Day 1: Odeceixe
Individual arrival in Odeceixe. Welcome briefing where you will be given all the necessary information to best face your bike tour of the Algarve. If you arrive early, we recommend a visit to the historic center of Faro (if it is your arrival airport), before the transfer to Odeceixe, where you will arrive in time to have a beer on the square and maybe visit the historic windmill. Alternatively, you can take your bike to reach Praia de Odeceixe, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Portugal.
Day 2: Odeceixe – Aljezur (32 km; +350 m)
Your Algarve bike tour starts along the river, which you will follow until you reach Praia de Odeceixe. Once here, enjoy the breathtaking views that the rock formations will give you. The itinerary continues through some farmland and wheat fields, until you reach another beach. Choose a café and take a break while enjoying a fresh drink and a light lunch by the sea while watching the surf schools in action. After the break, continue to the village of Aljezur, made up of the characteristic rural houses of the Algarve. The art gallery and boutique are worth a visit, as are the local museums. With a small deviation of a few kilometers, it is possible to reach another beach, or take a ride through a beautiful cultivated valley.
Day 3: Aljezur – Pedralva (44 km; +650 m)
Start the day by conquering the top of the hill on which the Castle of Aljezur stands and enjoy the splendid view of the village and its impeccable gardens. The route will then take you along the coast again, where you can visit a fortress with breathtaking views of the cliffs, in a perfect defensive position. From here you can also see the famous Pedra da Agulha, an imposing rock that stands in the middle of the ocean. Then head back inland, where your off-road adventure will begin, first among the eucalyptus trees, then among the wild endemic bushes and finally on the banks of a beautiful pond. You will pedal immersed in magnificent wild landscapes to Bordeira, a charming village with a historical Manueline style church. You will then continue through another splendid valley until you reach Carrapateira, where you will be astounded by the incredible landscapes and the roughness of the coast. The route runs for a few kilometers along the cliffs, take the opportunity to take some panoramic stops and do not miss the visit to the Fisherman's Museum, where you can see extraordinary images of the extreme techniques used to fish the famous local specialty, the percebes. Riding through another green valley you'll finally reach the accommodation where you will be staying this night, set in a beautifully restored charming village.
Day 4: Pedralva – Sagres (41 km; +500 m)
You leave Pedralva following a dirt road through the valley, passing at the foot of some modern wind parks and you will reach the Sanctuary of Guadalupe, a hidden pearl of the Algarve. After crossing a couple of charming villages, you will reach the coast again. After a swim or some relax on the beach, continue cycling towards Cabo de Sao Vicente, the southwesternmost point of the European continent. After visiting the Fortress of Sagres, which evokes the memory of Prince Henry and the Portuguese discoveries, continue towards your hotel overlooking the cliffs and the fortress.
Day 5: Sagres – Lagos (43 km; +720 m)
Today's route through the Algarve winds along the southern coast. There are many beaches that you will meet: enjoy some swimming; the ocean here is warmer than on the western coast and the waters are more peaceful. Now the color of the cliffs changes from the black of the schist to the orange of the sandstone and the villages are larger, more touristy, enlivened by numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops. The last kilometers of the day will be on the cliffs, from which you can spot beautiful rocky islands in which erosion has created arches, caves, and fantastic shapes. Lagos is a coastal city with fascinating architecture, the perfect stop on an Algarve tour. Visit the local museum, the beautiful church, and enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere that pervades the city.
Day 6: Lagos – Tavira (30 km, +220 m)
The day starts at 9:30 with a transfer from Lagos to Olhão. From here you will cycle towards a small and charming village famous for its ceramics: enjoy the peace that reigns there. The bike route then takes you back to the coast and the lagoon of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Here you will ride among channels, islands, lagoons, and sandbanks, immersed in the quiet of nature that is home to a huge variety of ecosystems and animal species, including numerous birds. At low tide, it is not difficult to see fishermen fishing for clams and razor fish, while at high tide you will see boats returning from fishing trips. You will finally reach Tavira, perhaps the most charming city in the Algarve; the architecture here is extremely fascinating and the atmosphere is relaxed. Spend some time exploring it and visit the local association to buy some local crafts.
Day 7: Tavira – Vila Real de Santo António (37 km; +250 m)
From Tavira you will still ride for a stretch through the Natural Park, also passing by several beach resorts and golf clubs. In this stretch, the beaches are separated from the mainland by a small lagoon and to reach them you have to walk on wooden boards, or board trains or small local boats. We suggest visiting the fascinating Cacela-a-Velha, with magnificent views of the lagoon, before heading inland to Castro Marim. Along the way, you can stop to visit an organic farm, where you will learn more about figs, carobs, and the local products derived from them. After the visit, it will be time to head towards your final destination, Vila Real de Santo António, where in addition to Portuguese, Spanish is also spoken, after all Spain is just across the river. Upon your arrival, you will have the opportunity to visit a handcrafted pastry shop.
Day 8: Vila Real de Santo António
After breakfast, end of services and individual departure.