Praia do Camilo Lagos

Whilst staying in the beautiful Algarvian coastal town of Lagos, I decided to explore some of the local beaches in the area. My friend Vic (who frequented the Algarve most summers as a child) recommended Praia do Camilo to me and my mom via Instagram. I’m so glad that I took up her recommendation!

Praia do Camilo is a more serene beach than Praia Maia and Praia do Estudiantes in Lagos. You will need to drive there or take a taxi, but trust me, the journey is well worth it! Praia do Camilo is a very scenic and romantic beach with a sandy cove and surrounded by ochre coloured rocks.

How to get to Praia do Camilo from Lagos

Driving or Taxi

To get to Praia do Camilo from Lagos it’s best to take a taxi or drive. The roads are relatively easy to drive in this area of Portugal if you fancy hiring a car, although be prepared for one or two hill starts and cobbled streets! Parking can be difficult to find near the beach so I would say that taxi is probably your best option.

If you want to take a taxi to Praia do Camilo from Lagos I recommend Uber as you will know what price to expect and when the car will arrive. However, sometimes in high season Ubers can be difficult to get. Expect to pay approximately €10-12 for the trip. There is also another taxi app that is used quite frequently in Portugal called FREE NOW.

Buses – Not really worth it!

If you are considering a bus, it’s really not worth it – that’s because the buses don’t go directly to the beach and so you should expect another 20 minute walk from the nearest bus stop to Praia do Camilo. By the time you have waited for a bus and walked the last bit you might as well have done the coastal walk.

Coastal Hiking or Walking route

Honestly, if you are looking for the cheapest option and have time on your side you might as well do the coastal walk which takes approximately 40 minutes (an hour or more with photo stops) and also passes two other more serene beaches – Praia do Pinhao and Praia de Dona Ana. There are some fantastic coastal views. Some people choose to take a taxi to Praia do Camilo and then do the coastal hiking route back which is a good option.

If you are looking at walking then make sure that you have sun-cream, a sun hat and plenty of water. It can get extremely hot especially in the summer months. There are small beach bars along the way.

What to Pack

Make sure that you take:

Swim suit or swimming shorts

Flip flops or aqua shoes
Snacks
Cooler with cold water

Parasol or sun umbrella
Plenty of sun-cream

Welcome to Praia do Camilo

When you arrive at Praia do Camilo you will be greeted by a large number of wooden steps down to the beach – there are around 225 steps down to paradise!

There is a beach bar on the beach where you can grab a nice cold drink. There are toilet facilities but they are located at the top of the wooden stairs where the restaurant is, so remember that you will need to go all the way back up the stairs to go to the loo!

The beach is a sandy cove that is great for sunbathing and a quick paddle or swim. As it’s a Bay Area it is ideal for swimming and there are coast guards, but make sure that you choose a swimming spot directly in front of the life guards for safety as the sea in Portugal can have strong currents. There is also a hand dug tunnel that you can walk through to get to another section of beach.

Practical tips and things to be aware of:

It is a bit rocky so wear aqua shoes if you can – we saw someone with out feet coming out of the sea – eugh!
Remember that the suns rise and high temperatures in Portugal can burn you especially in the summer – apply sun cream and reapply sun cream as soon as you come out of the water.
Bikinis are ok and some women go topless!

Don’t shade by the rocks there is a sign saying that they may fall!
Seaweed – some days the sea can get rather ‘seaweedy’ – we were unlucky and had one of those days!

Eating at O Camilo (Restaurante Camilo)

After your swimming, sunbathing and relaxing is complete, it’s time to head back up the stairs to O Camilo restaurant. Here you will find some of the best fish dishes in Lagos including Sea Bream, Lobster and shrimp.

I had the bream which was massive and served with beautifully cooked potatoes and fresh veg. You should expect to pay around €20 for a meal at O Camilo. Although this is pricier than many Lagos restaurants, it’s still fantastic value considering the quality of seafood that you get.