaeological and eth-
nology museum.
Cost and Hours: €2.60, Tue-Sun 9:30-12:30 & 14:00-17:00, closed Mon, museum
entrance just beyond the church.