The city of LAGOA located in the centre of the western Algarve, belonging to the district of Faro. It is located in the middle of the municipalities of Portimão and Silves. The municipality of LAGOA currently occupies an area of 88.25 Km2, subdivided into 4 parishes, (including Carvoeiro) with 23,718 inhabitants (as per 2021 census). 

According to historical sources, the primitive agglomeration of Lagoa was born around a lagoon, whose swamps were being dried in order to create fertile lands and dwellings where the peoples of the Muslim empire ended up settling.
Municipality of contrasts and great landscape diversity, whose territorial area in which it is inscribed covers a slight baroque portion and a coastal strip of about 17 km.

Lagoa Council has launched a new campaign entitled ‘Welcome to Lagoa" watch the video below. 

Somewhere between 1242 and 1246 the Moors took possession of this then small-fortified hamlet and placed it under the control of nearby Silves. The location was later formally declared a town. The town of Lagoa has since grown as an administrative town for the area that lived off in the past its abundant agricultural produce.

On the outskirts of the town used to be an active co-operative for the owners of vineyards that are still produce a small quantity of full bodied red wine. This reduction has been seriously effected by the demise of vineyards over recent years as their owners have found a new "pot of gold" by selling their land as building plots.

The parish church was inaugurated in 1814 but there is the older church, the Igreja de Misericórdia that dates from the middle of the 18th Century. Another building of interest is the Convento do São José which was built in 1713. It is now used by the local Council as a location for art exhibitions and has a small theatre for cultural events.

In August of every year an important commercial and rural produce Fair named Fatacil is held in the town, exhibiting products from all over Portugal. The occasion provides an excuse for enjoyment and national bands and singers entertain the visitors late into the night.

The nearby town of Estombar has a history dating further back to when the Moors occupied the Algarve. It was the home of the famous 11th Century Arab poet “Ibn Ammar”. Many local legends exist and there are reputed to be subterranean passages from near this town going inland for about 12 Kms to the ancient Moorish capital of Silves. Near to Estombar is an area named Sítio das Fontes that has for centuries been a popular swimming spot due to two freshwater springs that provide a small lagoon prior to joining the Rio Arade.

To the south of the Lagoa is the once small fishing village of Carvoeiro that today is an area of expensive villas, comfortable holiday apartments and golf courses. During the summer on weekend evenings the main square is filled with the sound of music and laughter as the locals and tourists dance the night away.

To the east is the small and attractive village of Porches that dates back to the Roman period.

To the west of Lagoa on the edge of the river, Rio Arade, opposite the town of Portimão is the small town of Ferragudo. Romantically said to have once been the home of local pirates this place has retained much of its Portuguese flavour, and as yet, it has not been too influenced by tourism. 

The natural potential of the region has made a profound contribution to the present economic structure which is based on the following activities: farming, fishing, small industry and tourism.

Watch these beautiful videos of Lagoa city and its villages. 

A video of the small lagune of Estombar, name "Sítio das Fontes" ( The Sources Place).

Welcome to Lagoa - Algarve