The West Coast & The Algarve Self-Guided

Road Bike | Self-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 (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 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 2400
Self-Guided
Tour

11
Days 

Level 3 (3.0)
Intermediate 

Distance
476km/296mi
60km/37min day
Hotels
Signature, Monument and Historic, Explorer

Trails
100% asphalt 
Start | End
Sesimbra | Tavira
Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

01 to 10 December, 2023

Available

Euro 2290

January, 2024

Available

Euro 2400

February, 2024

Available

Euro 2400

March, 2024

Available

Euro 2570

April, 2024

Available

Euro 2930

29 Apr – 09 May, 2024

Confirmed

Euro 3220

May, 2024

Available

Euro 3280

20 May – 30 May, 2024

Confirmed

Euro 3280

01 to 12 October, 2024

Available

Euro 3300

01 Oct – 11 Oct, 2024

Complete

Euro 3300

13 to 31 October, 2024

Available

Euro 2960

01 to 30 November, 2024

Available

Euro 2400

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?
See all Confirmed Departures

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:
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Adults:

WHAT’S INCLUDED

11 days / 10 nights / 8 days cycling / 1 day rest

Support Level

  • Initial briefing providing all the necessary details
  • A Garmin GPS computer with all traks recorded
  • 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 (18th century former Palace, Small Luxury Hotel)
  • One Pousada (20th century charming building in front of the sea – 2 nights), or a modern 4* hotel front of the sea
  • Three 4* Hotels in front of the sea
  • Three 4* Hotels with a pool
  • One B&B/Rural Tourism with a pool

Meals

  • 10 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 (optional)

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 480 | 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) | 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 on festivity dates will be adjusted accordingly.

DAY BY DAY 

Cycling Portugal bicycle tour

Day

1

Arrival at Lisbon  

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. 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 3* cozy 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).

Day

6

Free day

Free day to rest at the pool or at the beautiful beaches around.
Visit the Fortress of Sagres (option). Lodging in a Pousada with swimming-pool, surrounded by stunning deserted beaches and the wild nature of an unforgettable beauty (the same Pousada as night before). Lodging in Pousada de Sagres (or Memmo Baleeira Hotel).

Day

7

The coast of 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

8

The big contrast

46km (29mi), 490m total climbing (1610ft), level 2 (2.4).
After breakfast you ride to inland and you 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. Lodging in Tivoli Marina Portimão Algarve Resort.

Day

9

The inland part of the famous Algarve

73km (45mi), 960m total climbing (3150ft), level 4 (3.8).
After breakfast you ride to inland and you 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. Lodging in Pousada do Palácio de Estói, Monument Hotel.

Day

10

Return to the coast and the original Algarve

34km (21mi), 430m total climbing (1410ft), level 2 (1.8).
After breakfast you ride from inland to the coast, and you 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. Lodging in Hotel Vila Galé Tavira.

Day

11

Departure

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

Total distance 476km (296mi) | Average 60km/day (37mi/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)

The West Coast and The Algarve Portugal Biicycle tour
The west coast and the algarve
The west coast and the algarve Portugal bicycle tour
the amazing algarve coast portugal bike tours luxury hotel 4
the west coast and the algarve Portugal bicycle tourThe west coast and the algarvethe west coast and the algarve portugal bike tours luxury hotel 3the west coast and the algarve portugal bike tours hotel Sea View

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TESTIMONIALS

“While there are many bike tours to choose from, Portugal Bike was the right choice for us. The company provided us with excellent equipment (Scott road bikes), GPS for our self tour, and a daily ride schedule that combined beautiful scenery with diverse roads and towns. The hotel choices at the end of each day were welcoming and comfortable, which enabled us to relax and explore the towns. Each day we were well prepared for the trip ahead of us, and at the end of each day we felt a sense of accomplishment and pride. This was our first bike tour, and we are eager to schedule our next adventure.”

Tom Zaiko, 71 – Montclair NJ, United States

“If you are a North American cyclist looking for an international adventure, please consider a cycling trip in Portugal with Portugalbike.com. My wife and I have made 8 trips with this great company! (…) A variety of tours – road bike (asphalt), hybrid (asphalt and dirt roads), and mountain bike (dirt roads and trails) are offered. (…) José and Cristina are the ambassadors of the country and sport they love, in their company – PortugalBike. They know the less travelled and scenic routes to ride, the places to stay and the great restaurants. They have all the details worked out – great bikes, transit, and exposure to a new country! Take some additional time to discover the economy of Portugal. Portugal was the winner of 24 awards in the 2016 World Travel Awards including top beach destination. (…) As a cyclist in 8 Portugal Bike trips, you can’t go wrong with this adventure!”

David White, 62 – Bend OR, 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

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

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).

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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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