Portugal : The Algarve

Cycling the Algarve's Rota Vicentina

Trip code: C07RV 5 (6 reviews)

Self-guided cycling

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 2+
Moderate plus

17.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

Optional
e-bike hire

SUMMARY

  • Follow the Rota Vicentina cycling path from Setubal to the Cape Sao Vicente
  • Cycle the most beautiful and well-preserved coast of Europe (Natural Park)
  • Wonderful peaceful beaches, quaint fishermen's villages and delicious regional cuisine and seafood

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • All Breakfasts included
  • Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Bike hire included
  • Luggage transfers between hotels

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Cycle in the most beautiful and well-preserved coast of Europe. From the Alentejo region to Cabo de Sao Vicente which marks the most south-westerly point of Europe, follow the 'Rota Vicentina Historical Way' along rugged coastline with amazing views over cliffs and large sandy beaches. Stop and relax in quaint peaceful fishing villages to taste the rich local cuisine that serves the best the sea has.

This ride leads you through a natural reserve and the 'Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Natural Park' and you can fully enjoy the landscape and appreciate the surprises nature has to offer, such as wild flowers, bird watching. Admire breath-taking views and relax on one of the unspoilt beaches or inlets. Your ride will be on coastal routes with some stretches on sandy paths and gravel tracks.

End your trip in the Algarve region, along beautiful coastlines enjoying a mix of golden sandy beaches and rugged cliff tops, and pass through pretty villages, some of which seem unaffected by the outside world.

Terrain

The routes on this holiday are a mix of off road trails and tracks, quiet tarmac roads, forest trails and coastal paths, with a number of climbs and descent. Although none of the roads are very busy on some days you have a choice of cycling on larger roads or on gravel tracks. At least 30% of the route is on gravel tracks, which can be sandy in places.

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DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1: Arrival in Setubal

Transfer from Lisbon airport to your hotel.

Located on the Sado river bank, explore Setubal and wander in the town centre to the convent and the fort where you can enjoy fantastic views over the city and the river.

You stay at Hotel Luna Esperanca.

hotel details

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Hotel Luna Esperanca, Setubal

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


Luna Esperança Centro Hotel, in Setúbal (Portugal), is located in the historic center of the city, at less than 30 minutes from Lisbon. Offering views of Sado River and Troia's Peninsula, this 4-star hotel in Setubal's city centre is surrounded by restaurants and shops. The ferry to Troia's beaches and golf course is situated next to the hotel.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 2: Setubal - Santo Andre (62km/38.5mi)

Start with a ferry crossing through the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve. Enjoy bird watching during this short journey as the reserve is a protected area for many species such as storks. The most friendly local inhabitants and symbol of the Nature Reserve are the dolphins. It's rare to find them in Europe, freely swimming in their natural habitat, but there is an important colony here.

Cycle through rice fields and along beaches. Right by Santo Andre Lagoon, and part of a Nature Reserve, the Costa de Santo Andre Beach is a long stretch of sand with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the calm waters of the lagoon on the other. Surrounded by golden dunes, this beach with its challenging waters is very popular among surfers.

elevation

You stay at Vila Park Nature.

hotel details

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Vila Park Nature, Santo Andre

HOTEL WEBSITE      

Mastercard
Visa
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


Enjoying natural surroundings of green woodlands, VILA PARK Nature & Business Hotel is certified eco-friendly and offers an extensive outdoor saltwater pool.

Day 3: Santo Andre - Vila Nova de Milfontes (55km/34.2mi or 65km/40.4mi)

Ride through quaint villages until Sao Torpes Beach, which is very popular for surfing. Continue your ride on the coastline before reaching Porto Covo, a picturesque fishermen's village which is a mix of whitewashed cottages, cobbled streets and pretty squares perched on the low cliff tops of the Alentejo coast. In the village, all roads lead to the little fishing harbour which clings to the side of a deep natural inlet.

Then arrive in Vila Nova de Milfontes located on the Mira river banks and offers large beaches on the coastline and is surrounded by unspoilt rural countryside.

elevation

You stay at Hotel HS Milfontes.

hotel details

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Hotel HS Milfontes, Vila Nova de Milfontes

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Aircon
Safe


Enjoy the most amazing views of the Mira river bay, the Atlantic and Furnas beach, officially one of Portugal’s Seven Wonders. The hotel offers a swimming pool, a gym, a bar, a restaurant and possibilities of relaxing massages.

Day 4: Vila Nova de Milfontes - Rogil (63km/39.1mi)

Follow the 'Rota Vicentina Historical Way' punctuated with many highlights such as Almograve, a quaint village. Almograve Beach with red cliffs and dunes is one of the most beautiful beaches along this rocky coastline and is part of the Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Natural Park.

Continue to Sardao Cape a natural and unspoilt site offering stunning views; then, ride to Zambujeira do Mar, a quaint fishing village. This place offers an excellent view over the beach, and is a small and very peaceful village. The beautiful beaches are one of the main attractions as its natural environment is one of the best preserved of this region.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Alcatruz.

hotel details

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Hotel Alcatruz, Rogil

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
WiFi
TV
Aircon


The Alcatruz is a modern property that offers beach-themed rooms. This Costa Vicentina hotel is located within a 5-minute drive from the Vale dos Homens and Carriagem sandy beaches.

Day 5: Rogil - Alfambras (22km/13.7mi or 37km/23.0mi)

Today you have a choice of routes; both routes take you first to Aljezur, with its Moorish castle; from there the shorter route takes you directly to your hotel, allowing plenty of time to visit the nearby beach; the longer route takes you on a coastal loop past several beaches on a variety of tranquil gravel tracks.

elevation

You stay at Barranco da Fonte.

hotel details

 equivalent

Barranco da Fonte, Alfambras

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV


The rural and isolated old farmhouse has been recently converted into a hotel and features swimming pool, jacuzzi, restaurant, bar and gardens.

