This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Lagos, located in the Algarve region in southern Portugal, is one of the nicest towns around. It is equally suitable for nature lovers, history buffs, and party animals. Nature lovers are likely to appreciate the town's dramatic coastline with its steep brown, orange, and grey colored cliffs inhabited by wild birds and fragrant plants.
If swimming among the cliffs is not your thing, then you may be attracted by the town's long history, going back more than 2000 years. Lagos flourished into a significant port during During the Age of Discovery when it served as a base for famous sea explorers and tradesmen. Infamously, Lagos also was a major slave market from which African captives were dispersed throughout Europe and shipped to the New World.
Nowadays, Lagos hostels are often full as it is one of the most visited Algarvean towns, particularly by young English-speaking backpackers. While those favoring package holidays head for the neighboring towns of Portimão and Luz, the wilder crowds go for Lagos.
The town center is full of restaurants, hostels, bars, and nightclubs, many owned by the internationals. You are more likely to hear English than Portuguese in the streets of Lagos old town during the summer months. Offices offering various excursions, e.g. dolphin watching, scuba diving courses, car, and motorbike rentals are scattered around the town. You can also ask about activities at your Lagos hostel front desk.
The Lagos nightlife is legendary. One can dance, party, and pub crawl till sunrise the next morning. Many Lagos hostels describe themselves as "party hostels," so you can expect a certain rhythm of life if you decide to book a bed there.
In general, Lagos is an extremely welcoming town for all sorts of independent visitors. Although old enough to shame many serious European cities, Lagos maintains its youthful fun-loving attitude, and, despite all that drinking and partying every single night of the summer, keeps itself fresh and beautiful.
Written by local expertz for Lagos
Agne Drumelyte
