Discover Ponta da Piedade Portugal, the natural jewel of the Algarve region, a magnificent coastline with arches, grottos and caves to discover on foot, kayaking or via boat trips. And it is one of the best spots to watch sunset in the Algarve. LEt me show you in Photos and video.
Information to plan your visit at the end of the article
Navigate back to the complete Travel Portugal Guide
Note: a lot of articles about Ponta da Piedade Portugal have photos which are not at all of this place. All the photos in this article were taken by myself at the location.
Ponta Da Piedade coastline
As you walk outside the car you can first only see the parking and the lighthouse, but walk to its left and behind it and you will discover one of the most stunning section of the Algarve coastline with arches, caves, pinnacles, rock pillars... which have been sculpted by erosion over the years.
The cliffs are 20 m high and mostly of Golden color.
Panorama Ponta Da Piedade Coastline
Below is the view towards Praia da Balança, a small sandy beach just East of the Ponta da Piedade promontory. It is very difficult to access it.
Below is the view down towards the 'beach' of Ponta da Piedade:
This location, along with many other beautiful places, is included in my eBook: The Road Trip Guide - Portugal.
It is a practical tool to plan your trip with maps, photos, planning tips, GPS coordinates...
Down to the beach
It is possible to get down to sea level, to the 'beach'. There is no sand beach to lay down, there is only the possibility to go exploring the rock formations at low or mid-tide.
You have first to get down the staircase. Most website say 182 steps but I counted 190 steps... (Not that it matters at this point). Just remember that you will have to climb them to leave!
2/3 down you see better one of the beautiful arches:
And once down, you discover the stunning and intricate panorama with pillars, arches, holes...
Panorama of Ponta Da Piedade Portugal
It is possible to go exploring (as you can see with the many people on my photo) but know that the last 2 meter have no steps just a rope (as it is more of a small pier for high tide).
Video Ponta da Piedade Portugal
Now let me show you my walk at Ponta Da Piedade in video:
Exploring Ponta de Piedade on foot
The first option to explore Ponta da Piedade in to drive from Lagos, park near the lighthouse and explore on foot. There is no definitive paths. The cliffs are eroded in so many places that there are many views to discover.
As you can see below, you can walk all the way above the arches. However, please be careful, these are not the most stable cliffs of all time. Erosion is powerful and rocks can easily fall.
Ponta da Piedade Boat Trips
But Ponta da Piedade is said to be better explored by water. This way you can get under the arches, and explore the caves.
On the picture below, you can see 3 options: by boat, by SUP or by kayak.
How to see Ponta da Piedade Algarve - boat, SUP, Kayak
Ponta Da Piedade Boat Trips
Personally I did not do a boat trip here so I can't show you pictures. That's because I opted for the Algarve cave boat tours from Benagil Beach to see the Benagil Sea Cave (East between Portimao and Albufeira). And it was amazing!
And I did not find bloggers who have wrote about it, but you can have a look at this video to see what a Ponta da Piedade Boat Trip looks like.
More info about your options at the end of the article.
Ponta Da Piedade Lighthouse and other views
Farol da Ponta Da Piedade
Right in the middle of the promontory, at the end of a parking is the lighthouse. It is not open to the public.
Its yellow quadrangular tower was built between 1912 and 1913, electrified in 1952 and automated in 1983.
View towards Praia do Canavial
The views East and South of the lighthouse are the most interesting with all the work of erosion.
But I you look towards the West, you can see the impressive cliff of Praia do Canavial:
Algarve Sunset at Ponta da Piedade
With a South orientation, the Algarve region is not the best to watch sunrise and sunsets. Ponta da Piedade is the exception. As it is a promontory extending South of the surrounding coastline it offers a great view for sunrise and sunset.
You won't be alone but there is so much space that it does not matter. Below are a few shots:
Ponta da Piedade Sunset
INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Ponta da Piedade Tourist Information
TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS
How to get to Ponta da Piedade Lagos
- In the Algarve region, Western side
- 2km South of Lagos, after the famous Dona Ana Beach and Praia do Camilo Beach
- Easy road and good signage
This location with its GPS coordinates and planning info is included in the eBooks - Road Trip Guide Portugal and Road Trip Guide: Lisbon/Sintra/Algarve
Visiting Ponta Da Piedade Algarve
- The parking fills up very quickly, it is a touristy destination. Come early or late
- Café and toilets at the end of the parking
- Wear good footing to explore the cliffs and be careful!
- Bring your binoculars to admire the birdlife
Ponta Da Piedade Boat Trips
The Boat trips is the areas are often called Grotto Trips (Visita as Grutas). You can visit with local fishermen or bigger companies such as Seafaris (the one my accommodation recommended), Bluefeet or Happy Time. ALl have good reviews on Tripadvisor as of beginning 2017.
Ponta Da Piedade Kayak or SUP
You can explore by Kayak with KayakTours or KayakAdventureLagos or Ezride Ocean Kayak. All 3 depart from Praia da Batata in Lagos. Kayak Center departs from Praia Porto Mos. All 4 have very good ratings on TripAdvisor as of beginning 2017.
Accommodations in Lagos
Lagos is a great place to stay in the Algarve, especially if you want to watch sunrise and sunset from Ponta da Piedade.
The 2 links below are affiliates. When you use them to book your accommodations, I get a small commission which helps me continue this blog and provide you with photos and info to plan your trips. Thanks for the support.
I stayed outside of the city center, jsut near Ponta da Piedade in the beautiful Uma Casa a Beira Sol. My parents and I loved the place where the apartments are accessed via a beautiful garden and the breakfast amazing. Check out my review on the Portugal Accommodations Article
Uma Casa A Beira Sol, Lagos Portugal
For other options, check out the best rated accommodations in Lagos on booking.com
Want to see more of PORTUGAL?
Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Portugal Destination Guide.
Don't you find this coastline mesmerizing?
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