Ponta da Piedade means “point of mercy” in Portuguese. It is a rock formation near Lagos and one of the most photographed places in Portugal. That's not a surprise, because in our opinion this is one of the most beautiful places in the Algarve. As you can see in the photo, I didn't have the patience for a photo during my last visit, but you will undoubtedly find this place frequently on Instagram and on the cover of many travel brochures.
Beautiful rugged rock formations that protrude from the Atlantic Ocean in various places with all kinds of hidden beaches and caves. The combination of the clear blue water, the sandy beaches and the sand-colored and jagged rock walls make it a beautiful sight. In our opinion a must see.
What to do at Ponta da Piedade?
The nice thing about Ponta da Piedade is that there is a lot to do. You can walk all the way down the stairs. Once down you will find the small beaches and you can see the rock formations from a completely different perspective than from above. The stairs are steep and going back up takes some energy, but we definitely recommend taking a look down. If you have the time, plan your visit during low tide. At low tide you can walk around the beaches and visit a number of caves.
How do you get to Ponta da Piedade?
Another really nice option is to visit Ponta da Piedade by boat. A boat trip takes you from Lagos through the area and to the most beautiful spots of this rock formation. A boat trip costs approximately € 20 per person and usually departs from the port of Lagos. For the sports enthusiasts it is nice to do the same tour with a kayak. You can book an organized tour for this and paddle to it by kayak from Faro.
If you do not want to enter the water, Ponta da Piedade is best reached from Lagos. Lagos itself is of course also extremely worthwhile, so book your holiday home nearby to visit both. From Lagos it is about 2.5 kilometers by foot. From the center of Lagos, bus 2 runs to approximately Praia Dona Ana (a beautiful beach). It is a short walk from there. With a taxi it will cost you between 5 and 10 euros. It is also easily accessible by (rental) car. There is a large parking lot. In summer it is advisable to go in the morning, when the parking lot is not yet overcrowded.
When you arrive you will see the lighthouse (Farol da Ponta da Piedade). This is a nice landmark, but not open to visitors. Next to the parking lot is a simple restaurant / snack bar (Sol Nacente). Here you can buy drinks and a sandwich or small snack. There is also a toilet here. Would you like to eat near Ponta da Piedade and enjoy the beautiful views a little longer? Then we recommend restaurant O Camilo.
Highlight of the region
Literally and figuratively a highlight along the jagged rocky coast that is so typical of the Algarve. One of our favorite places in the Algarve. Visit Portugal calls it the highlight of the region. The Huffington Post took it a step further and said "Ponta Da Piedade Could Very Well Be The Most Beautiful Shoreline On Earth". We agree with this and advise everyone to visit this unique place during your trip in the Algarve.
We are very curious about your favorite places in the Algarve, let us know via info@helloalgarve.nl!
