Cycling Tour of Southwest Portugal from €795

TOUR DESCRIPTION

We’ve selected the very best cycling trails in Southwest Portugal for you for this incredible 7 day, self-guided cycling tour full of stunning landscape views and amazing trails.

The South West coast of Portugal is characterized by its peaceful way of life, surrounded by nature. Indeed, a large part of this area belongs to one of the most impressive national reserves in Portugal. Full of small historical villages, where habitants keep their routines as if time has stood still, this cycle tour allows you to relax, connect with the genuine Portuguese culture and be amazed by both the landscape and ocean views and taste local dishes that you will never forget.

Ideal for families, friends or couples, this tour impresses everyone that joins us and will provide memories to last a lifetime.

We have created this tour with our friends at Algarve Nature Tours, so that you can enjoy an authentic Portugese experience as you discover the local culture, typical cuisine and the quiet beauty of the Algarve in the low and mid seasons.

DETAILED ITINERARY

 DAY 1:

Arrive at Lisbon Airport before transferring to your hotel in Setubal (private transfers available on request)

The development of Setubal has always been linked to the seafaring activities facilitated by its location at the mouth of the River Sado.  It’s been one of the country’s main ports since the 14th century.

The Convent of Jesus, which houses the Municipal Museum, is in the Gothic-Manueline style, and the Fort of São Filipe, now converted into a “Pousada” (country-house hotel) from which one can enjoy fantastic views of the city, the River Sado, Tróia and the Arrábida mountain range, which also deserves a  special mention.

If you arrive early in the morning, we suggest that you visit Arrábida as well as the main historical attractions of the city.

Your hotel for the night is located in the historical centre of Setubal, where you can also find several great options for dinner.

Overnight in the Luna Esperança Hotel*

 DAY 2:

SETUBAL – SANTIAGO DO CACÉM

After breakfast leave your bags at the reception if you have requested luggage transfer. Make your check out and take the ferry to the Península of Tróia.

Visit the Península of Troia before starting to cycle down in the direction of Santiago de Compostela.

On the way, you should also stop in Lagoa de Santo André.  Santiago do Cacém is another peaceful town in the south of Portugal which you will get to experience on the way.

Overnight in the Design Hotel Santiago*. If you would like dinner included, we recommend that you book in advance.

We can highly recommend the hotel restaurant.

 DAY 3:

SANTIAGO DO CACÉM – VILA NOVA DE MILFONTES

After breakfast leave your luggage at the Reception if you requested this service.

Take the N120 into direction of Odemira. After the 10 Km turn right into CM1144  in the direction of Paiol. There is a very relaxing road. You will start cycling towards the west, in the direction towards the sea. The view over the mountains toward the coast is incredibly dramatic. After 24km you will start to head towards Porto Covo. Here, you’ll have one of the spectacular views over the cliffs before stopping in Porto Covo to discover this quaint village.

Porto Covo remains the friendly fishing village full of small white houses that was rebuilt by the Marquês de Pombal shortly after the 1755 earthquake.

Some of the greatest attractions for visitors are the many beautiful beaches sheltered by sheer cliffs that are hidden here and there all the way along the coast.

Overnight at the Dunas Parque beach Club* in Vila Nova de Milfontes.

 DAY 4:

VILA NOVA DE MILFONTES – SÃO TEOTÓNIO

After breakfast leave your luggage at the Reception if you requested this service.

Take the N120 into direction of Odemira. Visit Almograve and the Lighthouse of Cabo Sardão –  the western point of the Alentejo coast.

Here, the world slows down until it almost stops. The gentle daytime breeze allows us to forget our worries… Here, the sky is invaded by millions of bright pinholes of light, a million stars, invisible in the city, but providing a canopy of magical constellations out here.

Later visit Zambujeira do Mar to stroll along one of the many glorious beaches found here before heading onwards toward São Teotónio.

Overnight in the Enigma Nature & Water Hotel* in São Teotónio

 DAY 5:

SÃO TEOTÓNIO – ALJEZUR

After breakfast, we take the N120 south towards Aljezur and start the day by visiting Odeceixe Village. Here you will find one of the most finely restored traditional windmills in the entire region.

Next, we will have a hard climb up towards Odeceixe beach but it is so worth it. The beach is shaped by the Seixes River meeting the sea. Take time to enjoy the beach and have lunch in one of the small traditional Portuguese restaurants.

After lunch, we get back to road N120 towards Aljezur.  We have chosen this particular road due to its wide-open vistas of the countryside and lack of motorised traffic.

At the top of the hill, the castle ramparts symbolise the ancient struggle between Christians and Moors, as they remind us of its historical past. A cascade of houses tumble down the hillside towards the river facing the plain where this traditional village was founded.

Overnight in the Hotel Vicentina* in Aljezur.

 DAY 6:

ALJEZUR – ALDEIA DA PEDRALVA

Leave Aljezur taking the N120 into direction of Bordeira and then Carrapateira.

Nearby the village of Carrapateira from where access is gained via a tarmac road, the wonderful Bordeira Beach extends over a broad stretch of sand that becomes one of the largest on the Algarve coast during low tide. We like to request a picnic from Hotel Vicentina.

In Carrapateira you can also visit Museu do Mar e da Terra da Carrapateira

Leave Carrapateira by the N268 into direction of Pedralva.

The Village of Pedralva, a rural village of Vila do Bispo, was once inhabited by over 100 people, before entering into a painful process of desertification over the past 25 years. In 2006, it had only nine of its original inhabitants left and about 50 houses in an advanced state of disrepair. A group of investors from the Municipality of Vila do Bispo started the process of restoration, trying to faithfully reproduce the rural environment through the use of restored furniture in all of the houses, as well as the use of traditional building materials to remain faithful to the building’s history.  Today Aldeia da Pedralva is a wonderful example of how tourism can contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage.

Overnight in the Aldeia da Pedralva hotel* in Pedralva.

 DAY 7:

ALDEIA DA PEDRALVA – SAGRES

After a hearty breakfast, start your last journey towards Vila do Bispo.

After taking some time to discover Vila do Bispo, you will head towards Sagres on a wonderful coastal road which avoids traffic and allows for full appreciation of the incredible scenery.

And eventually, you will be arriving at your final destination, known to the locals as “the end of the world”.

Take the chance to visit the lighthouse and the Promontorium Sacrum that evokes the memory of the Infante D. Henrique and the Portuguese discoveries.

In addition to the spectacular panorama over the sea and the Cape of São Vicente it is still possible to recognize architecture such as the cistern tower, a windbreak wall, the former dwellings and a barracks and the old parish church of Nossa Senhora da Graça. One of the main attractions for visitors is the huge compass-rose marked on the ground, measuring 43 metres in diameter. Due to its strategic position on the Portuguese coast, the site has a long and dramatic history which you will discover for yourself.

Overnight in the Hotel Memmo Baleeira* in beautiful Sagres.

 DAY 8:

The week is over. You feel rejuvenated and ready for all that the year can throw at you!  If you have any more days to spare here in the Algarve, there are plenty more wonderful trails we can recommend for you.  But for now, we have to say goodbye! This is the day of your departure flight! We hope that the Portugese coast has captured a special place in your memory and we hope to see you again soon.