Explore places in the south of Portugal with ancient roots of fishing traditions
Discover incredible landscapes upon the coast and beautiful beaches in the Algarve
Cycle through typical Portuguese villages and towns along the coastal region of the Algarve
4* Hotels
Extra Nights Available
On this self-guided cycling tour along the Algarve Coast, you will cycle 164, 139 or 131 km on a 3-day itinerary, surrounded by incredible coastal landscapes. The carefully selected stages provide memorable moments that you will certainly keep in memory. Highlights include the Ria Formosa Natural Park, the Islamic heritage of Cacela Velha, the stunning Algarve coastline, and the authentic character of traditional coastal villages and towns — experiences you definitely don’t want to miss.
The beginning of your Algarve cycling holiday is marked in Albufeira, a fishing town with a strong Arab legacy, visible throughout the city in its whitewashed houses with rooftop terraces and winding streets. Cycling along the Algarve coast, you will pass through locations with deep-rooted fishing traditions such as Quarteira, Olhão, and many others. Each day, the itinerary reveals some of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim by the Atlantic Ocean.
Along the route, you will pass the magnificent Vilamoura Marina and cycle through pine forests bordering the Foz do Almargem lagoon, offering extraordinary coastal views, before reaching the Ria Formosa Natural Park — one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal. Cycling through its marshlands, you will have the chance to observe a remarkable variety of birds and wildlife in their natural habitat.
With an overnight stay in Faro, the capital of the Algarve, you can explore its rich cultural and historical heritage, including the old town, Carmo Church, and traditional Algarve cuisine. Cycling along the banks of the Gilão River, the journey continues to Tavira, one of the most beautiful and characteristic towns in the Algarve. The itinerary, full of aromas, knowledge and adventure, ends in Vila Real de Santo António, a charming historic town on the banks of the Guadiana River, which forms the natural border between Portugal and Spain.
On your Short Break Cycling Holiday through the Algarve Coast, enjoy golden sandy beaches, traditional coastal villages, local products and traditions, historical sites, and an excellent selection of seafood and authentic Portuguese cuisine.
Certainly, a wonderful experience you will not want to miss.
Arrival transfer with MegaSport from Faro airport, or from another location of your choice, to the hotel in Albufeira, where you will start your cycling holiday. Albufeira is one of the areas where we can see a vast Arab legacy as its white houses with roof terraces and its winding streets, which can be seen in the well-known "old town".
(Extra nights available before departure to Faro).
Day 2 - Albufeira to Faro (51 km)
Day full of adventure and nature. Cycling along a road with some movement through the surrounding area of Albufeira, you have the opportunity to visit the fishing village of Olhos de Água where you can observe a spring of fresh water at the beach sand. Cycling along secondary roads and quiet paths, the landscape is mostly surrounded by pine, olive, cork, palm and some carob trees. Enjoy the passage the Falésia beach, on the Vilamoura beach, on the Quarteira beach, on the Garrão beach or on the Ancão Beach to feel the water of the ocean. In Vilamoura we recommend a visit to the ruins of the Roman villa and a break at the largest marina in the country, where you can observe an extraordinary diversity of boats. In the typical fishing town of Quarteira, visit the fish and regional products market and cycle through the pine forests around the small lagoon of Foz do Almargem, with fantastic views to the ocean and to the small cliffs. It is to highlight the passage through the wooden boardwalks in Quinta do Lago which provides wonderful views to the coast line and presents you with the Natural Park of Ria Formosa, one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal. Here you can see several species of birds such as Flamingo, Western swamphen, Azure-winged magpie and many more. We suggest a visit to Praia de Faro, a fishing village where the inhabitants keep alive ancient traditions. Here, you not only have extraordinary views over the ocean and dunes, but also privileged views over the Algarve mountains. Next to the natural park, cycling through paths with little movement, you reach the marina in the city centre of Faro, where the end of the stage is marked.
