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Please leave your luggage in the hotel reception on Wednesday Otober 1 (by 9am at the latest) so that it can be transferred to your next hotel. Make sure that your luggage is clearly labelled with the nametag provided.
Call the Bike Spain Tours office on +34 915 590 653, or out of office hours call +34 677 356 586. We will get you where you need to be and get you the help you need.
Be aware, Portugal is 1h before Spain.
The Portuguese don’t eat as late as the Spaniards. They normally have lunch, the big meal of the day, from around 1pm until 3pm and dinner is around 7pm.
The Algarve, Portugal’s stunning southern region, is not only famous for its golden beaches and dramatic cliffs but also for its vibrant culinary traditions. The food here is deeply rooted in the Mediterranean, with strong influences from the sea, local produce, and age-old recipes passed down through generations.
Seafood is at the heart of Algarve cuisine. Grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas) are a summertime staple, often enjoyed outdoors with family and friends. Another local favorite is cataplana de marisco, a rich seafood stew cooked in a traditional copper pot, brimming with clams, prawns, and fish. Don’t miss amêijoas à Bulhão Pato, clams simmered in garlic, olive oil, and fresh coriander — a simple but unforgettable dish.
For meat lovers, the region also offers hearty dishes like frango piri-piri (spicy grilled chicken) and feijoada (a bean stew often with pork). You’ll also find caldo verde, Portugal’s beloved kale and potato soup, which makes for a comforting start to any meal. The Algarve’s proximity to the countryside means fresh vegetables, almonds, figs, and carob often feature in both savory and sweet recipes.
When it comes to desserts, you’ll find unique treats inspired by local ingredients, such as dom-rodrigos (a traditional egg yolk and almond sweet wrapped in colorful foil) and fig and almond cakes. Carob, a regional specialty, is used to make rich cakes and pastries with a distinctive flavor.
To accompany your meal, enjoy a glass of crisp vinho verde or try the Algarve’s own medronho, a strong spirit distilled from the fruit of the strawberry tree. For something lighter, a chilled white or rosé wine from the Algarve’s vineyards pairs beautifully with seafood.
In short, the Algarve offers a true feast for the senses — a cuisine that celebrates the sea, the land, and the warmth of its traditions. A visit here is as much a culinary adventure as it is a scenic one!
Click here for our packing suggestions for a self-guided bike tour.
Click here for our recommendations on what to do if you experience mechanical issues with your bike during your tour.
Sunday September 28: At leisure in Tavira
Arrival day
Accommodation: Vila Galé Tavira
Meals included: Breakfast
After your long transfer from Antequera you’re free to visit the charming town of Tavira, take a swim in the ocean or try some delicious Portuguese green wine.
At leisure in Tavira
Widely considered Portugal’s most romantic town, Tavira is known for its decorated façades, traditional houses and beautiful beach islands.
Monday September 29: Tavira Loop
Route: 24.7 km/15.4 miles
Elevation: +198 m/+651 ft
Accommodation: Vila Galé Tavira
Meals included: Breakfast
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENNIS: There’s no better way to celebrate a birthday than by taking a nice ride in great company!
Today’s cycle route takes you along the banks of the Gilão river, following a quiet road through fragrant orchards filled with orange, lemon and carob trees.
Take a break at Pego do Inferno (the “well of hell”), a deep basin created by a waterfall, a real sub-tropical paradise. The path down to the pool takes a little effort, but it’s worth it for a dip in the crystalline waters.
The route then heads inland, passing by the charming village of Santo Estevão. A little beyond the village, you might like to stop at Café Destlaria, a very traditional spot with its own distillery where you can try homemade medronho, a local liqueur.
