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Highlights
Pedal Portugal’s southern coast on this 7-day self-guided cycling adventure
Revel in the freedom of the open road as you pedal your way from Alentejo to the Algarve on quiet scenic roads.
Enjoy picturesque routes flanked by beaches, dunes, cliffs and Portuguese hinterland.
Cycle off-road through the Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, catching endless thrills along the way.
Indulge in spectacular local cuisine, savoring the rich flavors of the Algarve, known for its exceptional seafood and excellent wine.
Discover why Portugal’s Algarve holds such a special place in so many travellers’ hearts on the 7-day self-guided Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour.
This mesmerizing cycling holiday on Portugal’s southern coast invites cyclists to explore breathtaking landscapes, setting out from the Alentejo region and heading south along the Algarve coast. The beautiful Mediterranean climate, along with peaceful quiet roads, affords cyclists the opportunity to truly appreciate the remarkable landscapes before them, soaking up every encounter with nature and enjoying a ride at their own pace.
A perfect balance is struck between pleasant day rides and relaxing evenings in authentic Portuguese villages and cities, where the freshest seafood and elegant local wines will make your evenings as unforgettable as your days. The marvellous route will take you through the towns of Maria Vinagre, Rogil, Zambujeira, Carrapateira, and many more. Overnight stays in comfortable accommodations in Odeceixe, Aljezur and Pedralva, (all with swimming pools!) will ensure you stay well-rested during the tour and ready to seize each exciting day on the bike.
A thrilling off-road adventure in the Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park is a highlight of the trip, where you’ll follow the Rota Vicentina along vibrant flowerbeds, dramatic cliffs, wild beaches, and charming villages.
Prepare to fall in love with Portugal as you dive headfirst on two wheels into the natural landscapes, culture and fabulous food and wine of Alentejo and the Algarve.
Discover why Portugal’s Algarve holds such a special place in so many travellers’ hearts on the 7-day self-guided Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour.
This mesmerizing cycling holiday on Portugal’s southern coast invites cyclists to explore breathtaking landscapes, setting out from the Alentejo region and heading south along the Algarve coast. The beautiful Mediterranean climate, along with peaceful quiet roads, affords cyclists the opportunity to truly appreciate the remarkable landscapes before them, soaking up every encounter with nature and enjoying a ride at their own pace.
A perfect balance is struck between pleasant day rides and relaxing evenings in authentic Portuguese villages and cities, where the freshest seafood and elegant local wines will make your evenings as unforgettable as your days. The marvellous route will take you through the towns of Maria Vinagre, Rogil, Zambujeira, Carrapateira, and many more. Overnight stays in comfortable accommodations in Odeceixe, Aljezur and Pedralva, (all with swimming pools!) will ensure you stay well-rested during the tour and ready to seize each exciting day on the bike.
A thrilling off-road adventure in the Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park is a highlight of the trip, where you’ll follow the Rota Vicentina along vibrant flowerbeds, dramatic cliffs, wild beaches, and charming villages.
Prepare to fall in love with Portugal as you dive headfirst on two wheels into the natural landscapes, culture and fabulous food and wine of Alentejo and the Algarve.
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Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour
Day 1 Arrive
A private transfer will greet you at the airport and take you to your first accommodations in Odeceixe, situated in the region of Alentejo on the beautiful Seixe River.
Your stay in one of the historic village’s authentic houses (converted into a hotel) will give you your first taste of authentic Portuguese culture, no doubt leaving you charmed.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Odeceixe
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2 Cycle the Beautiful Beaches of Odeceixe, Carvalhal, and Zambujeira
Today’s pleasant route will afford you plenty of time to explore the area as you cycle a gorgeous route past the beaches of Odeceixe, Carvalhal, and Zambujeira. A lovely plateau dotted with greenhouses and pastoral fields will also grace the trail, making for a wonderfully scenic introduction to the area.
Enjoy lunch in Zambujeira, a small fishing village known for its delicious fish (surprise, surprise!).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Odeceixe
Distance: 33–40km, 500–585m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Cycle Inland along the Odeceixe River to Aljezur
Your first ride inland takes you on gravel tracks along the scenic banks of the Odeceixe River, alongside lovely farms and holm oak woods.
The route unfolds along quiet tarmac roads through a peaceful rural area as you pedal through the villages of Maria Vinagre and Rogil, bound for the coast.
A sandy track will then lead you on a descent to Amoreira beach, a perfect place to stop for lunch, before continuing the final leg of today’s journey to Aljezur.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Aljezur
Distance: 31km, 475m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Explore Aljezur Castle and the Beaches of Monte Clérigo and Arrifana
Today, there are two route options to choose from for the first section of the ride.
Option 1:
Enjoy an exhilarating steep ascent to the Aljezur Castle, continuing a circular route via the beaches of Monte Clérigo and Arrifana.
Option 2:
Enjoy an exhilarating ascent to the Aljezur castle, continuing through shady pine forests to the village of Carrapateira.
Both routes lead to a clifftop lookout, where views of the Costa Vicentina will take your breath away. A descent then guides you through the dunes of Bordeira, to Carrapateira, where you’ll find a myriad of neat shops and restaurants to peruse.
A final 10 kilometres in the saddle will take you through a tranquil rural valley from Vilarinho to Pedralva, your welcoming home base for the next three nights.
Overnight Location: Hotel Pedralva
Distance: 29–41km, 500–775m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Cycle a Scenic Circuit from Pedralva
A lovely route has you descending through charming rural scenery as you cycle to the village of Carrapateira. Loved by tourists, surfers, and fishers, Carrapateira is home to many interesting sights, like the Museo do Mar e da Terra, a fascinating ethnographic museum.
