Cycling vacation in Portugal, self guided
“Seven day, tailor made, hotel to hotel cycling vacation, taking an east to west route along the Algarve coast, but pedalling through inland rural idylls too. With luggage transferred.”
Highlights
Silves | Alte | Monte de Cima | Foothills of Monchique Mountains | Quiet Algarve beaches | Alvor Estuary | Lagos
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need some help finding one we're here to help.
Departure information
This trip can be arranged at any time to suit your requirements although we do not recommend trips in August due to high temperatures
Our top tip:
Many of the accommodations provide dinner. But good to have cash, as most dont have card facilities.
Trip type:
Tailor made.
Activity level:
Moderate, averaging 40 km/day.
Accomm:
Small rural hotels with pools.
Included:
Accommodation, luggage & airport transfers, back up service. Note: bike hire extra.
Meals:
Breakfasts included. Portugal is a hugely underrated foodie destination - you won't go hungry.
Solos:
Solo travelers welcome. Surcharge for single room.
Vouchers
Accepted
Responsible tourism
Responsible tourism: Cycling vacation in Portugal, self guided
Cycling is an ideal way to explore the countryside without damaging the environment. Through our range of Portugal cycling vacations we support the following Portuguese National Parks: Reserva Natural do Sapal, Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, Parque Natural do Vale do Guadiana.
On our Portugal cycling vacations we encourage guests to visit their information & exhibition centers, keep to the recommended paths, take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints.
We always use local services and accommodation such as small hotels and wherever possible turismo no espaηo rural which offer rural accommodation run by local families. On these Portugal cycling vacations we work exclusively with small local businesses and use locally owned restaurants. In this way we help to conserve a rural lifestyle and contribute to the overall sustainable development of the region.
We encourage our guests to be environmentally aware and act in a proper, responsible manner at all times. Information, tips and recommendations on the life and customs of the local people are given to all clients on the Portugal cycling vacations.
As much as we can our office recycles waste and we use recycled products whenever possible.
38 Reviews of Cycling vacation in Portugal, self guided
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 08 Jul 2019 by Peter Mcleod
The most memorable part of the vacation was that at the end of a day riding, arriving at accommodation which far exceeded our expectations, both in terms of the standard of accommodation and its location. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Jun 2019 by Hazell Penn
The fun of biking in Portugal and the beautiful and unspoilt countryside were memorable Read full reviewReviewed on 04 Jun 2019 by Susan Tinevez
This vacation met and surpassed our expectations. It was successful on all levels. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Apr 2019 by Keith Mahony
The trip allowed us to get away from the more touristic areas and experience 'real' Portugal. This included coming across a village celebration in a large picnic area by the road we were traveling on where there was music, dancing and food. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Oct 2018 by Anne Millerd
This was one of the most memorable vacations we have ever taken. We had a fantastic time, and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an active vacation, and who loves to explore new places. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Jul 2018 by Louis Elortondo
Perfectly organized trip, from the route, to the bikes, the recommendations, all was good! Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Nov 2017 by Barry Ryan
Cycling through fantastic countryside on quiet roads, orange groves, hill passes, really getting a chance to take it all in. The accommodation was also superb! Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Oct 2017 by Janet MacGregor
Cycling through quiet villages and back roads. Lovely places to stay especially Casa do Palmeiro. Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Jun 2017 by Sheila Kerr
The highlight was the first day of our cycling experience. Meeting Bert our host and having him explain our itinerary and routes. Getting on our bikes for the first time. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Jun 2017 by Alan Johns
The 50k ride down from Monchique to the coast was the most memorable. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Oct 2017 by Julia Pound
Arriving at our hotels, particularly the really rural ones, although they were all good. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 May 2017 by Roy Leitches
Probably Duas Quintas outside Silves was the highlight. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 May 2017 by Anne Nicholl
Great vacation if your looking for a good mix of cycling, relaxing and sight seeing of some of Portugal's untouched areas. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Oct 2016 by Jost am Rhyn
Beautiful memories. I can only recommend this tour. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 Jun 2016 by Karen Tweed
It was fantastic and would recommend it. June was a great month as the weather was stable and sunny everyday. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Jun 2016 by Fran Kelly
