Algarve has always meant a lot to Bering Travel. You could actually say that Algarve was where it all started for us. Back then, we arranged trips to Algarve focused on surfing, kitesurfing, diving and yoga, which today has also developed to include hiking and cycling.
We love Algarve because the region combines everything we believe creates the perfect active holiday: beautiful nature, authentic villages, fantastic food and a climate that invites adventure almost all year round. Here, you can hike along dramatic cliff coastlines, cycle through small Portuguese towns and enjoy the feeling of freedom with the Atlantic Ocean right beside you.
Algarve is best known for its beautiful coastline, and it is easy to understand why the region has become such a popular holiday destination. With its mild climate, golden beaches, dramatic rock formations and charming coastal towns, Algarve is ideal for both relaxing days in the sun and active adventures throughout most of the year.
Located in southern Portugal beside the Atlantic Ocean, the region offers fantastic opportunities for hiking and cycling. Here, you can follow parts of the famous Fisherman’s Trail, explore small fishing villages and enjoy the relaxed Portuguese atmosphere that makes Algarve such a special place to visit.
Fisherman’s Trail is one of Europe’s most beautiful hiking routes and an experience many dream of trying at least once in a lifetime. The route follows Portugal’s wild Atlantic coastline through both Alentejo and Algarve with dramatic cliffs, small fishing villages, hidden beaches and fantastic views almost the entire way.
On a walking holiday along Fisherman’s Trail, you experience authentic Portugal at your own pace while hiking on narrow trails close to the sea and through areas where nature still feels raw and untouched. Along the way, cosy accommodation, fresh Portuguese food and the special feeling of freedom await – the kind that only appears when the next view is always just around the corner.
Algarve is known for its dramatic cliff coastlines, golden sandy beaches and views over the Atlantic Ocean that almost make your camera work overtime. Here, some of Europe’s most beautiful hiking and cycling routes await along the coast.
Beyond the popular beaches, the Algarve is home to small fishing villages, local markets, and cosy cafés where the pace of life naturally slows down a little. It is exactly this relaxed atmosphere and Portuguese hospitality that make the region so charming.
On our walking holidays and cycling holidays in the Algarve, you travel independently and enjoy the freedom along the way. We take care of the hotels, luggage transfers, and easy navigation, so all you need to focus on are the views, the experiences, and perhaps one more pastel de nata.
The food in the Algarve is an experience in itself and the perfect ending to an active day. Here, you can enjoy freshly caught fish, grilled sardines, local wines, and small Portuguese specialities at cosy restaurants overlooking the sea – and yes, pastel de nata naturally tastes even better after a day on the walking trails.
A walking holiday in the Algarve is the perfect combination of an active holiday, beautiful scenery, and relaxed Portuguese charm. Here, you walk along the impressive cliffs of the Atlantic coast, through small fishing villages, and on trails with views that make you stop a little more often than planned. On our walking holidays, you travel independently at your own pace, while we take care of the hotels, luggage transfers, and easy navigation along the way.
A walking holiday in the Algarve is the perfect combination of an active holiday, beautiful scenery, and relaxed Portuguese charm. Here, you walk along the impressive cliffs of the Atlantic coast, through small fishing villages, and on trails with views that make you stop a little more often than planned. On our walking holidays, you travel independently at your own pace, while we take care of the hotels, luggage transfers, and easy navigation along the way.
The Algarve is a fantastic destination for a cycling holiday, with its pleasant climate, beautiful coastal stretches, and charming Portuguese towns along the way. Here, you cycle through small fishing villages, past golden beaches, and along the Atlantic coast on routes that combine scenic nature experiences with a relaxed holiday atmosphere. On our cycling holidays, you travel independently at your own pace, while we take care of the hotels, luggage transfers, and navigation, so you can simply enjoy the ride — and perhaps stop for a coffee with a sea view along the way.
