Bem vindo a Portugal!

We will meet you in the arrivals area at Faro airport. You will then be transferred, with your luggage, to Vila Real do Santo Antonio , an hour's drive away. If you have ordered bike hire, we will ensure that these are set up and ready at the hotel.

Vila Real sits on the Gaudiana River, looking over to Spain on the other side. The grand architechture hails from its 18th Century origins. Take some time to explore this unique border town in the afternoon and evening.

Right in the centre of town, this town house hotel has top-notch facilities as well as a prime location.

There is plenty of space here to set up bikes ready for the next day.

Restaurant in town

On your first day you will roll gently along the coast to Tavira. The centre of this coastal town is beautifully well-preserved, with a maze of cobbled streets winding between the old merchants' villas.

Next, the route takes you through the Rio Formosa Natural Park, a beatiful web of marshland, canals and islands which is of international importance for wildlife.

Faro is the capital of the Algarve, with a fascinating Old Town enclosed by Moorish walls. Full of great spots to eat and drink, this is an awesome town to explore in the evening. Don't miss the Capella dos Ossos (the Chapel of Bones), a haunting but very memorable sacred space!

Duration

75km, 342m+

TBC

You can get up close to this incredible system of waterways and islands by boat. The biodiversity of this area is amazing so you are likely to spot a range of waterbirds including oystercatchers, flamingoes and storks.

You can catch a boat from the marina, just next to your hotel.

This is a real treat - the 5* Eva Senses hotel right on the Marina in Faro. Stunning huge rooms overlooking the Ria Formosa, and within a stones throw distance to all the bars and restaurants in the centre of town.

TBC

You will pedal away from Faro on the waterfront and soon find yourself in Quarteira, a friendly Portuguese seaside town with a lively fishmarket. Contrast this with its neighbour, Vilamoura, where sleek pleasure-yachts fill the harbour.

After this you spend a little more time inland on small roads and tracks. Where you finish at Benagil, the coast is just incredible. We have suggested a few different options for you to explore it fully, below.

Duration

68km, 674m+

22km - Quarteira

44km - Albufeira

The Benagil cave is one of the region's most impressive natural wonders. We can book you on to a tour to see it, as well as the gorgeous surrounding coastline which you will explore on the way.

The 3 miles between Marinha Beach and Vale Centeanes Beach encompass some of the Algarve's most stunning beaches, tucked between gold and copper hued cliffs. Along the way you will find sinkholes, arches and precarious stacks of rock. This is a walk to remember!

If this is up your street, we can simply drop you off at one end and collect you from the other.

Easy access to the beach, an infinity pool and a restaurant with Atlantic views - what more do we need!?

The interior is beautiful and the food pretty delicious too.

Hotel restaurant

From Benagil you will ride inland, cross the Rio Arade, and soon you'll be passing the Ria de Alvor Nature Reserve. This internationally important reserve is made up of lagoons, wetlands, salt flats and dunes, and hosts a diverse array of species.

Lagos is an ancient city with a seafaring past, well-preserved in the old town - a fascinating area to wander on foot.

Duration

52km, 427m+

15km - Ferragudo

The Lagos Aveniva Hotel is a great option for our cyclists right in the centre of Lagos, overlooking the marina. Enjoy the rooftop pool whilst relaxing with a sundowner, and walk just a few minutes to the best restaurants and bars in town.

To see the best of these golden yellow rock caves and arches, get on a board! Don't worry if you've not tried it before, stand up paddleboarding is easy to learn for all ages, and you will have an instructor who knows all the best spots.

Local restaurant

Today you will ride to the far western tip of Portugal! Today's route encompasses the wilder, quieter end of the Algarve, with dramatic cliffs dropping into the Altantic below.

Riding all the way to Cape St Vincent is optional, but would be a real highlight of your tour.

This rocky promentory at the far south west of the Iberian Peninsula was the site of a naval battle in 1797 between the British and Spanish fleets. Admiral Nelson made a name for himself here.

Duration

51km, 629m+

17km - Salema

28km - Vila do Bispo

Sagres is the top surfing destination in the Algarve. With a two coastlines nearby and a choice of beaches, its possible to find conditions to suit most abilities on any day. If this is your first time, the instructors will take you step by step to build your confidence in the water.

An awesome way to finish your tour!

This imposing fort is the human extension of the natural defences of the coast, and was at the centre of Portugal's defensive system for centuries.

