Lisbon to Algarve Spanish Border

The vibrant riverside area of Lisbon is an ace start to the day’s cycling. There’s the Parque das Nações and the capital’s most iconic square, Praça do Commércio. You’ll find museums, cafés, monuments and all sorts here en route to Lisbon’s monastery  at Belém. Built on the wealth of the Golden Age of Portuguese exploration, the Jérónimus Monastery with its cloister courtyard garden is  made to impress. Its adjacent jettying Tower of Belém appears simultaneously both Moorish and medieval. Take the ferry across the Rio Tejo to Trafaria and the Costa da Caparica coast, but first enjoy a café break to sample the local sweet Pasteis de Belém (egg custard tart) in its town of origin.

Overnight in the resort of Costa da Caparica.

Miles 13 Kms 21

On the Tejo estuary, Costa Caparica is, as its name – ‘rich headland’- suggests, a highly prized coast. It’s popular with the Lisbon locals for the Atlantic coast surfing, beach time and time out with friends over delicious seafood suppers. A refreshing change from city life, the cool coast is backed with pine forests and dotted with beach shacks, but amazing nature is also not far away – the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park is right on its doorstep. There are brilliant beaches and totally photogenic vistas to enjoy, and the coast has a history of fossil finds too – the wild exposed Cabo Espichel headland boasts two sets of dinosaur footprints, plus a unique church and lighthouse. The Arrábida hills are popular with the ‘Lisboetas’, offering excellent hiking. The area is renowned for a special micro-climate which like the ‘maquis’ scrublands of the Dalmatian Coast. Lush vegetation and wildlife are the order of the day, so look out for reptiles, amphibians and unusual birds. Your route leads to Semimbra Bay, a charming small-scale resort renowned for red rocky cliffs views from the Castelo de Sesimbra and its ‘marisqueira’ seafood restaurants.

Overnight in Sesimbra.

Miles 25 Kms 40

Time to explore more of the Arrábida Natural Park on the north shore of the Sado River. Heading through Arrábida uplands landscape, the vegetation – including impressive cork oaks – and views really steal the show. Cameras and binoculars at the ready then, to make the most of those tantalizing glimpses of blue ocean offset by the bright lush greens! But what goes up, must come down and it’s only natural that you’ll want to put a toe in the water and enjoy the wonderful beaches of Portinho da Arrábida and Figueirinha. Finally, pedal on to the thriving port of Setúbal by the ‘Stork estuary’ of the Sado River, home to one of the most prestigious fishmarkets in the world.

Overnight in Setúbal.

Miles 18 Kms 29

A unique ferry boat trip starts the day, setting out across the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve, home to flocks of storks (spring/ summer) and over 250 species of birds, unexpected rice fields and even bottlenose dolphins, who may well delight by chasing you on your boat trip. Landing on the Troia peninsular, it’s soon time to coast along a while as the landscape relaxes into the gentle plains of the Alentejo – a land of white-washed villages and robust castles, home to crystal waters and officially some of Portugal’s very best beaches. Fishing has historically been a key industry in the area, so it’s worth a detour to Carrasqueira to view the old wooden fishing wharves. The affluent ‘planned’ city of Santo André (Santiago do Cacém) is your final destination for the day.

Overnight in Santo André.

Miles 34 Kms 55

Into history and good food? Today will be a treat then, as you pedal into Alentejo, that ‘land beyond the Tagus’. Sheep’s cheese, black pork, salt cod, asparagus, wild mushrooms may all be on the menu, with delicious Alentejo wines to wash them down, of course. If you’ve a taste for the local culture, then there are Visigoth churches, Roman remains, prehistoric engravings and mighty megaliths perhaps to graze on. After a great day nibbling at all sorts of local attractions, the old fishing town of Sines – birthplace of the great explorer Vasco da Gama – has to be an appropriate catch as a place to stay.  You’ll find the great man’s statue standing proudly by the walls of his castle.

Overnight in Sines.

Miles 13 Kms 21

The Southwest and Costa Vicentina Natural Park reaches all the way down into the Algarve and has a reputation as the finest preserved stretch of coastline in Europe. With its fantastic flora and fauna, it’s really popular with botanists and zoologists – a landscape of steep cliffs, surf and rocky coves – so prepare for outstanding Atlantic Ocean views, paradise beaches and traditional fishing harbours. This is one of the last European places where otters exist in a marine habitat and the only place in the world where white storks build their nets on seashore outcrops. Vila Nova de Mil Fontes is your overnight destination, but even that can have an extra treat to end the day – the sunset at Portinho do Canal.

Overnight Vila Nova de Mil Fontes.

Miles 26 Kms 41

Day two of exploration in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park. More fascinating species, awesome vistas, plus lofty cliffs topped with sandy dune systems and unique flora around the Ribeira de Aljezur estuary and Amoreira beach. Feast your eyes on secluded coves and Atlantic views, then head for Aljezur, home to the sweet potato festival. Local restaurants offer plenty of hearty fare here, but bream and sea bass also feature prominently on the menu. Founded by the Moors in the 10th century, the town spreads across the hillside, dominated by its massive twin-towered castle. From the castle battlements, look back at the hills you have conquered on your travels  – what a feeling!

Overnight Aljezur.

