Towards the Algarve Self-Guided

Road Bike | Self-Guided | Landscape

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This SW landscape is 300 million years old and it is one of the most preserved landscapes all over Europe; human intervention is less visible throughout the area’s long history. Once submerged (about 2 million years ago), this is a vast area with many different coastal habitats and countless beaches and cliffs.

The overall difficulty level of this tour is 3, Intermediate (more precisely, level 3.1 between 1~5). It is recommended for “bikers” and “cyclists”. It is supposed that you are in good shape.

Starting south of Lisbon, this bicycle tour in Portugal guides you to one of the lushest areas south of Lisbon – the Natural Park of Arrabida. On one side of the park, you’ll admire beautiful Mediterranean landscapes and at the other side, the gorgeous coast with accessible beaches where the fine sand and clear sea waters provide a strong contrast of unusual colors. You will cycle along the coast and after crossing the Sado river you’ll reach Troia, and then the place where the Natural Park of SW Alentejo and Vicentine Coast begins. It extends itself along the Portuguese coast and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.

Daily tours include going to the wonderful beaches of this Natural Park and taking a swim in the limpid and clear sea. Numerous cliffs and isolated islets complete this beautiful and unique scenery. This area boasts a diversity of rare botanical species, with very interesting flora and a variety of maritime birds that nest here. Cape S. Vicente is a passing area for thousands of birds of prey.

This bicycle tour in Portugal also goes to the south-westernmost point in continental Europe, the place from where our brave forefathers sailed on their caravels seeking new peoples and continents. Finally, you have the opportunity to visit some of the beaches of our famous Algarve and the cosmopolitan city of Lagos. This is one of the oldest towns in the Algarve. You can still see evidence of the wall surrounding the town for protection.

From

Euro 1770

Self-Guided

Tour

7

Days

Level 3 (3.1)

Intermediate

Distance

323km/200mi
65km/40mi day

Hotels

Signature, Monument and Historic, Explorer

Trails

100% asphalt

Start | End

Sesimbra | Lagos

Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

01 to 14 October, 2023

Not Available

Euro 2230

03 Oct – 09 Oct, 2023

Confirmed

Euro 2230

15 to 31 October, 2023

Available

Euro 2040

November, 2023

Available

Euro 1710

15 Nov – 21 Nov, 2023

Confirmed

Euro 1710

01 to 15 December, 2023

Available

Euro 1710

10 Dec – 16 Dec, 2023

Confirmed

Euro 1710

January, 2024

Available

Euro 1770

February, 2024

Available

Euro 1770

March, 2024

Available

Euro 1900

April, 2024

Available

Euro 2110

May, 2024

Available

Euro 2310

01 to 15 June, 2024

Available

Euro 2490

15 to 30 September, 2024

Available

Euro 2490

01 to 12 October, 2024

Available

Euro 2320

13 to 31 October, 2024

Available

Euro 2120

November, 2024

Available

Euro 1770

Available: You can sign up any date for a self-guided bike tour, but you must wait for our confirmation.

Confirmed: This date is already confirmed and you can also sign up.

Looking for another Scheduled tour date?
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RESERVE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Ready to book? Select tour date.

(Your booking will be confirmed when our specialist contacts you.)

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Minimum number of people: 2

Location: Algarve, Lisboa Region, Alentejo

Price per person:

Single room supplement:

WHAT’S INCLUDED

7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling

Support Level

Initial briefing providing all the necessary details
A GPS device on your handlebar with all bike tracks preloaded
Our comfortable transfer vehicle van with air conditioning
All transportation from airport pick-up to drop-off
All baggage transportation by taxi
Documentation booklet about PortugalBike Tour
Personal Accident Insurance and Liability Insurance

Accommodations

One Pousada faced to the ocean (20th century charming building in front of the sea – 2 nights), or a modern 4* hotel front of the sea
Two 4* modern hotel faced to the ocean
Two 4* hotels
One B&B with a pool

Meals

6 Breakfasts

Gear

Carbon frame and superior quality road bicycles with hydraulic disc brakes and 20 speeds, tailored to your height and specifications
Portugal Bike cycling jersey to keep
Portugal Bike water bottles to keep
BBB helmets

Please note:

Prices are based on a double bedroom occupancy (hotels may be different depending on availability) | Self-Guided version: We require a minimum of 2 people to confirm a Self-Guided departure | Groups: Discount for Groups of 4 or more people | E-Bike rental: + Euro 300 | On Self-Guided tours we can offer you any date, depending on our availability. If the tour starts and ends in different months/fortnight the price will be adjusted accordingly, depending on how many days in each month/fortnight. The price of festivity dates will be adjusted accordingly.

