Trans-Algarve Pleasure Coast Tour 3.11b
From the Spanish border to the most south-westerly point in Europe: enjoy cycling and pampering in 4-star wellness hotels.
Overview
You cycle mostly on easily passable natural roads and asphalted side roads. Sometimes the paths are flat, sometimes a little hilly, but rarely difficult.
Description
Experience the perfect combination of cycling and wellness on this tour, with all overnight stays in 4-star wellness hotels. Along the Trans-Algarve, embark on a unique 264 km journey along one of Europe's most beautiful coasts. Over 10 days and 8 stages, the route leads from the Spanish border to the southwesternmost point of Europe, the lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente. Discover a diverse landscape along the deep blue Atlantic - from long flat sandy beaches to the 60 km long nature reserve with lagoons, waterways, and dune islands, to the picturesque golden cliffs and small sandy coves of the West Coast. This journey also offers insights into Portugal's rich history, characterized by themes from the Age of Discovery and the former Muslim presence. "Get ready for an unforgettable and enriching cycling adventure!"
Itinerary
Individual arrival and check-in at the hotel in Faro. Personal welcome, travel briefing, handover, and adjustment of the bikes according to your wishes by Algarve Cycling.
The tour starts with a train ride to Vila Real de Santo António (incl.) to the starting point. There you get on your bike and cycle along the Guadiana River to the sea. Through pine forests, citrus, and vine plantations, past the historic town of Cacela Velha. The small town, with white houses and an old fort, lies high above the sea on a cliff. The world-famous "Ria Formosa" nature reserve begins here. Large mussel fields and salt basins, from which the famous "Flor de Sal" comes, alternate. You cycle through this area on beautifully laid out cycle paths to Tavira, a historic town that has retained its character over the centuries and invites you to stroll around.
The day's stage leads along small paths and trails along the lagoon to Olhão. Passing the charming fishing village of Santa Luzia, you reach Pedras del Rei. Here there is the option of taking a small train across the lagoon to the beautiful beach of Praia do Barril on the island of Tavira. Back in Pedras del Rei, we continue to the fishing port of Fuseta, where you can watch the fishermen with their day's catch or prepare to go out to sea. The last stage for today is to Olhão, the largest fishing port in the Algarve. Some of the best fish restaurants in the area can be found opposite the promenade.
Pedaling a few times, you reach the capital of the Algarve region, Faro, after a short ride. Following the cycle paths, you reach the historic center of the city before leaving the marina on your left and cycling along small paths, lagoons, and salt flats through the nature reserve of the "Ria Formosa". The untouched nature of the Ria Formosa is a refuge for many migratory birds and a paradise for ornithologists. Continuing along the coast, we pass the golf courses of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo, two of Portugal's most exclusive luxury residential areas, also known as the Golden Triangle. After circling the bay, you come to the long beach promenade of Quarteira Follow this until you reach Vilamoura, your destination for today.
The route continues, after rounding the marina in Vilamoura, over a small bridge to the wide, long sandy beach of Falesia, and then on to Olhos de Água, before reaching the town of Albufeira. This former fishing village is now one of the best-known holiday resorts and a vibrant tourist destination in the Algarve. Especially in summer, it's a hive of activity here! Afterward, we take nature trails to discover the unspoilt wetlands of the Ribeira de Alcantarilha and then along the beautiful sandy beaches to the charming village of Armação de Pera. A detour to the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha, located on a cliff ledge, offers a breathtaking view!
From here on, the coastline changes. Steep golden-yellow cliffs with small sandy bays now dominate the picture. Near the cliffs and the deep blue Atlantic Ocean leads to the wide estuary delta of the Rio Arade. Here you will find the charming village of Ferragudo, which reminds you of the old Saint-Tropez with its flowery stairways and the small fishing harbour. After crossing the Arade, you reach the lively town of Portimão with its numerous shops and restaurants. The day's stage can be well finished with a drive to the wide, golden sandy beach of Praia da Rocha, one of the most beautiful and well-known beaches in the Algarve.
