SHORT BREAK - Cycling Algarve Coast Line - Portimão to Faro - 3 nights | 2 stages

SHORT BREAK - Cycling Algarve Coast Line - Portimão to Faro - 3 nights | 2 stages

Day 1 - Arrival

Transfer with MegaSport from Faro airport, or from another location of your choice, to the hotel in Portimão, where you will start your cycling holiday. The Fort of Santa Catarina, the Church of the Jesuit College and the ruins of the Convent of San Francisco are some of the highlights to explore in the city.

(Extra nights available before departure to Albufeira).

Day 2 - Portimão to Albufeira (54 km)

The beginning of the stage is marked by a bicycle path along the bank of the Arade River. Visit the Portimão Museum and discover the city's strong connection to fishing culture. Next to the river Arade we find the village of Ferragudo and we immediately feel its fishing environment through fishing boats by the river and by the fishermen on the sidewalk preparing their fishing nets and fishing traps. We recommend a visit to the Church of Ferragudo where you have a fantastic view over the mouth of the River Arade and the city of Portimão. The stage is mainly marked by secondary roads and quiet paths, where olive, cypress, orange, pine, fig and cork oak vegetation predominates. In Carvoeiro, we suggest a visit to its fort and also to the grottoes, islets and water-spouts of the rock formations of Algar Seco. We recommend a visit to the promontory of Senhora da Rocha, a place that was a cult for Visigoths and Muslims, which has a fantastic view over the ocean and also a 16^th century chapel. Cycling through Armação de Pêra enjoy not only its cultural heritage but also a good offer of beaches: Vale do Olival, Armação de Pêra or Pescadores. It is to highlight the passage across the Salgados lagoon, a favourable place for bird watching. In Albufeira, cycling through its winding streets, explore the various “hidden” viewpoints between the white houses, contemplate the Portuguese sidewalk in the downtown and enjoy the fishing gastronomy that the city offers.

Day 3 - 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 4 - Return

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

OPTIONAL: extra nights available on request.