Best of the Algarve - Road Bike Tour Itinerary
 Day
1 Arrival
If you are arriving at Faro airport to start
with then we will collect you from the airport
and take you to your first nights hotel in
Vila Real de San Antonio. We will collect
your bicycles and all associated equipment
on the way to Vila Real.
Vila Real is an interesting old town on the
banks of the Guadiana river which forms the
border between Spain and Portugal. The town
is full of character and not particularly touristy,
but there are plenty of bars and restaurants.
Depending upon your arrival time, you may be
able to catch the ferry across the Guadiana
and try a short bike ride around Ayamonte and
its surrounding coastline, just to give you
a brief taste of Spain before heading west across
the Algarve region of Portugal. Vila
Real de San Antonio hotel:- Your
hotel is a modern hotel right in the centre
of town so everything is right on your doorstep.
The hotel provides en-suite accommodation,
air conditioning, bar and swimming pool and
breakfast is included.
 Day 2 Vila Real de San Antonio to Loule
Your first days of
cycling will probably start with a gentle
run along the coast east towards Tavira, an
interesting coastal town which is well worth
a look around if you have time. From there
there is a great road heading inland towards
Sao Bras, a popular route with local road
bikers. This takes you through some interesting
local scenery and generally unspoilt countryside
where few tourists venture ! Passing through
the traditional old town of Sao Bras presents
an interesting option and from there it is
only a short stretch onto Loule. Loule is
an explorers haven with its narrow cobbled
streets leading off the central avenida, tiny
shops and hidden away bars and restaurants,
well worth a couple of hours walk upon arrival.
Loule Hotel:- A short walk
from the centre of Loule and close to many
bars and great restaurants, this hotel features
rooms with air conditioning, satellite tv
and bars, breakfast room, roof terrace swimming
pool and also a laundry service.
 Day 3 Loule to Silves
Just
outside Loule you can be soon into some quite
serious hills, great roads and mostly very
quiet with very little traffic! The beautiful
hill top village of Querença may be
an early coffee stop before heading onto the
popular village of Alte, both well worth a
visit! Through Messines there is the option
to head towards the barragems (reservoirs)
before heading down towards the ancient old
town of Silves ! It is well worth planning
to get here in good time as there is plenty
of opportunity for exploration of the castle
and also the town itself.
Silves hotel:- The hotel
in Silves is a short walk across the Rio Arade
from the town and offers splendid views of
the town and of course the Castle at the heart
of the town. The hotel provides good quality
and relaxed accommodation and there is also
an outdoor swimming pool.
 Day
4 Silves to Sagres
Plenty of
route choices today and the chance for plenty
of Kilometres. Heading west towards the southern
tip of Portugal, there are some hills , some
quiet roads and very often some headwinds,
so this can be a challenging ride . Once you
arrive in Sagres, you have the option of checking
into your hotel and then cycling the 6 extra
kilometres to the edge of Europe, Cape St
Vincent. This is well worth it to say that
you have done it and there are some splendid
views of the cliffs. You can probably even
buy a celebratory beer at one of the mobile
snack bars (depends upon the time of year)
before returning to the comfort of your hotel
in Sagres.
Sagres Hotel:- This modern
apart hotel offers splendid accommodation
in which to relax at the end of your days
ride. This is top quality self catering accommodation
with a number of cafes and restaurants nearby
if you prefer to eat out! If you wish to self
cater there are some supermarkets within walking
distance of the hotel where you can stock
up on the essentials for your stay!
Day 5 Sagres to Aljezur
This is a good days riding heading North
up the unspoilt western coast line of Portugal
to your overnight stay in Aljezur! Aljezur
Hotel:- A comfortable top quality
modern aparthotel not far from the centre
of Aljezur, offering easy access to the towns
bars and restaurants. Self catering and also
optional breakfast and evening meals are available
here in this accommodation!
 Day
6 Aljezur to Monchique
A challenging ride today in that it is mostly
up hill to the lovely old town of Monchique
high up in the hills.
Monchique
Hotel:- Here you will stay in good
quality acommodation, centrally located within
walking distance of the town centre of Monchique
. Here you have the chance to wander the traditional
old streets and perhaps explore the traditional
local shops, cafes and bars!
Day 7 Rest Day Today you
have the chance to take a rest from cycling,
you can either explore the old town of Monchique,
relax and enjoy the sun or if you feel more
enegetic, you can trek up to the top of the
hill top at Foia or the neighbouring hill
top of Picota, both an excellent walk!
If you wish to have more cycling then there
are many options for a day out riding the
great roads surrounding Monchique, but beware,
this could end up being a seriously challenging
day with plenty of hills!
 Day
8 Monchique to Lagos
Again with plenty of route options, this
could be one of the easiest cycling days as
it is mostly downhill to the coast, where
your ultimate destination is the historical
old port of Lagos ! Plenty to see and do here,
some great beaches nearby, and some lively
nightlife in the town centre! Lagos
Hotel:- Situated alongside the river
overlooking the Marina, the hotel offers splendid
accommodation within easy walking distance
of the town centre where there is a great
choice of restaurants and bars.
Day 9 Lagos to Armaçao de Pera
Heading back east mostly along the coast
there is the chance to take in the popular
coastal towns of Alvor and Praia da Rocha
before heading over to Armaçao de Pera.
This is a popular tourist resort with an excellent
beach.
Armaçao
de Pera hotel:- Right on the beach
front the Holiday Inn here is an excellent
base for this town. All of the towns facilities,
beach, promenade, bars and restaurants are
right on your doorstep ! Plenty of chance
for relaxation after your days cycling!
Day 10 Armacao de Pera to Loule
Your last days cycling and back to Loule
though again the route choice is up to you,
head inland for more hills or cruise along
the coast via the Algarve's largest tourist
resort of Albufeira and maybe check out the
marina in Vilamoura, before finally heading
inland back to the quaint old town of Loule!
Or Contact
us for more details and to book
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