Audio Guide of the Lagos Slave Market

The Lagos Slave Market can be visited Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed on Mondays). It is located at Prince Henry the Navigator Square, right in the historic center of Lagos. For updated opening hours, it is always a good idea to check the Lagos City Council website.

Admission to the building is currently free. It is a historic monument that can be viewed freely from the outside, although a voluntary donation for its preservation is recommended.

A visit usually lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. It is a small but powerful place: combine it with visits to other monuments such as the Ponta da Bandeira Fort to make the most of your day.

It is the first slave market in Europe (15th century), a symbol of Portugal’s colonial past where people brought from Africa were traded. The building preserves Gothic arches and interpretive panels about this painful period.

Avoid July and August because of heavy tourism. May to October is ideal, especially in the morning (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) to avoid the heat and organized groups. Sunsets here are especially evocative.

The main entrance has steps and the ground is uneven (historic gravel). It is recommended to confirm by phone (+351 282 762 301) if specific adaptations are needed.

Less than 5 minutes away you will find: Ponta da Bandeira Fort, the Municipal Museum, Saint Anthony Church (gilded Baroque), and Dona Ana and Camilo beaches. More information at Algarve Tourism.

1) Bring water and comfortable shoes (cobbled streets) 2) Don’t miss the interpretive panels in Portuguese and English 3) Respect the space: it is a memorial to human suffering. 4) Complete your visit with the historic slavery route in Lagos.