The stunning coastline of Lagos is world famous for its azure blue waters, golden sands, and its ochre cliffs. It’s safe to say that these beaches and cliffs have attracted visitors to the region for decades and these viewpoints are a large part of that!
Perhaps nowhere is this truer than Ponte da Piedade, a rocky headland around 3km south of Lagos. It’s a southern spur of the coastline that hides an incredible array of rock formations, stacks, arches caves, and natural pools. It’s a place of simply amazing scenery where you can take in the views, hike, swim in natural rock pools, take boat trips along the coast, or even just simply relax and catch one of the Algarve’s most famous sunsets. It’s one of the Algarve’s natural wonders and has to be seen!
Where is Ponta da Piedade?
Ponta da Piedade is in the Algarve region of Portugal on the southern coast. It is around 3km south of the town of Lagos.
The cliffs and rock formations can be accessed by foot from Lagos, or from the waterfront – which happens to be one of the most popular tours from Lagos. The tallest cliffs stand around 40m from sea-level, and from the top of the cliff there’s a 182 step staircase leading down to the water allowing you to view several of the caves and stacks from up close.
The Point of Mercy – Ponta da Piedade’s Religious Connection
Anyone looking for a direct translation will find Ponta da Piedade translates to point or edge of mercy. It is very rarely referred to as this though and its Portuguese name Ponta da Piedade is much more common! That name belays the original religious significance of the site, and around the 16th century a chapel and hermitage dedicated to Our Lady of Piety in the area. The Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Piedade was deemed of great importance to the fishing community of Lagos, who regarded her as their patron saint. Although today, little remains of the religious site other than names and historic pathways – the Via Sacra.
Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse
The first thing you notice on arrival is the large lighthouse – Farol da Piedade. The lighthouse is dated to around 1913, and unfortunately not open for visitors. The lighthouse was repurposed from the 16th century hermitage – Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Piedade. The site is fully enclosed, and access is prohibited, as it’s still an active naval installation, monitoring site and weather station. Since the 1980s it’s been fully automated, so you won’t see any traditional lighthouse keepers either!
Ponta da Piedade
Walking around the lighthouse will lead you to some of the most breath-taking views in the Algarve. There’s several trails and walks, but incredible views in nearly all directions. The limestone staircase will lead you down to the main grotto and opening, but many more formations can be seen from the cliffs.
Local Names of the Rock Formations:
Over time, and over generations, many of the rock formations have been given nicknames. Or perhaps they’re simply modern inventions that arrived with tourists and boat operators? Either way the names veer from charming to nonsensical – General De Gaulle anyone? But look out for Chaminé (the chimney), Catedral (the cathedral), Belas-Artes (fine arts), Camelo (camel), Museu (museum), Submarino (the submarine), Cozinha (kitchen) and Gruta dos Amores (the grotto of love). Some of them are easily recognisable, others take a firm squint!
Top Activities and Tours To Ponta da Piedade
One of the best ways to experience Ponta da Piedade is from the coast itself. For the adventurous you can kayak along the coastline, or for the thrill seekers you can tour along the coast in a speedboat. Most of these tours depart from Lagos, however there is one operator that will pick you up, or drop you off at Ponta da Piedade. This will allow you to experience the cliffs from the best of both worlds, along the clifftops and from the water!
One of these tours departs Ponta da Piedade itself, there are lots of ways of seeing and experiencing the coastline from Lagos. Here’s a list of our favourite tours:
- Lagos: Ponta da Piedade Cave and Coastal Tour – One of the simplest and quickest tours, a two hour trip by boat that takes you along the coast to Ponta da Piedade. Offering incredible views of the rock formations, Praia Dona Ana, and Praia do Camilo from the sea.
- Lagos: Guided Kayak Tour – If you’re feeling active and adventurous, then you can take a guided kayak tour from Lagos all the way along the coast to Ponta da Piedade. You can take in incredible views of Praia Dona Ana, and Praia do Camilo on the way!
- Lagos: SUP Tour to Ponta da Piedade Caves: An alternative to kayaking is stand-up paddle boarding, you’ll be led along the coastline by a qualified instructor!
Explore the Cliff Paths and Ponta da Piedade
If you’ve chosen to use the main car park at Ponta da Piedade, or you’ve taken alternative means of transport to get there. Then you should definitely take the opportunity to explore the cliffs and the hiking trails available. You can head back north along the cliff top taking in Praia do Camilo beach, and the incredible Praia Dona Ana before heading back to Lagos. It’s around 2km-ish and a fantastic way to see the entire coastline and many of the miradouros! As you head towards Dona Ana beach, you’ll find it’s more built up and you’ll find several cafés and bars for refreshments.
Heading west, along the graded walking path, you’ll find the secluded Praia do Barranco do Martinho, with no car parks and no facilities this beach can sometimes feel like a private beach. You’ll come across more stunning rock formations that only the more dedicated travellers get to see! The pathway continues to Praia do Canavial, which is also the end or start point of the Ponta da Piedade boardwalk.
How to Get to Ponta da Piedade
Ponta da Piedade is around 3km from Lagos itself, which gives you multiple ways including simply walking to get there! Uber or the local Bolt is an affordable way of visiting too!
Walking to Ponta da Piedade From Lagos
Ponta da Piedade can easily be reached by walking from Lagos. It takes around 30 minutes and there are several routes either through the town, or along the main road which will take you alongside multiple other miradouros and beaches! If you’re walking, make sure to stop at Praia de Dona Ana, it’s another amazing beach in the region!
Driving to Ponta da Piedade From Lagos
There is parking for around 20 cars at the main car park. Additional parking is informally along the road. During the summer the car park and access road fills up fast, so it’s best to arrive early if you plan to use it.
Bus to Ponta da Piedade from Lagos
The buses in Lagos do not go all the way to Ponta da Piedade, however, there’s a regular bus service from Lagos to Praia de Dona Ana. From the Dona Ana bus stop it is around 1.5km to walk. It’s a stunning walk, but you should bear in mind the time of day and be fully prepared for it!
The bus operates from 7am to around 8pm so it’s an easy option if you don’t mind the walk, or you planned to do it anyway! It’s the Blue Line 2 (Linha 2, Onda Azul) operated by the municipal operator Onda, full timetables can be found online. The same bus line also stops at Lagos’s main train station, town centre, and Meia Praia – another of Lagos’ stunning beaches. A single ticket is €1.20 making this a very cost-effective option!
The Lagos Tourist Train – A fun way to get to Ponta da Piedade from Lagos
Like many towns in the Algarve, Lagos operates a small tourist train. It operates in the typical hop on hop off fashion around the town, its major attractions and the beaches. The train starts at Lago’s Marina and Ponta da Piedade is the third stop on the route. Once you’ve completed your visit you can use the train to visit other popular sites in Lagos! It costs €4 for a single ticket, or €5.50 for a full day ticket. The full schedule and stops can be found on the official website.
Should you Visit Ponta da Piedade?
Ponta da Piedade is often referred to as one of the Algarve’s natural wonders, it’s also one of the top activities in Lagos. This part of the coast should be on everyone’s Algarve bucket list! If you’re nearby and want to add a day on the beach, then take a look at Praia do Camilo, or Praia Dona Ana. Both fantastic beaches and a great way to get more out of a day in this area!
Anything we’ve missed in the guide to Ponta da Piedade? As always, let us know in the comments!
