Outcroppings in Lagos, Portugal. Photo via Wikimedia Commons:lacobrigo Macaw are common in the Algarve. Photo via Flickr:Glen Bowman

Algarve

Portugal Bike Tour

The most beautiful coast in Europe

The southernmost region of mainland Portugal has some of Europe’s most beautiful coast lines with white sandy beaches and scenic rock formations along with the inviting Mediterranean climate! The region contains evidence of an earlier world power and is filled with snow white villages, rich valleys, unspoiled nature and friendly natives as well as exquisite flowers during springtime. The coastline is notable for picturesque limestone caves and grottoes, particularly around Lagos, which are accessible by powerboat.

The seaport town of Faro is where you’ll find the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of 66 square miles and a migratory stop for hundreds of birds during spring and autumn. In addition to Lagos, Tavira is one of the most architecturally attractive towns in the Algarve. Dating back to the late Bronze Age (1000-800 BC), Tavira became one of the first Phoenician settlements in the Iberian West during the 8th century BC. The Phoenicians created a colonial urban center here with massive walls, at least two temples and two harbors. As the former capital of the Algarve, Silves is located on a hill above the Arade River with a castle (Castelo de Mouros) overhead. Also very much a part of this tour is the distinct Portuguese cuisine. Some traditional dishes include Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá (a casserole of cod, potatoes and onion) and Cozido à portuguesa, (a casserole of beef, pork, sausage and vegetables). Fish is by far the ingredient du jour, and the area is also known for its almond and fig sweets.

Where You’ll Stay

In very nice, comfortable 3 star to 4 star hotels; rooms with private facilities.

What’s Included

  • 7 nights hotel accommodations
  • Breakfast buffets
  • 24-speed hybrid bicycle
  • Luggage transportation
  • Route descriptions & maps
  • Transfers per program
  • Also with the group tour:
  • Multilingual tour guide
  • Dinners & 1x picnic
  • Support vehicle
  • Museum entrances as written in program
  • Complimentary water during the riding tours

What’s Not Included

  • Remaining meals

Algarve Map

Book This Trip

TourBike
TypeSelf Guided
SkillModerate
Length8 days
From€724
Print Tour

Tour Dates

  • Self-guided: Every Saturday from March 10 to May 5 and September 22 to November 3, 2012.
  • Group: Saturdays on March 31, April 7, and September 22, 2012.

Skill Level

Moderate; self-guided & group hotel tour

Moderate self-guided and group hotel tour with distances between 17 to 34 miles over 6 days of cycling. Routes follow along rolling hills and make use of dirt bike paths.

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Algarve Map
  1. Arrival in Faro.
  2. Faro – Vila Real, 17 mi. (30 km)
  3. Vila Real - Tavira, 28 mi. (45 km)
  4. Tavira – Sao Bras, 25 mi. (40 km)
  5. Sao Bras - Silves, 31 mi. (50 km)
  6. Silves - Sagres, 34 mi. (55 km)
  7. Sagres – Lagos - Faro, 22 mi. (35 km)
  8. Departure from Faro.

DAY 1:
Arrival in Faro.

DAY 2:
After breakfast you will be transferred to Vila Real, located on the coast of Algarve. Here you will receive the bikes. There is plenty of time left to bike, for example, through the delta of the Guadiana river, or take the ferry into Andalusia-Ayamonte.

DAY 3:
Today you bike to Manto Rota. On the way, you will enjoy gorgeous views over the Lagoon landscapes of Algarve. The beaches will invite you for a relaxing swim. You can visit the "Cacella Vehla" on your way to the small fishing village of Tavira, located at the mouth of the river "Rio Sequa".

DAY 4:
Today we leave the coast behind to bike inland. We pass sweet smelling flowers and many orange and lemon groves. The many little villages are inviting you to take a break. Before we reach our destination for today you can visit a Cork factory and a liquor brewery as well.

DAY 5:
Our bus brings you to Barranco Vehlo where we start the biking today. In Alte, the geographical center of Algarve, you will visit a large spring (Fontana Grande) and a church.
The road leads you through Orange groves to Silves, the old capital of Algarve. Here you can visit a cathedral and an old fort.

Day 6:
By bus you go to Marmelete, then bike with gorgeous views downhill towards the West Coast to Aljezur. You follow the coast with dune landscapes to Carrapateira where you can stop for a swim. We approach one of highlights of this tour - "Cabo de San Vincente", the most Southwestern point in Europe, before you reach Sagres where you spend the night.

DAY 7:
From Sagres you bike towards the fishing village of Salena. Further on you bike, via Luz, to Lagos where you find the "Ponta da Piedade". The Ponta da Piedade presents a bizarre scenary of cliffs, another highlight of this tour.
By bus or train you go back to Faro.

DAY 8:
Departure.

Book This Trip

Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us

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