Algarve Bike Tour Guide
Algarve Bike Tour Guide
Explore the Algarve on a scenic bike tour from Tavira to Lagos, following little traveled inland country roads, passing fragrant orange groves and fields of fig, almond and carob as you cycle back to the sparkling beaches the Algarve famous for.
Our Algarve bike tour explores the almost forgotten and untouched interior. This part of Southern Portugal gets around 300 days of sunshine a year and offers some of the finest cycling conditions in Europe.
You will ride through country lanes dotted with olive, fig, almond and orange groves rooted in stunning red earth, passing countless villages and the occasional Moorish Castle along the way.
We will not stray too far from the sparkling coastline though, and you will be able to dip in the warm waters of the Algarve, as well as see a unique show of the Portuguese water dog in action!
In many ways the landscape and the people of the Algarve feel much closer to North Africa than Europe.
This warm, sunny bike tour offers on top of great rides, the unbeatable Portuguese hospitality, superb food (particularly fresh grilled fish!) beautiful beaches and unique accommodation options, including converted monasteries and boutique hotels.
Average Daily Distance: 25 miles / 41 km
Average Daily Elevation Gain: 1422 ft / 433 m
Terrain: 100% paved roads
Recommended Bike Type: Road / E-Bike / Touring / Gravel
Route Type: A to B (start and finish at different locations)
Best Months: April / May / June / September / October
Highlights
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Discover the little known Algarve interior and it's diverse countryside.
Explore the natural park of the Ria Formosa and it's outer bank beaches. -
Enjoy an evening wandering the fun and funky beach town of Lagos.
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Scramble the ramparts of Moorish castles and visit Roman ruins.
Itinerary
Day 1 Tavira Loop Ride
An easy warm up ride with very little climbing through the Tavira countryside.
Day 2 Tavira to Estoi
You'll ride into what's known as the Barrocal, a region between the coast and the hills of the interior.
Day 3 Estoi to Olhao Loop Ride
This is a short ride to give you time to explore Olhão and the outer bank beaches which are worth a visit.
Day 4 Estoi to Silves
Challenging all day ride on mostly low traffic roads riding through Algarve countryside passing lots of fig trees, almond trees and orange grooves until you reach the red town of Silves.
Day 5 Silves to Lagos
Today you'll continue riding inland between the sea and the Serra de Monchique before arriving in the lively walled city of Lagos.
Please note that daily distances will vary based on your choice of accommodation and site visits or detours.