France-Bike proposes this beautiful part of the Portugal South West Coast by bike as an 11 days trip with an incredible route program along the most beautiful coast-line of Portugal. From Setubal to Lagos, you’ll admire the natural beauty of different sceneries that offer stunning coastal views along the way. Cross two natural Reserves and discover some small fishing villages and some abandoned fortresses which remind us of the time when this coast was ravaged by pirates! The trip finishes at Lagos, a sunny beach city, but only after passing by Cape Saint Vincent, the most south-western point of Europe, which adds a dramatic and historical full stop to this wonderful trip.
Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon
Our guide will pick you up at the Airport and transfer you to Setubal, a lovely town known for its variety of beaches, all of them part of the Arrábida’s Natural Park. This is the perfect place for you to start your tour, explore and breathe the fresh air of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy your rest here because tomorrow new adventures await you!
Day 2: Loop Setubal, ~40 km (24,9 miles)
First day on the road and already so much to see! Immerse yourself in the lush green nature of Arrábida Natural Park and ride along the beautiful bays and beaches of Setúbal Peninsula, like the area of Portinho da Arrábida with pure and clear waters and extensive stretches of white sand. But Setúbal offers you so much more. As you pass by Azeitão you’ll hear about our famous cheeses and wine and if the curiosity for our culture and gastronomy takes the best of you, a stop at a winery or at a famous pottery/ tiles producer is always a good idea.
Day 3: Setubal > Grandola, ~50 km (31 miles)
The emphasis of this day is the crossing of Sado River by Ferry to reach Troia Península, a beautiful place known for tourism and the roman ruins of thermal baths (ferry ticket not included). Leaving the lush of green of Arrábida Natural Park behind, continue on your way to Grândola, passing by Melides and its lovely beach, and visit the city that is famous for inspiring our musicians of protest songs. It’s only a complete day if you stop at our exceptional restaurants and have a taste of our exquisite Portuguese food.
Day 4: Grandola > Vale das Éguas, ~54 km (33,6 miles)
Today follow the trails by the canals and rice fields with the company of many birds and numerous storks that give to this day a special felling. Then cross the Sierra, where the landscape changes suddenly, you leave the sandy pine forest and get into an up and down road through an incredible Cork Forest. Arrive to Santiago, a peaceful village with a Castle, after you pass by the famous beach of Heaths Carregueira which is practically deserted and visited by naturists.
Day 5: Vale das Éguas, > Vila Nova de Milfontes, ~47 km (29,2 miles)
Leave Santiago by a road on the sierra and get to the sea. You will enter the Natural Park of Sudoeste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina on a scenic road over the sea and pass Porto Covo typical fishing village, now transformed into a picturesque place by the sea with its beautiful cliffs. Arrive to Vila Nova de Milfontes visit the fishing harbor, great beach and admire the Mira River and its beautiful bay area.
Day 6: Vila Nova de Milfontes > Odeceixe, ~52 km (32,3 miles)
Ride on SW Alentejano Natural Park with amazing views over the sea and visit stunning Sardão cape, guarded by a lighthouse, a place of absolute reconciliation between the land and the ocean. Here you can admire the shafts embedded in the rocks walls, the seeded islets along the coast and the many white stork couples that choose this coast as their nesting site. On the way pass by the typical village of Zambujeira do Mar, then, follow through the fields till you go down to a river, where at the end, you will arrive at Odeceixe, an attractive village on a hillside with an old windmill, sitting on the tallest hill.
Day 7: Odeceixe > Arrifana, ~55 km (34,2 miles)
Start the day going to one of the most beautiful scenery of this coast - Odeceixe beach! Then follow a valley where once caravels sailed to the village of Aljezur, about 5 km inland, and go to the medieval castle of Aljezur! Discover and enjoy the hospitality of the people and taste the famous sweet potato of Aljezur that grows in the fertile land of the region! It was recognized in 2008 by the European Union as a protected area and food item. At the end of the day arrive at Arrifana, an amazing village over the cliffs.
Day 8: Arrifana > Pedralva, ~45 km (28 miles)
Ride through some forests and get again close to sea by the incredible village of Carrapateira, a quiet, pretty, spread-out village rounded by a wild coast, with copper-colored and ash-grey cliffs covered in speckled yellow and green scrub, backing creamy, wide sands… Follow a dirt road along the sea where is possible to see this region at its most beautiful. On the way, pass by these stunning beaches, with incredible colorful cliffs. Go up on a dirt road under through a beautiful round pine forest and arrive to typical and old village once abandoned and now recovered as a hotel, the Pedralva Village Hotel.
Day 9: Pedralva > Sagres, ~40 km (24,9 miles)
Today you will follow a coastal route that will let you to discover some of the most beautiful and secret beaches of Vicentina coast. Then ride south till Cape S. Vicente - the most south-western point of Continental Europe. This is a magical place where we can almost hear the echoes of the voices of sailors and pilgrims. Rounded by monumental cliffs and outstanding views over the coastline, this is also a privileged area to watch the natural phenomenon of bird migration.
Day 10: Sagres > Lagos, ~53 km (32,9 miles)
You will be dazzled! On this last day of cycling you will ride through the most famous pieces of land of our country but seeing sights that most tourists never see. On your way to Lagos appreciate the most amazing horizon, the strong blue waters and the beautiful sand beaches, all the beauty that Algarve has to offer! Arriving to Lagos make the time to stop at Ponta da Piedade, the ex- libris of the city with yellow-golden cliff like rocks and grottos that wonder the ones that visit.
Day 11: End of the tour
After breakfast this bike tour ends and you will have a transfer to the airport of Lisbon or Faro.
