Best of the Algarve Cycling Tour

Best of the Algarve Cycling Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Faro

Bem-Vinda (welcome)! You have arrived in the Algarve.

A staff member will greet you at the airport and provide you with a briefing on the tour. A transfer will then take you to your accommodations in Sagres and you can brush up on some important Portuguese expressions along the way! If you have opted to have this tour guided and your arrival time permits, you will have the option to cycle to Faro Beach and can also visit the Fortress of Sagres.

Enjoy your first dinner in Sagres tonight and become pleasantly acquainted with life in the Algarve.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sagres
Distance: None
Meals (Guided): Dinner
Meals (Self-guided): None

Day 2 Seaside Villas and Coastal Villages

It’s time to get in the saddle and begin your cycling adventure in the Algarve! Today’s route is a nicely paced warm-up introducing you to the beauty of the Algarve through multiple stops at picturesque small coastal villages. Admire the picture-perfect villas that line the pristine beaches in the seaside towns of Salema and Burgau.

Tonight’s stay is a special one in Meia Praia where your accommodations will overlook the vast sea. Enjoy dinner and a stroll along the sandy shores before retiring for the night in this spectacular location.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Meia Praia
Distance: 43 km
Meals (Guided): Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals (Self-guided): Breakfast

Day 3 Algarve Grapes and Benagil Cave

Another breathtaking day of scenery awaits you as you make your way from Lagos to Armação de Pêra, a beautiful beach town set on a broad bay. A pleasant ride along the coastline today will have you bear witness to the magical lagoon of Alvor and the most famous sea cave in the Algarve, Benagil Cave, found in the quaint fishing village of Benagil. A boat tour (not included) is a must to explore the cave!

To top off this magical day, your final stop will be at a local vineyard, where you can sample some of best wines of Algarve and take in the sprawling fields of rich grapes. Tonight you’ll rest at your accommodations in Armação de Pêra, enjoying a local dinner and enjoying the cool sea breeze.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Armação de Pêra
Distance: 42 km listed
Meals (Guided): Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals (Self-guided): Breakfast

Day 4 Bird Watching and Bustling Resort Towns

Observe the landscape as it changes before your eyes today, introducing you to some of the Algarve’s most popular resort towns.

But first, a visit to Salgados Lagoon is in order. This is one of the most popular birdwatching sites in the whole of the Algarve. As one of the most important freshwater wetlands here, the lagoon is home to a variety of bird species. Spend some time enjoying this serene location, home to over 200 bird species including the Greater Flamingo, the Squacco Heron, and the Eurasian Spoonbill.

Riding on to Albufeira, one of the Algarve’s liveliest and most energetic resorts, you’ll be greeted by the magnetic energy here. Explore and soak it up! Finally, you’ll ride to the Algarve’s largest resort, where you’ll find your accommodations for tonight. Peruse the stunning marina or catch a sunset swim before enjoying another tantalizing dinner.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Vilamora
Distance: 37 km
Meals (Guided): Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals (Self-guided):

Day 5 Ria Formosa Natural Reserve

Departing Vilamoura this morning, you’ll ride to Quarteira, a modest fishing village famous for its seafood and pine tree forests. Setting out from Quarteira, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the famous resorts of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, both boasting stylish contemporary architecture.

Following a taste of modernity at the resorts, delve into the splendid natural beauty of the Ria Formosa natural reserve. Known as one of the “7 Natural Wonders of Portugal”, Ria Formosa is home to over 20,000 birds and consists of a salty lagoon protected from the sea by 5 barrier islands and 2 peninsulas.

Your final ride of the day will take you into Faro, the capital of the Algarve. Explore the bustling city center, drinking in the history whilst sightseeing before ending your day in Olhão, where you’ll find tonight’s accommodations.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Olhão
Distance: 53 km
Meals (Guided): Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals (Self-guided): Breakfast

Day 6 Olhão and Tavira

Today you’ll have the chance to explore Olhão, the largest fishing port in the Algarve. Bursting with character, Olhão’s Moorish-style homes and bustling markets with stalls toting fresh fish straight from the sea make it a noteworthy stop on the tour.

Back on the road, you’ll cycle until Fuzeta and have the option to stop for a coffee and enjoy the views of the Ria Formosa salty lagoon. Today’s ride will end in one of the most emblematic locations of the Algarve, beautiful Tavira! Explore remains of ancient city bridges, churches, and castles and enjoy the myriad of restaurants, cafes, and shops that line the attractive streets here.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Tavira
Distance: 30 km
Meals (Guided): Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals (Self-guided): Breakfast

Day 7 Fabrica Beach and Vila Real de Santo António

Leaving Tavira behind, ride to Vila Real de Santo António by way of the charming hilltop village of Cacela-a-Velha. Seize your chance to experience one of the best beaches in the world, Fabrica Beach, tucked just below the village.

Arriving in Vila Real de Santo António, feeling the rush of having just completed over 200 km of cycling across the Algarve! Vila Real de Santo António is set on the Guadiana River that separates southeast Portugal from its neighbour Spain. Rebuilt in its entirety after a catastrophic earthquake in 1755, the city is a sight to behold, boasting beautiful Pombaline architecture and an impressive central town plaza.

Enjoy the ambience of this unique Portuguese town, soaking up your final moments on the tour and enjoying an unforgettable final meal tonight.
Overnight Location: Vila Real de Santo António
Distance: 35 km
Meals (Guided): Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals (Self-guided): Breakfast

Day 8 Departure

Today you’ll say goodbye to the beautiful Algarve, taking with you the many magical memories you’ve made over the past seven days! A private transfer will take you to Faro Airport (FAO) where you will depart.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals (Guided): Breakfast
Meals (Self-guided): Breakfast