Vicentine Coast of Portugal & Algarve

Day 1: Lisbon

Welcome to the ‘City of Seven Hills’ - Portugal’s legendary capital, Lisbon. Celebrated for its eclectic mix of cultures, Fado music, and the lasting village feel imbued in its historic neighborhoods, this city nestled in the curve of seven hills is destined to capture your heart.

Having been picked up from the airport and fitted with your bike by your local representative, enjoy threading your way through the captivating neighborhoods of Lisbon. In the evening, be sure to seek out the famous Fado music, a style of singing that has been awarded World Heritage status. These mournful tunes resonate around the Fado houses and echo out into the ancient streets.

Day 2: Lisbon - Troia
41 mi. / 65 km

Today you’ll meander towards the magnificent city of Montijo, renowned for its iconic ‘brava’ celebrations featuring bulls and bullfights, a common characteristic of cities in and around Ribatejo.

You’ll then pedal into Pinhal Novo, once Portugal’s largest wine-growing region, before biking along the spectacular coastline of the Parque Natural da Arrábida, breathing in the fragrance of its pine forests.

A ferry to the Tróia Peninsula awaits you later in the day. Discovering this well-kept secret will be an undeniable highlight of your trip! Cycle along this narrow spit of land, taking in breathtaking views of white sandy beaches, shifting sand dunes, and tall pine forests. This serene region is part of the Reserva Natural do Estuário do Sado, one of Portugal’s best-protected wildlife havens that boasts wonderful bird-watching opportunities.

Day 3: Troia - Vila Nova de Santo André
41 mi. / 66 km

Cycle south along the sandy stretches of the Tróia Peninsula to Comporta, sitting on the border of the Sado Estuary nature reserve. Gorgeously situated between forests and the wild Atlantic, this old fishing village is renowned for its superb beaches and blissful summer weather.

Finish your day’s ride with a cycle through Melides, a simple but charming 19th-century village with a firm heritage in farming and art, including pottery and cork stopper making.

Day 4: Vila Nova de Santo André - Vila Nova de Mil Fontes
34 mi. / 55 km

Combining history and nature, your bike route today takes you along a coastline once besieged by opportunistic pirates. Along the route, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Sines, a clifftop city that commands a view over a sandy bay known to be the birthplace of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.

Cycling into Porto Covo, enjoy the Praia Grande (‘Great Beach’) - a sought-after summer leisure spot that offers an idyllic beach experience in the shelter of imposing cliffs. These rocks date back around 100 million years, even showing 60+ imprints thought to belong to the Megalosaurus and Iguanodon!

Day 5: Vila Nova de Mil Fontes - Zambujeira do Mar
22 mi. / 35 km

The small seaside town of Zambujeira do Mar on the coast of the Alentejo attracts backpackers and surfers to its sandy beaches and traditional architecture. Visitors can enjoy a serene exploration of this charming little town, from its fountains of Amores and Santa Catarina to the little whitewashed chapel of Nossa Senhora do Mar. At low tide, the beautiful beach reveals several natural pools.

Day 6: Zambujeira do Mar - Aljezur
28 mi. / 45 km

Aljezur’s 40km of coastline is home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the whole of Europe, as well as river estuaries, impressive cliffs, and marshes hosting abundant bird and animal species.

The Algarve turns into Alentejo here, and today’s route takes you to the last coastal settlement - Odeceixe, a unique beach highly popular with surfers and known for its unspoiled rugged landscape, rocky regions, snaking river, and pink sand beach that doubles in size at low tide.

The beach at Odeceixe is the only place in the world where visitors can observe the storks nesting on the cliffs, just one of the species that makes its home in the Nature Park of the Southwest Alentejo and Vincentian Coast.

Your tour today winds down in the Moorish village of Aljezur, defined by its position over the river, its quaint cottages, and the intriguing ruins of the 10th-century hilltop castle, as well as the remains of the old harbor that can be sought out in alleys leading to the Ribeira de Aljezur.

Day 7: Aljezur - Carrapateira
19 mi. / 30 km

From the better-kept secret surf spots in Aljezur, you’ll cycle to a surfer’s paradise in Carrapateira, an idyllic village known for its unspoiled beaches with strong swells and uninterrupted ocean vistas. You’ll be captivated by the gray- and copper-colored cliffs of this tranquil region, as well as the sand dunes and the red rock formations of Carrapateira Point (or Pontal). This area has always posed a significant danger for sailing ships due to the height of the cliffs and their confusing similarity with those at Cape St. Vincent just eleven miles south, as well as the fast southbound current. The dynamism of the ocean around Carrapateira is a significant lure for thrill-seeking surfers!

Day 8: Carrapateira - Sagres
23 mi. / 37 km

A true biking highlight today will be your visit to Vila do Bispo with its whitewashed houses lying in a scattered pattern down a slope crowned by a church tower. The houses surround this church as the main feature of the village, although your eye will also be drawn to the bands of color and gorgeous stonework that adorn their doors and windows.

From Vila do Bispo, you’ll bike into an area of dynamic natural beauty, cycling alongside roaring seas, imposing cliff faces, and extensive beaches. The town of Sagres - originally destroyed in the 1755 earthquake - is famed for its fantastic surfing but also for its deep-sea fishing opportunities, hiking trails, and roads ideal for cycling. Here, you’ll want to find your way to the Fortaleza de Sagres with its defensive wall that makes unique use of the cliffs for its other fortifications.

Just a few kilometers away from Europe’s most southwestern point, Cape St. Vincent cuts an impressive form. Once thought to be the end of the known world, Cape St. Vincent creates an awe-inspiring atmosphere with its gigantic but dangerous cliffs, watched over by a lighthouse that towers over the Atlantic Ocean crashing at its base.

Day 9: Sagres - Lagos
28 mi. / 45 km

Begin your final cycling day by biking northeast up the coast towards Lagos. En route, you’ll pass through the fishing village of Salema - a true haven for those seeking out an authentic Portuguese beach. Fishermen still cast their nets here daily, and the fishing boats along the shore make for an idyllic seaside vista.

Pedal onwards to Praia da Luz, renowned for its friendly vibe, agreeable climate, and blissful beach with golden sand and crystal-clear waters.

Today’s destination is the 16th-century walled city of Lagos along the banks of the Rio Bensafrim, a historic but dynamic city offering many sightseeing opportunities. Known for its maritime heritage, having been the launching point for a number of naval excursions during the country’s Age of Discoveries, Lagos is also famous for its 4 km-long Meia Praia Beach, the longest sand beach on the Algarve’s western side. It’s a lively and beautiful city for you to spend one last evening in enjoying Portugal’s renowned cuisine, hospitality, and oceanside charm.

Day 10: Departure