Helpful hints and tips about living in Lagos
The jewel of the Algarve
Quick facts
Population: 30,000 in winter. Up to 200,000 in summer
Distance to Lisbon: 2.5 hours by car. 4 hours by bus or train
Distance to Sevilla: 2.5 hours by car. 4.5 hours by bus
Distance to airport (Faro): 50 mins by car
Highlights: Beaches, weather, seafood, golf, surfing, marina, authentic farmers markets, our beautiful cowork office
Weather: 300+ days of sunshine a year with hot summers and mild winters, but it does get windy
Fun fact: In 2012, travel website TripAdvisor named Lagos as the number one travel destination, on a list of "15 destinations on the rise" worldwide.
A locals view
Matt D. - Lagos resident for 11 years (and owner of the cowork. You’ll probably meet him!)
What’s your favourite thing about living in Lagos?
The weather and outdoor lifestyle. I never take it for granted. Being able to organise a barbecue with two weeks’ notice because you know it will be guaranteed to be sunny is incredible (especially for a Brit!). Also, the lifestyle is incredibly healthy. There is fantastic access to locally grown food at the farmers markets and the weather means you’re always outside and being active.
What should a new expat know if they are thinking about moving to Lagos?
Public transport isn’t great, so you’ll need a car, and they are not cheap, especially in the Algarve. Car finance is extremely hard to get for an expat and second-hand cars are much more expensive than in other countries.
Favourite thing about Lagos that most tourists don’t know?
The clifftop walks between Lagos and Burgau are heaven, especially if you have a lot of dogs to walk (as I do!) or like going for a run.
What do you wish you’d known when you arrived in Lagos?
Winters get cold. Not necessarily outside, but inside houses! Most houses don’t have central heating or often even insulation, so it’s common in the (relatively short) winter months where you’ll need to sit inside in all your clothes!
Least favourite thing about living in Lagos?
I really miss multi-cultural food. I love Greek food, Vietnamese, Peruvian etc. and, while there are great Indian, Chinese and Italian restaurants here (and of course the local seafood is wonderful), there is a lack of diversity when it comes to foreign food.
Best recommendation you could give a new expat in Lagos?
Don’t be in a rush. Some tasks, especially related to bureaucracy, can take a really long time here. However, that can be a blessing when you start to embrace the slower pace of life. Portuguese people tend to really work to live, instead of living to work.
Our recommendations
Move here if you like: Sunshine, beaches, seafood, cheap good wine, surfing & other water sports, a slower-paced life
Don’t move here if you like: Big city facilities and conveniences, theatre or concerts, decent local transport
Secret highlights: The forest at Barao de Sao Joao. Food festivals in the local villages
Best restaurants: Cheap seafood at Ala do Castelo, atmosphere at Mullens, special occasion at Alma Lusa
Things to do: Go on an extreme hike with our buddy TJ at West Coast Adventures, volunteer to help some street animals at AEZA or Cadela Carlota, go to the Saturday morning farmers market at the bus station
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