Ponta da Piedade is an area where you will find a picturesque, turquoise sea surrounded by imposing 20-metre-high golden-yellow cliffs. The waves have perfectly curated this area of coastline to make it one of the most interesting places to visit in all of Portugal. With sea arches, caves and stacks for you to explore, this headland is a thing of beauty. You can explore this part of Lagos, Portugal by land or sea… we recommend both. Uninterrupted panoramic views out to the Atlantic Ocean as well as incredible limestone formations. Ponta da Piedade is somewhere you will have a fantastic time discovering. So, if you’re wondering whether Ponta da Piedade is worth visiting, continue reading. This post takes you through everything you need to know about this naturally beautiful region.
Where is Ponta da Piedade?
You will find Ponta da Piedade in the stunning Barlavento region of the Algarve in the south of Portugal. This area is famed for its beautiful coastline and Beaches. Ponta da Piedade is a real jewel in this already stunning area. You will find the headland 3 km south of the popular tourist town of Lagos.
Lagos is a tourist town with bars and beaches galore. It is one of the most visited cities in Portugal each year – especially in the summer months. Ponta da Piedade is partially responsible for attracting people to this region of Portugal.
How Best To Explore Ponta da Piedade?
There are a couple of different ways to immerse yourself in the beauty of Ponta da Piedade. The main two ways to consider are land or sea. Do you want to walk along the rugged cliffs looking out to the Atlantic Ocean or do you want a view of the cliffs from the water? Both are very good options. Both ways of discovering the region give you impeccable views of the sea arches, pillars and caves.
Explore By Foot
If you want to discover this rugged headland without spending a penny, definitely go on foot. The top of the cliffs has many brilliant viewpoints which are absolutely breathtaking. There is also an area for you to walk down a massive staircase to get to the water level. This makes for the perfect holiday photograph location.
Explore By Kayak or SUP
If you are a bit of an adventure seeker and want to get up close to the limestone structures jutting from the sea, this is a perfect option for you. There are a few different companies offering guided tours of Ponta da Piedade in this fashion.
Many of the guided tours leave from Lagos. From here you will paddle along the 2 km of coastline to reach Ponte da Piedade. This can be a bit of a workout, especially under the strong Spanish sun in the summer months. Some of the tours available, take you and your kayak out on a catamaran and let you dump it in the water when you are closer to the caves. This is a great option if exercise is not your thing.
The great thing about exploring the headland with kayak / SUP is that it allows you to get into the lesser known, smaller caves which other boats are simply too large to fit into.
Explore By Boat
If you want to put your feet up and explore Ponta Da Piedade in a more relaxed and luxurious way – a boat trip will suit you perfectly. Most of these guided boat trips leave from Marina de Lagos and include a very knowledgeable tour guide who can teach you everything you could possibly want to know about the stunning headland. There are many different tour operators offering slightly different things. Just remember that smaller boats are generally able to navigate the area more closely and so you can get a lot closer to the limestone formations.
Be sure to check around for the tour that suits you best. If you are looking for luxurious and relaxed – check out this catamaran boat which takes you around the area and gives you time to paddle board and snorkel in the pristine turquoise water.
How To Get To Ponta da Piedade?
If you plan on exploring Ponta da Piedade by foot, be sure to sort out your travel plans in advance. The easiest way to get to the headland is by car. It is an easy 10-minute drive from Lagos. Right beside the best viewpoint and the large lighthouse, there is a big car park. If you are travelling around in a campervan, there is plenty of space to park here – however, it is not permitted to stay overnight.
If you plan on visiting Ponta da Piedade from Lagos and do not have your own vehicle, a taxi will be worth it for you. It costs around 6 euros for a taxi from the centre of Lagos to reach the landmark. Unfortunately, there is no public transport to reach Ponta da Piedade, so a taxi will have to do.
Another great option to visit Ponta da Piedade from Lagos is to walk along the coastline. This beautiful walk takes 30-40 minutes and is incredibly scenic. You will pass by some of the most stunning beaches in Portugal including Praia do Camilo which is undeniably charming. The walk is straightforward and painless.
What To See At Ponta da Piedade?
Ponta da Piedade Steps
One of the best things to see at Ponta da Piedade is the ridiculously long staircase which winds its way down the limestone cliff to take you to sea level. At the bottom of the steps, there is a little platform which gives you a great view of one of the picture-perfect arches and surrounding sea pillars. There are around 130 steps from top to bottom but the climb is worth it!
Walk The Boardwalk
One of the best ways to experience Ponta da Piedade is by following the wooden walkways. These structures have been built to allow you to truly appreciate and soak in the scenery from every angle. The boardwalk follows the western side of the coast giving you amazing, uninterrupted views. These walkways are incredibly safe and take the pain of navigating the rough terrain below away. There are a series of wooden viewpoints dotted along the boardwalk which provide breathtaking panoramic views out to the Atlantic ocean.
Sunset At Ponta da Piedade
There is no better place in the Algarve to watch the sunset than Ponta da Piedade. Watch the sun dip below the rugged cliffs and let the bold colours mesmerise you. This area is not too busy in the evenings so you’ll get some peace and quiet to truly relax and immerse yourself in your surroundings.
When Should You Visit the Headland?
the summer months are undoubtedly the busiest. Many people flock to the area on their summer holidays. At this time of the year, it can be ridiculously hot especially if you plan on walking around the area for a long period of time to make the most of your time in the area. For these reasons, we recommend trying to avoid the peak summer season. You will be able to appreciate the area more when it is not overcrowded and swelteringly hot. We recommend visiting in the shoulder seasons just before and after summer. This way you get fantastic weather with fewer crowds.
If you are near Ponta da Piedade in the winter months, do not hesitate to visit this beautiful headland. We visited in December and were blessed with beautiful sunshine. It made for a fantastic day out. The only downside to visiting in winter is the sea temperature. We definitely would not recommend going for a swim in December!
Is Ponta da Piedade Worth Visiting?
The answer to this question is simple… yes! The natural beauty of this area really speaks for itself. No trip to Lagos is complete without venturing out to the stunning headland and soaking in the views. The imposing limestone structures will leave you in awe of the area and will certainly make you want to return to this gorgeous setting.
If you want to find out more information about Ponta da Piedade, We recommend visiting the Lagos tourism website here.
If this post has inspired you to visit Portugal, make sure you check out our Portugal Page. This is where you will find all of our posts letting you know what to see and where to stay in this fantastic country.
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