Eight Days by Bike: Portugal's Coast from Lisbon to the Algarve
Tour details
- Bicycle Pedal through scenic landscapes on two wheels
- Group Tour Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
- Fully Guided An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
- Medium Intensity Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
- Guided in English
- Group Size 7 - 16
- Ages 16+
Itinerary
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Ride Portugal's rugged shoreline on an eight-day cycling trip that runs south from Lisbon to Faro. You'll roll through small fishing villages, past quiet coves and long beaches, all the way to Europe's far south-western tip. Fresh seafood, pasteis de nata and local wine fuel each day, and the unhurried pace of Portuguese life sets the rhythm.
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Arrive in Lisbon at a time that suits your travel plans. With a few free hours, make for Alfama, the old quarter of narrow lanes and traditional houses, and pick up a pastel de nata from a neighbourhood bakery. At 7pm your tour leader gathers the group at the hotel for a welcome briefing, followed by an optional dinner.
Locations
- Lisbon
Accommodation
Turim Alameda Hotel · Hotel 3*
Optional Activities
- Explore Alfama neighbourhood
- Sample pastel de nata (traditional Portuguese custard pastry)
- Welcome dinner with tour group
Landmarks
- Alfama
- River Tagus
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Today begins just south of Lisbon at Lagoa Albufeira, where there's time to adjust your bike before setting off. You'll ride down past Cape Espichel to Sesimbra, a calm beach town watched over by an old Moorish fort. The seafood restaurants here are reliable, so lunch is a good moment to sample the day's catch. Expect about 29 kilometres with steady climbing throughout, so keep an even pace and rest when you need to.
Locations
- Sesimbra
Meals
- Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel do Mar · Hotel 3*
Included Activities
- Bike adjustment time at Lagoa Albufeira
- Cycle from Lagoa Albufeira to Cape Espichel and Sesimbra
Landmarks
- Cape Espichel
- Sesimbra Moorish Fort
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The day's route climbs through the Serra da Arrabida hills toward Setubal, threading rolling green country and pine forest, with stretches that open onto the Atlantic. A steep pull comes early, roughly 200 metres of ascent over 3 kilometres, with shorter climbs to follow in the afternoon. Small bays and beaches along the way make good stops for a swim. You'll reach Setubal by evening, a working port town whose pedestrianised old centre is worth exploring on foot; climb to the fortress for a wider look over the area.
Locations
- Arrabida Natural Park, Setubal
Meals
- Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Arangues · Hotel 3*
Included Activities
- Cycle through Arrabida Natural Park to Setubal
- Swimming stop at coastal bays and beaches
Optional Activities
- Walk through pedestrianised old town of Setubal
- Visit hilltop fortress for panoramic views
Landmarks
- Serra da Arrabida
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A ferry carries you over to the Troia peninsula, from where you cycle down to Comporta beach. A short transfer then sets up the day's second ride, starting at Sines and heading south for Vila Nova de Milfontes. Here you enter the Vicentine Coast Natural Park, the largest coastal natural park in Europe. There's one notable climb of around 1.6 kilometres, and roughly a quarter of the route follows good off-road paths. You'll arrive in Vila Nova de Milfontes, an easygoing town where you can stroll to the harbour to watch the fishing boats or explore the old quarter and its 16th-century church.
Locations
- Grândola, Comporta, Sines, Vila Nova de Milfontes
Meals
- Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Milfontes Beach · Hotel 3*
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to Troia peninsula
- Cycle from Comporta to Sines
- Cycle from Sines to Vila Nova de Milfontes through Vicentine Coast Natural Park
Optional Activities
- Stroll to harbour to observe fishing boats
- Explore historic buildings in old quarter including 16th century church
Landmarks
- Vicentine Coast Natural Park
- Comporta Beach
- Vila Nova de Milfontes
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The whole day is yours in Vila Nova de Milfontes. Settle in at the local beaches, or keep the legs moving with an optional ride out to nearby stretches of coast. If you fancy time on the water, kayaks and standup paddleboards can be hired down at the beaches.
Locations
- Vila Nova de Milfontes
Meals
- Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Milfontes Beach · Hotel 3*
Optional Activities
- Relax on local beaches
- Optional bike ride to nearby beaches (approximately 28 kilometres/17.3 miles)
- Kayaking (equipment available for hire)
- Standup paddleboarding (equipment available for hire)
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This is the longest day in the saddle, tracing wild coastline and passing whitewashed fishing villages as you push further south. Near the end you cross into the Algarve and meet its undeveloped Atlantic shore, well away from the golf courses and resorts found elsewhere. The ride ends in Aljezur, a small, likeable town with a well-kept old quarter. If your legs allow, the medieval castle ruins on the hill reward the walk up with wide views over the land.
Locations
- Aljezur
Meals
- Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Vicentina · Hotel 3*
Included Activities
- Cycle along Vicentine Coast to Aljezur
Optional Activities
- Stroll around old quarter of Aljezur
- Visit medieval castle ruins for views over surrounding area
Landmarks
- Aljezur Medieval Castle
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The last ride runs past some of the West Coast's finest beaches, opening with one steady climb and bringing a couple more as the day goes on. You'll reach Cabo San Vicente, the most south-westerly point of Portugal and of mainland Europe. There's time to mark the finish before the drive to Faro, around 90 minutes away.
