Portugal - Cycling the Coast of the Algarve - East, 5 days
As the most southern situated region of Portugal, Algarve has a wonderful warm climate and a stunning coastline running from Albufeira to Vila Real de Santo António, which is located right at the border between Portugal and Spain.
Ecovia do Algarve is a cycling route that takes you 160 along the coast. This cycling holiday takes you through a different variety of culture and nature than otherwise seen in Portugal. You will pass through small charming coastal villages and the larger and more important cities of Algarve. You will also come past fantastic beaches and unique wetlands where shorebirds, including flamingos, may be seen.
The route leads you along trails of protected natural areas, and takes you along minor roads and dirt roads. The route is relatively flat, with a few lighter hilly stretches.
Highlights on this tour
- Cycling 5 days/4 nights and 3 days of cycling on the Ecovia do Algarve
- Accommodation in very nice 4-star hotels
- The beautiful natural park Ria Formosa with its rich birdlife
- Charming little fishing villages and local specialties
- Great culture and climate that make Algarve an ideal holiday destination all year round
Itinerary See all daysClose all days
The tour starts in one of the Algarve's most famous resorts, Albufeira, where you check in at the first hotel and are given bikes.
Transfer from Faro Airport is included.
Hotel (exampel): Boa Vista
From Albufeira you will follow the coast through the popular tourist area of Vilamoura and Quarteira. Here it is possible to take a dip from the sandy beach before cycling through the beautiful nature park Ria Formosa. The nature park frames the fascinating lagoon landscape, which constantly changes due to currents, weather and water conditions. The impressive landscape is home to a wide variety of birdlife. From here you will cycle the last stretch to Faro, the capital of Algarve, which offers plenty of sightseeing.
Distance: ca. 52 km (+304/ -337 - max højde over havet 62m)
Hotel (exampel): Faro
From Faro you will cycle towards the fishing village of Olhão. The route continues along the Natural Park of Ria Formosa, which is about 60 km long. You will be passing through small charming villages, before coming to Santa Luzia. This town is known as The Octopus Capital, as the fishing history of the town has made it famous for Octopuses. Any restaurant with self-respect has a version of Atlantic squid on their menu, and it tastes absolutely fantastic. In Santa Luzia we also suggest visiting Barril beach, where you can find the well-known anchor cemetery, as a memorial to a closed tuna fishing chapter. The end of the stage is marked on the Roman Bridge, in the center of Tavira. Today's bike ride ends on the venerable Roman Bridge in the center of Tavira. Enjoy the evening in one of the most beautiful and characteristic towns in the Algarve.
Distance: ca. 45 km (+212/ - 195m - max altitude above the sea 28m)
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Maria Nova
Today, the Ria Formosa Natural Park with its 60 km long lagoon system is your companion. You cycle through the pine forest of Monte Gordo beach and the dune forest of Vila Real de Santo António to the Guadiane - the border river between Portugal and Spain. You follow the river a little way north before continuing over gentle hills, past orange and olive groves back towards Tavira. It is possible to shorten the trip by taking the regional train back from Vila Real De Santo António or Castro Marim to Tavira, bicycles are fine on the train - tickets are bought locally.
The area in and around Santa Luzia and Tavira offers an intriguing mix of interesting architecture, such as the seven-arched Roman bridge crossing the Gilhão River and no less than 37 churches in the town. Count them yourself.
Distance: ca. 69 km (+184/ - 202m - max altitude above the sea 44m)
Hotel (exampel): Hotel Maria Nova
After breakfast you will be checking out of the hotel for individual departure.
Transfer to Faro Airport is included.
Price includes
- Nights in 4-star hotels
- Breakfast every day
- Detailed travel information (route maps or overview maps, route description, tourist attractions, important telephone numbers)
- Transfer from Faro Airport T/R
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- Bike rental (see more below)
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from Faro
- Local turist tax (if due)
- optional: Upgrade to E-bike
- optional: Half board (7x dinner)
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room, choose it on the booking form.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
On all our cycling holidays it is possible bring your own bike but it also possible to rent a bike for the tour.
Below you will see the types of bikes offered on this trip.
In order to individually adapt the bikes to you, it is important that you indicate the body height of all participants as well as the type of bike wanted, in the comments section when booking the trip.
Touring bike (inkluded in the price)
The touring bikes are similar to the pictured Giant. They have 21 gears, so you can get comfortable through the terrain. They have a front suspension, lights and a luggage rack on which a bike bag is attached
It comes with a small repair kit.
Electric Bike (Bosch or Yamaha - optional)
On this trip, it is possible to book an electric bike, making it possible to cross any terrain with a smile. If your legs get tired the electric engine will support you to not fall behind.
It does not require any training to go on an e-bike. As long as you stay active in the pedals the engine will assist the rider to a max speed of 25 km/h.
A removable, rechargeable battery, reaching 35-65 km at one load, energizes the bike.
E-bikes have lights and luggage racks on which a bike bag is attached
It comes with a small repair kit.
However it is also possible to borrow one locally - please choose in the booking form.
The flights to/from Faro are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-5 working days)
- You arrange your transportation
Book a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
Local transportation
Transfer from Faro Airport T/R is included on this tour.
On this tour you will be accommodated in 4-star hotels with breakfast included. All the hotels have swimmingpools.
In the itinerary you can see some examples of the hotels we use on this tour. Notice that the hotels are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels. It depends on availability when you book the tour.
On this tour breakfast is included every day.
There will be restaurants and cafés along the route, where it will be easy to find lunch and coffee breaks, as well as dinner.
For tours that extend over 24, 25 and 31 December, a Christmas/New Year's dinner is included (drinks to be purchased locally) - as restaurants in the city are either closed or fully booked on these days.
This tour has difficulty grade 1-2. Which means that most days are grade 1 and some days are grade 2.
Grade 1
Suitable for cyclists who enjoy shorter distances in flat or gently rolling terrain. Ideal if you just want to explore the area by bicycle at a leisurely pace. On most itineraries it will be possible to shorten the trip distance, or skip a cycling day.
Grade 2
For cyclists who like hilly terrain and a bit longer distances. You cycle on good roads, which usually don’t have much traffic. The distance is between 35 – 60 km or 20 – 38 miles. If you are capable of riding a bike and you have a normal good health, you should not worry about going on these tours.
Read more about our Grading System
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
The statistics are from yr.no.
Call our experts on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
Or write to us at
Get a quote
Didn't find what you were looking for? We will be happy to send you a custom quote.
Fill out your wishes, and we will send you a quote on your next holiday.
×Get our Newsletter
We write about active holidays, contests and good travel tips
Contact us ×
You are more than welcome to contact us if you have questions about anything.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
Mail: [email protected]