Bem vindo a Portugal!

You will be met in the afternoon at your hotel in Lisbon. If you have hired bikes, we will have them ready for you here.

We hope you have some time here to explore this historic city before the riding starts tomorrow.

You will be met in arrivals and taken from Lisbon Airport to your hotel.

The Vila Galé Opera is right underneath the Ponte 25 Abril bridge. It is the ideal place to start this tour as it is right on the cycle path along the river, leading you straight to your ferry at Belem, without navigating the streets of Lisbon via bike in the morning traffic.

The hotel also provides plenty of bike set up space and great facilities, whilst being close to restaurants and bars for the evening.

5 Oceanos

Doca de Santo Amaro, Armazém 12, 1350-353

Once across the river you will set off cycling south, along the ‘Costa da Caparica’ towards Sesimbra. Note that at 22km there is an unavoidable sandy section – it’s not too long and gets easier!

At 46km there is an optional out and back to Cabe Espichel, a beautiful viewpoint.

Duration

62km (including 5km ferry!), 644m+

This day will start with a short boat trip from Belem across the Tejo river. It’s a great way to start the trip as you will see Lisbon at it’s best from the boat.

38km - O Forninho, Aldeia do Meco
https://maps.app.goo.gl/S513AVXbM7LiuJZ38

50km - Azóia - a couple of small restaurants here not far from Sesimbra itself (where there is a large choice down on the seafront!)

This luxurious hotel boasts a seasonal outdoor pool, sea views and stylish modern decor. The delicious breakfast buffet features many Portuguese delicacies to fuel up on for your next day's ride!

'O Zagaia' is a really great place for modern dishes with amazing flavor!

Today is your longest day, but it’s very flat. You will enjoy some spectacular views from the Arrabida Natural Park as the road winds down to Setubal. From here you will take another small boat across to Troía. Then it’s just a 20km or so flat cycle through Comporta to Melides. Comporta is, surprisingly, famous for it’s rice production. The area is full of beautiful, large rice fields.

Duration

52km (including a 7km ferry!), 648m+

32km - Setúbal - Lots of options on the main avenida.

Just a few minutes from the beach, this boutique hotel has a stunning setting. The airy rooms, secluded garden and gorgeous rooftop terrace invite you to unwind, breathe deeply and reflect.

With great reviews, we suggest 'Restaurante São João' for dinner paired with one of their great wines!

Today starts with an amazing section of gravel riding through the rice fields and small roads, all the way to Melides, a beautiful Alentejo small village perfect for a coffee stop. From here you will ride through more back roads and easy gravel to the stunning open ocean at Lagoa de Santo André. There is a small section which is a little sandy (keep pedalling!) along the coastline, before the route makes its way through tiny villages up to Santiago de Cacém.

It's a varied and very interesting day of riding - no section is the same!

Duration

59km, 546m+

32km - Melides - a couple of nice options in the centre of the village

39km - Praia de Melides - a cafe is right on the roundabout at the end of the road by the beach.

'Alentejo pure, natural and genuine' is the motto of this hotel; a luxurious 4* with wonderful views and a top-notch Portuguese kitchen.

For a fully Portuguese experience, try 'O Arco'.

Today you have two options. The shorter version starts with a gorgeous long descent to the coast. If you opt for a longer day, you will head inland to São Domingos, before riding an awesome gravel track through rural Alentejo countryside, to the sea.

The second half of the day, for both routes, follows the cliffs and beaches of the Costa Vicentina, with stunning beaches and rocky coves to visit along the way.

Duration

47km, 381m+ or 73km, 690m+

Short:

29km - Porto Covo - various great cafes in the town centre

Long:

20km: São Domingos - a few small cafes here in the town centre:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6MoMjgDNyUo4dPfz6

54km: Porto Covo various great cafes in the town centre

Direct beachfront access and stunning sea views. The location in town is fantastic, just a short walk from the estuary and a great choice of local restaurants for dinner.

