Book
  • From 820€ /pers
    • Self-guided
    • Cycling
    • Easy
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Charming

About the Portugal cycling holiday: along the Algarve coastal trails trip

About the cycling trip in Portugal

Bordered by the Atlantic ocean, the Algarve is blessed with a glorious climate, boasts a wonderful mix of Mediterranean, Atlantic and tropical cultures and plays an important part in the history of the great Portuguese martime discoveries of the 15th Century.
The Algarve coastline is made up of soaring cliffs, long white sandy beaches, sea caves, lagoons, barrier islands, salt marshes and flats, whilst up in the hilly hinterland nestle the whitewhased houses, rural farmhouses and fruit orchards.
On this Portugal cycling holiday, we have chosen to take you to our favourite parts of the Algarve with the most stunning landscapes: the Vicentine coast to the west, and the Rio Formosa to the east, the two major natural parks of the Algarve. The cycle paths follow the wild coastline offering plenty of opportunities to cool off with a dip in the Atlantic ocean.
Our handpicked accommodations are an integral part of your trip and you will experience the true kindness and authenticity of the Portuguese people.

Highlights of the cycling trip in Portugal

  • The stunning landscapes of the Algarve: soaring cliffs, long white sandy beaches
  • The spectacular Ponta da Piedade and the Cape Saint Vincent: Europe’s untamed extremity
  • An itinerary along the stunning ecovia coastline cycle path 
  • Daily swimming opportunities during the summer months 
  • 3 nights in Tavira, one of the most charming villages in the Algarve 
  • Peddling through the wild and unspoiled natural parks: Ria Formosa in the east and Vicentine in the west


    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

Portugal cycling holiday, along the Algarve coastal trails : Day by Day 

Day 1 - Arrival in Faro

best cycling tour in south portugal algarve

    • Airport welcome and transfer to your hotel in the centre of Faro.
    • Faro is a peaceful little town, on the edge of the lagoons and salt flats of the “Rio Formosa”. Take the time to stroll in the pedestrian streets of the center, decorated with typical Portuguese mosaic. Near the “marina”, the old city "Vila dentro" - in the ramparts - is a jewel of Pombaline architecture of the 18th century. You will be astonished by the storks nesting on the steeple of the cathedral, the orange trees on the squares ... You
      will taste in Faro the gentle life-style in southern Portugal.
    • Night in Faro

    • We recommend : 
      . Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an excursion through the Ria Formosa Natural Park by boat or kayak from the marina in Faro. Stroll through the Vila Dentro, the intramural city of Faro, beautifully decorated with traditional Portuguese mosaic and admire the orange trees in the squares.                                                           
      . Visit the bone chapel in Faro

    • Access :
      . Direct flights to Faro 
      . Regular train Lisbon / Faro ( approx 3h)

Day 2 - From Faro to Tavira

portugal cycling trip in algrave

  • Ride - Faro > Olhão > Tavira  
    44 km / 27.3 miles - Ascent: + 200m / Descent: - 200m 
  • Morning bike delivery  before you start your cycling trip
  • Bike ride from Faro to Tavira, via Olhão, the largest fishing port in the Algarve. We recommend visiting Olhão’s market where you can purchase fresh and dry fruit for the day before continuing alongside the Ria Formosa park with its salt marshes and the canals of its lagoon. Multianecular trees line the country road that leads to Tavira, one of the most charming towns in the region with beautifully preserved architechture. 
  • Night in Tavira.
  • MEALS included: Breakfast  

  • We recommend:
    . Taking the time to explore the streets in the old town of Olhão

Day 3 - Loop around Tavira

cycling holiday on tavira island algarve portugal

  • Ride - Tavira > Santa Luzia > Tavira
    . 25 km / 15.5 miles - Ascent: + 200m / Descent: - 200m
    . optional: extra 5km / 3 miles on foot to the Tavira beach
  • Following the bucolic Gilão river, explore the Barrocal: the back country with soft rolling hills laden with orange, olive, almond, and carob trees. Your itinerary takes you to the traditional village of Santo Estevao where "eau-de-vie" is made from arbutus berries. You can take the footbridge onto the path leading to the long stretch of beach on the Tavira island for a swim or a drink, or visit the tuna fishing museum with its collection of anchers. Return to Tavira via the picturesque octopus fishing village of Santa Luzia
  • Night in Tavira
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • We recommend:
    . Exploring the Pego do Interno, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Algarve, tasting a medronho in Santo Estevão , having a pit stop in the village of Santa Luzia. 

Day 4 - Tavira to Vila Real de Santo Antonio

cycling to famous beach cacelha velha in portugal algarve

  • Ride - Tavira > Cacela Velha > Vila Real de Santo Antonio
    40 km / 24.8 miles - Ascent: +  150m / Descent: -  150m
  • You set off from Tavira on a cycle-path following the salt flats and the Rio Formosa to the spectacular fortified village of Cacela Velha overlooking the barrier islands and the lagoons with fisherman and oyster farms. You reach the town of Via Real and then Castro Marim with a castle overlooking the Guadiana River and natural border with Spain. You can continue by following the river to the south-eastern point of Portugal. Return transfer to Tavira. 
  • Night in Tavira
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • Daily market in Tavira from 8am to 1pm where you can enjoy a Laranja do João fruit juice. 

  • We recommend:
    .Heading to the beach in front of Cacela Velha (on foot or by boat, depending on the tide)
    .Visiting the medieval Castro Marim castle. 