The Algarve is a fantastic destination for a cycling holiday, with its pleasant climate, beautiful coastal stretches, and charming Portuguese towns along the way. Here, you cycle through small fishing villages, past golden beaches, and along the Atlantic coast on routes that combine scenic nature experiences with a relaxed holiday atmosphere. On our cycling holidays, you travel independently at your own pace, while we take care of the hotels, luggage transfers, and navigation, so you can simply enjoy the ride — and perhaps stop for a coffee with a sea view along the way.
Spring is one of the best times to visit the Algarve if you are planning a walking holiday or cycling holiday. The landscape is green, the flowers are blooming, and the temperatures are pleasant for active experiences along the coast and through the small Portuguese villages.
Summer brings long sunny days, warm temperatures, and plenty of life along the coast. It is the perfect season to combine an active holiday with relaxing days at the beach, refreshing dips in the Atlantic Ocean, and cosy evenings at local restaurants.
Autumn is a slightly overlooked season in the Algarve, but in reality, it is the time of year when the Portuguese themselves head to the region. The temperatures are still pleasantly warm, there are fewer tourists, and the sea is often warmer than during the summer months. It is truly an ideal season for an active holiday in the Algarve.
Winter in the Algarve is mild compared to the rest of Europe, and many days almost feel like a Scandinavian summer. This makes the region a popular choice for those of you looking for sunshine, fresh air, and active experiences during the darker months of the year.
Along the Algarve coast, you will find historic towns, small fishing villages and charming holiday resorts, each revealing a different side of the region. Some serve as the starting or finishing point for our trips, while others are experienced along the walking and cycling routes.
To the west, the wild Atlantic coast and Fisherman’s Trail await. Along the central coast, you will find golden cliffs, small coves and classic coastal towns, while the eastern part is characterised by the lagoons, islands and gentler landscapes of Ria Formosa.
The western Algarve coast is known for its open landscapes, dramatic cliffs and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Several of our walking and cycling holidays follow the coastline through small towns and villages where the natural surroundings still feel wild and unspoilt.
Odeceixe and Aljezur: At Odeceixe, the River Seixe meets the Atlantic Ocean in a landscape of cliffs, beach and wetlands. From here, Fisherman’s Trail continues into the Algarve and towards Aljezur through coastal heathland and varied scenery.
Carrapateira and Vila do Bispo: Around Carrapateira, broad beaches, high cliffs and some of the most distinctive coastal landscapes along Fisherman’s Trail await. The walk continues across the coastal plateau to Vila do Bispo, the final stop before Cabo de São Vicente and Sagres.
Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente: Sagres is surrounded by steep cliffs, open landscapes and the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean. From here, it is only a short distance to Cabo de São Vicente, where the lighthouse and views across the sea form a natural highlight on both our walking and cycling holidays.
Salema and Burgau: Salema and Burgau are small coastal towns between Sagres and Lagos. Their whitewashed houses, small beaches and relaxed restaurants make them delightful places to stop as you travel along the western Algarve coast.
Lagos: Lagos combines historic streets and welcoming restaurants with some of the Algarve’s best-known natural attractions. Close to the town lies Ponta da Piedade, where golden cliffs, natural arches and small coves provide the backdrop for several of our walking and cycling routes.
Along the central Algarve coast, the landscape gradually begins to change. Here, you will encounter golden limestone cliffs, hidden beaches and small coves, as well as larger coastal towns with restaurants, seafront promenades and a welcoming atmosphere.
Alvor and Portimão: Alvor has narrow streets, a local market and a relaxed atmosphere close to the water. From here, the cycling route continues towards Praia da Rocha and Portimão, one of the Algarve’s larger coastal towns and a natural overnight stop on the journey along the coast.
Ferragudo and Carvoeiro: Ferragudo lies at the mouth of the River Arade and is known for its whitewashed houses and views across the water. From here, you can follow the coast towards Carvoeiro, where golden cliffs, small beaches and walking trails create one of the most distinctive landscapes in the central Algarve.
