Cycling Tavira - 4 nights | 3 stages

Cycling Tavira - 4 nights | 3 stages

Day 1 - Arrival

Optional transfer with Megasport from Faro airport, or from another location of your choice, to the hotel in Tavira, where you will start your cycling holiday. Tavira is a region in the Algarve that has one of the most important cultural and historical heritage. Its beautiful castle, the Tavira tower (Câmara obscura) and its many churches are some of the examples to explore in the city.

(Extra nights available)

Day 2 - Local Tour (27 km)

Start your day exploring Tavira, one of the most beautiful and typical cities in the Algarve. The starting point of the stage is next to the roman bridge in the center of the city. Cycling along the bank of the Gilão River, the route guides you to the saltpans of Tavira - a place where you can observe several species of birds in their natural habitat such as Flamingo, Pied avocet, Kingfisher and many others. Following the route through quiet roads, observe the magnificent views over the mountains and feel the aromas of the pine, fig and orange trees that are almost always present. It is to highlight a visit to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Saúde in São Marcos, dating from the 16^th century. Cycling for more than 3 km along the west bank of the river Gilão, until you reach the end of the stage in the city center, it will certainly mark your day and your vacation.

Day 3 - Cork Tour (58 km)

It is the most challenging stage of the program due to its natural climbs from the rural Algarve. This circuit shows you a little of three municipalities in the Algarve: Tavira, where olive trees and orange trees are the predominant vegetation; Olhão and São Brás de Alportel, where carob trees, olive trees and cork tree are the predominant vegetation. The route dominated by quiet roads and some rural paths allows you to get to know the rural Algarve, its people and its traditions. In Santo Estêvão, visit the Mother Church which originated in a medieval hermitage and observe the typical Algarve houses with emphasis on its platband cut out under the blue sky. In São Brás de Alportel, take some time to visit the Costume Museum, which features a display of typical costumes of the Algarve in the 19^th and 20^th centuries; the Mother Church not only for its history but also for its exceptional views and one of the cork factories - one of the most characteristic raw materials in the country. In Luz de Tavira we highlight the visit to the Mother Church of Nossa Senhora da Luz, which is classified as a Monument of Public Interest. The route back to Tavira is cycled along the Ria Formosa, in Santa Luzia. We suggest a visit to Barril beach where you can find the well-known Anchor Cemetery, which used to be used in the practice of tuna fishing. Before completing your stage, still in Santa Luzia, enjoy a good meal of typical Algarve cuisine, here best known for making octopus dishes.

Day 4 - Discoveries Tour (69 km | or 44 km + train | or 36 km + train)

Start your day exploring Tavira, one of the most beautiful and typical cities in the Algarve. Its beautiful castle, the Church of Misericórdia and the Camera Obscura are some of the highlights of the city. Starting at the Roman bridge, the stage leads us to Cabanas de Tavira, where we cycle along the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a 60 km long lagoon system. The route is mostly cycled by secondary roads and quiet paths, where you can observe and visit some strategic defensive points on the Algarve coast. Passing through Cacela Velha it is impossible to stop feeling its Islamic culture. Visit its Mother Church built on a primitive medieval building, the Cacela Fortress - where in the same place was once a Moorish castle and observe the fantastic view over the coast. Cycling along the coast you have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim at Manta Rota beach, at Altura beach, at Praia Verde beach, at Cabeço beach, at Monte Gordo beach or at Santo António beach. The path through the pine forest next to Monte Gordo beach and through the National Forest of the Dunes of Vila Real de Santo António until the Guadiana River, where the natural border is marked between Portugal and Spain, is a great highlight of the day. Cycling along the Portuguese bank of the Guadiana River, the stage guides us through the city of Enlightenment - Vila Real de Santo António. Visit the Marquês de Pombal square, the city parish and the market of regional products spread through these streets. The stay is again in Tavira, so you can choose to return by train or cycle. Although we recommend to cycle the full stage, in Vila Real de Santo António and in Castro Marim you have the possibility to return to Tavira by train. The way to Castro Marim is marked through cycle tracks until the Ravelin of Santo António, where you’ve exceptional views all around. We recommend visiting its Mother Church and its Castle, where you have not only a fantastic history but also extraordinary views. The route back is traced by secondary roads between small villages, farmlands (orange, lemon, persimmons) and vineyards, with some views over the ocean. The end of the stage is biked along the east bank of the river Gilão to the city center.

Day 5 - Return

End of the program with optional transfer with MegaSport to Faro airport or to another location of your choice.

OPTIONAL: extra nights available on request.