Locations
- Cabo de São Vicente, Faro
Meals
- Breakfast
Accommodation
Best Western Dom Bernardo · Hotel 3*
Included Activities
- Final cycle to Cabo San Vicente (approximately 55 kilometres)
- Coach transfer from Cabo San Vicente to Faro
Landmarks
- Cabo San Vicente
- Faro
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Your trip wraps up after breakfast at the hotel in Faro. Nothing is scheduled, so you're free to head off whenever you need to. For a later flight, the hotel can store your luggage until you leave.
Locations
- Faro
Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks
- Faro
Dates & Prices
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From Sunday 11 Apr 2027To Sunday 18 Apr 2027
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From Sunday 9 May 2027To Sunday 16 May 2027
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From Sunday 16 May 2027To Sunday 23 May 2027
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From Sunday 6 Jun 2027To Sunday 13 Jun 2027
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From Sunday 5 Sep 2027To Sunday 12 Sep 2027
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From Sunday 12 Sep 2027To Sunday 19 Sep 2027
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From Sunday 19 Sep 2027To Sunday 26 Sep 2027
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From Sunday 10 Oct 2027To Sunday 17 Oct 2027
Partners
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Alesia Tour
Tour PartnerFrom the field to the feed: Alesia supports operations and curates tour experiences for discerning audiences.
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Explore!
Tour partnerOrganises and runs this tour on the ground, from guides and transport to accommodation.
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TourRadar
Booking partnerYour booking is handled and secured through TourRadar, the world’s largest marketplace for multi-day tours. Payments are processed on their secure checkout.
Included
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- 7 nights standard hotel
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- Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader's ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour.
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- A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options
- 7 Breakfasts
- This tour offers Vegetarian food option on request. Simply let the tour partner know the food option that you prefer.
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- All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.
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- Bus, Bicycle, Ferry, Train
Not Included
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- International flights not included in the tour cost
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- Travel Insurance is not included
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- The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.
- Lisbon: Sintra train ticket - 5 Euros, Fado show with dinner - 35 Euros, San Jeronimo Monastery 10 Euros
- Sintra: Palacio da Pena 14 Euros, Moorish castle 8 Euros
- Sagres: Public Beaches: Mareta Beach, Beleeira Beach, Martinhal Beach (transport not included)
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- Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price.
- You can also book extra nights’ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately.
All accommodations are subject to change
- Turim Alameda Hotel Hotel 3* · Lisbon Day 1
- Hotel do Mar Hotel 3* · Sesimbra Day 2
- Hotel Arangues Hotel 3* · Arrabida Natural Park, Setubal Day 3
- Hotel Milfontes Beach Hotel 3* · Grândola, Comporta, Sines, Vila Nova de Milfontes Days 4, 5
- Hotel Vicentina Hotel 3* · Aljezur Day 6
- Best Western Dom Bernardo Hotel 3* · Cabo de São Vicente, Faro Day 7
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Rebecca
This was an excellent tour, we had great lodging- an excellent tour leader (Pablo) and a great group of diverse travelers.
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Vicki
Everything was top notch, loved our tour guide Pablo and the hotel and food provided
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Raymond
Good. Not great. Avg. bikes. Avg to good on route lunches and lodging. Guide, Pablo, very personable but his descriptions of daily segments and while cycling instructions barely adequate. Overall difficulty of trip moderare. Sag wagon driver, Paulo, very good.
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Fiona
A most excellent experience. Guide, Oriol, and kind driver and picnic expert, Bill, are a fantastic team and for supporting cyclists and making the tour a great experience. They are well organized and easy going, ensuring a safe and fun experience
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ANDREW
The guide, driver, accommodations, food, support and transport was great! My only complaint was lack of communication for airport pickup. I'd be nice to get a text to confirm pick up time and arrival . I didn't know where the pickup location was.
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Ann
We enjoyed our leader, Oriol and our SAG support Paulo. They made sure we were safe and well fed and had a great cycling experience. The cycling route was challenging with a good mix of hills and flats. The off road cycling was challenging but fun.
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Patricia
We saw and experienced we we wanted to…coastal. Jews, some biking in the country, some off trail biking. Such a great varied variety.
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Amy
The Portuguese coast
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Patricia
My highlight was our wonderful guide, Oriel. My mother and I and our friends felt safe and comfortable with him. He was fun, kept an appropriate pace and was amazing with everyone on the group.
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Miranda
Retro hotel night 2 - amazing as was the fish restaurant chosen by the guide, Hill climbing day 3 ( 2nd day of cycling); ferry crossing day 4 and seeing storm nests on pylons. Milfontes is beautiful and a wonderful day off stop.
Tour ID: 124426
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Deposit
Book now with just a 10% deposit. The remaining balance is due 75 days before departure.
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Currency
Euro
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Plug type
Types C, F
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Type C
Used in Portugal
Type F
Used in Portugal
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75 days before departure
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Book now with just a 10% deposit and pay the rest later. The remaining balance is due 75 days before departure, charged automatically to your card, or you can split it into interest-free biweekly installments of $102 at checkout. Everything is charged in USD, and TourRadar never adds a booking fee. Any trip departing before 13th January 2027 will need to be paid in full at checkout.
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