Note: You may start this tour on any date, year-round (minimum of 2 participants). Prices shown are for Jun-Oct, 2020. If you wish to book a tour starting in Jan-May or Nov-Dec, please inquire for prices.
Day 1: Arrival
Upon your arrival in the Algarve, we will collect you from the Faro airport and take you to your first destination, Vila Real de Santo Antonio, an interesting old town on the banks of the Guadiana river, which forms the border between Spain and Portugal.
Overnight in Vila Real de San Antonio.
Day 2: Vila Real de Santo Antonio – Loule (40 miles/65km)
After breakfast, you will receive your bike and briefing for the tour. Your first day’s cycling starts with a gentle run along the coast towards Tavira, an elegant old town dating back to Roman times. From there you will head inland through unspoiled countryside, where few tourists venture, to São Bras de Alportel – a typical Algarvian working town, which offers a mixture of old and new. Then it is only a short stretch on to the market town of Loule, an explorer’s haven with its narrow cobbled streets.
Overnight in Loule.
Day 3: Loule – Silves (38 miles/60km)
Venturing north into the rolling hills, you will find some fabulous winding roads leading to the hill-top village of Querença, a great coffee stop with splendid views. Passing through Alte, famous for its white painted houses and fresh water springs, you can head towards the barragens (reservoirs) before aiming for Silves. Once the Moorish capital, Silves is steeped with history and home to the best-preserved castle in the Algarve.
Overnight in Silves.
Day 4: Silves – Sagres (45 miles/70km)
Heading west towards the southern tip of Portugal, there are some hills and very often headwinds, so this can be a challenging ride. But it is well worth it to experience the dramatic scenery as you approach the rugged coastline around the fortress at Sagres and the high cliffs at Cape St Vincent (the southernmost tip of Portugal and Europe).
Overnight in Sagres.
Day 5: Sagres – Aljezur (37 miles/61km)
This is a fabulous day’s riding, northwards up the unspoiled western coast of Portugal to Aljezur, an ancient Moorish town situated in a lush green valley and built on either side of a river that runs through the valley. Starting out from Sagres, there is the option to visit Cape St Vincent the furthest south-western point of Europe, This is around 12kms detour but well worth it and a gentle warm-up for the ride ahead. Passing through Vila do Bispo and then on towards Carrapateira where another detour (around 5 kms) to the Pontal headland makes a great viewpoint and also a great mid-journey cafe/lunch stop. The road ahead to Aljezur is straight forward and with a few hills but pleasant scenery along the way.
Overnight in Aljezur.
Day 6: Aljezur – Monchique (22 miles/35km)
Today's ride is not about the distance but all about the climb, initially steep up towards pedascas and then more gradual towards Marmelete and beyond. Monchique is a market town up in the Serra de Monchique, which is a thickly wooded mountain range separating the Algarve from the winelands of the Alentejo. The journey up to Monchique offers spectacular views and is totally different from coastal Algarve. Arriving in the town of Monchique presents a moment for refreshment, but our chosen hotel is a little further up the hill on the way to the summit of Foia. Its a climb, but the scenery and the superb setting of the hotel makes it all worthwhile.
Overnight in Monchique.
Day 7: Monchique – Albufeira (43 miles/70km)
There are many options for the route down to the coast today, our recommendation is not the shortest or the longest option, but it will give you some great scenery and more quiet roads. Passing through Silves again and then onto some small villages along the way, your final destination is Albufeira, a bustling tourist town with lots to see and do, and some great bars and restaurants where you can celebrate the end of your cycling trip! You will be staying in a good quality 4-star hotel within walking distance of the old town so the nightlife and restaurants are close by but not too close.
Overnight in Albufeira.
Day 8: Departure
We will transfer you from your accommodation to the Faro airport for your journey home.
