Lisbon to Algarve Ride from 2.899 €

Total price From 5.797 €

Created: Friday, September 20, 2024

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Portugal’s southerly Alentejo and Algarve regions are a treasure trove of scenic delights, particularly when explored by bike. Home to the Rota Vicentina, this remarkably quiet network of walking and cycling trails has been nurtured by independent businesses to create a sustainable model for tourism. This tour starts in Lisbon, the enchanting capital of Portugal, before we ride south and take in lush greenery, dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches and the topaz-blue ocean. Staying in some of the more traditional villages along the coast, we step away from the fast pace of modern life and delve into a culture rich in history and gastronomic delights. After a week of cycling through some of the most pristine landscapes in Portugal, we end in the laid-back village of Sagres, home to rugged coastal scenery and golden-sand beaches. Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here

Day 1: Start at our accommodation in Lisbon

Depending on the time of your arrival in Lisbon, your leader will arrange a short orientation tour in the historic centre. There is plenty to see and we recommend travelling a day earlier if you are interested in exploring more of the enchanting capital. Overnight in Lisbon.

Day 2: Transfer to Setúbal and explore the area

In the morning, we take a transfer (45 minutes) to Setúbal, where we check into our accommodation and receive our bikes. After lunch, we go for a short ride to get used to our bikes and see the area, including Arrabida Mountain and the archaeological site of Cumenda. A welcome dinner is included this evening and we overnight in Setúbal.

Day 3: Cycle from Troia to Santo André

We start the day with a ferry across the Sado Estuary to the Troia Peninsula, which was once inhabited by the Romans and was of high strategic-economic importance as a manufacturing centre for salting and preserving fish. We cycle south along the peninsula until we reach Comporta, a picturesque spot surrounded by paddy fields. With the Atlantic Ocean to one side and vast dunes to the other, we continue through pine forests to the beach towns of Melides and Santo André. Continuing south, we cycle via the 1,235-acre (500ha) Lagoa de Santo André Natural Reserve, an area of high ecological importance not only for its wetlands, but also for its dune ridge that separates them from the ocean. Here, the fresh and salt waters provide the perfect environment for a wide array of flora and fauna to thrive. Our destination for today is Santo André. On arrival into the town and after getting refreshed at the hotel, we visit the Black Pig Distillery to learn about their unique methods of producing gin and rum. Overnight in Santo André.

Day 4: Continue south to Vila Nova de Milfontes

The start of the day takes us to Sines, a port city with an important historical role in international trade. Dating to Roman times, the settlement was a small fishing village until the 1970s, when its strategic coastal position brought rapid expansion and a large oil refinery. We visit the medieval castle, which offers wonderful views of Sines bay and Vasco da Gama beach. Following the coast towards Porto Covo, we cycle alongside fabulous beaches and cliffs, through an area rich in biodiversity and unique geological heritage. Among the 750 plants and 200 bird species that have been identified throughout the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, we can keep our eyes peeled for peregrine falcons and Bonelli's eagles. We continue beyond Porto Corvo until we reach Vila Nova de Milfontes, a charming coastal town where we stop for the night.

Day 5: Cycle from Vila Nova de Milfontes to Rogil

Today, we ride along key sections of the Rota Vicentina, passing highlights such as the village of Almograve and the lighthouse at Sardão, which sits in an unspoiled environment of great natural beauty and offers breath-taking views of the craggy coastline and many inaccessible beaches. At the cliffs, we may see white storks or the numerous seabirds that inhabit this coast. Our journey continues through idyllic scenery until we reach Zambujeira do Mar, a small, peaceful fishing village with a beautiful golden-sand beach. Continuing through agricultural fields, we reach the road that takes us along Ribeira de Seixe then guides us to the sea and Odeceixe Mar Beach, a favourite of surfers and bodyboarders. At the end of today's cycle, we visit Junior Jacques Distillery, famed for its Medronho fruit brandies. We stay the night in Rogil, a village within the Vicentine Coast Natural Park and our last stop in Alentejo.

Day 6: Arrive in the Algarve region and cycle to Vila do Bispo

Today we follow a mainly inland route, crossing into the Algarve region and heading towards Sagres, the southernmost point of Portugal. This is where Portuguese sailors learned to manoeuvre the caravel ship in the 15th century and was the starting point for many pioneering voyages. We continue cycling south towards Aljezur, a small village renowned for its cultivation of sweet potatoes, and there is an opportunity to visit its 10th-century Moorish castle, which offers fantastic views over the entire region. Before heading to our accommodation, we visit the surfing beach and village of Carrapateira, the perfect place for a refreshing dip at the end of the ride. We spend the night in Vila do Bispo.

Day 7: Final cycle of the trip, ending in Sagres on the south coast

Continuing south, we leave Vila do Bispo with adventure in the air, as we discover virgin beaches, a rich culture and delicious cuisine centred around the sea. There is time to visit the traditional market in Vila do Bispo before we cycle to Cordoama beach, where the cliffs reach more than 328ft (100m) in height. Overlooking the beach is a spot popular with paragliders – if we're lucky, we may spot them taking off. Just 3mi (5km) away from Sagres is the southwestern-most point in Europe, Cabo de São Vicente, the last piece of home that Portuguese sailors would see as they sailed into the unknown. We visit this remote, windswept headland before our final push to Sagres, a laid-back small town with an end-of-the world feel. Overnight in Sagres.

Day 8: End Sagres

This morning marks the final breakfast of the adventure; an excellent opportunity to reflect on some of the many wonderful experiences you’ve enjoyed during this cycling holiday in Portugal. A group transfer is available to Faro Airport for those who wish to take it.

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Trip summary

2 Adults

Nights 7

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Destinations 2