Seven Hanging Valleys Trail and Praia da Marinha: From Carvoeiro, one of our walking routes continues along the coastal path through the Seven Hanging Valleys. Along the way, you will experience limestone cliffs, natural arches and secluded coves before the stage finishes at Praia da Marinha.
Albufeira: Albufeira is a key stop on several of our trips and connects the dramatic cliff landscapes of the west with the flatter coastal areas around Faro. The town has a historic centre, beaches and a lively selection of restaurants.
East of Faro, the landscape becomes flatter and more open. Here, the coast is shaped by the lagoons, sandbanks and islands of Ria Formosa. The gentler terrain makes the area particularly well suited to easier walking and cycling stages.
Faro: Faro is the Algarve’s regional capital and the gateway to Ria Formosa. The town has a historic quarter with old city walls, narrow streets and welcoming squares, and it serves as an important overnight stop on journeys along the Algarve coast.
Olhão and Fuseta: Olhão has close ties to the fishing industry and is known for its market and lively harbour area. Further east lies Fuseta, with its characteristic white houses and views across the lagoons. Both towns are experienced along the cycling route through Ria Formosa, while Fuseta is also the starting point for one of our walking stages.
Santa Luzia and Tavira: Santa Luzia is a small fishing village close to Barril Beach and its distinctive anchor cemetery. From here, the routes continue towards Tavira, whose bridges, churches and whitewashed buildings make it one of the most atmospheric towns in the eastern Algarve.
Cacela Velha and Cabanas: East of Tavira, Cacela Velha sits high above the lagoon, sandbanks and sea. From here, you can walk towards the fishing village of Cabanas through a peaceful coastal landscape rich in birdlife.
Vila Real de Santo António: At the eastern end of the Algarve lies Vila Real de Santo António, beside the River Guadiana and the Spanish border. The town and the flat coastal landscape surrounding it mark the end of several of our walking and cycling stages through the Algarve.
Algarve’s decorative chimneys tell their own story
When walking or cycling through Algarve’s smaller towns, it is worth looking up. Traditional houses often feature white, intricately decorated chimneys, which have become one of the most recognisable elements of the region’s architecture.
Fisherman’s Trail follows old paths to the sea
Fisherman’s Trail is not simply a modern walking route. It follows paths traditionally used by local people to reach the beaches and fishing spots along the coast. As a result, the trail often runs close to the sea and through landscapes that would otherwise be difficult to access.
Ria Formosa stretches for around 60 kilometres along the coast
Ria Formosa is far more than a nature reserve near Faro. Its extensive system of lagoons, channels, sandbanks, marshes and islands stretches for around 60 kilometres along the eastern Algarve coast.
The tides transform the landscape every day
In Ria Formosa, the tides help shape the experience. Sandbanks, shallow waters and lagoons look different at high and low tide, meaning that some stretches of coastline can change character throughout the day.
The Algarve coast changes from west to east
In the west, you will encounter the wild and windswept Atlantic coast. Golden limestone cliffs, sea-carved arches and small coves dominate the central section, while the eastern Algarve is flatter and characterised by lagoons, sandbanks and islands.
The easiest way to get to the Algarve is by flying to Faro Airport, which is centrally located in the region and close to many of the Algarve’s popular holiday areas. The Algarve is easy to reach, with good flight connections from many European cities throughout most of the year.
It is also possible to fly to Lisbon and continue to the Algarve by train, bus, or rental car. Many travellers choose this option to combine city experiences in Portugal’s capital with a walking holiday or cycling holiday along the beautiful Algarve coast.
On our cycling holidays, we want you to focus on enjoying the nature and experiences along the way without worrying about your luggage. That's why we offer luggage transport to make your cycling holiday even more convenient and effortless, so you can enjoy your walking holiday to the fullest. Let us take care of the logistics so you can focus on discovering new horizons, experiencing the beauty of nature and making memories for life. You can always contact us if you have any further questions about luggage transport or find information on individual holidays.
On our self-guided hiking and cycling holidays, you have access to our Bering Travel App. It can be used as a GPS on your trip, so you can easily find your way around the routes.
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