Visitors to Lagos can also take time to discover some of the town's history, The Romans gave the name of “Lacobriga” to the town but its natural river port would indicate very much earlier occupation. It was captured from the Moors in 1189 but it was not until 1249 that it was finally claimed by Dom Afonso III and integrated into the kingdom of the Algarve. This historic town has played an important part in the story of discovery and conquering the rest of the world. It was from this very harbour that Vasco da Gama sailed in 1499 on his historic and epic discovery voyage.During the great Portuguese age of discovery under Henry the Navigator, the port became a caravel shipyard and was the jumping-off point for many a voyage to the East. Also, the armada of 800 vessels led by the ill-fated heir to the throne Dom Sebastião embarked from Lagos in 1578 to capture the town of Ceuta in Morocco.


Few historic buildings remain, apart from some ruins in the old section of town, because of the devastating earthquake of 1755. The walls of the town are in most parts remaining after areas of restoration. Attached to the famous 17th century "gold" church of Santo António there is a small museum of regional items, some of which are quite odd!

There are several interesting statues erected to the famous past figures that are associated with the history of this town. None more controversial that the sculpture of Dom Sebastião standing in the main square in front of the Town Hall. A statue has recently been erected to commemorate the Algarve’s only Saint,São Gonçalo de Lagos who was born in 1360 and died in 1422 in Torres Vedras. Pope PioVI raised him to Sainthood in 1778.