The best of the Algarve

Day 1: Vila Real de Santo António
Upon your arrival in Algarve, a transfer will take you to Vila Real de Santo António, an interesting historical center on the banks of the Guadiana river, which forms a natural border between Portugal and Spain. Largely redeveloped after the great earthquake of 1755, Vila Real de Santo António was recreated on a grid system, but it still retains a character of its own. The central square, with its relaxing atmosphere, oranges, and cafes, is the ideal place to spend the first evening: enjoy the local atmosphere while savoring fresh local food and wine.

Day 2: Vila Real de Santo António – Olhão (62 km; +510 m)
The first stage of this tour will take you through some seaside towns, each with their own unique characteristics. The first of these is Monte Gordo, one of the first tourist destinations of the 70s, with its wide promenade that welcomes cyclists of all kinds and a large sandy beach that is the main attraction of the city. After this pleasant start, you will head towards one of the largest forests in Algarve, the Mata Nacional das Dunas Litorais. You will cycle on sandy trails, accompanied by the scents of pine and wild flora, before reaching the quiet town of Manta Rota: it is worth stopping here to take a look at the unspoiled beach. But if you can resist a little longer, continue on to Cacela Velha, a small white-washed village located on a hill overlooking the lagoon, with a small church and the remains of an 18th century fort. You will surely want to stop here to admire the panorama. Fabrica can also be an interesting deviation: sipping a coffee by the sea you can watch the locals collecting shellfish. From here, the tour continues along dirt and quiet roads, through the picturesque fishing village of Cabanas, before moving from the salt pans to Tavira, where rich traditional architectural styles of different epochs merge. After a rather sweet stretch along the coast, you will cross the characteristic fishing village of Santa Luzia, famous for octopus fishing. You will proceed to Pedras d’El Rei, where you can see the train that takes bathers to Barril beach and the old tuna fishing village. You will cycle towards Fuseta, where numerous open-air charcoal-grilled fish restaurants offer an excellent view over the water, before crossing the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a maze of lagoons, channels, salt pans and islands. Today's destination is Olhao, the heart of the fishing industry, which also has a fascinating historic center, renowned for its Moorish style architecture: the perfect place to taste local specialties.

Day 3: Olhão – Alte (65 km; +1180 m)
Today you will cycle in a hilly landscape, through quiet villages, small townships, and active farmland, where you will begin to glimpse a different side of this region. It's a real opportunity to immerse yourself in the relaxed atmosphere that underlies life in real Algarve. Here, in one of the many cafes along the way, you can breathe the soul of the community. You will also taste some of the best coffees and homemade cakes at very affordable prices. After a serpentine through the countryside, you will approach the outskirts of Almancil, the northernmost point of what is known as the Golden Triangle. Even more interesting, on the outskirts of town, is the São Lourenço church, with some splendid examples of richly painted tiles for which Portugal is famous, as well as an imposing golden altar. This baroque style church is open to visitors, so we recommend you take time to visit it. The next stop will be Loulé, a thriving and ancient market town: the town is a paradise for explorers, with its cobbled alleys leading off the central Avenida and the small shops, bars and restaurants hidden away. In the afternoon you will make your way through the gentle hills north of Loulé and the effort will be rewarded with the charming scenery. We recommend you to take a short detour in the hilltop village of Querença, with its beautiful church square and its cozy café. From here you will travel along roads mostly devoid of traffic, dotted with small towns and villages, with wide scenes of countryside on your left and right. Finally you will reach the charming village of Alte, famous for its whitewashed houses and its freshwater springs.

Day 4: Alte – Praia da Rocha (50 km, +670 m)
You will start by touring quiet roads to Messines, a typical farming town with a small church and narrow streets. You will then enter lush green valleys, with small villages and farmhouses nestled among dense vegetation. Following some fabulous dirt trails, you will skirt the Barragem do Arade, a huge reservoir, one of the few that provide water to the region, where you will be overwhelmed by an entirely uncontaminated environment and spectacular views. After a short climb to cross the dam, you will cycle towards Silves, a charming town on the banks of the Arade River. Rich in history, Silves was once the Moorish capital and is still the home of the best-preserved castle in Algarve. Hosting an annual medieval festival, one of the largest in the region, Silves is normally a town suspended in time. There are many bars and local cuisine restaurants in the cobbled narrow streets, where you can peacefully have lunch. You will then cycle on a well-known path along the Rio Arade, which will lead you over the hills to Estômbar, before reaching Ferragudo, a charming village overlooking the estuary. Leaving this oasis of peace and tranquility, you will cross the new bridge to Portimão, the largest city in western Algarve. You will be struck by the sudden increase in activity, but you can easily navigate the promenade, bypassing the city center, around the beautiful seaside resort of Praia da Rocha, until you reach your delightful guesthouse overlooking the ocean.

