Day 1: Lisbon
Upon your arrival in Lisbon, a private transfer will take you to your hotel in Sesimbra, just south of Lisbon. Sesimbra is a charming seaside resort, located at the foot of the Arrábida mountain range: its pristine beaches and rugged cliffs provide the perfect backdrop for enjoying freshly cooked seafood, for which it is famous. Weather permitting, admire the panoramic views from the ramparts of the Castelo de Sesimbra, or take a quick detour to Cabo Espichel, a spectacular headland that houses a church, a lighthouse, and… two sets of dinosaur footprints!
Day 2: Sesimbra – Setúbal (43 km; +540 m)
Starting from the spectacular Cabo Espichel, most of today's stage will be along the limestone cliffs, inside the Arrábida Natural Park, overlooking the crystal-clear waters of Setúbal Bay and the Troia Peninsula, with its fine white sand beaches. Along the route, you will encounter numerous points of interest including the Arrábida Convent, which deserves a small detour for its historical value and the panoramic view. Your destination today, Setúbal, is a thriving port city, with a characteristic old district where you can spend hours in one of the beautiful squares, tasting local specialties, chocos fritos (fried cuttlefish). Or treat yourself to a pleasant boat trip along the estuary, where you can spot many types of birds in the salt pans. This nature reserve also hosts a colony of bottlenose dolphins. In short, there's a lot to see and do in and around the city!
Day 3: Setúbal – Santiago do Cacém (62 km; +580 m)
After breakfast, you will take the ferry to cross the bay to the Troia Peninsula. Watch out for dolphins because they are known to jump on board the boat! You will then cycle along the peninsula, partly on a designated cycle path. It's worth taking a moment to visit the Roman ruins that you will encounter on your route, once an important fish salting factory. Coming down you will arrive in Carrasqueira, an ancient fishing community where you can still see traditional reed houses and narrow fishing boats moored in the mud flats nearby. The tour continues for almost 20 kilometers, taking you through sand dunes and rice fields, ending in the Alentejo region and the delightful town of Comporta, one of the trendiest places in the region. If you're feeling brave, you could try their local specialty, the Blueberry Caipirosca, a vodka-based cocktail whose original recipe comes from Brazil. From here the landscape begins to change as you head inland; you will pass through forests of cork oaks and heaths rich in pines and eucalyptus. You will stay in the lively town of Santiago do Cacém, with its imposing Moorish castle and a very interesting history.
Day 4: Santiago do Cacém – Vila Nova de Milfontes (62 km; +500 m)
Today's stage will take you back to the Atlantic coast. But first, you will cycle along very quiet roads and through villages surrounded by rolling countryside and cork oak forests. You might decide to stop at Cercal, a typical Alentejo town, rich in traditional architecture. You can explore its old town, made up of a network of lanes and alleys, taste local products, and discover local traditions. Once at the picturesque village of São Luís, you will continue towards the Atlantic and the famous seaside town of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Very popular among the Portuguese, it is a lively and welcoming town overlooking the Mira River. It's a beautifully traditional town and the myriad of cobbled lanes are perfect for exploring at your leisure.
Day 5: Vila Nova de Milfontes – Aljezur (75 km; +650 m)
Today's stage is a bit longer, but you'll be rewarded with fabulous views as you cross the picturesque Costa Vicentina Natural Park. Some possible diversions might include: Praia do Almograve, widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the west coast; Cabo Sardão lighthouse, where you can observe storks nesting on the rocks below; or Entrada da Barca, a natural fishing harbor. Reaching Zambujeira do Mar, you'll be tempted to linger in the charming whitewashed village, perched on top of a gigantic cliff overlooking a wide sandy bay. Continue along the untouched coastline, enjoy the breathtaking views, listen to the waves crashing and breathe in some of Europe's freshest air! Worth a stop is also Odeceixe, a quiet town perched on a hill overlooking the Seixe river estuary, straddling the Alentejo and the Algarve. Leaving Odeceixe behind, you won't just be crossing into the Algarve, but entering 'sweet potato land', of which Aljezur is considered the capital. It is said that the best varieties of sweet potatoes are produced here due to the particularly favorable climate and sea air, so it is, undoubtedly, the best place to try them cooked in one of the traditional ways.
Day 6: Aljezur – Monchique (50 km; +1290 m)
Today's stage is the most challenging in terms of altitude, as you will reach the highest point in the Algarve, Foia. This is a famous climb that is undertaken by local and professional cyclists during the Volta ao Algarve and similar events. Leaving Aljezur, you will face a steep climb to the small hamlet of Pedascas, where you will start to be rewarded for your efforts with spectacular views over the Algarve. The road becomes hillier towards Marmelete, where there are a couple of cafes used to welcoming cyclists in search of some refreshment while facing this breathtaking climb. From Marmelete, you'll take the road less traveled, on the north side of the Monchique mountain range, to get close to the Foia climb. After taking a photo, with the Atlantic Ocean far beneath you, you'll descend on the south side. Your boutique hotel, with a spectacular view, is located just outside the charming mountain village of Monchique.
Day 7: Monchique – Albufeira (76 km; +780 m)
Although heading from the mountain to the sea, today's route isn't all downhill: you'll make a small detour through the quiet hillside village of Alferce before tackling a winding descent to Barragem (reservoir) of Odelouca. Mostly quiet and flat roads will take you through unspoiled countryside to the picturesque city of Silves. Once a Moorish capital, Silves is a charming city on the banks of the Rio Arade. Rich in history, it hosts the best-preserved castle in the Algarve. It's a good place for a break: a short hop to the castle will lead you to a pleasant square with an excellent café, popular with locals and visitors. You'll then pedal your way through the traditional agricultural town of Algoz and the small but lively Guia. Birthplace of the famous Pollo Piri Piri, Guia is full of places claiming to be the 'original', 'first', 'king' of Piri Piri! So you can easily choose and enjoy a simple, inexpensive and plentiful meal before setting off for the last stretch of your trip. The final kilometers will take you through the famous Adega do Cantor vineyard, founded by Sir Cliff Richard. These gentle hills will be your last postcard of Algarve countryside as you descend towards the coast to reach the famous seaside town, Albufeira, where you will be staying.
Day 8: Albufeira
After breakfast, private transfer from the hotel to Faro airport or, to return to Lisbon, to the railway station. End of services.
Algarve
4.9/5on15 reviews
378km
8 days