The next town you encounter will be Pedras de El Rei. It’s worth making a stop here to visit Praia do Barril, a beautiful white sand beach famous for the “anchor cemetery” that decorates the sand dunes, legacy of the beach’s former role as a launching point for tuna fishermen. When the local tuna industry declined in the 1960s, the anchors, which were once used to hold fishing nets, were carefully lined up on the dunes and abandoned. To get to the beach, you can lock your bikes in the car park and then either cross the lagoons from Pedras de El Rei, or take the historic tourist train that once served the local fishermen.
Your next recommended stop is the pretty seaside town of Santa Luzia, which is well-known for its specialty of octopus, caught overnight and distributed fresh every morning. We highly recommend trying it at Tasquinha do Bruno (open Mon – Sat from 12pm) or Sol e Mar (open Wed – Mon from 12pm).
From here, the route takes you past the waters of the Rio Formosa and sparkling salt flats, back to Tavira.
Tuesday September 30: Loop ride to Fuzeta
Route: 38.4 km/23.9 miles
Elevation: +150 m/+992 ft
Accommodation: Vila Galé Tavira
Meals included: Breakfast
Today’s ride you’ll enjoy a peaceful cycle along a coastal ecovia (bike path) alongside the white sandy beaches, sparkling salt flats and crystalline waters of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Look out for the Aires Tower, a 13th century fortification that once served as a defence against pirate attacks. The furthese point of your ride today is Fuzeta, a picturesque traditional fishing harbor on a sandy bank at the edge of a turquoise lagoon.
At leisure in Fuzeta
Fuzeta is a working fishing village, brimming with authentic Portuguese charm. We highly recommend spending the afternoon here enjoying some fresh seafood, straight from the estuary, watching the fishing boats sailing in and out at the marina, or losing yourself in the pretty tiled back streets. Don’t miss the chance to take a selfie with the iconic fisherman statue!
The central Praça da República square is the most “bustling” spot in this tiny town, and is lined with tiles and shady trees. It’s a great place to grab a coffee and watch the world go by.
Alternatively, enjoy an afternoon at the beach! The main beach of Praia da Fuzeta-Ria is right next to the town centre.
Eating and drinking in Fuzeta
Stop by the marina for some freshly-caught seafood, cooked on an outdoor grill. The smell alone will be enough to get your mouth watering! We recommend either Casa Corvo (open Mon – Fri, 11:45am – 3pm) or Cafe dos Mestres (open Thu – Tue, 10am – 3pm)
For a really authentic local experience, pick up some snacks at Fuzeta’s traditional food market (open Mon – Sat, 7am – 2pm).
On the way back to Tavira, you’ll follow quiet inland backroads, cycling through the beautiful Barrocal: a unique rural landscape between mountain and coast, filled withs farms, gardens and orchards. We recommend a stop at the charming rural village of Moncarapacho, which is famous for its ceramics and excellent olive oil. Look out for oil from the nearby Monterosa press, which has been recognised as among the twelve best in the world, and stop by Olaria Moncarapachense (open Mon – Fri 8am – 7pm and Sat 9am – 4pm) to look for ceramic treasures.
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Wednesday October 1: Tavira – Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Route: 38.6 km/24 miles
Elevation: +183 m/+600 ft
Accommodation: Pousada Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Meals included: Breakfast
Remember to pack your bags and leave them with hotel reception by 9:30am at the latest so that they can be transferred to your hotel in Vila Real de Santo Antonio!
Today’s ride takes you along the coastline via the ecovia, a pleasant and well-maintained cycle path, towards the Guadiana, the river that marks the border between Portugal and Spain. Today’s ride is known as the “path of the fortresses” because of the many towers and fortifications that were built over the centuries to defend against pirates, privateers and Spanish invaders!
Follow the cycle path down to the coast and the pretty beach town of Cabanas, and admire the seemingly endless sand dunes of one of the most beautiful beaches on the Iberian peninsula.
