Forte da Ponta da Bandeira
Forte da Ponta da Bandeira
3.5
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3.5
411 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
160
Average
149
Poor
30
Terrible
11
rickuk56
London, UK100 contributions
Jun 2021
A small fort overlooking the harbor and defensive point with a long history and good views from the low battlements. Unfortunately locked up and no interpretation or information. They should be able to do better with little effort.
Written August 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KathleenR_28
Port Dover, Canada6,731 contributions
Dec 2019
I have passed by this fort so many times but never did get a chance to go inside, either because I had to be somewhere else or the gates were closed. Nevertheless, I know that one day, I will see its interior.
I love the location for it gives me an unobstructed view of the ocean, the shimmering blue of the waters, the golden colour of the sandy beach and the cliffs.
I love the location for it gives me an unobstructed view of the ocean, the shimmering blue of the waters, the golden colour of the sandy beach and the cliffs.
Written July 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JRM
Penetanguishene, Canada116 contributions
Aug 2022
It is certainly an impressive structure and an indelible part of the Lagos oceanfront. There is no need to pay the small fee to go inside however. The views are just as lovely from outside the complex. Lots of photo ops for no charge!!! Save your euros and use them towards the cave boat tour instead.
Written September 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce W
Mijas, Spain1,775 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
Travelling by car, we again made use of the N125, turned off for Lagos and followed the signs for ‘Centro’, this leads you down to the port and promenade. Metered on-street parking with few spaces. However, down on the waterfront we found a newly constructed multi-story car park next to the police station and within a few metres of the pedestrianized area of the old town. Prices worked out at €1.10 per hour, at the time of our visit, but if your visit is only a whistle stop, then it could be good to know that the first 15 minutes are free.
Virtually all the old town centre is pedestrianized with lots to explore on foot. The tourist information centre is at the at the lower end of the pedestrianized area in the Rua Vasco da Gama, not far from the multi-story car park mentioned earlier. Many of the high street shops are in this area, as are the tourist shops, as well as the more historic elements.
Back out of town along the seafront, still on foot, head south / westwards, slightly uphill and you will discover part of the medieval walls of the town, incorporating the eastern gate (rebuilt) into the town. Opposite this on the seafront is the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, also know as Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, built between 1680 and 1690 and occupying a commanding position at the entrance to the harbour of the Bensafrim River. At the time of construction it was considered one of the most advanced fortresses on the Algarve. Currently presented as a museum, it shows its moated drawbridge defense of the fort’s only entrance from the landward side and to seaward its batteries cross-fired in conjunction with bulwarks of Porta da Vila and the Governor’s Castle to protect the quay and the eastern side of the town walls. Don’t forget to have a look inside the fort’s 18th century tiled chapel of Santa Barbara – small, but impressive.
Plenty more to be explored, but we will need to save that for our next visit.
Virtually all the old town centre is pedestrianized with lots to explore on foot. The tourist information centre is at the at the lower end of the pedestrianized area in the Rua Vasco da Gama, not far from the multi-story car park mentioned earlier. Many of the high street shops are in this area, as are the tourist shops, as well as the more historic elements.
Back out of town along the seafront, still on foot, head south / westwards, slightly uphill and you will discover part of the medieval walls of the town, incorporating the eastern gate (rebuilt) into the town. Opposite this on the seafront is the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira, also know as Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, built between 1680 and 1690 and occupying a commanding position at the entrance to the harbour of the Bensafrim River. At the time of construction it was considered one of the most advanced fortresses on the Algarve. Currently presented as a museum, it shows its moated drawbridge defense of the fort’s only entrance from the landward side and to seaward its batteries cross-fired in conjunction with bulwarks of Porta da Vila and the Governor’s Castle to protect the quay and the eastern side of the town walls. Don’t forget to have a look inside the fort’s 18th century tiled chapel of Santa Barbara – small, but impressive.
Plenty more to be explored, but we will need to save that for our next visit.
Written June 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DAP39
Manchester, UK80 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
Lagos was involved in the start of the slave trade from Africa to Europe in 1444. The fort along with the slave market and town museum document and illustrate this remarkably effectively and are very good value at 5 euros for all 3 with a ticket which lasts a week.
Written August 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mat O
London, UK100 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
This is a fort built on the harbour at Lagos. There is an entrance fee and a limited amount to see but one of the touristy things to do if you spent a short time in Lagos which we did.
Written June 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kitnkat
Parrsboro, Canada44 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
Even as someone who truly enjoys visiting historical sites, I felt this was a pure waste of time and money. There is very little inside the small fortress of interest and the views from the walls, though nice, aren't as good as those seen from any point further up the hill above the fort. To me, it was a real disappointment for the 3 Euro entrance fee.
Written February 28, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZedDubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates233 contributions
Aug 2019
Small fort with very little to see. Wouldn't go out of my way to visit, but when you combine with Mercado de Escravos and a visit to Lagos center, then it's fine since they're all walking distance between each other.
Written August 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wherelolawent
Folkestone, UK515 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
My husband and I had visited the Fort several years ago so thought it would be fun to take the kids and our niece to visit. Kids are free, so with combined entry to the Slave Market Museum it cost about 8 euro for 6 of us.
Exhibitions are tiny, the art (metal sculpture) on display was pretty cool. Kids liked the story in the tiny church. Views are amazing and essentially what you're paying for.
It's hardly mind blowing and you won't spend more than maybe 30min here but given the low cost and lovely views, it's worth it.
Exhibitions are tiny, the art (metal sculpture) on display was pretty cool. Kids liked the story in the tiny church. Views are amazing and essentially what you're paying for.
It's hardly mind blowing and you won't spend more than maybe 30min here but given the low cost and lovely views, it's worth it.
Written October 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pavel J
16 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Honestly, we went inside just because the public toilets were closed. There were no toilets inside and the museum itself was terrible. There was a random exhibition of photos which looked like average Instagram shots with a bad filter, chapel, and some wire and metal sculptures. Entrance should be free, not worth even the small fee
Written April 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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