Cycling in The Real Algarve
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Experience Overview
The western Algarve, a land away from the touristy towns of the central coast, is an area of stunning cliff tops, quiet fishermen's villages and lush green interior. It's also a birdwatcher's paradise and whilst autumn and spring bring in the huge migrations, winter sees numerous endemic bird species. Winter is more akin to springtime, meaning you can enjoy the warm temperatures and beautiful beaches of the Algarve from October right through to May.
Our six night holiday takes you along quiet roads and sun-kissed cycle tracks. You'll cycle along beautiful coastlines enjoying a mix of golden sandy beaches and rugged cliff tops, and pass through pretty villages, some of which seem unaffected by the outside world. Country lanes take you into the lush green interior passing large reservoirs, alpine-like meadows and rich holm oak forests. Visit the historic maritime towns of Sagres and Lagos; Henry the Navigator lived here, and built his own fortress at Sagres, near to where you'll find Cabo de Sao Vicente, Europe's south-western cape, with its iconic lighthouse and fascinating museum.
Profile
— 6 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation — 3 Days cycling — All continental breakfasts and 3 evening meals — Headwater navigation app — Hybrid bikes — Luggage transfers between hotels
At a Glance
— 6 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation — 3 Days cycling — All continental breakfasts and 3 evening meals — Headwater navigation app — Hybrid bikes — Luggage transfers between hotels
Trip For You
EXCELLENT CHOICE FORFood lovers, wine lovers, flora & fauna, bird spotting opportunities, art & history, swimming opportunities, couples, coastal routes Classification: Self-GuidedAverage daily distance on move on days: 40km (25miles). No. of days Cycling: 3Terrain: Mostly gently undulating with a couple of short but steepish descents/climbs. Routes mainly follow a mix of coastal paths, tracks,woodland trails and country roads. Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies.
Group Description
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number. In an emergency, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.
Eating Drinking
All continental breakfasts and 5 evening meals. The local speciality from the sea is the Barnacle Perceve, this is not taken from the bottom of boats but the bottom of submerged local cliffs, it is harvested by hand using a dangerous and traditional method, which involves one of the two collectors dangling by a rope from the top of the cliffs! They are a bit of a delicacy not too dissimilar to mussels. Away from the sea the dried hams, salamis and chouriço are as good as anything that Spain or Italy can produce. The strange sounding bread sausage Alheira is very good, invented by the Portuguese Jews during the Inquisition to avoid persecution, bread and non-pork products are used. Good quality meat is also on the menu, beef and pork are of a high quality and lamb in season is superb. Vegetables are plentiful and with big harvests of almonds and oranges, fruits are in good supply alongside another local vegetable, the sweet potato. The Algarve’s other surprise is the quality of cheese; from mild to strong using cow, goat or sheep milk there is a great range of cheeses for all tastes, Queijo de Cabra do Algarve, is a particular favourite.
Joining Instructions
Standard transfersFor flight inclusive bookings transfers are included from Faro airport at 11:50 Oct & Apr-May, 16:05 Nov-Mar, and back to Faro airport at 09:30 Oct & Apr-May, 13:30 Nov-Mar. Transfers are available at a supplement for land only bookings. Alternative transfersIf you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these for you (there may be an additional charge).
Weather Information
Coastal areas of Portugal can be known to be quite windy.However, the climate here is long, warm summers and mild winters, with most rain falling in the winter months, but possible in all other months. Seasons are marked, with pleasant temperatures in the spring, in the summer and in the autumn. Heat waves can push up temperatures between mid June and September.
Spending Money
— You will need spending money for meals not included in the itinerary and all drinks. We suggest €25 per day to cover a few drinks if not then €10 per day. On the days where lunch or dinner is not included expect to spend €10-€15 for lunch and €15-€35 for dinner.
