Lisbon to Algarve Ride

Experience Overview

Portugal’s southerly Alentejo and Algarve regions are a treasure trove of scenic delights, particularly when explored by bike. Home to the Rota Vicentina, this remarkably quiet network of walking and cycling trails has been nurtured by independent businesses to create a sustainable model for tourism. This tour starts in Lisbon, the enchanting capital of Portugal, before we ride south and take in lush greenery, dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches and the topaz-blue ocean. Staying in some of the more traditional villages along the coast, we step away from the fast pace of modern life and delve into a culture rich in history and gastronomic delights. After a week of cycling through some of the most pristine landscapes in Portugal, we end in the laid-back village of Sagres, home to rugged coastal scenery and golden-sand beaches.
Profile
— Accommodation: 4 Superior nights (hotels), 3 Classic nights (hotels) — Six days cycling with partial vehicle support (limited seats) — Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — 70 percent paved roads and cycle paths, 30 percent unpaved trails — A mix of flat riding and some hills throughout — E-bikes available for an additional cost — Easily combine this trip with our Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 4 Superior nights (hotels), 3 Classic nights (hotels) — Six days cycling with partial vehicle support (limited seats) — Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — 70 percent paved roads and cycle paths, 30 percent unpaved trails — A mix of flat riding and some hills throughout — E-bikes available for an additional cost — Easily combine this trip with our Porto to Lisbon Atlantic Ride — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. This trip is classified as Road; average daily distance is 30mi (48km); number of days cycling is six. We use mainly cycle paths and quiet roads where possible. Occasionally we will cross or ride along some busier roads. The terrain is a mixture of 70% paved roads and cycle paths and 30% unpaved trails. These unpaved trails can at times be covered by loose sand from the dunes so making some sections more challenging so extra care and attention is needed. A support vehicle (with limited seats) will follow the group for approximately 25 percent of the cycling (at points known to be more challenging). For the rest of the time, the support driver will undertake other tasks to ensure the group’s comfort and safety, for example, delivering luggage to the next hotel prior to the group’s arrival. The trip will require a good level of fitness as some of the rides are on undulating roads with occasional steep but short ascents (up to 2.5mi/4km). We strongly encourage you to request an electric bike prior to departure (available for a supplement) if you have limited cycling experience. This would improve your experience and ensure the trip is led at a comfortable pace for everyone in the group.
Group Description
The group will generally be between six and 16 people. There will be a local cycling leader and an assistant leader driving the support vehicle.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts and two distillery visits with tastings included. A typical hotel breakfast consists of toast/bread with jam, or honey, cheese and ham, served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, fruit, cake and yoghurt. Eggs are usually available and there are frequently other cooked options; the breakfasts on this trip are always plentiful and perfect to set us up for a day of cycling. Portuguese people are very proud of their cuisine, and the deliciously fresh seafood is a real highlight. You will find fresh fish on most menus, usually sardines, sea bream, hake, sea bass and sole, cooked in a variety of ways. Bacalhau (cured codfish) is a national dish although it can vary depending on the region – there are up to 365 recipes to cook it. For meat lovers, the barrosã meat (steak) is often served grilled and roasted just to its naturally delicious flavour. Francesinha originates from Porto and involves layers of different meats (usually beef, ham, grilled pork, linguiça [smoke-cured pork sausage] and sausage), between two slices of bread, covered by melted cheese and immersed in a spicy beer-and-tomato sauce, often topped with a fried egg and surrounded by chips. It is not for the faint-hearted. To drink, you will find plenty of the local Sagres and Superbock beer. Vinho verde is available from the supermarket and directly from producers. It is a young, medium-strength white wine with an almost carbonated quality. Port needs no introduction and a glass (or two) of the fortified wine will generally follow a hearty Portuguese meal. There are an incredible number of different desserts available and if you have a sweet tooth it will be possible to try a different one each day. Local favourites include bolo de bolacha (cookie cake), leite creme (cream eggs and sugar), pão de ló (sponge cake made with lots of eggs), arroz doce (traditional rice pudding) and, of course, pastel de nata, which you will find at most cafes on your route.
Transportation
Transfers to and from the airport will be by private vehicle (normally minibus). While you are cycling, the vehicle will carry your baggage and be on hand with assistance or if you choose to sit out a section of the ride (seats are limited). A guide cycles with the group.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Hotel Marquês de Pombal, Av. da Liberdade 243, 1250-143 Lisboa Phone: +351 21 319 7900 Recommended arrival time: Welcome meeting at 3pm in the reception at the start hotel on day one. Airport: Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon (LIS) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are: Take an Exodus transfer Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. Make your own way You can reach the start hotel relatively easily by taxi. A cab from the airport costs €15-€25. For more information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to Faro Airport (FAO) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Lisbon and the Algarve have a temperate maritime climate with a strong Mediterranean influence. 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, summer and autumn. Heatwaves can push temperatures up between mid-June and September. Coastal areas of Portugal can be quite windy, but we are fortunate that this tends to be from north to south; which gives us an extra push while cycling.
Spending Money
Allow €20-€25 for lunch (taken in a local cafe or picnic, depending on the cycling route and timings). Alternatively, you may choose to contribute €85 to an optional kitty that covers lunches on cycling days (2 of which are picnic lunches), 5 pit stops and local tips. You will also need some extra cash for drinks or ice creams in cafes or bars during the day. Typically, a beer will cost around €2 and a coffee will cost around €1, with a reasonable bottle of wine at dinner about €15. For dinner allow €25 - €30 as a guide, excluding drinks.
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus, however, most of our clients wish to tip their guides in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the service received. If you feel you would like to leave a tip, as a guide we would suggest a total of approximately €20 - €25 per person for the guides.

Highlights