Take a visit here to appreciate a little of Portugal's military history.

Situated right on the seafront, the Memmo Baleeira offers a wide range of facilities and stunning views. Chill on the terrace by the pool, enjoy the sunset over the Atlantic or pamper yourself in the spa!

Local restaurant

We will be sad to see you leave!

We will take you to Faro Airport in time for your flight.

Até a proxima...

The climate in the Algarve is ideal for cycling most of the year around. It is possible to get some rain in the early parts of the year (Feb-April) however this doesn’t usually last too long.

Spring flowers in April, May and June are stunning, and September and October are also fantastic times to ride. Many people find July and August rather hot to be cycling.

This tour is acheivable for beginner to intermediate riders. The elevation gain each day is quite low, especially at the start of the tour, and the majority of the route is made up of easy gravel tracks and cycleways, and minor roads with little traffic.

We will recommend a restaurant each evening and cafes en route for you.

We support small, local cafes and restaurants, eating where we can ‘how the locals do’. All dietary requirements will be happily catered for – just let us know what you require, or what your likes or dislikes are and we will adapt our recommendations.

If you book a self-guided tour, we are always on the end of the phone. This means that if you need mechanical support, want to change a booking, or anything else which may crop up on the road, our friendly (bilingual!) team are here to help

Please note that due to availability, accommodation may vary from the hotels listed above.

Depending on your group size, we may be able to offer you a choice of hotels. Where possible we will do our best to accommodate you in small, traditional hotels and guesthouses where you will enjoy a truly unique experience each night.

• Bike*

• Inner tube, hand pump, levers, multitool*

• Pedals

• Helmet

• Cycling shoes

• Powermeter/Di2/Sram batteries/Garmin chargers as appropriate*

• Sunglasses (including clear lenses if you have them)

• Cycling gloves (depending on season)

• Cycling rain jacket

• Saddle (All of our hire bikes are equipped with a saddle, of course. However, we recommend that you bring your own if it is comfortable for you rather than spending a week sitting on a saddle that may not be suitable for you.)

• Suitcase (see below)

• Bib shorts, jersey, gilet, socks- minimum 4 sets.

• Arm/leg warmers

• Rain/wind vest

• Base-layer (depending on season)

• Chamois Cream

• Rear bike light + chargers

• Water bottles x 2 (we have bottles available to purchase).

• Garmin/Wahoo and mount

• Energy bars/snacks that you particularly like!

• Regular clothes and light jacket or jumper for evening

• Swimsuit (many of the hotels have pools or spa)

• Evening shoes / sandals

• Passport (Check expiry date)

• Travel Insurance

• Sun protection

• USB charger

• First aid kit

• Toiletries

• Cellphone and charger

• Id or passport

• Credit/debit card

• Medications and prescriptions

• Power adapter

• Ear plugs / eye mask

• Powerbank

• Airport transfers from Faro

• 5 nights bike friendly accommodation

• Buffet breakfast each day

• Restaurant reservations each evening

• Detailed route planning (suited to group), GPX files given in advance plus itinerary

• Secure large luggage storage (bike boxes for example) throughout

• Civil Liability Insurance

• Telephone support whenever you should need it.

• 5 star Service – our promise

• Dinner, lunch and coffees bought at cafes en route

• Flights

• Transfers from airports other than Faro

• Costs for additional activities suggested in the itinerary - let us know if you would like us to arrange these for you

• Other costs not listed above

• Luggage transfers + mechanical support vehicle (€300/group per riding day) = €1,200

• Luggage transfers (€110/group per riding day for groups up to 5) = €440

• Luggage transfers (€150/group per riding day for groups 6+) = €600

• Guide (€160 per guide per riding day) = €640

We have a range of rental bikes to suit different styles and budgets, including e-bikes. Below are a few examples. For full details and prices, see our website.

• Megamo. SRAM APEX AXS. 12 speed.

• Megamo. SRAM Apex Eagle. 12 speed.

• Megamo Lande Premium e-Gravel. Bosch Performance Line.

• Megamo e-Gravel. Bosch 600wh.

Our bike rental partners are scaled to support large group, of 40+ riders.

Paradise Cycling Tours Unipessoal LDA

Bairro da Boavista 6
8100-016 Alte
Portugal
NIPC 517913704
RNVAT 11760

Contact:
Fiona Hunter Johnston +351 931325694

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