Lisbon to the Algarve

After making your own way to Lisbon, we will pick you up and take you to your hotel in Sesimbra, which lies just south of Lisbon. It’s a pleasant coastal town sitting just at the bottom of the Arrábida mountains. Find immaculate beaches and jagged cliffs whilst enjoying a bite of the area’s famous seafood. If you have time, enjoy the extensive views from Castelo de Sesimbra, or even head to Cabo Espichel, a fascinating headland where you can find a church, lighthouse and even two sets of dinosaur footprints!

Kick off today’s cycling from Cabo Espichel over limestone cliffs inside the Arrábida National Park. The route is accompanied with transparent glimmering waters in Setúbal Bay as well as the beautifully white sand beaches on the Troia Peninsula. Whilst on route to your destination there are plenty of charms to enjoy, for example the Arrábida Convent, well worth a detour to visit. Your home for the night of Setúbal is a bustling harbour town with a charming old part, filled with enchanting squares and alleyways. You could try the local dish “chocos fritos” (fried cuttlefish) or even take a boat trip up the Estuary where you can spot numerous kinds of birds. You can also find bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. There truly is an abundance of things to do!

Have a bite to eat for breakfast and then hop over the bay on a ferry to the Troia Peninsular (make sure you watch out for dolphins; they’ve been spotted swimming next to the boat before!). The landscape in the peninsula is sandy, flat, and very low, which makes a nice smooth ride. Don’t miss the Roman ruins on the way, they used to be an important fish-salting factory. As you go along you will reach Carrasquiera, which is a former fishing district, and you can still see old reed houses and small fishing boats. You’ll then pedal a further relaxed 20km, characterised by sand dunes and rice fields. You’ll eventually get to Comporta, known for being a trendy place. If you’re a fan of cocktails, you may choose to try their famous Blueberry Caipirosca (a vodka-based cocktail originally from Brazil). From here the scenery starts changing as you head away from the coast. There are cork oak forests and moors filled with pine and eucalyptus trees. Spend the night in the exciting town of Santiago de Cacém, with a striking Moorish castle and a fascinating history to tell.

On day 4 you will once again be greeting the Atlantic Coast. Before this you will be pedalling along peaceful roads and through quaint villages that find themselves in countryside filled with oak trees. Opt to make a short stop in Cercal, a traditional Alentejo town with typical architecture. Tight alleyways and streets connect you with the historical centre, where you can sample local products and arts and crafts. After passing the gorgeous village of São Luis, you will head in the west direction to the Atlantic and towards the coastal town of Vilanova de Milfontes. This is a popular domestic tourism location; it has an exciting and friendly atmosphere and has a great view of the Mira River. Explore the authentic and cobbled streets.

On this day you won’t cover too much distance, but that certainly doesn’t mean it is shy of great things to see, or you may even choose to divert your route and head through Vicentina Natural Park. One of today’s possible visits could be to the Praia do Almograve, deemed by many as one of the West Coast’s most beautiful beaches due to its sprinkling of rock pools full of sea creatures. You may also visit Cabo Sardão Lighthouse, where you can get an excellent view of storks nesting on rocks near to the beach start. Finally, you could visit Entrada da Barca, a natural fishing port that demonstrates the force of the Atlantic Ocean in forming the Alentejo Coast. Once you reach Zambujeira do Mar, you’ll be enchanted by the gorgeous white village sat at the top of a cliff, watching over a wide-sand bay.

Hop on your bike for another day of cycling along the well-preserved shore. Stay close to the coast for the first few kilometres and appreciate the breath-taking views whilst listening to waves crash against the rocks and breathe in the fresh air. We recommend stopping for lunch in Odeceixe, a peaceful town on top of a hill with a view of the River Seixe, which sits between the borders of the Alentejo and the Algarve. Once your lunch stop is over, you will be heading into the Algarve! Aljezur is the so-called “capital” of this region aka the “land of the sweet potato”. It is believed that the best tasting varieties are produced here due to the climate and proximity to the sea, so it goes without saying you should try some while you are here! Should your tour be in October or November you will have the chance to visit the yearly Sweet Potato Festival.

Today is your last day of cycling, but it is certainly not the least. This jagged and wild coastline provides some climactic scenery as well as the desolate plains on your left. The weather here can make this part of the journey a little more difficult, but with the amazing landscapes and fresh air you are sure to feel a great sense of achievement for the last part of your journey down the West Coast of Portugal. Before the end of your trip visit the “edge of the world”, or Cabo de São Vicente which is the Southwestern tip of Europe. On your way you will pass the Fortaleza do Beliche and lighthouse which make for an excellent last photo!

Transfer provided from your hotel to Faro airport; or to a local train station if you are returning to Lisbon.