Praia Da Luz: A place to fall in love with on the south coast of Portugal

Praia da Luz is a small and very charming coastal town in the Algarve, only about 6km from Lagos and only about an hour's drive from Faro airport.

The name "Praia da Luz" means "beach of light" – not least because it only rains here on an average of 73 days a year, but also because of the golden sandy beach.

The history of Praia Da Luz goes back a long way and is marked by various influences, including Moorish, Roman and Christian settlements. The fishing village was first mentioned in 1673 as "Nossa Senhora da Luz" before it was later renamed Praia da Luz.

In Praia da Luz, as well as in the entire Algarve, there is a very mild climate all year round. The best time to travel is from May to October. Here, the average temperatures are between 20-25 °C and you can expect an average of 10-11 hours of sunshine per day. The water temperature during this time is 17-21 °C.

Things to see and do

Historical sights include the church "Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz" and the fortress "Fortaleza da Luz", both of which offer insights into past eras. In the church there is also a very imposing, gilded altar from the 18th century. The fortress "Fortaleza da Luz" is located on a cliff and houses the restaurant of the same name, from whose terrace you can enjoy a beautiful sea view. The spacious garden including the bar invites you to linger, while in the interior of the restaurant you can still feel the charm of a knightly fortress. It's definitely worth a visit.

In addition to the historical sights, the centrally located beach motivates swimming, sunbathing and water sports such as surfing or diving. A walk along the pretty promenade will take you past nice restaurants and small shops. The benches set up along the promenade are also ideal for relaxing with a view of the sea.

In addition to activities to relax, Praia da Luz also offers the opportunity for hiking.

You can walk along the cliffs to Lagos within about 2 hours.

The hike is relatively easy to do, although you can choose between a steeper path and a slightly longer, more leisurely path from Praia da Luz. Once you arrive at the so-called "Rocha Negra" (Black Rock), you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view over Luz and the wide Atlantic Ocean.

Golf lovers will be delighted by the world-class golf courses in the area. Two facilities are only a 5-10 minute drive away. The "Boavista Golf Course" and the "Espiche Golf Course". Two more are a 15-20 minute drive away.

Gastronomy and restaurant recommendations

In the small town of Praia da Luz there is an abundance of different restaurants and cafés that offer something for every taste. From traditional Portuguese restaurants to tapas and diverse international cuisines.

Try freshly caught fish, local specialties such as "cataplana" (a seafood stew) or the very popular cream custard tarts "pastéis de nata".

Below we have compiled a small list of different restaurants in Praia da Luz for you, which we can personally recommend:

1. Fortaleza da Luz

As mentioned above, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea here. On weekends there is often live music or other events. The price level is upscale, but it's worth it. The menu includes dishes of modern Portuguese cuisine as well as some vegetarian and vegan options.

2. Ondaluz

Ondaluz serves authentic Portuguese cuisine at moderate prices.The furniture seems traditional and the service is extraordinarily friendly  and courteous and the food, especially the fish dishes, is very tasty.

3. Boaty's Tapas

In addition to the sea view, you can also enjoy cold and hot tapas, always freshly prepared, at this restaurant on the seafront. The tapas are not quite classic, but there is a large, international and Mediterranean-inspired selection as well as many vegetarian options. We recommend the burrata, the tuna tartare, the garlic shrimp or even the mini burger.

4. Alloro

At Alloro, near the Baia Da Luz Resort, there is classic Italian cuisine for the whole family with very good prices. The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff extremely friendly. Try the vegetarian lasagna or the pappardelle con pollo e funghi. The pizzas are also highly recommended.

5.Restaurant Atlântico

Restaurant Atlântico is a small, typical Portuguese restaurant with incredibly friendly service and delicious fish and seafood dishes. You can also enjoy the wide selection of Portuguese wines.

It is essential to make a reservation in advance for all restaurants, especially during the summer months.

Praia Da Luz is undoubtedly a place in the Algarve that invites you to unwind and enjoy the Mediterranean life.

Real Estate Investment Opportunities

In terms of buying property, Praia da Luz has become increasingly popular in recent years and with the increasing demand, property prices have also increased. For example, the price per square metre in Luz in March 2024 was €3,847/m2, an increase of almost 8% compared to March last year.* Interested parties will find a wide selection of different properties here, from luxurious villas with sea views, to smaller terraced houses and charming apartments in traditional buildings. It can be interesting for investors as an investment property through a holiday rental, as well as for individuals and families with the aim of a holiday property or permanent residence.

Despite the increase in tourism in recent years, Luz continues to be a comparatively quiet and sprawling coastal town that lacks nothing. Whether nature, history or culinary delights, Luz has a lot to offer.

*Source: Idealista.pt