8 Days & 7 Nights

4.8

Authentic Algarve By Bike

Cycling to Cape St Vicente, the southwestern-most point of continental Europe
Wandering through the warren of cobbled streets of Tavira
Taking in the birding paradise of the Ria Formosa Natural Park
Pedalling past the limestone cliffs of Ponta da Piedade
Taking a refreshing dip in the azure Atlantic Ocean or in your hotel’s pool
Immersion in the wild nature and hidden inland villages of the “real” Algarve
Enjoying an evening at the waterfront marina in the cosmopolitan town of Lagos

This cycling tour in the Algarve takes you all the way from the Spanish border in the east, to Sagres at the south western tip of Portugal. Pass through the “real” Algarve and explore hidden inland villages, the Natural Park and lagoon of the Ria Formosa and view fantastic cliff scenes in an array of bright colours. This is the true Algarve, where the beach crowds are non-existent and where you can cycle through wonderful natural spectacles and relax in gorgeous hotels at the end of your day’s exertions. Also pedal through cork-oak forests, along rugged coastlines and encounter the “Pego do Inferno”, the most beautiful waterfall in the Algarve. Discover the Moorish town of Silves, charming Tavira, and cosmopolitan Lagos. On this exciting cycling trip there is something for everyone; great inland and coastal scenery, immersion in Portuguese culture, twenty thousand species of birds in the Ria Formosa and Mediterranean forests!

From $1,599.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive at Faro Airport. Transfer to Tavira

Arrive in Faro for and our local partner will pick you up and transfer (45 mins) you to your hotel in the beautiful town of Tavira

If you have some free time on the first day, make sure to have a stroll around the city. Located right on the southern coast of Portugal, Tavira is a very pretty town with hilltop castle ruins, an ancient bridge, and other historic buildings and like most of the cities in the region, Tavira has a mix of Roman, Arabic, and Christian heritage.

Depending on your arrival time, use your free time to discover its charming cobblestone streets, beautiful churches, and interesting things to see and do.

Overnight Tavira

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Vila Galé Tavira | 4 Star | Hotel

Situated in the centre of the historic Algarve town of Tavira, Vila Galé Tavira has Arab-inspired décor and offers spacious rooms and comfortable suites.

Day 2 Tavira Loop Ride 23 miles / 38 km

On this first day, you will ride east to discover the unknown baroque Algarve and then ride onward to admire the beautiful Ria Formosa in all its splendor. Considered as one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal”, Ria Formosa is a protected natural park since 1987. It can be described as a large lagoon on the Algarve coastline, that extends from Faro to a few kilometers west of Vila Real de Santo Antonio.

It is famous for its islands, glorious beaches, and rich wildlife. On the way, you will cross small villages and ride along the old roads and rural paths that will take will take you on a journey of colors and typicalAlgarvian smells. First, you will cycle among orange, almond, and carob trees, and then, with the sea on the horizon, and the Ria at your side you will immerse yourself in an immensity of landscapes embraced by the breeze of the sea.

Ascent/descent - 125m (410ft) /150m (492ft)

Overnight Tavira

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Vila GaléTavira | 4 Star | Hotel

Situated in the centre of the historic Algarve town of Tavira, Vila Galé Tavira has Arab-inspired décor and offers spacious rooms and comfortable suites.

Day 3 Tavira to Vale das Gralhas 30 miles / 49 km

Starting in Tavira, you'll pedal through picturesque olive groves, vineyards, and small rural villages, enjoying quiet, traffic-free roads and the natural beauty of the area. The route includes gentle inclines and rolling terrain. As you approach Vale das Gralhas, you’ll be surrounded by tranquil landscapes, rolling hills, and stunning views, providing the perfect spot to relax and take in the serene surroundings. This ride offers a fantastic opportunity to experience the Algarve's rural charm and natural beauty.

Ascent/Descent - 275m (902ft) /195m (639ft)

Overnight Vale das Gralhas

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Quinta dos Poetas | 4 Star | Hotel

Located in the most beautiful natural scenery that the Algarve has to offer, Quinta dos Poetas brings together the best that can be expected of a rural Portuguese hotel: A warm and familiar environment, tranquility, comfort, proximity to the beach and excellent gastronomy.

Day 4 Vale das Gralhas to Querença 24 miles / 39 km

On this day, you will head north and roll through the small up's and down's of the hills, close to the Algarve mountain range. It will be a challenging day that will be well worth the effort as there will be incredible breathtaking sceneries to observe.

Along the way, visit the town of São Brás de Alportel, which was once the biggest cork-producing centre in Portugal. A great selection of roads and trails will take you through amazing green Algarvean fields, rich with Mediterranean flora and fauna where you can invigorate your mind and soul with the pure, natural air. Finally, arrive at the typical village of Querença where you will spend the night in a quiet and peaceful hotel.

Ascent/Descent - 515m (1689ft) /365m (1197ft)

Overnight Querença

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Monte dos Avós | Country House

The Monte dos Avós is a typical country house, with a strong connection to the roots and traditions of the region. This county house is typically Algarvian and is full of history. The original building was built in the 1950’s. You will find comfortable rooms, with ensuite facilities and also the opportunity to relax in the gardens of by the swimming pool.

Day 5 Querença to Vale Fuzeiros 30 miles / 48.5 km

Another challenging day presents itself, where the hills will once again be there, but only to make it all the more rewarding in the end.

