Day 1 Arrival at Grândola

You will be met at Faro or Lisbon and transferred to your country hotel accommodation just outside Grândola, in the heart of the Alentejo. Between the mountains and the sea, this breathtaking natural area of landscape remains relatively untouched by mass tourism, which gives it a more authentic, slow-travel appeal. Grândola and the surrounding Alentejo areas are known for rustic, hearty cuisine—think migas (a traditional dish made from bread), porco preto (black pork), speciality cheeses and locally produced olive oil; some of which you can expect to sample on your first night, alongside some excellent local wines.

Day 2 Cycle to Cercal do Alentejo (63km, 447m elevation)

Your adventure begins as you leave Grândola behind and cycle past the Lousal Mines, a fascinating site for industrial archaeology with its decaying concrete and steel structures, alongside remnants of a former railway that once linked to the Southern Line.

Avoiding main roads for the most part, you will travel across country along quiet backroads and agricultural tracks towards Alvalade, where you can pause to visit the Medieval Bridge. Alvalade, like most of the villages you will pass through today, is a perfect example of a traditional Alentejan community, with whitewashed houses and narrow streets, offering you a glimpse into the old lifestyle that has remained largely unchanged over centuries. Don’t forget to use these opportunities to top up on your water and refuel for the remaining part of your first day’s ride. On a hot day you may also want to make a short diversion to the Albufeira (lake) de Fonte Serne, a peaceful and picturesque spot for a picnic or a dip in the refreshing open water. You’ll then cycle through a rolling pastoral landscape dotted with cork oak forests, vineyards, and small farms, with occasional views from hilltops.  It is a combination of quiet paved roads and gravel or sandy tracks,; the off-road sections are typically not technical, but can be rocky or gravelly, ideal for your gravel bike.

Your destination for tonight will be in the outskirts of Cercal do Alentejo in a typical country setting, where you can enjoy some home cooked food and perhaps a tasting of medronho brandy, another Alentejo staple!

Day 3 Cycle to Santa Clara (58km/617m elevation gain)

It is a slightly shorter route today and mostly on tarmac, with a few country tracks thrown in, but it is entirely rural and you are surrounded by incredible natural beauty.

You will follow the road to the small village of Bicos before turning South along quiet country lanes with light to no traffic. This is designed to be a relaxing experience and so you shouldn’t be in too much of a hurry. You want to enjoy the feeling of serenity and being in authentic Portugal. 

There will be more quaint villages and chances to stop for coffee or light refreshments, whilst maybe even mixing with the locals. The route traverses huge olive groves, cereal fields, irrigated farmlands, and grazing land – in short, typical Alentejo scenery. As it is largely agricultural territory you can expect to pass a few farm animals along the way. And this land is rich in birdlife, too,  so remember to keep an eye out for the storks, hoopoes, bee-eaters and even the odd eagle. It really is a chance for you to slow down and connect with nature.

With nature, however, come the inevitable hilly sections and some heart-throbbing climbs but nothing that isn’t rewarded with memorable, expansive views across the far-reaching plains and farmland.

Your home for the night is a traditional quinta-style hotel on top of a hill overlooking the town of Santa Clara-a-Velha. The Santa Clara Dam is a mere 6km away and definitely worth a diversion, though you could always save this for tomorrow before you set off on what will be the shortest distance of the trip.

Day 4 Cycle to São Bartolomeu de Messines: (44km/564m elevation gain)

There is a slight change of scenery today as you follow the line of the Southern Railway, (built in 1889) starting at Santa Clara–Sabóia station , often described as “a station in the middle of nowhere”. This should give you a hint of the sort of day that lies ahead.

You will be cycling through quiet rolling countryside, along meandering country lanes with tiny homesteads and abandoned farms scattered on the hilltops. It is reminiscent of the land that time forgot, but the peace and tranquillity make for a pleasant and relaxing ride.

The highest point of your ride today takes you to São Marcos da Serra, a delightful mountain village nestled between the Serra de Monchique and Serra do Caldeirão which forms a bridge between the Alentejo and the Algarve.  It’s traditional whitewashed houses with brightly coloured trims and steep, narrow streets lead up to the 16th-century church at the hilltop—offering stunning panoramas over the village and Odelouca valley.

From here you will part company with the railway line and pedal along quiet roads and tracks, running parallel to, but thankfully far enough away from, the original road between Lisbon and the Algarve.  You will eventually follow a circuit which traces the contours of the hill around the picturesque Barragem (reservoir) do Funcho, passes over the dam and then circles back towards Sâo Bartolomeu de Messines, where you will spend the night.

It is a working Algarvian market town that plays a pivotal role within the farming community; it really isn’t aimed at tourists, which is its principal charm. There are several cafés and restaurants where the regional produce can be sampled as well as a traditional market building in use virtually every day. Your accommodation is located right in the middle of town. They have a popular in-house restaurant and offer some fabulous local dishes, including cataplana (fish stew), so you may be tempted to stay in!

Day 5 Cycle to Faro: (71km/476m elevation gain)

This is the longest day but the terrain is mostly easy and there is less climbing than there has been on previous days as you head towards the world famous Algarve coast. And you have a very pleasant start to your ride as you travel through lush green valleys, with tiny hamlets and farmsteads amidst an abundance of thick vegetation, orange orchards and nurseries.

You will approach the village of Paderne, the gateway to the bustling Algarve, though it still retains its authentic village charm. It’s a perfect spot for a coffee and cake to help you on your way.

From here you will track down towards the sea, avoiding the main roads and essentially entering Vilamoura through the back door.  With its marina full of luxury yachts and a good selection of cafés, bars and restaurants, there is an abundance of places to stop and refuel and even more so as you pass along the sea front of Quarteira, one of the original tourist resorts of the Algarve.

Heading further East, you will leave the beach and circle inland briefly before turning back towards the Ocean in the direction of Vale do Lobo, with its manicured golf courses amidst the pine forest and luxury houses of almost every architectural style imaginable. Its neighbour,  Quinta do Lago, can be reached via a relatively new boardwalk, popular with both cyclists and pedestrians. This is an even more exclusive resort and a far cry from the sleepy villages and backroads that have formed the majority of your trip so far. But perhaps serves as a reminder of what a privileged view of the authentic Portuguese countryside you have enjoyed. You head along the dykes towards Praia de Faro and, surprisingly, you are able to circumnavigate the runway of Faro International Airport. Despite being at the back of the airport, you will be treated to some pretty spectacular scenery and can often see Flamingos along the way.

Before long you will reach your final destination of the trip, the regional centre of Faro. Whilst it is the capital city of the Algarve, the central area is really quite compact. An impressive archway leads into the old town, where you will discover cobbled streets, with interesting shops and cafés.  There is a pedestrianised area, with lots of boutique shops and traditional Portuguese restaurants, and you can chill on the edge of the small marina, celebrating the end of your journey as you watch the world go by in what is an extremely laid back city.

Day 6 Departure

We will provide a transfer to Faro airport or Faro train station is a short walk away from the hotel in Faro . Transfers to other places in the Algarve can be provided by arrangement .

Prices are per person, based upon two people sharing a twin/double bedded room.

There is no single supplement as we do not recommend you undertake this trip unaccompanied.

• Discounts are available for large groups, please contact us for details.

This tour is designed and priced as a “self guided” holiday as this is how we can provide the best value for money for our clients. We can also provide the services of a guide and/or a support vehicle. Please contact us for further details and prices.