The West Coast & The Algarve Guided

Road Bike | Guided | Landscape

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 3.0 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 a winery where you will learn about the famous Moscatel wine and also taste it. Then you will enter one of the lushest areas south of Lisbon – the Natural Park of Arrabida. On one side of the park, you’ll admire the beautiful Mediterranean landscape and on the other side, the gorgeous coast with accessible beaches where the fine sand and clear sea waters provide a strong contrast of unusual colors.

After leaving a fishing town you will ride your bicycle a long way to get to a place that was very important in the Roman times because of the salt that was produced here. During the tour you will learn why the salt was so important in those days. We will stop for a while to regain our strength and to visit the Roman ruins.

Then you will cycle along the coast, where the Natural Park of SW Alentejo and Vicentine Coast begins. This Park extends itself along the Portuguese coast and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. 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 and one of the oldest towns in the Algarve. This town also has an old fort and its former Slave Market is now an Art Gallery. You can still see evidence of the wall surrounding the town for protection.

This bike tour in Portugal continues eastwards and it ends in Tavira, a town that still manages to maintain its traditions with Moorish influence, with its countless buildings and monuments and the amazing Roman bridge over the Gilão river in the historic center.

You will notice the differences along the Algarve region: the center is very developed for tourism and the west and the east still maintained many evidences of the old Portuguese ways and traditions.

From
Euro 3020
Guided
Tour

13
Days 

Level 3 (3.1)
Intermediate 

Distance
566km/352mi
Average
63km/39mi day
Trails
100% asphalt 
Start | End
Sesimbra | Tavira
Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

15 Oct – 27 Oct, 2018

Complete

Euro 3830

26 Fev – 09 Mar, 2019

Available

Euro 3020

26 Mar – 06 Apr, 2019

Available

Euro 3320

23 Apr – 04 Mai, 2019

Available

Euro 3580

18 Jun – 29 Jun, 2019

Available

Euro 3940

28 Oct – 08 Nov, 2019

Available

Euro 3110

If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability. Guided bike tours usually start on Sundays.

Looking for another Guided tour date?

See all Confirmed Departures

RESERVE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Ready to book? Select tour date.

Available dates:

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Minimum number of people: 4
Location: Algarve, Lisboa Region, Alentejo
Price per person:
Single room supplement:
Pick-Up Date:
Drop-Off Date:
Adults:

Price includes:

13-day Road Bike Tour with a Guide | Transfers from and to Lisbon Airport | Accommodations (12 nights): 2 Pousadas (a 12th century moorish castle , and an 18th century Palace), 9 four*-Hotels (one Hotel & SPA in front of the ocean, one charming Hotel, one Design Hotel in front of the ocean and seven cosy Hotels), 1 B&B/Rural Tourism | Double bedroom occupancy | 12 Breakfasts | 5 nourishing and energetic picnics | 10 Dinners (including our famous wines, our amazing cheeses and lovely desserts) | Daily energy-bars and water | Luggage transport from Hotel to Hotel | Documentation about PortugalBike Tour | Liability Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance | Techno-Mechanical Assistance | First-Aid assistance on location | Permanent Backup Vehicle | Visit to the winery and wine tasting | Visit to the Roman Ruins | Visit to a Cork Factory.

Please note:
Shorter tour: If you wish a shorter tour, you can do “Towards the Algarve“, a road bike tour of 7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling (minimum of 2 people) | Guided version: We require a minimum of 4 people to confirm a Guided departure | Groups: Discount for Groups of 6 or more people | E-bike rental: + Euro 180 | If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability | In 2019 this will be a 12-day bike tour (12d / 11n / 9d cycling / 1d rest), instead of a 13-day bike tour (more info in late October).

DAY BY DAY 

Day

1

Arrival   

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

Day

2

Riding along the wonderful coast of the Arrábida Natural Park

39km (24mi), 760m total climbing (2490ft), level 3 (2.8). After breakfast we start riding in the amazing Arrábida Natural Park, where the Mediterranean vegetation mixes with the maritime views. Visit to a winery and wine tasting (guided tours only). Lodging in a 4* Hotel near the town center.

Day

3

The Roman Occupation

76km (47mi), 610m total climbing (2000ft), level 3 (3.2). After breakfast we ride to inland in a flat area and we get to a beautiful and charming small town, the place where the Roman used to get the salt in the old times. Visit to the Roman ruins. Lodging in a Pousada (a former castle from the Muslim period in Portugal) where you can admire a great view of the wet plain.

Day

4

The region of storks

79km (49mi), 720m total climbing (2360ft), level 3 (3.5). After breakfast we ride along quiet roads with many stork nests. Lodging in a 4* Design Hotel with a great view over the town.

Day

5

Free day

Free day to rest at the pool. Visit to the Roman ruins and the town, and a Cooking Workshop.  Lodging in a 4* Design Hotel with a great view over the town (the same hotel as night before).

Day

6

The beautiful beaches of the Natural Park

105km (65mi), 940m total climbing (3080ft), level 4 (4.2). 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.

Day

7

Riding towards South to Sagres

70km (43mi), 630m total climbing (2070ft), level 3 (3.2). After breakfast we continue riding along the beautiful beaches. And we get to the place where “the land ends and the sea begins”. This is the south-westernmost point in Continental Europe. Lodging in a 4* new hotel with swimming-pool, surrounded by stunning deserted beaches and the wild nature of an unforgettable beauty.

Day

8

The coast of Algarve

44km (27mi), 610m total climbing (2000ft), level 3 (2.7). After breakfast we ride along the south coast of the Algarve where we 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.

Day

9

The big contrast

46km (29mi), 490m total climbing (1610ft), level 2 (2.4). After breakfast we ride to inland and we will cross a very small and charming village before getting to the famous Rocha Beach. Lodging in a 4* hotel very near to the beach.

