Day 1: Lisbon
Arrival individually at Lisbon Airport and transfer to Palmela (about 30 minutes). At 6:00 pm welcome drink and first briefing of this active tour of Portugal, followed by a superb dinner with fresh fish at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Palmela – Setúbal (65 km, +/- 1485 m)
Today's route will first take us to Sesimbra, one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Portugal. Visit to the castle bathed in the morning light. Built in the 12th century by order of King Sancho I in Romanic style, the castle, towering splendidly above the harbour, is known in the area as The Moors Castle. It's also worthwhile to take a tour of the fish market, down in the charming village and maybe a quick dip from the beautiful beach. Continuing along the route, the lush green of the Arrábida Natural Park will keep us company until we reach the beach of Portinho da Arrábida, the perfect place for a drink and swim. The last part of our bike ride will take us to Setúbal, the final destination of the day, a lively and prosperous city. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Setúbal.
Day 3: Setúbal – Santo André (71 km, +/- 540 m)
After breakfast we will visit the centre of Setúbal, before taking the ferry across the Sado River, which is home to a populous population of dolphins. We will then travel the Troia peninsula where, cycling among the sand dunes of what was once an island, we will reach the place where our wine tasting is waiting for us, after which we can take advantage of it to choose a beach in this stretch of 50 km of white sand to relax and have fun. Wild bids and storks will then keep us company as we pedal among rice fields, Moorish heritage. Towards the end of the stage we will still have time to explore a couple of freshwater lagoon ecosystems and a unique open-air marble library. Cycling we will admire the beautiful panoramic road to Santo André. Dinner and overnight at a hotel with swimming pool in Santo André
Day 4: Santo André – Vila Nova de Milfontes (70 km, +/- 1240 m)
After warming up, we will reach Santiago do Cacém, an interesting and ancient town with an aristocratic architecture and a castle with a view. Here we can visit the last functioning windmill located a few minutes from the city centre and known even beyond the borders of Portugal. The bike route then goes through a lush oak forest finding its way straight to the coast. The blue ocean and the shale cliffs fill the background of our arrival at the fishing village of Porto Covo. Along the way we will first find a fortification built to protect a natural bay from pirate attacks and then a rock pier where we can watch the fish discharge and see lampreys drying in the sun. Later we can relax on the beach or stroll through the narrow streets and shops of Vila Nova de Milfontes. The day will end in a romantic farmhouse by the river, complete with a swimming pool and dinner.
Day 5: Vila Nova de Milfontes – Aljezur (87 km, +/- 670 m)
Set the camera in landscape mode and start the day pedalling on incredible roads used only by locals and framed by rocks that dive into the ocean, adorned with storks' nests, unexplored bays and little beaches with an impressive range of colours and contrasts. This part of the route mostly develops on dirt roads, with some more challenging sections, so stopping by now and then to take pictures will really be inevitable! Along the way we will also discover some wild and hidden beaches where we can enjoy a nice moment of relaxation. Praia de Odeceixe, included among the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, is the perfect place for a coffee break. The stage ends in the village of Aljezur, with the characteristic rural houses of the Algarve: the art gallery and boutique are worth visiting, as well as the local museums. Overnight stay in Aljezur.
Day 6: Aljezur – Sagres (85 km, +/-1150 m)
We will start the day by conquering the top of the hill with the Aljezur Castle sitting on it, and we will enjoy a splendid view over the village with its immaculate gardens. As we cycle along the coast we will be able to spot the Pedra da Agulha, a massive rock emerging from the foamy waves of the ocean. Right after we can choose whether to follow the winding asphalt road or to embark on an adventure on a dirt track, through breathtaking valleys. We recommend visiting the fishermen's museum in the village of Carrapateira. As we continue, we may again decide whether to take the asphalt road or the dirt road that traverses a lush valley, reaching the village of Vila do Bispo. We are now very close to the most South-Western point of Europe, the Cabo de Sao Vicente, considered by the Romans as the end of the world. The cliffs here are impressive, we advise you to go down to the beach to feel the energy of this place. When we get to Sagres, we recommend visiting the fortress (Fortaleza de Sagres) before we head to our hotel on top of the cliff to admire the fantastic view and learn about Portugal's history and overseas discoveries, which this place is closely linked with. Overnight stay in Sagres at a charming Pousada with a swimming pool.
Day 7: Sagres – Lagos (55 km, +/- 720 m)
Today, by pedalling towards the East, we will encounter a landscape mainly characterized by cliffs, ranging from black shales to orange sandstones and calmer, warmer waters. There will be many opportunities to enjoy these magical places. We may decide to pedal the entire stage on asphalt or follow the seaside track, which is more scenic and has more challenging dirt tracks. We will notice a change in the atmosphere: the villages are bigger, more touristy, animated by numerous cafes, restaurants and shops. Lagos, a characteristic historical town of Algarve, is considered a top destination by those who decide to travel to the South of Portugal. This vibrant centre offers picturesque beaches, bustling nightlife and excellent tourist facilities. We recommend visiting the local museum, the beautiful church and immersing yourself in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city centre. Or you can book a boat trip to enjoy the city from a different perspective. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Lagos.
Day 8: Lagos
After breakfast, transfer to Lisbon airport (about 3 hours).