DAY BY DAY

Day

1

Arrival

Welcome at Lisbon airport, transfer to Sesimbra and a briefing about the tour.
Lodging in a 4* Hotel with sophisticated amenities in an idyllic setting where Nature and Sea come together in true happiness. Lodging in Sesimbra Hotel & SPA.

Day

2

Riding along the wonderful coast of the Arrábida Natural Park

38km (24mi), 750m total climbing (2460ft), level 3 (3.0).
After breakfast you start riding in the amazing Arrábida Natural Park, where the Mediterranean vegetation mixes with the maritime views. Lodging in a 4* Hotel near the town center. Lodging in Rio Art Hotel (or Luna Esperança Centro Hotel).

Day

3

Towards the West Coast

86km (53mi), 610m total climbing (2000ft), level 3 (3.4).
After breakfast you cross Sado river in a ferry boat and we ride on towards south-west coast. Lodging in a 4* Design Hotel faced to the sea and the beaches in the Natural Park. Lodging in Porto Covo Praia Hotel & SPA.

Day

4

The beautiful beaches of the Natural Park

82km (51mi), 700m total climbing (2300ft), level 4 (3.6).
After breakfast we ride into the SW Alentejo Natural Park; this is the most well preserved coast all over Europe. The landscape is amazing! We end our day in the typical village near the coast. Lodging in a Bed & Breakfast unit with swimming-pool. Lodging in Casas do Moinho.

Day

5

Riding towards South to Sagres

73km (46mi), 600m total climbing (1970ft), level 3 (3.2).
After breakfast you continue riding along the beautiful beaches. And you get to the place where “the land ends and the sea begins”. This is the south-westernmost point in Continental Europe. Lodging in a Pousada with swimming-pool, surrounded by stunning deserted beaches and the wild nature of an unforgettable beauty. Lodging in Pousada de Sagres (or Memmo Baleeira Hotel 4*).

Day

6

The coast of the Algarve

44km (27mi), 600m total climbing (1970ft), level 3 (2.7).
After breakfast you ride along the south coast of the Algarve where you can see the contrast between the Natural Park and the Algarve that is developed in terms of tourism. Lodging in a 4* hotel with swimming-pool, that epitomizes the Algarve culture, with blue and white corridors which link the rooms, patios, restaurants and bar. Lodging in Tivoli Lagos Algarve Resort.

Day

7

Departure

After breakfast transfer to Lisbon airport (3-hour drive to the airport).

Total distance 320km (200mi) | Average 64km/day (40mi/day) | 100% asphalt

SEE CLIMBING PROFILE

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations for this tour include Signature Hotels (the best charming Hotel of the region, usually stylish 4-star hotels or 5-star properties), as well as Monument and Historic Hotels (gorgeous Castles, Palaces, Monasteries and Convents once inhabited by the clergy or the Queens and Kings and now converted into exquisite lodgings) and Explorer Hotels (boutique hotels and family owned, full of character B&B that make the most of their location)

towards the algarve portugal bike tours hotel 3a

“We have done about 15 self-guided cycling trips and Portugal Bike was the best organized. The meet-up at the airport was easy. The road bikes were light-weight and very well maintained. Each member of our group was given a new Garmin with each day’s route ready to load (and the Garmin’s behaved extremely well). The luggage transfers were flawless and the hotels were the very best in each town.
When you do a self-guided trip, there are a lot of things that can go wrong (bad bikes, bad directions, bad hotels, bad roads). However, due to Portugal Bike’s excellent service, we didn’t suffer any difficulties and had a great time. I would highly recommend them.”

Richard Walsh, 58 – Palm Springs CA, United States

“Did a “self guided” tour with Portugal Bike the beginning of February (2017). We have done several “self guided” trips through Europe and this was, without a doubt, the best.
Right from the get go we could tell this was going to be a special trip and we were not disappointed. The bikes, the GPS maps, the lodging, the route… EVERYTHING was top notch. They even picked us up in Lisbon and drove us 3 hrs to the beginning of the Algarve Coast and brought us back after the trip.”

