Lagos Marina has launched a €12.5 million expansion project including 102 new berths for vessels between 10 and 30 metres.
Construction began last week, with the first phase expected to be completed by September. The new berths will increase capacity in the outer harbour, on top of the marina’s current 474 yacht spaces.
In addition, as a compensation for taking over former fishing areas on land and water, marina management company Marlagos is investing €3 million to provide 55 berths for professional fishing vessels, 30 fishing warehouses of more than 400sqm, 170 spaces for local recreational boats with floating pontoons, and 41 berths for the Lagos Sailing Club, which will also gain new facilities.
Martinho Fortunato, CEO of Marlagos, told Lusa news agency that the fishing pontoons will act as “compensation” for the expansion, given that it will encompass part of the existing fishing port. He added that the 170 new recreational spaces are intended for “small boats owned by local people, at lower costs, to give everyone access to enjoy the sea.”
Fortunato said the project will also help regenerate a neglected part of the town and will extend beyond the water, including surrounding areas.
“We will also create fishing gear storage, 135 parking spaces, a Yacht Club (event centre and nautical activities hub) and eight commercial spaces,” he explained.
The new berths at the marina are scheduled to be ready in September, while work on the surrounding land and facilities is expected to be completed in 2027. Fortunato estimates the project will “represent a 21% increase” in the marina’s “economic impact”.
The marina currently generates an annual turnover between €17 million and €30 million and hosts 106 companies that together provide 1,350 jobs.
Algarve tourism boss André Gomes says the project is key for the region’s growing nautical tourism sector.
“This is a segment with immense growth potential,” he told Lusa. “By investing in the enhancement of nautical tourism offerings, we are adding quality and innovation to a key, strategic segment for the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA).”
According to André Gomes, this is the kind of investment the RTA aims to attract to the region. As a result, the focus will remain on “the sea, innovation, and excellence”.
To this end, said Lagos Mayor Hugo Pereira, there has been collaboration between the local authority, Doca Pesca and Marina de Lagos. The municipality wanted to safeguard the fishing port so that “all operators who want to come here have that opportunity” and ensure better safety and management conditions for users.
Yacht Club, a space for all
Architect Mário Martins also emphasised that, in addition to being “a public space that all entities in the city will be able to enjoy”, the revamped marina will function as an urban commercial centre.
In his presentation, he announced that the Yacht Club building will boast two floors, eight shops and terraces on the lower floor, as well as toilets and changing rooms for employees, marina users and the general public. The upper floor will have a multipurpose area with an integrated indoor swimming pool, a lounge area, and a 360-degree viewpoint.
“It will be very light, transparent and contemporary,” said Mário Martins, revealing that it will be “the colour of sand and very elegant”.
Tradition seamlessly blends with contemporary design in this project, described by José Apolinário, president of CCDR Algarve, as one built on “resilience, determination, and risk.” This initiative strengthens the region’s nautical tourism positioning, enhancing its appeal on the global stage.
He also praised the strategic importance of recreational boating and the improvement of the riverfronts for the economic development of the region, the creation of skilled jobs and the strengthening of the Algarve’s competitiveness as a nautical destination of excellence, in a concept of “green recreational ports and marinas”.
In addition to enhancing the value of the area, this marina expansion project also aims to improve the quality of life of the population and boost tourist appeal, consolidating the Algarve as a national and international benchmark in the maritime economy.
By Beatriz Maio & Michael Bruxo