Day 5: Praia da Rocha – Sagres (66 km; +1080 m)
Today's stage will take you along the coast and through Alvor, a serene and thriving town. You will then descend to the riverfront, where you can enjoy a pleasant coffee and watch the fishing boats on the estuary. From here you will have to head briefly inland to skirt the estuary and come back through the countryside lanes to Meia Praia beach and then towards Lagos. Lagos is a vibrant city with a lot to offer: from the modern marina with waterfront restaurants to the lively city square and the network of cobbled streets within the old city walls there is plenty to explore! After a break, you will continue along the hills that embrace the coast between Lagos and the rugged cliffs of Sagres. Along the way, you can enjoy the refreshing sea air and you will have the opportunity to take a break in some very nice coastal towns and villages. Luz, for example, is a sprawling seaside town with a long promenade and often hosts stalls from the local market and artists showcasing their work. A few kilometers to the west, Salema is a small village, which has few services in comparison, but oozes a charm all its own that attracts visitors all year round. You will then continue along some quiet secondary roads towards Vila de Bispo, to then cycle through a spectacular landscape to Sagres, with its imposing ancient fortress, where you will stay overnight. Sagres is a relaxing town that comes alive with surfers every weekend and has many restaurants to choose from. If you still have a bit of energy, a stimulating ride (12 km r/t) along the cliffs to the southernmost tip of Portugal and Europe, at Cabo de São Vicente, might be the perfect way to end the day.

Day 6: Sagres – Aljezur (54 km; +750 m)
After reaching the end of the world, as Cabo de São Vicente is historically known being the furthest point of western Europe, it's time to head north, along Portugal's unspoiled western coast. After pedaling through wildflowers and along the rugged cliff rocks, you will continue on a long tree-lined road that stretches for miles. An ancient village, Pedralva, which has been resurrected from a heap of abandoned ruins, possibly deserves a short diversion. You will then proceed on a hilly road before stopping for lunch in Carrapateira. Carrapateira is a village of fishermen and farmers and is the perfect place to spend some free time. From the easily accessible Pontal da Carrapateira peninsula, you can enjoy breathtaking views of cliffs and cliffs that slope towards the Atlantic and, on a clear day, you should see the Sagres lighthouse in the distance. Proceeding north, the scenery changes as you approach Aljezur, an ancient Moorish town located in a lush green valley and built on both sides of a river that flows through the valley. Now you have entered the land of the sweet potato, of which Aljezur is considered the capital. It is said that the tastiest varieties are produced due to the weather conditions and sea air. So it is probably the best place to taste them cooked with traditional methods.

Day 7: Aljezur – Monchique (35 km; +1210 m)
The last stage of the tour is shorter, but challenging. However, it's worth it! Today's destination, Monchique, is a market town in the Serra de Monchique, a thickly wooded mountain range that separates Algarve from the wine lands of Alentejo (literally beyond the Tagus). The journey to Monchique offers spectacular scenery and is completely different from the Algarve coast. Leaving Aljezur, you will face a steep climb towards the small hamlet of Pedasacas, where your efforts will start to be rewarded by charming views over Algarve. The road becomes more hilly towards Marmelete, where there is a single café accustomed to welcoming for some refreshment those who face this breathtaking climb. After Marmelete the route becomes easier through pine-covered hills, to then descend through some of the steep valleys that surround Monchique. Monchique is the perfect place to end your journey: a peaceful and relaxed town, with friendly locals and some fabulous restaurants with spectacular views. In addition, the nearby Caldas de Monchique hosts some traditional thermal baths, where you can rest your tired legs and indulge in some much-deserved relaxation! But you might still feel full of energy and so, what better way to complete your adventure than to do the final 8 km ascent from Monchique to Fóia, the highest peak in Algarve? It is a stretch that is taken by both local and professional cyclists and on clear days it offers the best views over Algarve all the way to the coast.

Day 8: Monchique
After breakfast, end of services. Transfer from your accommodation for the return journey.