Carrapateira is also home to a spectacular stretch of coast, and you’ll trace it, visiting two pristine beaches along the way. Sandy tracks pave your way through the hills as you then return to Pedralva.
Overnight Location: Hotel Pedralva
Distance: 21–23km, 335m of ascent, 335m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Cycle to Cape Sao Vicente, Vila do Bispo, and Sagres
With your gaze fixed on today’s destination of Cape Sap Vicente, Portugal’s southernmost tip, you’ll ascend through fragrant pine and eucalyptus forests, whizzing past a modern windfarm on the way to Vila do Bispo.
A flat and pleasant ride then takes you across the plain toward the cape, where you can enjoy refreshments at the cool café nestled below the lighthouse.
Spectacular cliffs accompany you the rest of the ride as you cycle to Sagres, where you will return your bike and take a private transfer back to Pedralva.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pedralva
Distance: 36km, 255m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Depart
After breakfast, your cycling tour will come to an end. Pack up, check out, and head back to the airport to depart, taking with you a week’s worth of unforgettable memories on the bike. Tchau!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Departures from January 1st to February 29th, 2024:
- Solo traveler: EUR1302
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1003
- Sharing a double room: EUR678
- Sharing a triple room: EUR607
Departures from March 1st to May 27th, 2024:
- Solo traveler: EUR1401
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1102
- Sharing a double room: EUR734
- Sharing a triple room: EUR656
Departures from May 28th to June 25th, 2024:
- Solo traveler: EUR1501
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1282
- Sharing a double room: EUR836
- Sharing a triple room: EUR728
Departures from June 26th to August 31st, 2024:
- Solo traveler: EUR1919
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1620
- Sharing a double room: EUR999
- Sharing a triple room: EUR863
Departures from September 1st to 30th, 2024:
- Solo traveler: EUR1581
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1282
- Sharing a double room: EUR836
- Sharing a triple room: EUR728
Departures from October 1st to 31st, 2024:
- Solo traveler: EUR1401
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1102
- Sharing a double room: EUR734
- Sharing a triple room: EUR656
Departures from November 1st to December 19th, 2024:
- Solo traveler: EUR1302
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1003
- Sharing a double room: EUR678
- Sharing a triple room: EUR607
Departures from December 20th to 31st, 2024:
- Solo traveler: EUR1581
- Single room (group of 2+): EUR1282
- Sharing a double room: EUR836
- Sharing a triple room: EUR728
Accommodation on the Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour
This tour is based on 3-star to 4.5-star hotels. The hotels offer comfortable rooms and are well located. All three hotels on the tour have swimming pools available for guests to use and modern amenities. Rooms are double or triple occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
You can pay a supplement to have a single room, please check Dates and Prices, where all the single supplements are included in the final prices.
What’s included in the Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
A private transfer from Sagres to Pedralva is included on Day 6. Luggage transfer between accommodations on Day 3 and 4 is included on this tour. A transfer from Faro Airport (FAO) to the start point in Odeceixe on Day 1 is included only for those who rented a bike during the booking process.
Also Included
- GPS maps (GPS available for rental)
- Table reservations for dinner on Day 1 and Day 4 (meals are not included)
- 24/7 mobile assistance
Not included
- Bike rental
- International flights
- Airport transfer on Day 7
- Airport transfer on Day 1 (if you opt out of bike rental)
- Lunches and dinners or drinks and snacks not previously mentioned
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Personal equipment (GPS/side bags)
Optional Extras
- Bike rental
- Airport transfers
- Activities and excursions
- Single room supplements
- Additional nights before or after tour
- How hard is the Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Portugal?
- Are meals included on the Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Odeceixe to start this tour?
- Where does the Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- What does the bike rental include?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Portugal?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Portugal?
- When is the best time to travel to Spain for this tour?
We rate the difficulty of this tour a 3 / 5. You can expect gentle hills involving short climbs up the gravel paths of up to 200 metres. Daily distances range from 20 to 40 kilometres with plenty of opportunities for breaks. You should be comfortable riding a bike and used to riding these distances and be reasonably fit.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
6 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
If you opted to rent a bike during the booking process, a private transfer will pick you up from Faro Airport (FAO) and take you to your first accommodations in Odeceixe.
If you opt to bring your own bike or rent elsewhere, you can take a direct bus from the airport to Lagos, then a direct bus (REDE or EVA) to Odeceixe, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer in advance as a supplement, or arrange your own private transfer from the airport.
The tour ends in Pedralva. From Pedralva, you can take a taxi to Crossroad Barâo de Sâo Miguel, then take a bus to Lagos. From Lagos, you can take a bus to Faro Airport (FAO).
If departing from Lisbon Airport (LIS), you can take a taxi to Crossroad Barâo de Sâo Miguel, then take a bus to Lagos, then from Lagos to Lisbon Siete Rios, and then one final bus to Lisbon Airport (LIS).
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer in advance as a supplement or arrange your own private transfer to the airport.
Yes! You can rent a bike during the booking process.
Bike rental includes an e-bike or mountain bike, repair kit, pump, and lock. Requests to add a map holder, 1 front pannier, and 1 rear pannier can be made in advance at no extra cost. Helmets are available on request at an extra cost of 5 EUR.
Yes! You can bring your own bike (min 7 gears); however, a supplement will then need to be paid if you wish to take a private transfer from the airport to your start point in Odeceixe.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Portugal for this cycling adventure is spring or fall, but you can visit the southern coast year-round. The summer is wonderful, but it draws the most tourist. This tour is available every month of the year.
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Explore the hidden corners of Europe by bike or on foot with S-Cape. Their self-guided trips have been hand-crafted by local experts to highlight every detail of your destination. S-Cape designs tours that allow you to explore without restrictive timetables and immerse yourself in the diverse culture and natural beauty of Europe at your own pace.
