The Algarve bike tour

May 11th

Departure day

Portugal

Destination

Intermediate

Difficulty level

The Algarve Bike Tour

The south of Portugal like you’ve never seen it

The Algarve is much more than just sun and sea. It’s a land of contrasts, where towering cliffs plunge into the Atlantic, dirt roads cut through olive groves, and whitewashed villages appear as surprises along the way. How about discovering all of this by bike, at the rhythm of the wind, the sea, and history?

🚴 A route between the ocean and the hills

In the southwestern tip of Portugal, the impressive Cape of São Vicente marks the spot where people once believed the world ended. There, the ocean crashes powerfully against rocky cliffs, creating one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Europe.

Close by lies Sagres, home to its fortress and the legacy of Prince Henry the Navigator — a key figure in the Age of Discoveries. As you head up the west coast, the scenery becomes wilder and more peaceful, with villages like Pedralva, rescued from abandonment, and Aljezur, with its Moorish castle and views of both countryside and sea.

Odeceixe beach, right on the border with the Alentejo region, blends river and sea in an almost untouched setting, perfect for surfing and relaxing. Further north, already in the Alentejo, the charming village of Porto Covo completes this route of wind, sea, and nature.

🏰 Living history and authentic nature

The Algarve’s history is shaped by many civilizations: it was home to Phoenicians and Romans and was under Arab rule for nearly five centuries. This rich mix is still seen in its architecture, agriculture, and even in the language. During the great age of maritime discoveries, ports like Lagos and Sagres played key roles in Portuguese exploration. Today, that past lives on in castles, churches, and narrow streets full of soul.

🍴 Flavors with a taste of the sea and time

Algarvian cuisine is simple, rustic, and full of character. Here, the sea sets the tone: try a seafood cataplana packed with shrimp, clams, and fresh fish. Grilled sardines — a summer classic — are eaten by hand with bread, just like tradition dictates.

For dessert, everything evokes the countryside: figs, almonds, and carob turn into sweets like Dom Rodrigos, with that unmistakable Arabic touch that still lingers. And to end the day, a shot of ginja, Portugal’s traditional cherry liqueur.

🌅 Experience the true Algarve

Forget the typical tourist itineraries. Come live a quieter, deeper Algarve full of natural beauty. Grab your bike and join us in discovering hidden beaches, stunning cliffs, and villages full of stories. Be sure to check the incredible rock formations of Ponta da Piedade.

👉 Join our bike tour

Explore the Algarve bike tour in the south of Portugal in a unique way — cycling through breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable flavors.

DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL	Lisbon, Portugal / Faro Airport or Lisbon, Portugal
DEPARTING TIME	2 p.m. in Lisbon
SERVICES INCLUDED	Tracks to load into your GPS. (The GPS must be installed on the handlebars of your bike and is not provided by the organization). Bilingual bike guide (Spanish/Italian/English/French) along the tour + local guide. Seven nights in 3 & 4-star hotels, double and triple occupancy, breakfast included. One night in Pedralva traditional houses, double and triple occupancy, breakfast included. Mechanical assistance (in case your bike breaks down). Travel medical insurance. Van transfer from Lisbon to Santiago do Cacém, and transfer from Lagos to Faro Airport or back to Lisbon. Daily transportation of your luggage. Official bike jersey of the tour.
NOT INCLUDED	Meals not detailed in the program, drinks, alcoholic beverages, and air tickets. Transfers not detailed in the tour program, bike parts, phone calls, laundry expenses, and personal expenses. Bike rental (MTB or e-MTB options available).

Additional information

Location	Portugal
Duration	9 days
Dates	May, September

Spectacular bike tour in the southwest of Portugal, visiting Lisbon, Santiago do Cacém, Porto Covo, St Vincent Lighthouse, Zambujeira do mar, Sagres and Lagos.

Day 1: Meet & great at the chosen hotel in Lisbon

Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant capital, where history and modern life blend at every turn. You can start your day exploring the Alfama district, with its cobblestone alleys and viewpoints like the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, offering stunning views over the Tagus River. Don’t miss the imposing São Jorge Castle, perched high above the city.
Lisbon’s famous azulejos (ceramic tiles) are one of the most striking and beautiful expressions of Portuguese art. These small glazed ceramic pieces, often in blue and white, cover the façades of homes, churches, palaces, and train stations — forming murals that depict stories, religious scenes, geometric patterns, or landscapes. Their use became widespread in the 16th century, when the Portuguese adopted the technique influenced by Islamic and Spanish ceramics. Lisbon’s trams are among the city’s most beloved icons, especially in its historic and charming neighborhoods. The most famous route is Tram 28, a tourist favorite, which passes through Alfama, Bairro Alto, Graça, and Chiado — climbing and descending narrow hillsides with unique views of the city. Lisbon has a thousand faces, and each one invites you to explore at your own pace, savoring every detail!

Day 2: On our way to Santiago do Cacém!

The day begins with a 90-minute transfer from Lisbon to Santiago do Cacém, a charming Alentejo town nestled among hills with views of the southwest Portuguese coast. Santiago do Cacém has ancient origins dating back to Roman times — as seen in the nearby Miróbriga archaeological site, where you can visit the ruins of a forum, Roman baths, and even a hippodrome. The town later developed around a medieval castle, originally built by the Moors and later rebuilt by Christian forces. From its walls, you’ll enjoy expansive, peaceful views over the typical Alentejo landscape. The historic town center retains its narrow streets, whitewashed houses with red-tiled roofs, and an authentically calm atmosphere. Local cuisine is a highlight in itself, blending flavors of the countryside and the sea, always served with warm hospitality. Today, we’ll take time to adjust the bikes, make sure everything is ready for the journey ahead, and participate in a briefing with all the details of the adventure that awaits us.

