A paved and dirt bicycling adventure through the southernmost coastal region of Portugal, the Algarve. You will begin in Tavira as you pedal towards Cabo de São Vicente, also known as the end of the world. Along the way you will cycle past ocher cliffs, citrus groves, sleepy beach towns and experience the warm culture of the Algarve. Ride through valleys filled with dense cushions of Mediterranean vegetation defined by their rocky surroundings, and along clear water streams. Explore the Natural Park of Ria Formosa, a lagoon system that extends over 60 km (37 miles) of the coastline and is home to hundreds of bird species. Discover the lovely Moorish town of Silves or the cliff site of Ponta da Piedade in Lagos. Join us to cycle under sunny skies, and over a variety of paved and dirt terrain as you explore sandy shores as far as the eyes can see, soaring cliffs, whitewashed fishing villages, and a true taste of the warm Mediterranean culture.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Explorer tour at the Explorer Tour Style page.
* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
Ria Formosa - a wild Paradise, old cities, typical villages, beautiful beaches of Algarve and Lagos, Cape S. Vicente - once known as "the end of the world", Moorish-style architecture, Mediterranean nature and ocean landscapes
Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Explorer tour at the Explorer Tour Style page.
Includes
8 days, 7 night's accommodation, meals as noted in itinerary, GPS with tracks, support vehicle and 2 bilingual tour leaders, transfer to and from Lisbon
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Explorer tour at the Explorer Tour Style page.
Consider that around 50% of the ride will be on dirt paths and roads sometimes with rocky or rough terrain. Your pace will be slower and the perceived effort will be greater than when you are on pavement.
Highlights: Test ride, birds of Tavira, Medieval Tavira castle
Welcome to Portugal! We'll pick you up at our meeting point before shuttling together to Tavira. In Tavira, we recommend taking some time to explore the architectural heritage which reflects Roman, Arab and Christian influences. Enjoy a relaxing day strolling cobbled streets, and check out some of the 22 churches in this town layered with Portuguese history. (If you only have time for one, visit the the church of Santa Maria do Castelo, which was built in the 13th century on the site of what was probably one of the largest Moorish mosques in the Algarve.) We'll celebrate the beginning of our adventure with a special dinner tonight.
After a delicious breakfast start today's journey in Tavira and ride along the incredible Ria Formosa, one of the most beautiful natural parks in Portugal. This is an absolute paradise for birdwatchers and part of the Natura 2000 Network. Breathtaking coastal views will be another of many highlights on today's ride. As you approach the town of Olhão, you will cycle inland and ride past lush fields and typical villages of the region. Keep your eyes (and nose!) peeled for vast areas of orange trees along the way.
Road Surface: 50% gravel, 50% paved.
Distance: 53km (33mi)
Gain: 616m (2020ft)
Terrain:
Day Level:
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3: Olhão to Alte
Highlights: São Brás de Alportel
Today's ride is challenging and well worth the effort as the scenery is even more breathtaking than the climbs as you cycle north through rolling hills close to the Algarve mountain range. Along the way, visit the town of São Brás de Alportel, which was once the biggest cork producing centers in Portugal. A mixture of roads and trails will take you through lush green fields. The cycling is fresh with Mediterranean flora and fauna that will invigorate both your lungs and spirit. Our destination is the lovely hillside village of Alte, which is famous for its whitewashed houses and freshwater springs. The presence of water year-round in an otherwise arid region adds to the unique charm of this village.
Road Surface: 40% gravel, 60% paved.
Distance: 44km (28mi)
Gain: 532m (1745ft)
Terrain:
Day Level:
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4: Alte to Silves
Highlights: Cork tree forests, Silves
Today you’ll cycle along dirt roads and paths winding through green valleys as you head towards Arade Dam. This has to be a contender for one of the most beautiful rides ever. You'll wind your way along a reservoir and then enter a forest of cork-oak trees, and then gently cruise down the valley towards your destination, Silves. This town has a fascinating history as it was the former capital of the Kingdom of the Algarve. Take a stroll and explore the Silves castle and the Moorish architectural sites. We'll top off the day with a fabulous meal overlooking the city's castle.
