Ponta da Piedade: the most beautiful cliffs in the Algarve?

When we started planning our road trip in the Algarve, one place kept coming up in our research as having the most beautiful cliffs in the region: Ponta da Piedade. The city of Lagos wasn’t really on our itinerary (we didn’t have much time and clearly prioritized natural spots over cities). However, we also read plenty of positive reviews about the historic center of Lagos, and for those traveling without a van, Lagos is quite conveniently located for exploring the western part of the Algarve.

What is Ponta da Piedade ?

Ponta da Piedade is a series of steep cliffs painted in ochre, orange, and golden hues. They rise about twenty meters above the Atlantic Ocean, offering truly spectacular viewpoints. Erosion has shaped a nearly otherworldly landscape; natural arches, caves, and large pillar-like formations sculpted by the waves can be found here, along with many small beaches and coves accessible only by sea.

How to visit Ponta da Piedade ?

There are fundamentally three main ways to visit the site. The first option (which we chose) is naturally: on foot. Walkways and trails run along the entire coast to reach the lighthouse at the tip of the point, and it’s possible to make a loop by returning via the west side, passing through Canavial Beach. Below, you’ll find our suggested hiking map, but honestly, there’s no real need to follow a designated trail here… Just go with your instincts and enjoy the beautiful landscapes!

And what about the other two ways to visit? Well, honestly, we probably would have chosen either one if we hadn’t been traveling with our dog… and yes… the best way to explore the site is, in our opinion, to arrive by sea! Here, you have two options: by a small motorboat or by the strength of your arms (whether in a kayak or paddleboard). 😉

I think we definitely would have gone with the kayak personally!

Having a dog doesn’t necessarily limit us for this kind of activity because Winchy LOVES staying in the van, but when we visited in September 2025, there was a heatwave that made it impossible to leave the dog in the vehicle (and they are naturally not allowed during boat excursions).

If you’re interested in options by the sea, you can check out GetYourGuide, which offers great boat tours and kayaking trips. For paddleboarding, we recommend looking at Civitatis—they have a sunrise outing that looks absolutely amazing!

Useful info and FAQ

The site is touristy and therefore extremely well-designed. There are wooden walkways that allow you to reach the lighthouse, and the paths are very wide and well-marked. If you’re visiting, for example, with young children or strollers, it remains entirely accessible. Several viewpoints have been set up along the trail, allowing you to get close to the cliffs safely.

Of course, it’s also possible to walk around outside the pontoons, but it’s important to be careful not to damage the vegetation and not to get too close to the edge (the rocks can be crumbly in spots).

Best time to visit

In terms of the season, I would say there’s not necessarily a better time to go. Since the landscape is mainly “rocky,” the season will have little influence on the vegetation. However, in terms of the crowd, it’s obvious that there will be more people during the holiday period.

Venus at the end of September, I believe this is where we saw the most people of our entire Algarve road trip. It wasn’t all that crowded, but it’s clear there are plenty of more “secret” and less accessible spots. 😉 Still, the crowds shouldn’t discourage you because honestly, the landscapes are totally worth seeing!

We strongly recommend aiming for the morning or late afternoon to take advantage of the beautiful lighting. Since Ponta de Piedade is a kind of promontory, you can enjoy either the sunrise or sunset depending on which side of the point you’re heading towards.

Note: It is also possible to take this tour by e-bike starting from Lagos. More information and reservations here.

Map of the hike:

Do I need to pay to visit Ponta da Piedade?

No, Ponta da Piedade is 100% free, and access is open at any time. The parking was also free when we visited.

Where to park to visit Ponta da Piedade?

I had read online that you could park near the lighthouse, but by September 2025, the road leading to the lighthouse was entirely pedestrianized. A new parking lot has been set up here. Since we arrived early, we had no trouble parking, but considering the crowds and the size of this parking area, I think it could get difficult during peak season. So, be sure to arrive early! And if you’re staying in Lagos, the easiest option is probably to walk (about a 30-minute walk from the town center along the coast).

How long does it take to visit?