Next, the ecovia takes you to Cacela Velha, known as one of the most beautiful places in the Algarve: a proud fortress that once belonged to the knights of the Order of Santiago, set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the lagoons and sandbanks of the Ria Formosa; a spectacle that changes with the tides and the light. We highly recommend a quick stop at Casa da Igreja (open Mon – Sat from 4am), a very local spot which does excellent oysters and clams.
Continuing on towards Castro Marim, you might like to stop for a “km 0” lunch at Quinta da Fornalha (open Tue – Sun 3pm – 11pm), an organic farm and hotel serving up delicious farm-to-table fare.
Follow the path around the Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Nature reserve until you reach Castro Marim. The town’s strategic location near the border with Spain made it a key stronghold during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. We highly recommend a stop here to explore the historic cobblestone streets, surrounded by well-preserved medieval architecture and ancient fortifications. Make sure you visit the historic 13th century fortress (open 9:30am – 1pm/3pm – 6:30pm) and take a photo at the 18th century Fortress of San Sebastian. If you fancy having lunch in Castro Marim, we recommend highly Velho Cavalinho Taberna Medieval (open Tue – Sat from 10:30am) for a traditional medieval experience.
From Castro Marim, you’ll follow the Guadiana River, which markes the border between Portugal and Spain, through the salt flats of the Castro Marim marshes towards Vila Real de Santo Antonio. Don’t miss the photo opportunity at the statue of the cyclist!
Once in Vila Real, your route takes you on an optional sightseeing loop to the very end of the cape, where you can enjoy fabulous views of the Guadiana estuary, before finishing at your hotel.
At leisure in Vila Real de Santo Antonio
The small city of Vila Real was built in the 18th century as a home for fishermen sent to reclaim the fishing grounds of the eastern Algarve from Spain. The town is connected with the Spanish town of Ayamonte by a small ferry across the Guadiana, which was the only way to cross until the construction of the bridge in 1991.
Thursday October 2: Ayamonte Loop and Monte Gordo Loop
Route: 23.3 km/14.5 miles plus 11.6 km/7.2 miles
Elevation: +107 m/+350 ft plus +57 m/+187 ft
Accommodation: Pousada Vila Real de Santo Antonio
Meals included: Breakfast
Remember that you will be crossing an international border today, so you must bring your passport with you on the ferry. It’s also important to remember that Portugal and Spain are in different time zones, so the time will jump forward by one hour when you cross into Spain, and backwards when you return to Portugal.
This morning, you’ll hop on a small ferry boat across the river to Ayamonte in Andalusia, Spain. Ferries depart every hour (please check timetables here), and the journey takes around 15 minutes. Tickets cost 2.50€ each way, plus a supplement of 1.60€ per bike, and can be bought at the ticket kiosk.
So close and so different from its Portuguese neighbor, this incursion into Spain allows us to better understand what links and differentiates these two Iberian countries. We highly recommend taking the time to explore the fascinating town of Ayamonte, which has been populated since the Bronze Age; indeed, the name “Ayamonte” comes from the Greek “Anapote”, meaning “over the river”. It’s worth making a visit to the Casa Grande cultural centre (open Mon – Fri 10am – 1:30, Sat 11am – 4pm), housed in a beautiful 18th century manor.
From the ramblas of Ayamonte, a cycle path takes us on a tour of Isla Canela, a peninsula that is prized for its long beaches.
After taking the boat back to Vila Real de Santo Antonio, you can start your second cycle route of the day! Follow a path towards Monte Gordo through the Mata das Dunas nature reserve, a large pine forest that grows right on the coastline and plays an important role in protecting the local biodiversity, including a large population of chameleons!
Friday October 3
Departure day
Meals included: Breakfast
We hope that you´ve had 2 great tours! We hope you enjoyed exploring the Algarve with us!
The Ehler’s will be picked up at the hotel at 5.30am for their airport transfer.
Tbe Bruzzese’s will be picked up at the hotel at 3pm for their airport transfer.
The taxi driver’s name is Luis and his phone is +351 910 774 078.
