Trans-Algarve Pleasure Coast Tour 3.11b
Cycling & Wellness – Trans-Algarve Tour with Comfort
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
Active Days, Indulgent Stays – Your Perfect Cycling Escape
Discover the perfect blend of active cycling and wellness on this unforgettable Trans-Algarve tour. Over 10 days and 8 scenic stages, you’ll ride 264 km along one of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines – from the Spanish border to the Cape of São Vicente, the continent’s southwestern tip.
Each night, relax in carefully selected 4-star wellness hotels, offering spa areas, saunas, and the perfect atmosphere to recharge. The route follows the Atlantic, passing through the Ria Formosa Natural Park, long sandy beaches, tranquil lagoons, and the iconic golden cliffs and hidden coves of the Algarve’s west coast.
Itinerary
Welcome to the Algarve!
We will greet you either on your day of arrival or, if it falls outside our business hours or on a public holiday, on the first day of your cycling tour. At the welcome meeting, we will perfectly adjust your bike and provide you with all the essential information for your journey.
This is the moment your Algarve adventure truly begins – with comfort, confidence, and a smile.
The tour starts with a train ride to Vila Real de Santo António (included) 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. Returning to Pedras del Rei, we proceed onward to the fishing port of Fuseta, where you can observe the fishermen unloading their day's catch or making preparations to head 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.
After a short ride, you will reach the capital of the Algarve region, Faro. Following designated cycle paths, you’ll journey through the historic centre of the city, then veer left at the marina, traversing small paths, lagoons, and salt flats within the nature reserve of the "Ria Formosa." This untouched habitat serves as a sanctuary for numerous migratory birds, making it a haven for birdwatchers. Continuing along the coast, you’ll pass by the esteemed golf courses of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo, two of Portugal's most prestigious luxury residential areas. After circling the bay, you arrive at the expansive beach promenade of Quarteira. Follow this path 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 during the summer season, the atmosphere here is vibrant and full of life! Following this, you’ll venture onto nature trails to explore the unspoilt wetlands of the Ribeira de Alcantarilha and then continue 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 along the deep blue Atlantic Ocean, you will cycle to the wide estuary delta of the Rio Arade. Here you will find the charming village of Ferragudo, reminiscent of the old Saint-Tropez with its flowery stairways and the small fishing harbour. After crossing the Arade, you’ll reach the lively town of Portimão with its numerous shops and restaurants. You can round off the day's journey with a visit to the wide, golden sandy beach of Praia da Rocha, one of the most beautiful and well-known beaches in the Algarve.
Today starts with a ride to the small fishing village of Alvor. Winding alleys lead through the village and up to the wide estuary delta of the Rio Alvor, a huge marshland with channels and a mudflat-like lagoon landscape, a refuge for many water birds. From there you will continue down to the sea, coming across the largest oyster farm in the Algarve, which is visible at low tide. Cycling along the wide beach "Meia Praia" you reach Lagos, where you will cross a bridge to the marina and continue into the historic town. Along the palm-lined promenade, you will reach the former slave market. In the afternoon, it's worth strolling through the historic city centre, enclosed by ancient city walls. Here you can visit the magnificent Saint Anthony church, beautifully decorated with numerous “azulejos” and intricate wood carvings.
Today’s journey will start in Lagos, where you’ll cycle along the "Costa d'Oro," which is considered the most stunning stretch of coastline in the Algarve, characterised by golden-yellow rocks and unique rock formations rising steeply from the sea. Continuing past the "Ponte de Piedade" lighthouse, you'll cycle to Praia da Luz, today's destination, a tranquil seaside town with an old church and fortress.
From Praia da Luz you will cycle to the small village of Figueiras and continue through 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 nice restaurant, you’ll reach the village of Raposeira, famous for the home of Henry the Navigator and a chapel built by him. The route continues across a plateau where you can feel the salty sea breeze from the nearby west coast and see the lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente, the most south-westerly point in Europe,which you will reach after a short ride. From here, you’ll proceed along a stunning coastal road to Sagres, the legendary location of the seafaring school where Portugal's finest mariners were trained, ultimately venturing forth to explore the world's oceans.
Individual departure or extension
Availability
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DatesPrice per person
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2025/11/01 - 2025/12/20Single: 2000 € Double: 1155 €
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2025/12/21 - 2025/12/31Single: 2300 € Double: 1280 €
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2026/01/01 - 2026/03/27Single: 2200 € Double: 1250 €
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2026/03/28 - 2026/05/26Single: 2530 € Double: 1380 €
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2026/05/27 - 2026/06/25Single: 2800 € Double: 1560 €
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2026/06/26 - 2026/07/11Single: 2975 € Double: 1700 €
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2026/07/12 - 2026/08/30Single: 3190 € Double: 1900 €
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2026/08/31 - 2026/09/10Single: 2975 € Double: 1700 €
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2026/09/11 - 2026/09/26Single: 2800 € Double: 1560 €
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2026/09/27 - 2026/10/28Single: 2530 € Double: 1380 €
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2026/10/29 - 2026/12/31Single: 2200 € Double: 1250 €
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
- 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 (not applicable if more than one room is booked.)
Bikes Accessories:
- Touring and Trekking bikes include a rack and one pannier
- Rack and one pannier: possible on MTBs and Gravel Bikes except MTB+ (Additional cost of 30€)
- Included: Water bottle, Phone Holder, Air Pump, Lock, Repair kit, Spare tube
Bikes
MTB PLUS 29" Merida BIG.NINE
eTREKKING 29" Be-Veloo
eJUNIOR 24" Giant Talon e+ Junior
eJUNIOR 26" Giant Talon e+ Junior
eGRAVEL Merida eSilex 400
GRAVEL Giant Revolt 1
GRAVEL CARBON PLUS Giant Revolt ADV 2
eTOURING PLUS Giant Anytour X E+
TOURING PLUS 29" Giant Roam Disc 2
eMTB-FS 29" Giant Stance E+ 2
eGRAVEL Di2+ Giant Revolt E+
eTREKKING 29" Bianchi T-Tronik
eTOURING 29" Giant Express E+2
Trans-Algarve Pleasure Coast Tour 3.11b
Cycling & Wellness – Trans-Algarve Tour with Comfort