The west coast is breath taking and feels unspoilt. I would really recommend this vacation, it is so well co-ordinated to appeal to lots of different tastes. Read full reviewReviewed on 01 Apr 2016 by Richard Scott
Great, very well organized, good maps, well-considered route. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Nov 2016 by Annmarie Woodcraft
Arriving in Lagos, a beautiful town on a lovely sunny day. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Dec 2015 by Debbie Merrick
It was all just wonderful. Great weather, great food, great scenery, great accommodation. The organising of it was first class. Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Oct 2015 by Patricia Houston
Having the opportunity to cycle through the beautiful countryside and villages and looking forward to our next accommodation in spectacular locations. The first place we stayed in Querenca was a great start to the vacation. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 May 2015 by Sally Forster
10 out of 10. We could not fault any part of the vacation. The rides were routed through beautiful landscapes, visiting interesting villages and all felt very safe. The accommodation was clean, friendly and in wonderful locations. The personal service provided was great which meant that the vacation met our needs perfectly without any worry at all. Read full reviewReviewed on 16 Sep 2015 by karen austin
Do it! it's great fun and a wonderful sense of achievement reaching the destination. The organiser was always available although thankfully we didn't need him as his instructions were spot on. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Jul 2014 by Kristin Rygg
Fantastic! Recommend it to everyone from 8 to 80 years old who love to bike Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Jun 2014 by Paul Okey
Enjoying the wonderful countryside at our own pace and the accommodation were the best parts of the vacation. We were expecting rustic, what we got were luxurious idylls, perfect to recharge our batteries after the time on the road. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 May 2014 by Adriana Moore
Fantastic! I have already recommended it to friends. We loved the freedom of doing a self- guided trip as a couple in the beautiful countryside. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Oct 2013 by Lorna Nicholson
On a scale of one to ten I'd say eleven....The route that Bert had chosen for us was wonderful. We rode our bikes through Olive groves, orange groves, down dirt roads and through small towns and bigger towns. The variety was wonderful. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Jun 2013 by Alan Tonge
The most memorable part of the vacation was staying in the small casa's, tucked away from the main tourist area's. They were absolutely delightful, and we were so well looked after by the owners Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Feb 2013 by Stephanie Allen
Excellent. bikes perfect, directions easy to understand. Hotel and restaurant suggests selected with care. Thanks! Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Oct 2009 by Christine Mitchell
We had the most fabulous weather. The first place we stayed, Quinta dos Valedos, was a really great start to the vacation, as Marie-Jose and Sergei are French Portuguese, and introduced us to many culinary specialities of the region, including carob and arbutus berry schnapps! Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Jul 2009 by Kylie Horsfall
Most memorable? Being able to breathe the fresh air and feel the sunshine on our skin as we cycled through the countryside, through small villages, along the coastline, and up into the hills. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Apr 2009 by Renate Hauser
Bert, the man behind the tour company, did a great job in giving me honest advice and counsel over the phone and was a reassuring presence. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Oct 2008 by Rachel Bennett
Cycling through the Eucalyptus trees in the hills and the citrus fruit groves in the low lands was the most memorable part. Also really nice having a day at the coast to get some beach time in! Read full reviewReviewed on 14 Jun 2008 by Harpa Runarsdottir
It fully met our expectations. We will visit Portugal in the future again Im sure to cycle and see more of the country. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Oct 2008 by Gill Speare
Enjoyable vacation. The distances were just about right as it gave us time to look at things, take photos etc. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Apr 2007 by Deivos Benabib
The trip we made was absolutely beyond our expectations, the planning was excellent as well as the smooth day by day cycling experience, the accommodations were simple but very comfortable, clean & with a warm and efficient service. Read full reviewReviewed on 07 Oct 2007 by Chris Durling
Very good. A 30 km a day mostly easy cycle ride and lots of relaxing at the pool with a good book. Bert transported our luggage and wrote us a little note regularly. He and our hosts told us lots about the country and its people. Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Aug 2007 by Franz Brazil
The accommodations were very good, the bicycles absolutely top drawer and the daily descriptions and route guides were very accurate. We didn't miss a turnoff, country lane or a signpost. Read full review
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