SHORT BREAK - Cycling Algarve Coast Line - Albufeira to Vila Real de Santo António - 4 nights | 3 stages

SHORT BREAK - Cycling Algarve Coast Line - Albufeira to Vila Real de Santo António - 4 nights | 3 stages

Day 1 - Arrival

Arrival transfer with MegaSport from Faro airport, or from another location of your choice, to the hotel in Albufeira, where you will start your cycling holiday. Albufeira is one of the areas where we can see a vast Arab legacy as its white houses with roof terraces and its winding streets, which can be seen in the well-known "old town".

(Extra nights available before departure to Faro).

Day 2 - Albufeira to Faro (51 km)

Day full of adventure and nature. Cycling along a road with some movement through the surrounding area of Albufeira, you have the opportunity to visit the fishing village of Olhos de Água where you can observe a spring of fresh water at the beach sand. Cycling along secondary roads and quiet paths, the landscape is mostly surrounded by pine, olive, cork, palm and some carob trees. Enjoy the passage the Falésia beach, on the Vilamoura beach, on the Quarteira beach, on the Garrão beach or on the Ancão Beach to feel the water of the ocean. In Vilamoura we recommend a visit to the ruins of the Roman villa and a break at the largest marina in the country, where you can observe an extraordinary diversity of boats. In the typical fishing town of Quarteira, visit the fish and regional products market and cycle through the pine forests around the small lagoon of Foz do Almargem, with fantastic views to the ocean and to the small cliffs. It is to highlight the passage through the wooden boardwalks in Quinta do Lago which provides wonderful views to the coast line and presents you with the Natural Park of Ria Formosa, one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal. Here you can see several species of birds such as Flamingo, Western swamphen, Azure-winged magpie and many more. We suggest a visit to Praia de Faro, a fishing village where the inhabitants keep alive ancient traditions. Here, you not only have extraordinary views over the ocean and dunes, but also privileged views over the Algarve mountains. Next to the natural park, cycling through paths with little movement, you reach the marina in the city centre of Faro, where the end of the stage is marked.

Day 3 - Faro to Tavira (44 km)

Start your day exploring the capital of the Algarve. The village arch and the cathedral are some of the highlights that can be seen in the famous "old town" of Faro, which is partially surrounded by the walls built by the Moors. The route to Olhão is partly traced by a road with movement and by a cycle track along the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the saltpans, with views of the Deserta, Farol, Culatra and Armona islands. Visit this typical Algarve town and explore its fishing traditions. We recommend visiting the well-frequented Mercado Municipal and the marina, where you can see the replica of the boat Caíque do Bom Sucesso. Cycling near the fishing port gives you a unique contact with fishing traditions and arts, as well as with local fishermen. The route to Tavira is cycled by roads with little movement between small towns and quiet paths next to the Ria Formosa Natural Park, where the landscape is marked mainly by the presence of olive trees, pines, fig trees and cactus. In the fishing village of Fuseta, observe the architecture of the white houses with roof terraces and enjoy an excellent view over the Ria Formosa while taking a refreshing swim on its beach. The route guides you through the Fuseta saltpans - a place where you can observe several species of birds in their natural habitat such as Flamingo, Pied avocet, Black-winged stilt and many others. Observe small historical landmarks such as the Tower of Aires, some Norias and the two-thousand-year-old Olive tree. In Santa Luzia we suggest visiting Barril beach where you can find the well-known Anchor Cemetery, which were used in the past in the practice of tuna fishing. Enjoy a good meal of typical Algarve cuisine, here best known for making octopus dishes. The end of the stage is marked on the Roman bridge, in the city centre of Tavira.

Day 4 - Tavira to Vila Real de Santo António to Tavira (69 km | or 44 km + train | or 36 km + train)

Start your day exploring Tavira, one of the most beautiful and typical cities in the Algarve. Its beautiful castle, the Church of Misericórdia and the Camera Obscura are some of the highlights of the city. Starting at the Roman bridge, the stage leads us to Cabanas de Tavira, where we cycle along the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a 60 km long lagoon system. The route is mostly cycled by secondary roads and quiet paths, where you can observe and visit some strategic defensive points on the Algarve coast. Passing through Cacela Velha it is impossible to stop feeling its Islamic culture. Visit its Mother Church built on a primitive medieval building, the Cacela Fortress - where in the same place was once a Moorish castle and observe the fantastic view over the coast. Cycling along the coast you have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim at Manta Rota beach, at Altura beach, at Praia Verde beach, at Cabeço beach, at Monte Gordo beach or at Santo António beach. The path through the pine forest next to Monte Gordo beach and through the National Forest of the Dunes of Vila Real de Santo António until the Guadiana River, where the natural border is marked between Portugal and Spain, is a great highlight of the day. Cycling along the Portuguese bank of the Guadiana River, the stage guides us through the city of Enlightenment - Vila Real de Santo António. Visit the Marquês de Pombal square, the city parish and the market of regional products spread through these streets. The stay is again in Tavira, so you can choose to return by train or cycle. Although we recommend to cycle the full stage, in Vila Real de Santo António and in Castro Marim you have the possibility to return to Tavira by train. The way to Castro Marim is marked through cycle tracks until the Ravelin of Santo António, where you’ve exceptional views all around. We recommend visiting its Mother Church and its Castle, where you have not only a fantastic history but also extraordinary views. The route back is traced by secondary roads between small villages, farmlands (orange, lemon, persimmons) and vineyards, with some views over the ocean. The end of the stage is biked along the east bank of the river Gilão to the city center.

Day 5 - Return

End of the program with departure transfer with MegaSport to Faro airport or to another location of your choice.

OPTIONAL: extra nights available on request.