Highlights
— Visit Cabo de Sao Vicente, Europe's most south-westerly point known as the 'Sacred Promontory' — Bird-spotter's paradise; endemic and migratory species from Europe and North Africa — Superb variety of hotels, all with pools and great regional cuisine — Peaceful cycle routes; contrasting coast and the lush green interior — Sagres and Lagos - beautiful coastal towns with a rich maritime history
Trip Details
Product Code: 22810
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport:
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: C06AV
Starts:
Finishes:
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
— All accommodation — All continental breakfasts and 3 evening meals — Headwater navigation app — Luggage transfers between hotelsAccommodation
HotelsWe have hand-picked three wonderful hotels all with their own charm. These include a modern 4-star design hotel perched on a cliff in Sagres and a hotel in Pedralva, where the village houses have been rustically renovated to create individual rooms. All hotels have pools with Sagres boasting a covered one for the winter months.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $200 ($29 /day)
Itinerary
Arrive at the wonderful coastal town of Sagres in time for dinner at the hotel. (Staying at Hotel Memmo Baleeira, Half Board)
From Sagres head inland, mostly following the Ecovia, a national cycle trail. Pass shepherds tending their flocks before meeting the coast again in time for lunch. The villages of Salema, Burgau and Luz have great sandy beaches and offer rustic restaurants with al fresco dining; grilled fresh fish with zesty lemon is a favourite dish. You end the day at Lagos and your wonderfully atmospheric 4-star hotel. (Staying at Rio Marina, Breakfast)
Lagos is encircled by C14 walls - the stone work and architecture you'll find hidden within these is a delight. Ornate churches date from the C13, and tangled cobbled lanes lead to new discoveries around every corner. Visit the new marina and the lively fish market (held daily), and join the locals for coffee in one of the many bars. Popular coastal walks lead to Ponte da Piedade lighthouse and from Porto de Mos to Luz, both offering outstanding sea views. (Staying at Rio Marina, Breakfast)
You have a choice of routes today, with both taking you along the promenade at Lagos, before heading inland to Odiaxere where you can choose a shorter option that has fewer climbs and takes you through lovely villages on winding roads, giving you a real insight into local life. The longer route takes you past the beautiful Bravura reservoir and pretty alpine-like hamlets and meadows, meeting the coast in picturesque Carrapateira. Then it's on to Pedralva, a village where each house has been restored to create individual hotel rooms. (Staying at Aldeia da Pedralva, Half Board)
Aldeia da Pedralva is a wonderful rural retreat and you could easily spend the day relaxing in the village. If you fancy doing more you can follow one of our routes taking you out along the cliff tops with great views of the coast, or return to Carrapateira to visit the Land and Sea Museum and have a leisurely lunch. (Staying at Aldeia da Pedralva, Half Board)
There's two options today but both routes are fairly short allowing you time to visit the lighthouse at Cabo de Sao Vicente and Sagres Fortress, built by Henry the Navigator. The longer route is on off-road tracks passing holm oak forests. Both routes give great views of the Serra de Monchique passing through Vila do Bispo, a nice lunch stop with its beautiful 17th century church. From Vila do Bispo head out across the Vicente peninsula to Cabo de Sao Vicente and the southwestern tip of Europe before following the coast road back to Sagres. (Staying at Hotel Memmo Baleeira, Breakfast Only)
The tour ends after breakfast in Sagres.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Ms. Drew - Traveled, May 2025
Very responsive team and lovely trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/05/2025
Alan and Sheila Rugman - Traveled, October 2018
A great cycling holiday. This was our first cycling holiday with Headwater and hopefully not the last. Everything about it was excellent: the route, the hotels, the bikes, the other riders and the Headwater reps, Tony and Ludmilla. We particularly appreciated the ‘rest day’ in Lagos after the first day’s ride, to allow for exploration, and the shorter ride to the Atlantic coast from the second hotel at Pedralva. Most Inspirational Moment, seeing the fantastic cliffs and beaches on the Atlantic coast, with huge waves and dozens of surfers. Another great ride. Thoughts on Group Leader, Tony and Ludmilla are cut out for the job. They were friendly and helpful, with lots of good advice and always hitting the right note. Top marks. Advice for Potential Travelers, you need to be reasonably fit for this tour, with preferably some experience of cycling off-road, but no need to be a Lycra merchant.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/25/2018
Mrs. Lea - Traveled, April 2025
From initial interest to final completion of the trip it was all really very good. Stephanie answered any questions we had before we booked. Marta was very considerate to our needs while on the cycle ride and as for the Voice App man..... we felt well looked after and not on our own. Portugal was at it's best and the hotel accommodation and friendly staff made our trip so much fun.... 10 out of 10 doesn't feel an adequate score. Worth lots more!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/13/2025
Mrs. Sanderson - Traveled, March 2025
Good bikes, good cycling paths, good directions, good backup while cycling, good accommodations, well organized, easy to book the holiday on line with good backup.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2025
Mr. Maffei - Traveled, March 2025
Everything was well organized and the way is very beautiful and peaceful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/14/2025
Mrs. Reid - Traveled, January 2025
All the administration for the holiday was very well organized by Headwater. The travel arrangements were made without any problems. Our collection from the airport and travel to the hotel and back were efficiently carried out by Marta. The guidance notes were good.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/08/2025
Trusted Customer - Traveled, August 2024
We had a wonderful experience with Headwaters on our self guided trip in the Algarve. the bikes were excellent the support was excellent and the Headwaters navigation app worked flawlessly giving us great ease of mind while we cycled on our own. Keep up the good work!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/21/2024
Mr. Hamilton - Traveled, August 2024
The quality of the booking service, pre-holiday preparations, routes, bikes and hotel accommodation is first class.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/21/2024
Amanda Shoobridge - Traveled, May 2024
Very enjoyable, cycling is a wonderful way of seeing a country. Headwater did an excellent job.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/08/2024
Simon Linstone - Traveled, April 2025
We have done cycle tours before but usually totally independently. This is the first time we have used. Headwaters (Or anybody else in Europe) and they made the experience so much easier. The navigation app was terrific and overall we had a great time exploring the south west corner of the Algarve. Thanks.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/20/2024
