Cycle Portugal - Lisbon to Algarve

Our trip begins in Lisbon, founded on seven hills overlooking the estuary of the River Tagus, the city became the capital of Portugal after its conquest from the Moors in 1147. As Portugal built a global empire from the 15th century onwards, Lisbon became the hub of international trade and the heart of this maritime Golden Age of discovery, reflected in the monumental architecture. A devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami almost totally destroyed the capital in 1755 and therefore Lisbon appears as a carefully planned 18th century city.



The Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7.00pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner.



If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Lisbon Airport (LIS), which is a thirty minute drive from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

Today we leave the capital behind and strike south on our journey and transfer to Lagoa Albufeira. Once arrived, there will be some time to ensure all are happy with our bikes and to make any minor adjustments. We then begin the first cycling section of the holiday and ride south to Cape Espichel, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean to our hotel in Sesimbra. Once a small fishing village, Sesimbra is now a pleasant beach town with great seafood restaurants and an old Moorish fort overlooking the sands.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 29 kilometres/18 miles (total 375 metres/1230 feet accumulated ascent and descent).

Today we ride to Setubal passing the rolling hills of the Serra da Arrabida. The stunning coastal scenery is somewhat greener than the south and contrasts the deep blue Atlantic with the greens of the pine-forested hills. There is a steep climb in the morning section of the ride where we gain about 200 metres/660 feet elevation over 3 kilometre/1.8 miles and a couple of shorter climbs in the afternoon. Along the way we pass little bays and beaches and will make time for a quick swim. Finally we reach our hotel in the thriving port town of Setubal where you can take a walk through the pedestrianised old town and even up to the hilltop fortress for panoramic views. Around 10% of the route today is on a unpaved surface.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 33 kilometres/20.5 miles (total 700 metres/2296 feet accumulated ascent and 720 metres/2360 feet descent).

This morning, we catch the ferry to the Troia peninsula, where we cycle south into the region of Alentejo (literally the land 'beyond' the River Tagus) along the peninsula to Comporta beach (17 kilometre/10.5 miles). After a short transfer, we begin our second cycle of the day from the little coastal town of Sines where we head south to Vila Nova de Milfontes (27 kilometre/16.7 miles). Shortly after starting we enter the protected lands of the Vicentine Coast Natural Park - Europe's largest coastal natural park. The remainder of the trip is within this huge park as we cycle south to Sagres, mostly on inland routes but always returning occasionally to the stunning coastline of rugged cliffs and miles of unspoilt beaches constantly pounded by the Atlantic Ocean. Relax in the unhurried town of Vila Nova and take a stroll down to the harbour and explore the old quarter.



There is one longer climb today after Odeceixe where we climb for about a mile. Around 25% of the route today is on good off road.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 44 kilometres/27.3 miles (total 220 metres/722 feet accumulated ascent and 230 metres/755 feet descent).

Today is a well deserved free day in Vila Nova. Relax on the local beaches or take an optional ride to the nearby beaches (approximatively 28 kilometre/17.3 miles). Or why not trying kayaking or standup paddleboarding? You can easily hire a kayak or a board for a few hours on one of the local beaches of Vila Nova.

Today is our longest ride as we continue south on another ride past wild coastlines and white-washed fishing villages. The final part of our ride is in the Algarve region, whose name dates back to Moorish time mean simply 'the west' in Arabic. We see the 'untouched' Algarve on the Atlantic Coast, far removed from the golf courses and beach resorts further east. Today's cycle ride ends in in the charming historical village of Aljezur. We recommend a stroll around its compact and well-preserved old quarter and, time permitting; you can choose to visit the ruins of the medieval castle with great views over the surrounding area. Around 15% of the route today is on a unpaved surface.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 66 kilometres/41 miles (total 650 metres/2132 feet accumulated ascent and descent).

Our final ride passes some of the greatest wild beaches on the west coast. There is one steady and gentle uphill at the beginning of the ride, then another couple later in the day. Our final destination is the headland of Cabo San Vicente, the southwesternmost point of Portugal and of mainland Europe. After celebrating the end of our ride we will drive for around one-and-a-half hours on to our hotel in Faro. Around 8 kilometre/5 miles of the route today is on a slightly rougher, unpaved surface.



Our total cycling distance today is approximately 54 kilometres/33.5 miles (total 760 metres/2500 feet accumulated ascent and 730 metres/2400 feet descent).

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Faro.



There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Faro at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Faro Airport (FAO), which is a fifteen-thirty minute drive away.