Exploring the greatest sand sculptures

I consider myself lucky to live in Lagoa and have the chance to visit incredible places like Sand City (located in Lagoa with direct access from the national road EN125), currently the largest sand sculpture park in the world.

By Tereza Pedro, in Hidden Gems, Algarve · 19 Jul 2025, 13:01 · 0 Comments

It is widely regarded as one of the Algarve’s top attractions due to its unique and captivating appeal. Stretching over an impressive 6 hectares outdoors, the park showcases the work of over 60 professional artists from across the globe, who have come together to create more than 120 different themed sculptures.

My family and I decided to visit on a weekday afternoon to avoid the crowds.

You can explore the park either on foot or by renting an electric buggy for a more relaxed experience. We chose to walk, which allowed us to take in the details at our own pace.

This winter brought quite a lot of rain, so I imagine there was a significant amount of work involved in preparing the park for reopening. That said, all the statues are impressively well preserved and clearly well maintained.

Exploring the park

Right after the entrance, there is a dome where kids can climb or play in a large sandpit (and build their own “statues”) - perfect for some family fun. We began our visit by heading to the left, where the exhibition starts with an impressive statue of Pope Francis.

I was pleasantly surprised to come across the “Orloj”, a medieval astronomical clock from Prague (one of my favourite cities). It is amazing to see how many iconic monuments from around the world are recreated here in sand.

The statues feature a wide range of subjects, including famous personalities, wonders of the world, movie characters, mythological beings, forgotten civilizations and various animal species. All the statues are professionally done, and you can recognise all the famous people right away!

The park is also a great spot for children, as it features sand sculptures of popular movies, superheroes and cartoon characters. Game of Thrones, Avengers, Star Wars, everything in one place!

Tree swings are located throughout the park, along with picnic tables and relaxing areas, making it an ideal spot for families with children.

At the end of our tour, we reached a children’s playground and a relaxing area with hammocks hanging between the trees—perfect for relaxing and reflecting on the visit. You can also grab a light meal or enjoy a refreshing drink at the Sand Bar.

After wandering through this world of sand, the fish spa offers the perfect treat for your tired feet.

There’s a shop on-site where you can watch videos about the construction of the sculptures, learn interesting facts, and get information about ongoing activities. You can also purchase souvenirs and postcards here. Additionally, the shop offers a taxi service to help you get back to your accommodation.

Sand City is fantastic to visit, day or night. We picked an exceptionally hot day for our visit, and at times, walking around in the heat proved to be quite challenging. But if you decide to go in the late afternoon, you can enjoy a magnificent sunset and get ready for a magical tour, where all the sculptures are illuminated by a colourful play of lights. An experience you would not want to miss.

Practical information

Sand City is a pet-friendly park, allowing visitors to bring their furry companions along—if they are kept on a leash. Owners are also expected to carry bags to clean up after their pets during the visit.

Visitors with reduced mobility may find walking on the sand challenging. In these cases, subject to space availability and weather conditions, Sand City offers free use of an electric buggy for a few minutes so that everyone can access and visit the sand sculpture exhibition.

According to the official website, the park is open from March to November, daily from 10:00 to 19:00. During the peak season—from July to mid-September—opening hours are extended until 23:00, giving visitors the chance to enjoy the sculptures under evening lights.

The price of tickets is very reasonable and if you buy your tickets online, you get a 10% discount. For adults it is 11,90 €, kids aged 6 to 12 pay 5,90 € and people over 65 years pay 9,90 €. You can also buy a family ticket (2kids + 2adults) for 29,90 €. Group discounts are also available. Sand City is suitable for all ages.

Final thoughts

In conclusion, this place surpassed my expectations. Without a doubt, Sand City is an impressive and unique attraction, showcasing incredible creativity and craftsmanship. The sculptures are remarkably detailed, with a wide variety that captures faces, emotions, and expressions with stunning accuracy.

A visit is well worth it if you are in the area.

Tereza Pedro is originally from Slovakia and now based in the Algarve, with a master’s in mass media. Passionate about lifestyle and storytelling, she captures the essence of daily life through a blend of creativity, international perspective, and coastal living—all while raising her son.