Algarve Bike Tour

Suggested Dates: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, and Oct

Duration: 6 nights / 7 days

Accommodation: Restored monastery & palace, boutique hotels

Daily Mileage: 50km / 31 miles Average

Activity Level: Level 1 | Beginner

Tour Interests: Moorish culture, photography, birding, gastronomy

€3.724,00 EUR

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Tax included.

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Our Algarve bike tour explores the almost forgotten and untouched interior. This part of Southern Portugal gets around 300 days of sunshine a year and offers some of the finest cycling conditions in Europe.

You will ride through country lanes dotted with olive, fig, almond and orange groves rooted in stunning red earth, passing countless villages and the occasional Moorish Castle along the way.

We will not stray too far from the sparkling coastline though, and you will be able to dip in the warm waters of the Algarve, as well as see a unique show of the Portuguese water dog in action!

In many ways the landscape and the people of the Algarve feel much closer to North Africa than Europe.

This warm, sunny bike tour offers on top of great rides, the unbeatable Portuguese hospitality, superb food (particularly fresh grilled fish!) beautiful beaches and unique accommodation including converted monasteries and boutique hotels.

Highlights

Explore the interior of the ancient Algarve, stronghold of the Lusitanian Moors.
Take a scenic coastal train over the gleaming salt pans and marshes of the Portuguese south.
Travel along tiny country lanes to old whitewashed villages, along orchards of fragrant orange trees.
Feast on the freshest catch of the day grilled to perfection and washed down with some of Portugal’s world class wines.
Enjoy some of the Algarve's finest accommodation, far from the madding beach crowds.
Experience a working cork factory and workshop to find out all about this fascinating natural product.

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Tavira

Following a morning transfer from Faro airport to the graceful old town of Tavira, you will have the day free to explore its many monuments and pretty squares. In the afternoon, we'll fit the bikes and get acquianted over a gourmet Welcome dinner. Accommodation: Pousada Convento da Graça.

DAY 2 - Tavira to Estoi

Tavira to Estoi - Ride of 52.2km / 32.4m.
We ride today into what’s known as the Barrocal, a region between the coast and the hills of the interior.

We'll pass São Bras de Alportel a 17th C summer residence for the bishops of the Algarve and, today, a thriving community where many of the regions traditional crafts are still found, one town still uses the wind and millstone to grind corn and wheat! It’s also famous for it’s cork and the many products derived from cork including umbrellas. We’ll have the opportunity to visit a factory and local shop where they currently have pieces on display at MOMA for a special exhibit on cork.

DAY 3 - Estoi Loop

Estoi Loop - Ride of 38.7km / 24m.
A short ride today toward the large fishing port of Olhão, a bustling town with maze like streets and white washed buildings with flat roofs resembling something closer to a North African port, it’s a lovely town to explore its pedestrianized streets with superb tile-fronted buildings. But first, we’ll ride past the Quinta da Marim a wonderful centre within the National Park of the Ria Formosa.

A wonderful spot with sand dunes and mud flats where we’ll take a 3km/1.9m walk past storks nests and one of the countries last remaining tidal mills. Another interesting activity in the park, is a breeding project for the native Portuguese Water Dog. Long before Bo and Sunny, these dogs were originally bred to help fishermen by herding fish into the nets. Weather permitting we'll have the opportunity to set sail along the Formosa to see the dogs in action.

DAY 4 - Estoi to Silves

Estoi to Silves - Ride of 65.9km / 40.9.
We ride out this morning passing the fascinating Roman Ruins Milreu dating from the 2nd to the 6thC AD. What makes this site so unique are the ruins associated with a peristyle villa and dominated by the apse of a temple which was converted into a Christian basilica in the 3rd C AD, making it one of the earliest known churches.

After the ruins we continue west and skirt around Faro through the unique countryside of the Algarve. On one particular stretch we pass, fig trees, orange trees, pomegranate and quince. We ride towards the town of Alte, claimed to be the prettiest in the Algarve and it truly is lovely with narrow cobbled streets trickling down the hillside and a lovely quite spot by a small stream for a fabulous picnic!

DAY 5 - Silves to Lagos

Silves to Lagos - Ride of 77.7km / 48.2m.
Riding out this morning we will be riding parallel to the river Arade which is another spot that’s very popluar with migrating birds. We continue riding inland in a sort of “no man’s land” between the sea and the Serra de Monchique. Rolling hills and bucolic countryside with Gypsies passing on their donkey carts, makes you feel like you’re riding in a different century.

DAY 6 - Lagos Boat

In the morning we offer an optional shuttle out to Sagres to visit the site of Prince Henry the Navigator’s famous navigational school set on a dramatic headland with heart-stopping views. It was here during the 15th C that Prince Henry set up his school gathering the greatest astronomers, cartographers and adventures of his age.

It was from a small beach midway between the Cape of Sagres and Saint Vincent that the first caravel was launched. Yet despite all this, Prince Henry himself never set foot on a boat! In the afternoon, we'll sail along the Algarve coast ducking into it's many turquoise grottoes.

DAY 7 - Farewell

Farewell. We offer shuttles to the Faro airport, train station or bus depot.

Included

Hybrid or Road bicycle hire for the tour duration (e-bikes or race bikes available as optional extras).
Daily breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners, and en route snacks available at all times from the van.
Carefully selected local wine or beer with every delicious meal.
Expert guides with extensive local knowledge, who go above and beyond to cater to your every need.
Entrance fees to all scheduled historic sites, museums, and scenic natural parks.
Pick up and drop off before and after your tour from convenient locations.