Today we first go to the small fishing village of Alvor and through winding alleys through the village and up to the wide estuary delta of the Rio Alvor. Then down to the sea, to the largest oyster farm in the Algarve, which is visible at low tide. Along the wide beach "Meia Praia" you reach Lagos. Crossing a bridge of the imposing marina, we reach the town steeped in history and the former slave market. In the afternoon, it is worthwhile to take a walk through the historic city center, which is surrounded by a city wall, and to visit the sublime church of Saint Anthony, whose interior is richly decorated with numerous "azulejos" and wood carvings.
Today's stage goes from Lagos via Ponta da Piedade, a breathtakingly beautiful coastal section of the rocky Algarve. Along the golden coast "Costa d'Ouro", the most beautiful stretch of coast in the Algarve with golden-yellow, uniquely shaped rocks and the rocky needles rising steeply out of the sea, we take a detour to Praia da Luz, a small, quiet village by the sea with an old church and fortress.
From Praia de Luz, we go up to the small village of Figueiras and continue across a barren steppe landscape, where megaliths can be seen in isolated places, testifying to a settlement several thousand years ago. Passing a small bay with a cozy restaurant, we reach the village of Raposeira. Famous for the home of Henry the Navigator and a chapel built by him. With the salty sea breeze from the nearby west coast in your face, you head for the most south-westerly point in Europe, the "Cabo de São Vicente". The imposing lighthouse complex can be seen from afar, 60 m above the sea, its cliffs tossed by a wild surf. We continue on the coastal road to our final destination, Sagres, the legendary place where the legendary seafaring school was located, where Portugal's best seafarers were trained, who later discovered the world's oceans.
Individual departure or extension
Availability
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DatesPrice per person
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2024/04/01 - 2024/04/30Single: 1800 € Double: 1265 €
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2024/05/01 - 2024/05/31Single: 1900 € Double: 1290 €
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2024/06/01 - 2024/06/30Single: 2250 € Double: 1450 €
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2024/07/01 - 2024/09/14Single: N/A € Double: 1700 €
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2024/09/15 - 2024/10/06Single: 2250 € Double: 1450 €
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2024/10/07 - 2024/10/31Single: 1800 € Double: 1265 €
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2024/11/01 - 2024/12/31Single: 1650 € Double: 1050 €
Details
Services, included in the price
- 9 nights with breakfast in 5* and 4* hotels.
- Luggage transfer from accommodation to accommodation
- Welcome, info talk, bike handover, and adjustment
- Rail journey Faro -> Vila Real do Santo António
- Detailed route description, with references to places of interest and interesting facts on the routes
- 8 carefully designed routes to download to your mobile phone or tablet
- Mobile phone holder
- Map with daily km and elevation profile
- Service hotline Mon-Fri 09:00 to 18:00, weekends and public holidays in case of emergency
Optional against surcharge
- Transfers Faro Airport <-> Hotel on request
- GPS device with all daily tours
- Room upgrade
- Half-board (on Portuguese public holidays and bridge days, there may be a surcharge that may apply)
- Single traveler supplement €100 (not applicable if more than one room is booked)
Extra / Person Bike Rental
- Touring bike: 110€
- Trekking bike: 140€
- MTB: 140€
- MTB+: 165€
- eTouring bike: 170€
- eTrekking bike: 190€
- eMTB: 190€
- Gravel: 165€
- eJunior: 190€
- Helmet: 10€
- Rack: possible on MTBs except MTB+
- Pannier: included (except MTBs)
- Included: Water bottle, Phone Holder, Air Pump, Lock, Repair kit, Spare tube
Bikes
eMTB 29"
MTB plus 29"
MTB 29"
eTrekking 29"
Trekking 29"
eTouring 28"
Touring 29"
Gravel S
eJunior 26"
eJunior 24"
Trans-Algarve Pleasure Coast Tour 3.11b
From the Spanish border to the most south-westerly point in Europe: enjoy cycling and pampering in 4-star wellness hotels.