Day 6: Alfambras - Vila do Bispo (48km/29.8mi)

Cycle towards the village of Carrapateira and enjoy breath-taking views over the cliffs that will mesmerize your memory; take a break at Bordeira and Amado beaches before heading for a seafood lunch in Carrapteira. Head inland along sandy tracks to arrive in Vila do Bispo, a peaceful village full of narrow streets and whitewashed houses.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Mira Sagres.

hotel details

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Hotel Mira Sagres , Vila do Bispo

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


The Mira Sagres is an historical pension in the fishing village of Villa do Bispo and a regular haven for journeying pilgrims making their way to Cape St Vincent. The fascia of the pension has now been lovingly gentrified and in keeping with the local tradition, has now been stylishly whitewashed, it also boasts an impressive indoor pool. On a good day from the high terrace at the hotel you can see Sagres in the distance.

Day 7: Vila do Bispo - Sagres - Vila do Bispo (35km/21.7mi)

Ride to Cordoama beach overlooked by cliffs. Surrounded by foaming Atlantic waves, Cabo de Sao Vicente marks the most south-westerly point of Europe. The path to the edge of the continent should prove to be one of the highlights of your week! You are spoilt with amazing coastal scenery on this wild and unpopulated route that follows sandy paths and gorse-strewn meadows to the very edge of the Iberian Peninsula. At the Cape there is a lighthouse, museum and small bar, offering wonderful photo opportunities.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Mira Sagres.

hotel details



Hotel Mira Sagres , Vila do Bispo

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


The Mira Sagres is an historical pension in the fishing village of Villa do Bispo and a regular haven for journeying pilgrims making their way to Cape St Vincent. The fascia of the pension has now been lovingly gentrified and in keeping with the local tradition, has now been stylishly whitewashed, it also boasts an impressive indoor pool. On a good day from the high terrace at the hotel you can see Sagres in the distance.

Day 8: Leave Vila do Bispo

Extending your holiday

If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel Luna Esperanca, Setubal; Hotel Mira Sagres, Vila do Bispo; Hotel Lisboa Plaza, Lisbon.

hotel details



Hotel Luna Esperanca, Setubal

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


Luna Esperança Centro Hotel, in Setúbal (Portugal), is located in the historic center of the city, at less than 30 minutes from Lisbon. Offering views of Sado River and Troia's Peninsula, this 4-star hotel in Setubal's city centre is surrounded by restaurants and shops. The ferry to Troia's beaches and golf course is situated next to the hotel.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.



Hotel Mira Sagres , Vila do Bispo

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
AmEx
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


The Mira Sagres is an historical pension in the fishing village of Villa do Bispo and a regular haven for journeying pilgrims making their way to Cape St Vincent. The fascia of the pension has now been lovingly gentrified and in keeping with the local tradition, has now been stylishly whitewashed, it also boasts an impressive indoor pool. On a good day from the high terrace at the hotel you can see Sagres in the distance.



Hotel Lisboa Plaza, Lisbon

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


Owned by the same family since 1953, the 4 star Hotel Lisboa Plaza is an imaginatively designed hotel, just off the famous Avenida da Liberdade. All rooms have en-suite marble floored bathrooms, air conditioning, satellite television, direct dial telephones, hairdryers and mini-bar. The public rooms are elegantly furnished and there is a pleasant bar and dining room.

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These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from C$479.

These flight inclusive prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from C$479.

OPTIONAL UPGRADES
  • Alternative flights, including regional departures
  • Electric bikes
TRAVEL DETAILS

Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.

REVIEWS

One amazing trip, with varied on/off road terrain and stunning views. A mix of off road trails and tracks, quiet tarmac roads, pine and eucalyptus forest trails, coastal paths, and a good level of climbs and descent plus a few really nice flowing downhills. The area is truly stunning throughout, and the beaches are incredibly beautiful and unspoilt. Our memories of this trip will stay with us forever. The mileages and level are different to what was published when we booked, being higher in reality, but suited us well as we wanted a bit more than the original outline offered.

KNOWLES, 10 Jun 2023

 

Very good communication with the agent allowed us to make good choices, and quickly. The information provided is very good, though oin this particular trip the it turned out to be more difficult that we had anticipated. That said, the hotels selected an the route plotted were excellent.

Jennifer Sterlini, 6 Jun 2023

 

V well organised. Could provide a Sat navigation rather than using phone as Navigation device quickly uses battery on phone. First hotel booking in before 4pm would be helpful and hotel manageress and Victor in agreement on placement of bikes. Amazing views and off road routes made a super holiday.

GILLESPIE-SMITH, 23 May 2023

 

An extremely enjoyable holiday but the cycling is quite challenging in places. The brochure does not make clear how much cycling is off road and on sandy , gravelly tracks - about 40% but the bikes provided are more than up to the task. Amazing scenery and plenty of opportunity to swim en route so make sure you carry your bathers.

Mr Cummings, 20 Sep 2022

 

A challenging cycle ride rewarded with superb views and Portuguese hospitality.

Mrs Savage, 7 Jun 2022

 

Quite tough for the grade. Super coastal scenery. Can be exciting riding. Would be hard in the wet.

Mr West, 26 Apr 2022

 


Self-guided cycling

7 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 2+
Moderate plus

17.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

Optional
e-bike hire

7 nights from C$3205

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE

Call: +44 1606 720199

 

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