You can enjoy a buffet breakfast with fresh pastries, cheese, fruits, and juice.

The best restaurant in town is 'Tasca da Celso' - they have amazing wines too!

After Vila Nova de Milfontes the route switches between gravel tracks and small roads through the small coastal villages to Cabo Sardão. Here begins a truly spectacular cliff-top path that looks over the Atlantic below. This will be a highlight of your tour.

For the rest of the day you will enjoy very small roads and gravel tracks through Zambujeira do Mar and Odeceixe, and through the whitewashed, cobbled town of Aljezur. Its a few kilometres past the town to your hotel.

Duration

78km, 743m+

33km - Zambujeira do Mar

50km - Odeceixe

At this intimate boutique hotel, you can lie in your hammock and gaze at the sky, and swim in the pool and watch the sea. The rooms are cosy and simple, and the breakfast is fresh and full of delicacies.

Hotel restaurant

After Vila Nova de Milfontes the route switches between gravel tracks and small roads through the small coastal villages to Cabo Sardão. Here begins a truly spectacular cliff-top path that looks over the Atlantic below. This will be a highlight of your tour.

Following this you will enjoy very small roads and gravel tracks through Zambujeira do Mar and Odeceixe, before starting the climb to Monchique. This is an amazing ascent through forests of cork oak and eucalyptus - take your time!

It's your day with by far the most climbing, but most of that is on tarmac, and non-technical.

Duration

91km, 1369m+

33km - Zambujeira do Mar
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kneVcSQtxpBogieL6

50km - Odeceixe - fuel up here before the climb! In the town centre there are plenty of options!

This eco-friendly bed-and-breakfast makes for a very memorable stay. The mountain-top setting is sublime, the staff are wonderful and the homemade breakfast bufffet will keep you coming back for more!

Try 'Luar da Foia', we strongly suggest eating the pork cheeks!

What a spectacular way to finish your adventure! Today you will ride some of the wildest and most beautiful cliffs of the coast, with striking sea views all the way.

Cape St Vincent is the most southwesterly point in Europe, and the site of a naval battle in 1797 between the British and Spanish, during which Nelson rose to fame.

Its then a short cycle to Sagres and your hotel.

Duration

60km, 663m+

17km - Carrapateira

40km - Vila do Bispo

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!

TBC

A spectacular way to finish your adventure! This route will take you down from Monchique, off the mountain and along the spine of the Algarve with views in all directions towards the most south westerly point in continental Europe – Cabo St Vicente.

Its then a short cycle to Sagres and your hotel.

Duration

90km, 1150m+

33km - Pincho

65km - Vila do Bispo

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 - TBC

We will be sad to see you leave!

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

Até a proxima...

Bordered by the ocean, both the Algarve and the Alentejo offer an ideal climate for cycle tourism. Spring and Autumn are popular times to visit the region however Summer and Winter can be fabulous too. In May, temperatures can reach 30 degrees. Be prepared for the heat with sun protection.

Although this tour is relatively physically demanding, the terrain is suitable even those with less off-road experience.

The combination of road and easy gravel tracks is perfect experiencing the very best of Portugal’s beautiful countryside. There are a few tracks with some sand, and minor technical sections but this is strictly not a ‘hike-a-bike’ tour!

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’. The food in interior Portugal is often more simple than on the Algarve coast, with menus regularly changing with the region and season.

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

• 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

• 7 nights accommodation in handpicked, bike friendly hotels

• Buffet breakfast each day

• Restaurant reservations each evening

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

• 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.

• Luggage transfers - see below

• Bike rental - see below

• Flights

• Transfers from airports other than Faro and Lisbon

• Other costs not listed above

• Luggage transfers + mechanical support vehicle (€360/group per riding day) = €2,160

• Luggage transfers (€150/group per riding day for groups up to 5) = €900

• Luggage transfers (€200/group per riding day for groups 6+) = €1,200

• Guide (€260 per guide per riding day) = €1,560

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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Read our 200+ 5* Google reviews here.