A beautifully converted 16th-century convent in the heart of Lagos old town, now operated as part of Portugal's prestigious Pousada network. Rooms are elegant and the atmospheric inner courtyard with a pool is a wonderful retreat from the busy streets.
Pousada de Lagos occupies a converted 16th-century convent — the Convent of Saint Anthony — in the heart of Lagos old town, within the historic walled centre of one of the western Algarve's most characterful coastal towns. The adjacent Igreja de Santo António, with its celebrated gilded baroque interior, and the Lagos municipal museum are immediately at the pousada's entrance. The beach at Praia da Batata is a seven-minute walk; Lagos marina with its waterfront promenade and restaurants is ten minutes on foot.
The pousada is operated under the Pestana Pousadas de Portugal network, a heritage hospitality programme that preserves significant historical monuments as accommodation properties across Portugal. The convent structure — stone archways, vaulted ceilings, an original cloister and the chapel nave — has been retained and integrated into the hotel's circulation and public spaces. The 36 guest rooms are distributed across the historic building, each individually fitted with period-appropriate furniture and details. No two rooms are identical. The original convent's inner courtyard has been adapted as the hotel's pool area: a walled stone garden that provides a quiet retreat from the surrounding old town streets.
The restaurant serves Portuguese regional cooking with an Algarve coastal emphasis: cataplana stews, fresh fish preparations and local pastries presented in a formal but accessible setting. Breakfast is served in a vaulted dining room with views into the courtyard. The bar occupies the former refectory with exposed stonework and antique fittings.
Lagos old town surrounds the pousada with a dense concentration of independent seafood restaurants, wine bars, bakeries, marine-archaeology sites and craft shops. The Ponta da Piedade cliff formation with its grottos and sea arches is a 20-minute drive west and accessible by boat from the marina. The town's fishing port, 15 minutes on foot, remains active and hosts a morning fish market. Faro Airport is approximately 90 kilometres east. The pousada suits travellers who prefer historical character and central urban access over resort-scale amenities.
Amenities
- courtyard pool
- historic building
- restaurant
- bar
- wifi
- central location
Location
Rua Lancarote de Freitas 27, 8600-567 Lagos, Algarve
37.1022, -8.6697 View on map
Highlights
- Converted 16th-century convent with original vaulted ceilings, stone archways and a historic cloister integrated into the hotel's public spaces
- Inner courtyard pool in the convent's original walled garden — a secluded retreat within the heart of Lagos old town
- Immediately adjacent to the Igreja de Santo António and the Lagos municipal museum, within the historic walled town centre
- Part of the Pestana Pousadas de Portugal network, one of Portugal's most respected heritage hospitality programmes with over 30 historic properties
- Walking distance to Lagos marina, the fishing port's morning fish market, beaches and the old town's independent seafood restaurants and wine bars
Tips for visiting
- Request a room on the upper floor of the historic wing for ceilings with exposed stone detailing; ground-floor rooms are cooler in summer but have less architectural character.
- Lagos old town restaurants tend to close early by Algarve standards — most finish seatings by 10pm; arriving at 7:30pm ensures the full menu is available at the better spots.
- The Ponta da Piedade grottos require a boat trip from Lagos marina (bookable through the pousada) rather than a cliff walk; the boat trip takes around 45 minutes and gives sea-level access to the rock arches.
- The pousada's cataplana preparation is worth having at least once — it is the Algarve's signature clay-pot seafood dish and the kitchen version uses local shellfish.
- Parking in Lagos old town is very limited; the nearest car park is at the Largo do Convento, a two-minute walk from the pousada entrance, and fills quickly in summer.
When to visit
April to October for beach access and outdoor dining in the courtyard; Lagos old town is enjoyable year-round, with quieter conditions and lower rates from November to March.
Accessibility
The 16th-century building has heritage constraints that limit structural accessibility modifications. Many guest rooms require stair access without a lift in the historic wing. The courtyard pool area and restaurant are on the ground floor. Guests with mobility requirements should enquire in advance about available adapted rooms.