Praia da Batata – the #1 guide
Praia da Batata is the closest beach to the centre of Lagos. The convenient location is great for people who are in town and want to quickly enjoy some time on the beach. The town beach of Praia da Batata attracts many tourists as well as locals, who love to come here to enjoy their holiday and socialize. If you want to sunbathe close to Lagos, visit Praia da Batata.
Watch it in HD
Ready to explore the beach of Praia da Batata? Watch the short video below for a preview of what to expect.
The beach
Praia da Batata is a small beach, with a length of only 160 metres. The beach sits in a sheltered cove and is surrounded by beautiful rock formations. Due to the surrounding rock formations, there are many inlets that are sheltered from the winds. Don’t stay right underneath the cliffs though, since there is the danger of rocks falling.
The sand on Praia da Batata is soft, but there are many shells on the beach. If you walk without flip flops, this might hurt your feet. Since the beach faces east, it is protected from the big waves of the Atlantic Ocean. That is why the sea here is very calm. The water is transparent and great for swimming. Since there are few waves, it is very safe to swim here. You can see families with children in the water.
Literally, the name Praia da Batata means Potato beach. It is said that back in the days, a ship full of potatoes sunk near the coast and a lot of potatoes washed ashore. Ever since, people call this Potato beach.
Next to the beach you can find the mouth of the river Ribeira de Bensafrim. You will see many boats going in and out here. Most of the boats are tourists going on a trip.
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Crowded urban beach
Praia da Batata is usually quite crowded, especially in the summer. Due to the proximity to the town of Lagos, it really is an urban beach. The beach is popular among families with children, but the beach is also used by locals to relax after work. During the summer you will find many young people on this beach as well. And during the weekends at night, the beach is also popular among young people as a place for an after party. Basically, this town beach is for everyone.
During the summer, there are several music festivals that take place on Praia da Batata. Also, some volleyball and handball competitions are sometimes held on the beach. This makes for some extra entertainment. During the low season, the beach is relatively empty.
Tunnel to Praia dos Estudantes
Praia da Batata is located between the fortress of Ponta da Bandeira and Praia dos Estudantes. On the right side of Batata beach (when looking at the sea), you can find an opening in the rocks that allows you to go to the other side of the rock formations, to Praia dos Estudantes. Here it is less crowded. From this part of the beach you can walk through a tunnel to another part Praia dos Estudantes. Praia dos Estudantes is known for its Roman style bridge over the beach.
Water sports
There are several water sports available on-site. You can rent a kayak, a stand-up paddle board (SUP) or you can go diving. You can also find the Lagos Sailing Club right on the beach. Renting a kayak and going to Ponta da Piedade is one of the best things to do in the area.
Beach bar and restaurant
There is a beach bar called Batata beach bar, situated right on the the beach. Here you can have various simple dishes or have a drink. Another option is Mar Restaurant, which is situated on top of the cliff near Praia dos Estudantes. They are both good places to have lunch or get some cocktails after a siesta on the beach.
How to get there
The easiest way to move around in the Algarve is by car. If you don’t have one, make sure to rent a car. It is easy to reach Praia da Batata. Drive on the A22 highway in the direction of Lagos and take exit 1. From here, follow the N125 towards Lagos. Praia da Batata is located next to the main road of Lagos, Avenida dos Descobrimentos, so it is easy to find. There is some paid parking nearby, but it can be difficult to find a parking space during the summer. If the parking area is full, you can park your car a bit further and walk towards the beach. If you are already in Lagos, the best way is to walk to the beach. From the centre of Lagos it is only a 5-10 minute walk to Praia da Batata.
Hotels
There are many good hotels in Lagos. Our favourite ones near Praia da Batata are:
Upscale
- Lagos Avenida Hotel. This luxurious four star hotel has a great outside terrace with a nice swimming pool. From here, you can see the marina of Lagos and the Atlantic Ocean. Located right on Avenida dos Descobrimentos. Highly rated.
Mid-range
- Aqualuz Lagos Hotel & Apartments – S.Hotels Collection. This hotel has several swimming pools and wellness facilities, including a sauna and a gym. Rooms are spacious and some rooms have a balcony. All rooms come fully equipped with everything you need for a great holiday.
Budget
- Lagos City Center Guest House & Hostel. This hostel in the centre of Lagos provides great value for money. There are private rooms, as well as beds in a mixed dormitory. There is a shared kitchen, so you could even cook your own meals if you want to. Prices are quite cheap.
Since Covid-19 travel restrictions have been lifted, we recommend to book your hotel now, as it will probably sell out soon. Below you can find a map with the location of hotels in Lagos. By changing the date of your holiday, the map will show you the current prices.
Excursions
While Praia da Batata is a great urban beach, there are many more things to see in the area of Lagos. For example, there are many fabulous boat trips that you can enjoy. The best boat trip of all is to Ponta da Piedade. You can also rent a kayak and go there yourself. You can actually book these trips already online, skipping the line and saving time. Below you can find our recommended boat trips in the area.
Facilities
Since Praia da Batata is an urban beach, there are plenty of facilities nearby. There are two restaurants above the beach, and there are many other bars and restaurants within walking distance. There are lifeguards overlooking the beach and you can rent two sunbeds and an umbrella for € 15 for a full day. The beach is wheelchair accessible as well. In 2020, the beach lost its status as a Blue Flag beach.
Facilities in Praia da Batata:
- Restaurant: yes
- Bar/club: yes
- Toilet: yes
- Shower: yes
- Water sports: yes
- Sunbeds: yes
- Parking: yes
- Lifeguards: yes
- Blue Flag beach: no (status lost in 2020)