Day 5 - Odiaxere to Burgau

best cycling roads to lagos and meia praia beach

  • Ride - Odiaxere > Burgau
    37 km / 22.9 miles - Ascent: + 300m / Descent: - 300m
  • Transfer by private taxi to the west to Odiaxere (1h), a small village close to the famous Meia praia beach. After this first part of the itinerary, you arrive in Lagos, where the first of the great Portuguese sailing ships departed in the 15th century. After visiting the city linked to the Age of Discoveries, you head towards the spectacular Ponta da Piedade, one of the most impressive geological sites of the Algarve with its small islands and ochre cliffs that plunge into the ocean. Continue towards the village of Burgau on the coast.
  • Night in Burgau. Or transfer to Sagres and night in Sagres for the charming accommodation option
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • We recommend: 
    . Having a drink or a swim at the Meia Praia beach
    . Visiting Lagos on foot and walking to Ponta da Piedade

Day 6 - Burgau to Sagres

best cycling trip in portugal algarve to cape saint vincent

  • Ride - Burgau > Cape St Vincent > Sagres 
    44 km / 27.3 miles - Ascent: +500 m / Descent: -500 m
  • For the charming accommodation option : transfer from Sagres to Burgau, the start of the ride. 
  • From Burgau, ride to Cape Saint Vincent via the village of Vila do Bispo. Europe’s extremity is untamed: from the cape, the western coast carves its way northward and the cliffs covered with moorland rise above the waves. Continue towards Sagres point where we recommend visiting the fortress where Henry the Navigator’s finest minds prepared the nautical expeditions of the 15th century. Transfer from the fortress in Sagres to Burgau. 
  • Night in Burgau . Or transfer to Sagres and night in Sagres for the charming accommodation option
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • We recommend: 
    . Pit stop at the beaches Zavial and Ingrina
    . Visiting the museum in Cape St Vincent
    . Taking the time to listen to the sounds of the ocean from the famed fortress in Sagres, called "furna de Sagres" 

Day 7 - Back to Faro

self guided tour active cycling holiday in portugal algrave starts in faro

  • Transfer to Faro by private transfer (2h30). Free day in Faro
    You can explore the Ria Formosa Natural Park by boat or by kayak, enjoy swimming opportunities on the extensive beaches and stroll through the streets of the intramural city. 
  • Night in Faro
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 8 - End of your Portugal cycling holiday

self guided cycling portugal coast

  • End of your trip in Faro after breakfast. Transfer from your hotel to the airport in Faro 
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • Access: 
    . Direct bus and train to Lisbon
    . Flights from Faro airport to Lisbon

  • We recommend :
    . Have an extra night in Faro, and explore the picturesque cidade velha (old town) surrounded by medieval walls that protect a gothic cathedral, an episcopal palace and pretty little cobbled streets.
    On Faro's doorstep are the lagoons of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and nearby beaches, including the islands of Ilha de Faro to the southwest and Ilha da Barreta to the south. You can go on a boat trip through the Rio Formosa park. 
    . Continue onwards to Lisbon with our walking city trek in Lisbon

- Add a extra night in Faro !

  • Faro, the capital of the Algarve deserves a visit at the beginning or end of your stay !
    The preserved inner city is largely pedestrianised, with storks nesting over certain monuments and Jacaranda trees.
    . The Cathedral, the Chapel of the Bones and the City Museum are worth a visit, and there are several possibilities to discover the Natural Park of the Ria Formosa departing from the marina.
    . The islands of Farol, Culatra and Deserta are very close to Faro and boast lagoons, sandbanks with turquoise waters, barrier islands with dune cords and inifinate beaches. From the marina you can take a boat out to these islands. Kayak excursions or guided boat trips are possible.

  • You can also continue onwards to Lisbon with our walking city trek in Lisbon
  • From 820€ /pers
    • Self-guided
    • Cycling
    • Easy
      • 8 days
      • From January to December
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Charming

Let's book your tour !

TOTAL
1640€
Accommodation details
From the blog

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  • 2 - Enter your details on the next page.
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Peace of mind

  • Free cancellation if you need to cancel your booking due to official government travel advice or covid-related restrictions.
  • Your booking is protected by our membership of Rejsegarantifonden (the Danish Travel Guarantee Fund).

Contact us

  • +33 - (0)4 86 65 00 20
  • contact@intura.com

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    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

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Portugal - Mainland Portugal
Portugal cycling holiday: along the Algarve coastal trails
    • 8 days
    • Cycling
    • Easy
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
  •   Accommodation choice :
      • Simple
        • /
      • Comfort
        • /
      • Charming

Highlights of the cycling trip in Portugal

  • The stunning landscapes of the Algarve: soaring cliffs, long white sandy beaches
  • The spectacular Ponta da Piedade and the Cape Saint Vincent: Europe’s untamed extremity
  • An itinerary along the stunning ecovia coastline cycle path 
  • Daily swimming opportunities during the summer months 
  • 3 nights in Tavira, one of the most charming villages in the Algarve 
  • Peddling through the wild and unspoiled natural parks: Ria Formosa in the east and Vicentine in the west


    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From
820€ / pers
Trip details
Portugal cycling holiday: along the Algarve coastal trails
      • Portugal - Mainland Portugal
      • 2 adults (2x820€)
      • 0 children (0x0€)
    • 8 days
    • Simple
Total 1640 €
Deposit 500 €
Book now !