The coastal city of Lagos in the Western Algarve has everything you could want as a holiday destination of excellence or as a permanent home. Striking beaches, beautiful countryside, a historic city centre, and some of the best food and drink options in the region.

Now, the West has just got even better: Lagos has made the top 100 in the Green Destinations Story Awards, held at ITB Berlin 2024, the world's largest tourism fair.

The Algarve municipality placed third in the category of Nature & Scenery for its restoration of the dune cordon of Meia Praia beach, titled “Walking in Harmony: How Nature was Reclaimed with the Restoration of Meia Praia's Dune Cordon”.

Sharing the podium with destinations such as Thailand and Mexico, Lagos embarked on a comprehensive requalification project to tackle unregulated human activity, the negative impacts of climate change, ecosystem degradation and the presence of invasive species.

“Through meticulous planning, sustainable design, and the involvement of experts, the project successfully navigated the hurdles. Invasive species were removed, walkways were erected, and palisades were implemented to protect the dunes,” said the Green Destinations organisation.

The municipality also launched environmental education and mobility initiatives, promoted responsible behaviour and ensured accessibility for all visitors, with monitoring studies throughout.

“The direct results”, they added, “were a healthier lifestyle for visitors, active contribution to dune conservation, and visible growth in the dune size. Indirectly, the project stimulated the local economy, fostered a deeper connection between people and nature and aims to inspire other destinations.”

The award follows Lagos's newly upgraded 'Gold' certification from Green Destinations at Lisbon's international tourism fair, BTL 2024, further highlighting its significant progress in sustainability efforts.

Looking to make Lagos your home away from home? Find your ideal property in this beautiful area, or get in touch with Algarve Home Sales directly for more information.