Start your ride in Querença and ride along the ancient and narrow roads which are surrounded by a landscape dominated by carob and fig trees. While on the way, visit the lovely hillside village of Alte, which is famous for its white-painted houses and fresh water springs. The presence of water all year round adds a certain unique charm to the village. Close to the end of today's ride, you can stop by the Barragem do Funcho. This is a lovely dam which is connected to the Arade River.

Ascent/Descent - 580m (1902ft) /680m (2230ft)

Overnight Vale Fuzeiros

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Vale Fuzeiros Nature Guesthouse | 3 Star | Guest House

Vale Fuzeiros is a delightful Nature Guest House, carefully designed for Nature Lovers, located between the village of S. Bartolomeu de Messines and the medieval town of Silves. The house is inside a beautiful small farm, with stunning landscape views and an almost unique variety of the most unique native species of trees, flowers and aromatic herbs.

Day 6 Vale Fuzeiros to Lagos 40 miles / 64.5 km

Leave Vale Fuzeiros on asphalt through winding roads surrounded by nature, which will eventually bring you to the stunning dam of Arade.

From here, you will follow the Arade River until you arrive at the historic Moorish town of Silves. Your ride will continue along the Odelouca River, where we recommend that you enjoy the rural areas and typical villages like Odiáxere that you will find along the way. Eventually, you will arrive at the sea at an incredibly long beach by the bay filled with golden sand called "Meia Praia" and then in the city of Lagos, one of the oldest towns in the Algarve. Save some time to walk around downtown and dine out.

Ascent/Descent - 250m (820ft) /375m (1230ft)

Overnight Lagos

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Tivoli | 4 Star | Hotel

Located in the very centre of Lagos, near the marina and the old town, this modern, yet traditional property is sure to relax you and is the perfect spot to begin your adventure.

Day 7 Lagos to Sagres 37 miles / 60 km

This is quite a challenging day of cycling as there are a few hills to negotiate as the terrain changes. Approaching the rugged cliff-lined coast around Sagres and Cape St Vincent you will follow amazing trails along the coastline to Ponta da Piedade where you'll find fantastic scenes of cliffs, caves and rocks, with an amazing mixture of colours; white, ochre, brown and red!

The route continues west and passes through quaint little coastal villages. Once you arrive in Sagres, you have the option of checking into your hotel and then cycling six extra kilometres to the edge of Europe, Cape St Vincent. This is the south western most point of continental Europe and a fitting farewell to this wonderful cycling adventure!

Ascent/Descent - 580m (1902ft) /565m (1853ft)

Overnight Sagres

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

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Memmo Baleeira Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

Overlooking Baleeira Bay and its 5 islands this hotel is in an exquisite location and you will experience a high standard of service here as well as warm, stylish and elegant rooms.

Day 8 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 19kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 19kg is equivalent to 1 pair of men’s jeans. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

During this tour, you will see the Algarve at its finest. In other words you will be away from the beach crowds and experiencing the “real” Algarve, its hidden and delightful inland and fishing villages, plus beautiful towns such as Silves and Tavira and the Ria Formosa, a Natural Park. This trip is suitable for relatively fit regular cyclists seeking an active holiday.

Tour Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie

Wine

E-Bike

Activity Level & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded moderate and includes daily distances between 38-65km / 23-40miles.Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some bike rides may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. Some of the ascents and descents are steep and can be a little exposed to the elements, you should have a degree of experience, technical knowledge and fitness for this trip.

Experience & Fitness

This cycling tour for relatively fit regular cyclists seeking an active holiday who enjoy being on their bike for 3-6 hours per day. You'll spend much of the day on the saddle experiencing a region and discovering its variety over longer daily distances. The terrain will be varied, and usually rolling with some longer or steeper ascents/descents on quiet country roads with the occasional short stretch on busier roads through towns.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

7 Nights in 3* and 4* hotels (4 nights in 4* hotels and 3 nights in 3* hotels)
7 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
A transfer from Faro Airport to your first hotel
A transfer from the last hotel to Faro Airport
Orientation meeting
Detailed trip info and mapped tracks, via the Macs App
24/7 telephone support, we're here for you, give us a call!

Excluded

Travel to / from Faro
Dinners and lunches
Bike rental (Standard Hybrid or E bike)
Admissions or entrances
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance

Extras

Bike rental (Standard Hybrid or E bike)
Additional nights before or after the tour
Return transfers from Lisbon Airport

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

The following bikes are available for hire

Hybrid Bike: Ghost trekking bike. Shimano rear derailleur, ST Suntour suspension, soft saddle, ergonomic non-slip rubber handles. Schwalbe tires, Shimano brakes, aluminium frame.

ebike: Velo de Ville AEB Classic. Step through. Battery: Bosch Powerpack 545 WH. Shimano disc brakes

Gravel bike: Mechanical gears. 3T Exploro Ultra bike. Shimano GRX 1x12 groupset, Carbon frame, drop bars.

E-Gravel bike: Mechanical gears. 3T ultra boost. Carbon frame, drop bars, Mahle X20 motor (55Nm, 350Wh, 150km range, SRAM Apex eagle 1x12 drivetrain (11-50t), hydraulic disc brakes, 700c wheels with 45 Pirelli tires.

We do not offer tandem bikes on this tour.

Brand and model may vary depending on availability. Minimum age for ebike hire is 16yrs.

Please provide the following information on booking: