Lagos makes it easier to slow down. There are long walks by the water, hiking trails, great yoga and Pilates studios, healthy cafés, and spas, all within a short distance. The trick is using them. Plenty of visitors spend the whole week on a sun lounger, or rushing between sights, and go home just as wired as they arrived.
I'm a sound healer, and I moved to Lagos from New York. These are the places I actually go, and what I'd tell a friend who was coming to visit.
Why Lagos Makes It Easier to Slow Down
Lagos is a slower pace of life. People aren't in a hurry here. Coffee can last an hour, and nobody's checking their watch.
It's an adjustment, and I'm still adjusting. I'm someone who finds it hard to switch off, even in Lagos. Sometimes it takes my friends to make me do it. So if you arrive and your mind is still racing, that's normal. Give it a few days, and give yourself a little help.
Walks and Time Outdoors
The easiest reset in Lagos is free: get outside and walk.
The boardwalk. One of my favorite resets.
The Avenida. The long avenue along the river, great for an easy walk at any time of day.
Hiking trails. There are plenty of trails along the coast and inland. If you have a car, even more open up.
Yoga, Pilates and Movement Classes
Lagos has a great range of studios. The teachers I've had are very good, and the classes go from slow movement and yin yoga to vinyasa, sculpt, Pilates and HIIT.
MOVE Studio by Movement for Living Well. I recently went to this new studio, and the classes were fantastic. Fascia work, yoga and Pilates, including reformers.
Heat Lagos. An infrared studio with several different types of classes. Lovely when you want something a little warmer in the winter months.
In Harmony Centre. Yoga and wellness classes near the marina.
Inlight Studio. Yoga in the old town.
Soluna Space. Yoga, movement and workshops.
I also play pickleball, and a lot of people here play padel. Both are an easy way to meet people if you're staying a while.
Healthy Lunch and Slow Meals
Some of my favorite places for a healthy lunch:
Abigail's. Healthy food, bowls and juices.
Goji Lounge. Bowls, juices and lighter food.
Sumus. A big range of juices.
And don't underestimate a slow lunch by the marina. Sit outside, put your phone away, and take your time. It's one of the nicest ways to spend an afternoon here.
Massage and Spas
If you want a massage, you don't have to go anywhere. There are massage therapists in Lagos who will come right to your villa or hotel.
Many of the resorts have spas, too:
Belmar Spa & Beach Resort. A big spa with a lot of amenities.
Casa Mãe. The spa was just renovated, and it looks fantastic. As of writing, it's due to open in November 2026.
Cascade Wellness Resort. As of writing, Cascade has closed for major renovations and plans to reopen around June 2027.
Get Out of Lagos for a Day
A lot of visitors never leave Lagos, and they miss so much. If you have a car, there are hiking trails, great restaurants, fitness studios and cute boutiques in the towns nearby.
If you like history, Silves has a medieval castle, and there are fortresses, ruins and beautiful churches all over the Algarve. I can't wait to get a car so I can explore more myself.
How to Actually Slow Down When You're Here for a Week
There's so much to see that it's easy to come home more tired than when you left. A few things that help:
Plan your rest like you plan your sightseeing. Book the class, the massage or the sound bath before you arrive.
Mix it up. One day of sightseeing, one slow day.
Leave space. Not every hour needs a plan.
Turn off work notifications. Checking email on the beach can ruin the whole evening.
I wrote more about this in Burnout Recovery in the Algarve.
A Private Sound Bath in Lagos
If your mind never stops, even somewhere this beautiful, a private sound bath is one of the easiest ways to switch off. I offer private sound baths in Lagos and across the Algarve. You lie down, close your eyes and listen. You don't have to do anything. The sound does the work.
It's a lovely way to start a holiday, or to land properly before you head home. If you've never tried one, here's what to expect at your first sound bath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lagos, Portugal good for a wellness trip?
Yes. Lagos has a slower pace of life, coastal walks and hiking trails, yoga and Pilates studios, healthy cafés, resort spas, and massage therapists who come to you.
Where can I do yoga or Pilates in Lagos?
Some studios I'd recommend are MOVE Studio by Movement for Living Well, Heat Lagos, In Harmony Centre, Inlight Studio and Soluna Space. Classes range from yin yoga to vinyasa, sculpt, Pilates and HIIT.
Is there infrared or heated yoga in Lagos?
Yes. Heat Lagos is an infrared studio with several types of classes, and it's especially nice in the winter months.
Can I get a massage at my villa in Lagos?
Yes. Several massage therapists in Lagos will come to your villa or hotel. Many resorts also have spas.
What is there to do in Lagos besides the beach?
Walks along the river and coast, hiking trails, fitness classes, pickleball and padel, healthy cafés, and day trips to towns like Silves, which has a medieval castle.
Can I book a private sound bath in Lagos?
Yes. I offer private sound baths in Lagos and across the Algarve.
Visiting Lagos and want to switch off properly? Contact me about a private sound bath in Lagos or anywhere in the Algarve. Or start with my free 5-Minute Sound Bath Reset before you even pack.