Day

10

Free day 

Free day to rest and to go to the beach. Lodging in a 4* hotel very near to the beach (the same hotel as night before).

Day

11

The inland part of the famous Algarve

73km (45mi), 960m total climbing (3150ft), level 4 (3.8). After breakfast we ride to inland and we will discover a completely different Algarve. Different landscape without tourism or resorts. Lodging in a Pousada, that was an 18th century Palace with a rococo style saloon.

Day

12

Return to the coast and the original Algarve

34km (21mi), 430m total climbing (1410ft), level 2 (1.8). After breakfast we ride from inland to the coast, and we get to the most well preserved town in the Algarve, with all Moorish characteristics. Lodging in a 4* hotel very near to the center. Free afternoon to visit this beautiful town.

Day

13

Departure

After breakfast we leave to Lisbon airport – 3.5-hour drive.

Total distance  564km (350mi) | Average 63km/day (39mi/day) | 100% asphalt

SEE CLIMBING PROFILE

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See here the difference between Guided, Self-Guided and Supported tours

TESTIMONIALS

“Cristina and Jose do an amazing job to ensure you will have a great cycling vacation with them.
This is our second time with Portugal Bike which says a lot for us because we generally do not go back to the same place twice; there is too much to see in the world.
Portugal Bike daily rides are longer allowing for more time in the saddle to enjoy the countryside. With some tour groups you are shuttled around, but the routes that Jose has selected you are able to ride each day from your hotel to the next destination. The bicycles are meticulously maintained and operate flawlessly. Cristina and Jose select the restaurants and fine local wines so as to be able to enjoy the Portuguese culinary.
The Algarve is a beautiful region of Portugal and not to be missed. We are hoping that Portugal Bike will expand to other countries in Europe so that we can ride again with Cristina and Jose!”

Steve and Michele Dussault, 57 and 56 – Dover, NH, United States

“Just completed Portugal Bike’s 13 day “West Coast and the Algarve”
road bike tour and it was outstanding. Portugal Bike is owned and operated by Cristina and Jose Henrique and their attention to detail, safety, and especially their customers is extraordinary. They meticulously plan each tour, every meal, every hotel, and even every picnic is a special event. The bikes are
excellent. Jose checks and, if necessary, adjusts them daily to assure top performance over the course of the ride.
October and November are beautiful months to ride in Portugal and Cristina and Jose have put together a stunning route that combines rural countryside, national parks, charming villages and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world into a tour that is truly exceptional. There is no better way to see and enjoy the diversity of this beautiful country than to do a bike tour with Portugal Bike. This was my second tour with PB and bar none, they are the pinnacle of bicycle tours.”

Richard Merrell, 73 – Seattle, WA, United States

“Great bike escorted Bike Tour. Christina and Jose are wonderful hosts. Biked down the coast of Portugal and the Algarve.
A second tour with them and would go again. Wonderful tour, wonderful accommodations, wonderful guests on tour, wonderful sights in Portugal!!!
Excellent company.”

Craig Kaner, 60 – Santa Monica, CA, United States

“What do you get when you put 10 friends from 6 different countries, aged between 40 and a Beatles Song (“will you still feed me?” etc.) of varying cycling abilities (semi pro to semi comatose) and consistently competitive, idiosyncratic, irreverent and iconoclastic, on bikes and send them down the west and south coasts of Portugal? Bedlam? An unmitigated disaster? A perfect recipe for a series of crashes, punctures and missed turns? Answer: All of the above, if left to their own devices. Reality: With Portugal Bike, bravely and beautifully marshalled by Jose the Shepherd and Cristina the Provider, a perfect, unforgettable cultural and cycling symphony. We had a blast. Jose was initially terrified that we were out of control. He was right, we were. But the two of them brought order to these exuberant delinquents with their calm professionalism and knowledge of the road, the country and its splendor. They both love what they do, are proud of their country and their role in making their guests feel special, and nothing is too much trouble. We stayed in great places, saw wonderful sights, ate very well, learned about the country and its culture and respected our need for speed …well, we thought we were fast. We had 3 local Portuguese friends and they were equally impressed. When considering a biking holiday in Portugal, think Portugal Bike. As a certain Mr Zimmerman said: ” Don’t think twice, it’s alright”.”

Etienne De Villiers – United Kingdom

“I loved every minute of this experience. I was in the best of hands with Jose and Cristina. They were good natured and patient with me, a first time bike tourist. The bike was in excellent condition — an eye catcher that usually attracted passerby to take a closer look when we stopped for a rest or snack. Jose had done his research to make every stage of our journey interesting and scenic. Many a times we appeared to reach the end of a road, only to be shown a quiet little side path that led to fabulous views.”

Benny Beck – Detroit MI, United States

“Wow! What an awesome way to explore and learn about a country and its culture. Jose and Cristina were well organized, attentive to our needs, and a pleasure to become friends with throughout our trip along the Algarve. Their experience and expertise gave us the peace of mind to just relax and enjoy the ride through Portugal’s gorgeous countryside. I would recommend them to anyone interested in visiting Portugal, whether or not they are cyclists.”

Keith Porter, 25 – Cincinnati OH, United States

See detailed reviews

TOUR GEAR

On this tour you can ride with one of these bicycles
portugal bike tours road bicycle

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.

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portugal bike tours hybrid bicycle

SCOTT SPORTSTER

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Sporster 20 Solution emphasizes comfort and convenience for touring and transportation. Equipped with a lockout fork and Syncros components, the Sportster is set up perfectly for your excursions with a more vertical and comfortable position. On this Road Bike tour you will ride with thinner tires (700×28).

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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.

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