Road Surface: 80% gravel, 20% paved.
Distance: 54km (34mi)
Gain: 562m (1843ft)
Terrain:
Day Level:
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: Silves to Lagos
Highlights: Beaches, Lagos, unpack for 2 nights!
Today's ride is rewarded with great views of the Atlantic! The journey continues along the Odelouca River, enjoy this rural area and typical Portuguese villages like Odiáxere which you'll pass along the way. The path leads you to the Atlantic Ocean and an incredible beach wrapped around one of Europe's largest bays. This golden-sand beach is called "Meia Praia" (which translates to "half beach"), funny enough because it's actually one of the longest beaches of the Algarve and is renowned for its spaciousness and tranquility. After enjoying the coast, you will cycle to the cosmopolitan city of Lagos, where we'll spend two nights. Settle in at our hotel and relax as you'll have all day tomorrow to explore town.
Road Surface: 35% gravel, 65% paved.
Distance: 49km (31mi)
Gain: 411m (1348ft)
Terrain:
Day Level:
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: Rest day in Lagos
Highlights: Historic Lagos, Ponta de Piedade cliffs
One of the oldest towns in the Algarve, Lagos is a historic center of the Portuguese age of discoveries and frequent home of Henry the Navigator. Lagos was home to a historic shipyard and at one point in history, the center of the European slave trade. Save some time to walk around downtown and enjoy a meal in one of the cities wonderful restaurants. We'll also suggest a walk to the beautiful Ponta de Piedade cliffs and it's picturesque lighthouse. This headland just south of town is home to some of the most iconic sandstone cliffs off the coast and on a clear day you'll have views of Carvoeiro to the east and Sagres to the west.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7: Lagos to Sagres
Highlights: Sagres - "the-end-of the world", Cabo de São Vicente
Today you will follow some beautiful trails along the coastline to Ponta da Piedade. The route then heads west and passes through stunning scenery and quaint coastal villages to Sagres. Upon your arrival in Sagres you will be greeted with cliffs and rocks featuring an amazing array of colors. Sagres, " the end of the world" not only has dramatic coastal scenery there is also a fascinating nautical past as you'll see at the Sagres Fortress. Continue a short distance to the edge of Europe, Cabo de São Vicente - the south-westernmost point of continental Europe.
As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements,
check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like
Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying into Lisbon Airport. (LIS)
Getting to the Meeting Hotel in Lisbon from the Lisbon Airport
Taxi or Uber (25 min/EUR 15-20)
or Aerobus (stop Tivoli Theater, right in front of the hotel) (50 min/EUR 3-4)
For more travel planning tips, including our packing lists, visit our
Travel Planning Pages.
Day 8: Departure Information
Tour ends - safe travels!
We spend our last night of the tour in Sagres, about 200 miles from Lisbon. If you wish to stay in Sagres, where the tour ends, or head to other locations, note that Sagres is poorly connected by public transportation. The best option is to rent a car and the hotel can assist with this option. Buses are available but seasonal schedules apply and most schedules are restricted to morning hours as opposed to the afternoon.
The tour ends on the final day with an ExperiencePlus! shuttle drop-off at either
Lisbon airport (LIS); arrival at *2 p.m. (4-hour transfer)
Shuttle reservations 30 days prior to the tour start are required. Reserve by
emailing us. If you can't make the shuttle, you will be responsible for your own transportation.
*Note: Book your flight out of LIS after 4:30 p.m.
Keep in Mind
We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Explorer tour at the Explorer Tour Style page.
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To Do Today!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation Email, it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed. As you make your plans refer to the Getting To and Away sent to you in your booking confirmation email it provides meeting times and the starting and ending hotels and shuttle information when applicable.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights. Please refer to the Getting To and Away sheet you received in your Reservation Confirmation Email.
Final payment is due 90 days prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Deposit Payment Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail you have received for detailed instructions.
6 Weeks–2 Weeks Prior to Departure
Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Suggested Reading and Movie List which you'll find on the country page linked from the www.experienceplus.com/travelinfo page.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Very hilly
Mountainous