Day 3: Santiago do Cacém - Porto Covo

Today, our bike journey officially begins! Leaving Santiago do Cacém, we ride around the town’s medieval castle before following stone paths and trails through rural areas, where we begin to see the first cork oak forests (montados de sobreiros). Cork oaks are emblematic trees of the Portuguese landscape, especially in the Alentejo and Algarve regions. They are the source of cork — a historic and vital industry for Portugal, which is the world’s largest cork producer. These majestic trees can live for over 200 years, and their bark can be harvested every 9 or 10 years without harming them. Today’s route combines packed dirt roads, sandy tracks, shaded trails under cork oaks and eucalyptus, and occasionally more technical rocky sections — always with time to enjoy the natural surroundings. After about 30 km, we reach the village of Sonega for a lunch break. Then, with 10 more kilometers, we arrive at our destination: Porto Covo, a picturesque seaside fishing village in the Alentejo region….

Day 4: Porto Covo - Vale do Juncal

The day begins with two kilometers riding along the coast with a view of Forte do Pessegueiro, a 17th-century fort built by order of King Pedro II to protect the coast from pirates and corsairs.
We soon head inland via rural paths that alternate between packed dirt and sand, with occasional challenging climbs. After passing through Alagoachos, we cross the Mira River, and a few kilometers later, we stop for lunch in Almograve. From Cavaleiro, we begin one of the most spectacular sections of the journey! At Cabo Sardão Lighthouse, we enjoy breathtaking views of cliffs over the Atlantic. The blue ocean, crashing waves, sea spray, and seabirds put on an unforgettable show for about 14 km until we reach Zambujeira do Mar…

Day 5: Vale do Juncal - Aljezur

Today’s ride starts at the Enigma Hotel and immediately drops into a steep descent of over 100 meters. In this region, it’s not uncommon to see peacocks, a species introduced from Asia in the 16th century that now roams estates, palaces, and monasteries. At the 10 km mark, we pass through Odeceixe, and by kilometer 12, we reach the Miradouro de Maravilha, which truly lives up to its name with a dazzling view. Afterward, a 3 km climb leads us onto rural roads alternating between pavement and dirt. Soon, we cycle beside irrigation canals, and near the 30 km mark, we stop for lunch at Praia da Amoreira. Further on, we pass by Aljezur Castle, a Moorish structure dating back to the 12th–13th centuries. The next stop is Praia do Monte Clérigo…

Day 6: Aljezur - Pedralva

We head south, and after 3 km, begin a 2.15 km climb that connects us to the famous Rota Vicentina, a gravel trail walked by hundreds of hikers each year. At 12 km, we descend quickly to a new ocean viewpoint. That same steep descent will soon become another uphill challenge. Among eucalyptus groves, we ride at about 150 m above sea level before descending into Bordeira for a refill stop.
Another fast descent brings us to Carrapateira, our first lunch option. After Carrapateira, we enjoy 6 km of some of the route’s most stunning segments, with lookouts over cliffs and sea. Sitio do Forno is our second lunch option — a restaurant with an unbeatable view.
From there, we continue on peaceful rural paths to Pedralva, a small rural village in the municipality of Vila do Bispo, in the southwest Algarve….

Day 7: Pedralva – Sagres

We leave Pedralva heading southwest along rural roads, gradually approaching the ocean. At km 17, we reach Praia da Cordoama after two descents and a 100-meter climb. Though the Algarve lacks large mountains, its rugged terrain means constant ups and downs. The beach bar is a great place to refuel. We then take a brief detour to the Cordoama Viewpoint. These dramatic vistas never get old — with strong winds, crashing waves, and cliffs full of seabirds nesting. At km 32, the gravel road ends and we transition to asphalt, leading to one of the journey’s highlights: Cabo de São Vicente. We take a 2 km detour to the lighthouse, the most South western point of mainland Europe. Once believed to be the “End of the World,” it was the last glimpse of land for ships sailing to the New World…

Day 8: Sagres - Lagos

We ride through Sagres heading north and briefly move away from the coast. After 6 km, we hit a rural path, with a steep descent and climb before continuing to Figueira and then Salema. Salema is a charming fishing village with whitewashed houses and colorful window and door frames. From here, the more touristic Algarve begins, especially popular during the summer months with visitors from northern Europe. The sun is almost guaranteed. Next is Burgau, another lovely fishing village with a mix of traditional and bohemian vibes — our stop for a snack break. From Rocha Negra, we begin a moderately challenging trail section along the cliffs and sea — one of the day’s most beautiful parts. Just when we think we’ve seen it all, we reach Ponta da Piedade, a stunning rocky promontory near Lagos….

Day 9: Adeus Algarve

The tour officially ends after breakfast in Lagos. From here, you can continue your travels on your own or join our transfer to Faro Airport, the closest airport to Lagos. After the drop off in Faro, you can continue to Lisbon too.

Tour Reviews

5.00 based on 1 review

Martin Vazquez

June 9, 2026

This was my last trip with MTB Tours.
Exactly the same thing I said in 2004 after crossing the Andes with them… and again after Italy, Spain, the Pyrenees, and pretty much every trip we’ve done together over the last 20 years.
At this point, my “never again” speeches have become part of the tradition.
As someone who works in the tourism industry myself, I’m honestly still jaw-dropped by how well these guys operate. They put to shame a lot of companies that love to advertise “top-notch service.” From the hotel selection to the route planning, logistics, food stops, and the overall atmosphere, they simply know what they’re doing. 5/5.
Unfortunately for my legs, I’ll probably be back again.