Algarve Coast and Countryside Self-Guided Cycling

Algarve Coast and Countryside Self-Guided Cycling

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Algarve Coast and Countryside Self-Guided Cycling

8 Days Starting in Portugal and ending in Algarve

Visiting: Portugal

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

C07AV

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

8 to 99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

Activities:

Cycling

This tour is no longer available

Tour 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 in the UK, meaning you can enjoy the warm temperatures and beautiful beaches of the Algarve from October right through to May.

Highlights

  • Superb variety of hotels, all with pools and great regional cuisine

  • 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

  • Peaceful cycle routes; contrasting coast and the lush green interior

  • Faro, Sagres and Lagos - beautiful coastal towns with a rich maritime history

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrive At Faro
Meals Included: breakfast


Arrive into the waterfront city of Faro. Dine out this evening (payable
locally) either at the hotel or from a plethora of options available to you.
*Staying at Hotel Faro.
*

Day 2 : Faro To Sagres
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner


Explore the walled Old Town, marina, restaurants and bars or take a boat trip
around the lagoons of the Ria Formosa National Park. Later, transfer to the
wonderful coastal town of Sagres in time for dinner at the hotel. *Staying at
Hotel Memmo Baleeira.
*

Day 3 : Sagres To Lagos
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner


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 Costa d'Oiro.
*

Day 4 : At Lagos
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner


Lagos is encircled by 14th century walls - the stone work and architecture
you'll find hidden within these is a delight. Ornate churches date from the
13th century, 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 Costa d'Oiro.
*

Day 5 : Lagos To Pedralva
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner


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.
*

Optional shorter ride: Distance 42km/26.5mi.

 

Day 6 : At Pedralva
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner


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.
*

Day 7 : Pedralva To Sagres
Meals Included: breakfast


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.
*

Alternative ride: Distance 29km/18.5mi.

 

Day 8 : Leave Sagres
Meals Included: breakfast


LEAVE SAGRES

What's Included

  • Luggage transfers between hotels

  • All continental breakfasts and 5 evening meals

  • Meals

    8 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 5 dinners.

What's Not Included

Accommodation

Food

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 chourico 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.

Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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