Miles 44 Kms 71

 Cycle from Aljezur down the Costa Vicentina to the area perhaps most associated with Henry the Navigator, the Portuguese prince behind Europe’s Golden Age of exploration into Africa, Asia and the Americas. The 100m high cliffs at Cabo São Vicente (Cape St Vincent) were the European landmark of ‘home’ for those determined explorers returning, ships fully laden with treasures procured on those earliest voyages of discovery. Today, like so much of the Costa Vicentina, it’s an unrivalled haven for sea- and shore-birds as well as birds of prey. Visit the site of Henry’s original church at ‘the Cape’ and admire the lighthouse provided by a local bishop to help the safe passage of local fishermen. The fortified port of Sagres is your last port of call today. Recharge a while and you’ll soon find the energy for an evening trip back to the ‘end of the earth’ to catch its truly out-of-this-world sunset.

Overnight in Sagres.

Miles 21-42 Kms 34-68

A quick tour down to the lower fishing port and remains of Baleeira Fort is a must before leaving Sangres. Bearing the scars of an  attack by the English ‘pirate’ Sir Francis Drake in 1587, the fort sets the scene for the day as the ‘Ecovia do Litoral’ weaves up to Vila do Bispo (home of a fine sacred art museum and that most local delicacy – goose barnacles!), then around the sandy, cliff-enclosed coves on the stretch of stack-rock coast where Drake once sought to hide galleons packed to the gunwales with gold and jewels from the Americas or with precious rich spices from the Indies. The walled town of Lagos, the former hub of Prince Henry’s great Golden Age, is the perfect place to reflect on the swashbuckling history of the day.

Overnight in Lagos.

Miles 31 Kms 50

The Algarve coast is riddled with watery outlets, so inevitably, there are times when a bit of circumnavigation is unavoidable. Leave the coast briefly today then to discover ‘inland’ fishing harbours and delightful villages around the Ribeira de Odiáxero as you skirt the Ria de Alvor. You’ll soon be back to the Atlantic breezes and white sands at Praia da Rocha, before another turn inland up the Arade River basin to the Algarve’s second largest city, Portimão. It’s worth pedalling  down to admire the cliff-lined coast from the old town with Castelo Santa Catarina sitting proudly above the coast road.

Overnight in Portimão.

Miles 19 Kms 31

From harbourlands to fertile fields and rich pastures – explore local lagoons at Lagoa and Salgados teeming with birdlife and backed by the gentlest farmland landscapes. You may have left the coast, but you’re sure to spot some fishing still going on along these salt-water natural park stretches which are home to several varieties of heron including the small, rare ‘Squacco’. There are great viewpoints at Siera da Rocha and Armação de Péra, but sharp-beaked fisherfolk and dabbling avocets backed by a landscape which combines everything from dunes, reeds, rushes, to verdant meadows simply steal the show. Tonight’s roost is back on the coast at the popular Algarve marina resort of Albufeira.

Overnight in Albufeira.

Miles 28 Kms 46

Time to look out for Mediterranean orchards and the Algarve’s biggest fish. Around Vilamoura, the reed beds and artificial lagoons are another nature reserve, home to purple heron, little bittern and marsh harriers, but you’re sure to find plenty of other local characters in the fish, fruit and vegetable market at nearby Quarteira. Try out the local figs, almonds, carob, beans and citrus fruits or take a break by the beach to sample barbecued skewers of the freshest fish, chunked up with  delicious local vegetables or Calderiada – the Algarve’s famous fish stew. From Quartiera, cycle right alongside the beach a while before weaving around a resort or two to reach the Algarve’s mightiest catch – its capital city, Faro.

Overnight Faro.

Miles 30 Kms 49

Bustling Faro and the nearby port of Olhão lie on the Ria Formosa estuary, edged by a continuous string of islands which boast some stunning beaches and unusual coastal vistas. Boat trips and ferry crossings are on offer if you wish to explore Ihla do Farol or Ihla da Armona, but the classic fishing village of Fuzeta is calling and it’s hard to resist taking the mini-train from Pedras D’el Rei to join the sun-worshippers on Barril Beach. Portugal’s third largest wetland area stretches from Olhão all the way to Santa Luzia and beyond the historic town of Tavira. The marshes, salt flats, dunes, channels, mudbanks and pools are another impressive year-round haven for thousands of waterfowl.

Overnight Tavira.

Miles 26 Kms 42

Stylish Tavira is full of historic interest with over thirty churches, elegant mansions and its iconic Roman bridge. It has a castle too, no doubt created to protect the fishing fleets catching mighty tuna    along the eastern Algarve coast. Cycle on and explore some of the Algarve’s most ancient lands, once home to Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks and Carthaginians. Stop off at Cacela Velha, that most ancient of settlements or put a toe in the water at Manta Rota Beach, before heading off through the maritime pine forests around Monte Gordo and the Sapal natural park with its great saltpans around Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim. There’s a chance to take the train rather than cycle back from Santo António to Tavira, so why not climb Castro Marim’s castle walls, pause a while by the old windmill or take a longer, closer look at those flamingos and spoonbills? And if you fancy a spot of Spain, it’s only short ferry ride away  over the Guardina River – just remember the time difference so you catch that train ok!

Overnight in Tavira.

Miles 21-42 Kms 34-68

Depart after breakfast following your final night in Tavira. Unless you can’t resist one last stroll along the Rio Gilão and Roman Bridge of course.

Extra nights can be booked in Tavira on a bed and breakfast basis after the tour to allow more time to enjoy the sunshine coast and its beautiful beaches.