Joyce Pfaff, 74 – Minneapolis, MN, United States

“Great riding in the Algarve! Four fit and enthusiastic friends/cyclists recently completed a self-guided cycling adventure through Portugal Bike of the Algarve. We had a fantastic time. We organized the tour with Cristina but Luis handled everything else, from the pick-up, to the orientation meeting (complete with snacks!), to emergency bike repairs and to the final drop-off. Nothing was too much for him! We appreciated his efforts and enjoyed talking to him during our transfers. We enjoyed the places we stayed in along the Algarve. The food was outstanding everywhere we went and the people we met were friendly, helpful and gracious. We loved riding through national parks and along the coast. The drivers were very considerate and we did not encounter any problems thanks to our trust-worthy GPS! We highly recommend Portugal Bike. We would not hesitate to do another cycling trip through this company, especially with a team that includes Luis!”

Carol Houser, 56 – Toronto, ON – Canada

“We booked a self guided bike tour and from the moment we were met at Lisbon airport to the moment we were dropped off, we cannot fault any aspect of the holiday or service. Louis met us and set up our bikes (these were very well maintained bikes if a higher standard and specifications than we were expecting). He took us to our first hotel and gave us a very comprehensive briefing. The route was amazing (from Sesimbra to Lagos) the overnight hotels were all of a great standard and the recommendations for where to lunch and eat dinner were all spot on. It is obviously a source of great personal pride to the whole team that everything is perfect and they manage to achieve this with ease. We very rarely return to the same country, preferring to explore new places; however, what they do is so perfect in every way we are already looking at their other tours for next year! Thank you Louis and Christina; we’ll
see you next year!”

Julie Richards, 46 – Bath, United Kingdom

“This was our second trip with Portugal Bike. Our first was a guided trip, through the Alentejo five years ago and we vowed then to return for another trip. This time because we had friends traveling with us, we tried the self guided tour. While we missed José and Cristina’s company, the self guided tour was just as enjoyable.
José and Cristina were prompt, organized and professional. From the moment we arrived at the airport to the moment they picked us up at the end of our trip, every detail was arranged and created a relaxing and stress free experience.
The scenery will leave you awe-struck. We couldn’t capture it with our cameras; the vibrant colors of the wildflowers and the sea were something to behold! Each evening’s accommodations were charming and beautiful. The GPS was easy to follow, and we were equipped with an emergency phone that we never needed.
The bicycles are well maintained and reliable, and performed perfectly throughout the trip. Each day was a good mixture of challenging riding with plenty of downhill and gorgeous views. We passed through countless tiny towns, separated by vast fields of green and flowers. Each day we arrived at our accommodations and were greeted warmly by the hotel staff. We had plenty of time to enjoy the towns, and all the dinner recommendations were great!
This tour definitely requires a good level of fitness, but is not overly arduous. Make sure you have good bike chamois to avoid a tender tush!
We will be back again for another trip, hopefully sooner than 5 years! “

Kendra Nunes, 44 – Scotts Valley CA, United States

See detailed reviews

TOUR GEAR

On this tour you can ride with one of these bicycles

CUBE Attain GTC SLT Disc Carbon

GERMAN DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED

With the culmination of carbon frame technology, this bike is all the proof you need that comfort and high performance aren’t mutually exclusive. With a brand new Fulcrum Racing 66 disc wheelset and a complete complement of new Shimano’s superb Ultegra components – with technology borrowed from the range-topping Dura Ace – this is a no-compromise speed machine that’ll flatter any rider’s best efforts.

SCOTT SPORTSTER

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

This hybrid bike emphasizes comfort and convenience for touring several days in a row, giving you a straight riding position. Equipped with a lockout fork, the Sportster is set up perfectly for your excursions with a more vertical and comfortable position. This hybrid bicycle is perfect to ride on asphalt with thinner tires (700×28).

portugal bike tours electric bicycle Bosch

BOSCH SYSTEM

E-BIKE

Now you don’t have any excuse for not participating on a Portugal Bike Tour! Don’t be afraid of not being able to keep up with the group. Now you can ride an e-bike without feeling too exhausted! The system works as if someone is pushing at your back! The more you pedal, the more electric assistance you have.