Authentic Algarve By Bike

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.

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/150m

After a great and filling breakfast, start today's journey in Tavira and ride along the incredible Ria Formosa, one of the most beautiful natural parks in the country. As mentioned before, this is an absolute paradise for birdwatchers and part of the Natura 2000 Network. During this day, the views will be the highlight of the tour and provide for some epic sights.

When you get close to the town of Olhão, you will head inland and ride past small villages and once more cross vast areas of orange trees. Take a deep breath, pick up ripe fruit and sit down between the orange and greenfields. The day will finish at a lovely rural hotel in Vale das Gralhas, where you will be staying for the night.

Ascent/Descent - 275m/195m

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/365m

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/680m

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/375m

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/565m

The tour finishes after breakfast. A transfer will take to Faro Airport for your onward journey.