Well, that will largely depend on you and your desire to walk, take photos, etc. But overall, I’d say you should plan for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours at the site to make the round trip to the lighthouse, stopping at the various observation platforms and taking a small detour along the west coast towards Praia do Canavial.

If you add a paddle or kayak excursion, expect an additional 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Can you swim at Ponta da Piedade?

Directly on the site, no, because there is no beach accessible by land. However, several beautiful beaches are nearby:

• Praia Dona Ana, Beautiful beach halfway between Lagos and Ponta da Piedade
• Praia do Camilo. The most popular beach, accessed via a beautiful wooden staircase (right at the start of the Ponta da Piedade trail).

• Praia da Balança. This beach is easier to reach by kayak or paddleboard, but it is theoretically possible to walk there from inland. However, be aware that the path is relatively steep.
• Praia do Canavial. This beach is located on the western side (about a 20-minute walk from the lighthouse). It is the ideal beach to enjoy the sunset at the end of the day.

How to get to Ponta da Piedade from Lagos?

As mentioned above, we advise you to avoid driving because parking spaces are limited. On foot, it takes about 30 minutes from the center. If you’d like to walk less, you can take bus No. 2 from “Portas de Portugal” to the “Estrada Ponta da Piedade” stop. From there, it’s about a ten-minute walk to reach Camilo Beach.

Another option would be to take an Uber. The trip should cost around €6 – €8.

Can you visit Ponta da Piedade in winter?

Absolutely, the site is accessible all year round. Snow isn’t really a problem at these latitudes. 😉 And unsurprisingly, there will be far fewer people at this time of year. However, the wind can blow quite strongly (which is true all year, but in winter it can feel a bit “cooler”).

Other ideas for visits and activities around Lagos

If you’re in Lagos, there are several excursions you can do not too far away—either by renting a car or joining an organized tour.

Lagos is very well located for exploring the western half of the Algarve. And from what we’ve seen, the town seems truly charming. So we didn’t stay all that long, but clearly, it gave us a much better impression than Albufeira, for example. 😉

For the day, here’s a small list of excursions you might consider:

• Sagres : head to the fortress and take a stroll along the coast. If you pass through Sagres, we recommend stopping for a bite to eat at Laundry Lounge, A great place where we had a really good meal (and a nice selection of vegetarian dishes too—quite rare in Portugal, so worth mentioning).

• Cabo Saint-Vincent and the lighthouse : a magnificent stop to take in the view. And if you happen to eat meat, you should know that near the lighthouse you will find the famous “last sausage before America.” A nod to the fact that it is probably the westernmost vendor on the European continent. If you want to discover Cape Saint Vincent on a tour, you can book here

• Discover the magnificent wild coast of the Algarve. The western Algarve is known for its superb beaches and, above all, for being much less touristy than the south. We had definitely included this destination in our itinerary, but unfortunately a major fire near Aljezur completely prevented us from exploring this area (all the roads were closed, forcing us to head back towards Lisbon by land). We only stopped at Odeceixe on the way back. If you want to take an organized day trip, you can check out Getyourguide.

• A little further east of Lagos, you will also quickly reach Tres Irmaos beach, the Seven Hanging Valleys hike, and Portimao (30 minutes by car), which we mentioned in this article. Note that it is also possible to explore Benagil Cave by taking a boat directly from Lagos. The tour lasts about 2 hours and costs €32 per person. See this tour.

• And just a little further away (about an hour’s drive), you can admire Praia de Falesia, which we mentioned in this article.

Rent a car in Lagos

This is ideal if you want to be independent during the day. In terms of budget, this will vary depending on the time of year, but on Booking (ex-Rentalcars) You can compare different rental companies and find cars starting at €10 per day (note that to see the cars available in Lagos, you must specify a pick-up time starting at 10 a.m. and select the city from the map).

But if you arrive in Faro (at the airport), that’s where you’ll find the cheapest cars in the Algarve (starting at €7 per day). So, depending on your itinerary, it might be more cost-effective to rent for your entire stay.

Where to stay in Lagos

If you want to find a hotel or an apartment in Lagos, you can use the map below by entering your dates and price criteria.

That’s it for today! We’ll be back very soon to continue our road trip in Portugal. 🙂