Praia da Luz, Algarve, Portugal
Praia da Luz is a developed resort offering a good range of restaurants, shops and fairly low key nightlife. The safe beaches are ideal for children and anyone who enjoys participating in a good variety of watersports.
Praia da Luz
It is ideal for those who want a quiet 'get away from it all' holiday with all the essential comforts on the doorstep. Praia da Luz is 1 hour 15 minutes from Faro airport.
Read more about: Beaches | Things to Do | Out and About | Nearby Attractions | Praia da Luz Reviews
Beaches
The beach in Praia da Luz is a long sheltered bay with fine golden sand which is just perfect for sunbathing. There are lots of large rocks at the Western end of the beach which is ideal for rock pooling. Cliffs tower over one end of the beach and behind the beach there are lots of low-rise white houses. In summer, the beach is busy with both tourists and residents.
There is a palm-lined promenade which runs along the length of the beach which has plenty of cafes/bars for any refreshments. There are plenty of watersports available and paddle boats to hire and there is a lifeguard in attendance. There is a car park just to the left of the beach, therefore, disabled access is easy and it is ideal for those with children.
There is a small bay to the west of Praia da Luz which is called Praia Prahina. The bay is a lot quieter than the main beach which is good if you want to get away from the crowds. The beach is not supervised but it is close enough to the main beach should you wish to use the facilities.
Things to Do
There are a few places of historical interest in Praia da Luz should you get bored of lazing about the beach all day. There are some ruins of Roman Baths from 3rd to 5th century AD, close to the wall that runs along the promenade. The remains of the baths can be accessed via a door in the wall. There is also a little church which originates from the 16th century with some baroque decoration which originates from the 18th century.
There are some lovely places close to Praia da Luz, so if you fancy a walk then head to Benagil where you will get to see some great views and sample some seafood in some of the many fantastic restaurants. There are lots of little churches and monuments to be seen in the surrounding area.
Water sports are very popular here, in particular, diving as there are many wrecks and underwater caves just waiting to be explored.
Out and About
The resort has plenty of shops on offer, whether it be supermarkets or market stalls, you will find everything you need. There are tons of markets available in nearby resorts too. You could also venture to Lagos which is just 10 minutes away, for a larger variety of shops.
Many of the restaurants serve some fantastic fish dishes eg Cataplana which is a mix of seafood and tomatoes, chorizo, peppers, herbs and wine which is then cooked in a sealed copper vessel to retain all the flavours. It is a very tasty dish which is worth trying. There are so many ways that the fish is cooked but all equally tasty. It's not just seafood restaurants though, there are Chinese, Italian and traditional Portuguese restaurants so certainly something for everyone.
There is also a great variety of bars and cafes and nightlife is fairly lively but if you want more variety of late night bars then hop in a taxi to Lagos where you can dance the night away.
Nearby Attractions
There is plenty to do in the surrounding area, you shouldn't have to travel too far to find something of interest.
Slide and Splash Water Park in Lagos is certainly worth a visit. It is open from April to October and offers great fun for all the family. The park is said to be one of the biggest waterparks in Europe and offers a variety of slides and attractions for everyone to enjoy.
Lagos Zoo is not huge but concentrates more on smaller animals and birds. The monkey island is great fun and there is a pets corner too. There is also a children's playground, picnic area, snack bar and restaurant here which makes it the ideal place for a family day out.
Lagos itself is worth a visit, it is one of the most attractive towns in the Algarve with its main avenue running the length of the town. The marina and beach is on one side and the cobbled streets of the town centre are on the other side. There are some great restaurants to sample and plenty of shopping if you fancy.
There are also many boat trips available from Lagos whether it be a relaxing cruise around the area or a special trip to see the dolphins.
Zoo Marine in Guia is a very popular choice for families with children and is the highlight of many a holiday. Visitors will be able to see dolphins, sea lions, seals, tropical birds and various birds of prey. There is also an aquarium with exotic fish and sharks and there is a 4D cinema too so there is plenty to keep everyone occupied.
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