Day 3 - Faro to Tavira (44 km)
Start your day exploring the capital of the Algarve. The village arch and the cathedral are some of the highlights that can be seen in the famous "old town" of Faro, which is partially surrounded by the walls built by the Moors. The route to Olhão is partly traced by a road with movement and by a cycle track along the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the saltpans, with views of the Deserta, Farol, Culatra and Armona islands. Visit this typical Algarve town and explore its fishing traditions. We recommend visiting the well-frequented Mercado Municipal and the marina, where you can see the replica of the boat Caíque do Bom Sucesso. Cycling near the fishing port gives you a unique contact with fishing traditions and arts, as well as with local fishermen. The route to Tavira is cycled by roads with little movement between small towns and quiet paths next to the Ria Formosa Natural Park, where the landscape is marked mainly by the presence of olive trees, pines, fig trees and cactus. In the fishing village of Fuseta, observe the architecture of the white houses with roof terraces and enjoy an excellent view over the Ria Formosa while taking a refreshing swim on its beach. The route guides you through the Fuseta saltpans - a place where you can observe several species of birds in their natural habitat such as Flamingo, Pied avocet, Black-winged stilt and many others. Observe small historical landmarks such as the Tower of Aires, some Norias and the two-thousand-year-old Olive tree. In Santa Luzia we suggest visiting Barril beach where you can find the well-known Anchor Cemetery, which were used in the past in the practice of tuna fishing. Enjoy a good meal of typical Algarve cuisine, here best known for making octopus dishes. The end of the stage is marked on the Roman bridge, in the city centre of Tavira.
Day 4 - Tavira to Vila Real de Santo António to Tavira (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 departure transfer with MegaSport to Faro airport or to another location of your choice.
This itinerary covers part of the Algarve Coast, allowing you to visit villages, towns and coastal cities in the region, mostly by secondary roads and quiet paths. It mostly presents a flat terrain with an average of one to two medium-size climbs per day. With an average of 44 km per day, the stages are easily crossed with the support of a detailed roadbook and a GPS, which are provided with the travel pack.
For this program, individual bicycles and 2-seater (tandem) bikes are available - which are an excellent option for the blind and for people who do not know how to ride a bicycle, since they are accompanied by an experienced person in cycling.
If any member of the group or family does not want to cycle one or more stages, they have the possibility to travel between the hotels in the vehicle that performs daily the luggage transfers.
Daily Distances 51 | 44 | 69 or 44 or 36 Km.
Temperature
Blessed with more than 300 days of clear skies, the Algarve region offers excellent temperatures to enjoy a bike tour at any time of the year. Average maximum temperatures range from 16 degrees in January to 29 degrees in August and 19 degrees in November.
Getting to Faro
Plane – You can book your air ticket directly to Faro Airport or Lisbon Airport (with connection to Faro by train or bus).
On this self-guided cycling tour you will cycle 164 or 139 or 131 km on a 3-day itinerary along the Algarve coast, surrounded by incredible landscapes. The selected stages provide you with magnificent moments that you will certainly keep in memory. The wonders of Ria Formosa Natural Park, the Islamic culture of Cacela Velha, the stunning landscapes upon the coast, along with the typical characteristics of the Algarve coastal villages and towns express some of the experiences that you don’t want to miss.
The beginning of your cycling holiday is marked in Albufeira, a fishing town with a vast Arab legacy visible throughout the city like white houses with roof terraces or winding streets. Cycling along the Algarve coast, you will visit several locations with ancient roots of fishing traditions such as Quarteira, Olhão and many others. Cycling along the coast, the itinerary shows you some of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve every day, allowing you to take a refreshing swim daily. Passing the magnificent Vilamoura marina and the pine forests that border the lagoon of Foz do Almargem and providing extraordinary views of the coast, find the Ria Formosa Natural Park - one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal. Cycling through its marshes you have the opportunity to observe a huge variety of birds and animals in their natural habitat. With an overnight stay in the capital of the Algarve, explore the city of Faro and its remarkable cultural and historical heritage. Cycling along the banks of the Gilão River, visit Tavira, one of the most beautiful and typical cities in the Algarve. The itinerary full of aromas, knowledge and adventure reaches its destination in Vila Real de Santo António, a very interesting old city on the banks of the Guadiana River, which forms a natural border between Portugal and Spain.
On your Short Break Cycling Holidays through the Algarve Coast, enjoy the beaches of fine golden sand next to the typical coastal villages and towns, try many products and traditions, discover historical sites, enjoy a great selection of seafood, typical Portuguese cuisine and much more! Certainly, a wonderful experience that you will not want to miss.
We would love to hear from you if you have any queries regarding our programs or you would simply like to discuss your plans with one of our knowledgable & Adventure specialists.
