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On this self guided bike tour in the Algarve you will discover the gastronomy, culture and traditions of one of the most beautiful parts of Portugal.
To the east of Faro, the proud regional capital, is the Sotavento algarvio, the “leeward” Algarve. Unlike the windy cliffs of the west, this eastern Algarve enjoys a mild subtropical climate with Mediterranean influences, particularly suitable for year-round cycling. Protected by five barrier islands with pristine beaches, the coastline of the Ria Formosa Natural Park is a true refuge for biodiversity. Lagoons, dune systems, islands, sandbanks, salt flats, “sapal” or pine forests are rich ecosystems, especially for birds, of which pink flamingos, spoonbills or avocets are among the most spectacular.
The trip by bike also allows you to discover the agronomic wealth of these regions, initiated by the Moors in medieval times and enriched by the contributions of the great maritime discoveries. The crops of “sequeiro”, almond trees, fig trees and carob trees compete with the irrigated crops of “regadio”, orange trees, lemon trees, persimmon trees and avocado trees. To the east, the great river Guadiana is the natural border between the Algarve and Andalusia, between Portugal and Spain.
For one day, we offer the possibility of crossing the Guadiana by boat and exploring the Andalusian side. A journey within a journey! During your cycling trip, the small, whitewashed towns and villages of the Algarve and the city of Ayamonte in Andalusia are places where you can take a break and enjoy the Iberian hospitality.
Day 1: At leisure in Tavira
Arrival day
Accommodation: Quinta do Caracol
Meals included: Breakfast
Welcome to Portugal and your bike tour in the Algarve! We will pick you up from Faro Airport, and transfer you to your hotel in Tavira (40 mins).
We’ll start the trip with a welcome briefing in your hotel (Quinta do Caracol) in Tavira. Depending on the flight schedule, you may have time to discover this charming Algarve town, known for its decorated façades, traditional doors, windows and roofs, as well as its pristine beach islands. If you have time, we recommend taking a boat to Tavira Island to enjoy its long beach.
Spend the first night at leisure in Tavira. Surrounded by the magnificent atmosphere of a traditional fishing village you can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of one of the most beautiful spots in southern Portugal.
Day 2: Tavira Loop
Route: 25 km
Elevation: +150 m
Accommodation: Quinta do Caracol
Meals included: Breakfast
Breakfast in the hotel. Bike fitting and briefing in the bike shop in the city centre of Tavira.
You’ll cycle along the banks of the Gilão river, following a small road which passes through orchards filled with orange trees, lemon trees and carob trees. Take a break at Pego do Inferno (the “well of hell”), a deep basin created by a waterfall, a real sub-tropical paradise. The route then heads inland, passing by the charming villages of Santo Estevão, Santa Luzia and the beach of Barril.
Day 3: Loop ride to Fuzeta
Route: 38 km
Elevation: +150 m
Accommodation: Quinta do Caracol
Meals included: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. After a stop at the colorful market of Tavira to buy fresh local products, you’ll cycle along the coastal path, passing by salt flats, canals, Ria Formosa Natural Park, orchards and pine forests towards Fuzeta, a small fishing harbor on a sandy bank at the edge of a turquoise lagoon. On the way back to Tavira, you’ll follow quiet inland backroads, cycling through the beautiful Barrocal: a unique rural landscape between mountain and coast, filled withs farms, gardens and orchards, as well as the charming village of Moncarapacho.
Day 4: The path of the fortresses
Route: 40km
Elevation: +100m
Accommodation: Pousada Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s ride takes you along the coastline via the ecovia, a pleasant and well-maintained cycle path.
Cacela Velha is one of the most beautiful places in the Algarve, a proud bastion on its rocky outcrop overlooking the lagoons and sandbanks of the Ria Formosa; a spectacle that changes with the tides and the light. The paths and small roads of the ecovia lead to Castro Marim, a town protected by two fortresses, one medieval and the other from the 18th century. You’ll follow the Guadiana River, which markes the border between Portugal and Spain, to arrive at your hotel: Vila Real de Santo Antonio.
Opposite, on the other side of the river, you’ll find the small Andalusian town of Ayamonte.
Day 5: Ayamonte and Isla Canela
Route: 40km
Elevation: +100m
Accommodation: Pousada Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Meals included: Breakfast
This morning, we’ll hop on a small ferry boat (regular crossings – 15 min) across the river with our bikes into Ayamonte, in Andalusia, Spain. So close and so different from its Portuguese neighbor, this incursion into Spain allows us to better understand what links and differentiates these two Iberian countries. From the ramblas of Ayamonte, a cycle path takes us to Isla Christina, a peninsula that is prized for its long beaches. After taking the boat back to Vila Real de Santo Antonio, you’ll follow a path towards Monte Gordo through a nature reserve, a large pine forest that grows right on the coastline and plays an important role in protecting the local biodiversity, including a large population of chameleons!
Day 6: Departure day
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast your bike tour in the Algarve will come to an end and it’s time to say goodbye to Portugal! You will be transfered to Faro airport (40 min).
If you would like to extend your tour, we recommend either one or two nights in the beautiful city of Faro, or perhaps keeping the bikes for a few extra days (to pedal towards Quarteira to the west or Olhao to the east). You might also like to explore Ria Formosa by kayak, or to enjoy a boat trip to the barrier islands… please consult us for ideas.
Whoever visits Tavira knows that you will find old, white buildings with perfectly designed doors and windows that tell us a unique and traditional story. Quinta do Caracol is a family-run small hotel built up from generations. You can find a relaxing pool, a garden with local fruit trees and flowers and a relaxing place to spend the afternoon after a day on your bike tour in the Algarve, Portugal.
An oasis in the city of Tavira with more than 300 years of existence, a truly charming place with a family atmosphere, quiet and comfortable. An old farmhouse with several hectares of orchards with almond and olive trees that became the first Housing Tourism in the city, Quinta do Caracol is your private hideaway in the Algarve.
All this space was fueled by the passion of the former owner who managed to perfectly rehabilitate the place without losing anything of its identity and style. His daughters now give continuity to his work, trying to maintain the good taste and aesthetic sense of the father.
Pousada Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Located in the historic city centre, Pousada Vila Real de Santo António features two distinct core areas, both overlooking Praça Marquês de Pombal, the main city square.
Hybrid bike: 130€
Trek Verve, Bergamont or similar, 27 speeds, disc brakes
E-bike: 210€
BE-Veloo, 7 speeds, hydraulic brakes
1.100,00€ – 1.300,00€
This self guided bike tour in Algarve will allow you to discover the south of Portugal, while cycling the millennial history, culture and traditions of one of the most beautiful part of Portugal.
| Dates | Jan 3 to May 27, Oct 1 to Dec 21, May 28 to Sept 30, Dec 22 to Jan 2 |
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