Discover the Ponta da Piedade in Lagos.
One of the most beautiful sights of the Algarve
[2025 update]
🌞 At the southernmost tip of Lagos lies one of the Algarve’s most beautiful sights: the world-famous Ponta da Piedade. Here, the elements have spent centuries creating a work of art consisting of colorful rock formations overlooking the Portuguese south coast.
⛵ A successful visit to this natural phenomenon consists of two parts: a walk along the top of the cliffs , from where you look down on the blue water and a boat trip along the bottom, where you sail through the eroded caves by kayak, SUP or boat.
💡 Discover on this page the beautiful Ponta da Piedade and the best way to visit this beautiful part of the Algarve, written by someone who lives just a few kilometers away.
Watch my self-made video about the Ponta da Piedade in 4k below:
What is Ponta da Piedade in Lagos?
The Ponta da Piedade in Lagos is one of the most impressive natural attractions of the Algarve in Portugal . These cliffs and rock formations were created by centuries of erosion and are now a beautiful viewpoint of the Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs are about 20 meters high and are covered with green vegetation between autumn and spring. The turquoise water and the many small bays look inviting and offer an ideal environment for various activities.
From the parking lot it is a few minutes walk and on both sides of the lighthouse you can make beautiful walks. On the left you look out over Lagos and there is a staircase that takes you to the water; on the right you look out over Praia do Canavial and Praia de Porto Mós beach.
In the summer there are few waves, which often makes the water clear blue. Not only is this a beautiful sight, it also allows for all kinds of water activities that are not an option in the fall when there are meter(s) high waves.
See where Ponta da Piedade is located on the map below:
Ponta da Piedade visitor information
🌼The Ponta da Piedade is free to visit all year round and is always open, as it is a public nature reserve. Although most of the vegetation is gone in the summer, this is the season to sail along the cliffs as a SUP, kayak or boat trip as the sea is calm then.
❄ In winter and spring, the Ponta da Piedade comes to life when, in the weeks following the first rains, the flowers return and the brown-yellow cliffs are covered in a blanket of various colours. However, the options for exploring this attraction via the water surface in this season are highly dependent on the sea conditions.
🌅 Regardless of the time of year you visit the Ponta da Piedade, the best time to go is in the morning or at the end of the day. Not only will it be a lot quieter in terms of visitor numbers, the low sun also creates a spectacle of light and shadows, making it all look a bit more impressive. In addition, there is least chance of wind in the morning, which in combination with the sunlight makes for beautiful pictures if you come with a drone.
🅿 Parking at Ponta da Piedade is easy and free on the large unpaved parking lot. From the parking lot, walk east until you reach the hiking trail and follow it south to the lighthouse.
🍽 If you get hungry, you can visit one of the restaurants located at Ponta da Piedade. These include:
- O Camilo : a well-reviewed fish restaurant where you can go for lunch and dinner.
- Monte Mar Lagos : another fish and seafood restaurant but in a higher price range than O Camilo.
- Sol Nascente : Cheaper than the previous two restaurants, but with mixed reviews.
My advice is to find a nice restaurant before or after your visit to the Ponta da Piedade in the atmospheric center of Lagos. Check out my recommendations for restaurants (and more) for Lagos on this page.
Ponta da Piedade – Boat trips
One of the three best ways to visit the Ponta da Piedade from below is by boat. From the port of Lagos, several boats of various shapes and sizes leave daily to discover this beautiful place. I recommend booking an excursion that leaves in the morning, as it is quieter then, the sun is nice and low and the wind is calmest. A short but powerful boat trip with a small boat costs around €20.00 per person, but there are also more extensive excursions where you visit more sights or combine a boat trip with swimming or dolphin spotting. These will be around €40.00 pp.
These are the 3 best boat trips to Ponta da Piedade that I recommend:
1. Best reviewed 75 minute boat trip
See price & availability below:
2. 3-hour catamaran boat trip with swimming
See price & availability below:
3. Sunset boat trip of 1.5 hours
See price & availability below:
Ponta da Piedade – Kayak Trips
A second fun and adventurous way to visit the Ponta da Piedade is by kayak. During this sporty activity, you will sail together or alone in a sea kayak along the rocks and cliffs of the Ponta da Piedade. Thanks to the small size of a kayak, you can sail right through the tunnels and caves! Of course, under the guidance of an experienced guide. Some of these excursions leave from a nearby beach, or by boat from the port of Lagos, after which the kayaks are launched.
Most kayak excursions cost around €40.00 per person.
These are the 3 best kayak trips to Ponta da Piedade that I recommend:
1. 2.5 hour kayak trip from Praia de Batata
See price & availability below:
2. Kayak tour in combination with a boat trip of 2 hours
See price & availability below:
3. Kayak trip in combination with swimming & boat trip of 2 hours
See price & availability below:
Piedade Point – Stand up Paddleboard excursions
The third fun and most sporty way to visit Ponta da Piedade is by Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP). If you have never SUPed before, there is no better and more beautiful place to stand on a SUP for the first time than at Ponta da Piedade.
A SUP is an inflatable board where you propel yourself forward with a paddle. It is just like kayaking, but standing! A good training for your balance.
The prices of most SUP excursions are around €45.00 per person.
These are the 3 best SUP trips to Ponta da Piedade that I recommend:
1. 2.5 hour SUP tour from Praia Dona Ana
See price & availability below:
2. Sunrise SUP tour of 2.5 hours
See price & availability below:
3. 2.5 hour SUP excursion with pick-up service
See price & availability below:
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ponta da Piedade – FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Ponta da Piedade?
Good news, visiting the Ponta da Piedade is completely free! The parking lots are public and there is no entrance fee to access the cliffs. That’s a good thing, because this way everyone can enjoy this beautiful nature for free. The only thing you will spend a few euros on is a cup of coffee at the restaurant next to the lighthouse or when doing a fun water activity.
Is the Ponta da Piedade wheelchair accessible?
A large part of the Ponta da Piedade is wheelchair accessible! From the right side of the lighthouse, a wooden boardwalk starts that runs along the cliffs. This way, even if you have difficulty walking, you can still enjoy the Ponta da Piedade
What is the best way to visit Ponta da Piedade?
The best way to get the most out of your visit to Ponta da Piedade is to first take a walk along the top of the cliffs and then take a boat trip, SUP or kayak trip along the bottom of the cliffs. Several trips of different lengths depart from Lagos. An added benefit of a guided tour is that you will also learn a bit more about the area and how these rock formations were formed.
More great tips for your Algarve holiday
In addition to the above-mentioned sights, this website is full of other great tips for your adventure to the Algarve. You will find a complete overview of all the activities you can undertake, discover special overnight locations and find the best car rental company in the Algarve. If you have any questions, feel free to send a message and I will be happy to help you!
Activity tips
Have you always wanted to see dolphins in the wild? Or visit a local vineyard? The Algarve is full of fun activities on land, at sea and in the air that you can do during your holiday. View all activities on the activities page.
Accommodation tips
Do you like to stay in a special accommodation? Besides many beautiful hotels and resorts, there are also a number of special glampings and tiny houses to be found in the Algarve. View all my accommodation tips on this page:
Rental car tips
Finding a good car rental company can be quite a challenge. After all, you don’t want to be faced with unexpected costs or strange surprises. The Algarve Specialist therefore works exclusively with the best rental company in the Algarve: Luzcar.
Magical Portugal
Welcome to Magical Portugal. Your #1 tourism guide to Portugal
Inspiration in your inbox
Highlights
