One-Stop Resource for Bike Tours Worldwide
Representing Local Bike Tour Companies
More than 400 Tours in 70 Countries
Get our newsletter | Contact Us
Call (877) 462-2423 or (423) 756-8907
|
Tour search View all tours
Choosing a tourTop 10 questions to askGuided Self-guided Ability level Riding style Choosing a destination |
DestinationsIn EuropeBeyond Europe
Special programsCustomGroups Clubs Help |
|
Book now |
Booking guideHow to bookTerms and conditions Payments Tour documents Insurance Help |
PreparationPassports, visas and vaccinationsPacking tips Weather Training tips Fixing a flat
TransportationInternational flightsGetting around Europe
Extending your tripHotels |
To bringMoneyClothing and equipment Packing list Phones Books and maps Insurance
|
Bike Tours DirectAbout usOur philosophy Our team Published praise Client feedback Contact us FAQs |
Bike tours (general info)Why tour by bike?Why go local? Pros and cons Green travel Blog Newsroom Help |
| Type of tour: | Self-guided |
| Level: | Leisurely |
| Duration: | 7 Nights |
| Distance: | 22 Miles/day average |
| Dates: | Self-guided: Daily departures, year-round, for parties of 2 or more |
| Tour price: | €645 |
| Start city: | Faro, Portugal |
| End city: | Faro, Portugal |


This is designed to be a gentle and relaxing cycling holiday through the Eastern Algarve.
The tour goes from Vila Real de Santo Antonio to Silves, with a rest day roughly halfway through the week. It traverses mainly on quiet tarmac roads and occasionally dirt tracks.
Learn more about self-guided tours.
This is designed to be a gentle and relaxing cycling holiday through the Eastern Algarve.
The tour goes from Vila Real de Santo Antonio to Silves, with a rest day roughly halfway through the week. It traverses mainly on quiet tarmac roads and occasionally dirt tracks.
Learn more about self-guided tours.
The average cycling distance is 22 miles/35 km per day.
Day 1: Arrival at Vila Real de Santo Antonio
We will collect you from Faro Airport and take you to Vila Real de Santo Antonio, an interesting old town on the banks of the Guadiana river, which forms the border between Spain and Portugal.
Overnight in Vila Real de Santo Antonio.
Day 2: Vila Real de Santo Antonio - Tavira
Your first day’s cycling is along the Ecovia do Litoral (this is a dedicated cycle route that runs along the Algarve coast, linking Cabo de Sao Vicente in the west to Vila Real de Santo AntoÌnio on the Spanish border). Along the way you will pass through the coastal resorts of Monte Gordo and Altura, as well as the ancient village of Cacela Velha, where you can enjoy refreshments whilst taking in the panoramic views across the lagoon and out to sea. You should arrive in Tavira with plenty of time to have a look around this elegant old town dating back to Roman times.
Overnight in Tavira.
Day 3: Cycle to Olhao
This is another gentle day’s cycling along the mostly flat Ecovia do Litoral. There are cafes and restaurants along the way and the route also passes through the charming fishing village of Fuseta. Once you arrive in Olhão, the Eastern Algarve’s principal fishing port, you may like to take a ferry or water taxi over to one of the islands (Armona, Culatra or Farol) for an afternoon on the beach or dinner in one of the fine seafood restaurants located on the islands.
Overnight in Olhao.
Day 4: Olhao - Loule
Todays ride heads inland, by-passing the regional capital Faro and skirting the famous roman remains at Estoi. You will cycle into the hills, through quiet villages, to reach the old market town of Loule. Loule is an explorer’s haven, with its narrow cobbled streets leading off the central Avenida, tiny shops and hidden away bars and restaurants.
Overnight in Loule
Day 5: Rest Day in Loule
Today you will have an opportunity to relax and explore the fascinating old town or relax by the roof top swimming pool at the hotel, right in the centre of town. If you are still feeling energetic, you may choose to cycle down to the coast where some of the finest beaches in the Algarve can be found.
Overnight in Loule.
Day 6: Loule to Alte
This is a more challenging day in the rolling hills to the north of LouleÌ, but well worth the effort for the tremendous scenery. You will head towards the tiny hill-top village of Querenca, a great coffee stop and a place to take in the splendid views. Your final destination for the day is the lovely hillside village of Alte. Famous for its white painted houses and fresh water springs, the year round presence of water in the river adds a certain unique charm to the village.
Overnight in Alte.
Day 7: Alte - Silves
This will be a ride to remember with some great views all along the way. There is a lovely ride along a dirt track road alongside the Barragem do Funcho, and then gently cruising down the valley to your destination for the day in the lovely historic town of Silves. Once the Moorish capital, Silves is steeped with history. It is an enchanting town on the banks of the Rio Arade and home to the best preserved castle in the Algarve.
Day 8: Transfer to Airport
We will collect you and return you to Faro Airport for your journey home.
Daily departures, year-round, for parties of 2 or more
Hotels are all 3-star or above.
Vila Real de San Antonio
Your hotel is a modern hotel right in the centre of town so everything is right on your doorstep. The hotel provides en-suite accommodation, air conditioning, bar and swimming pool and breakfast is included.
Tavira
Your hotel is located close to the river in the centre of Tavira, so is well located for exploration of the town by bike or on foot. The hotel provides bed and breakfast accommodation with clean modern rooms with en suite facilities.
Olhao
Your hotel in the centre of Olhao is a traditional style hotel with basic but clean facilities. There is also a lovely roof terrace with great views over to the islands. The hotel provides accommodation only, but there are many cafes and restaurants in the immediate vicinity for a great evening meal and also breakfast.
Loule
A short walk from the centre of Loule and close to many bars and great restaurants, this hotel features rooms with air conditioning, satellite tv and bars, breakfast room, roof terrace swimming pool and also a laundry service.
Alte
The hotel is located a short walk from the village centre and offers wonderful and relaxed accommodation. The rooms are air conditioned and modern and there are excellent facilities including a pool.
Silves
The hotel in Silves is a short walk across the Rio Arade from the town and offers splendid views of the town and of course the Castle at the heart of the town. The hotel provides good quality and relaxed accommodation and there is also an outdoor swimming pool.
Hotels are all 3-star or above.
Vila Real de San Antonio
Your hotel is a modern hotel right in the centre of town so everything is right on your doorstep. The hotel provides en-suite accommodation, air conditioning, bar and swimming pool and breakfast is included.
Tavira
Your hotel is located close to the river in the centre of Tavira, so is well located for exploration of the town by bike or on foot. The hotel provides bed and breakfast accommodation with clean modern rooms with en suite facilities.
Olhao
Your hotel in the centre of Olhao is a traditional style hotel with basic but clean facilities. There is also a lovely roof terrace with great views over to the islands. The hotel provides accommodation only, but there are many cafes and restaurants in the immediate vicinity for a great evening meal and also breakfast.
Loule
A short walk from the centre of Loule and close to many bars and great restaurants, this hotel features rooms with air conditioning, satellite tv and bars, breakfast room, roof terrace swimming pool and also a laundry service.
Alte
The hotel is located a short walk from the village centre and offers wonderful and relaxed accommodation. The rooms are air conditioned and modern and there are excellent facilities including a pool.
Silves
The hotel in Silves is a short walk across the Rio Arade from the town and offers splendid views of the town and of course the Castle at the heart of the town. The hotel provides good quality and relaxed accommodation and there is also an outdoor swimming pool.
For this tour, we offer Trek Navigators hybrid bikes. They are very solid and reliable touring bikes with shimano twist shift gears , sprung seat post and comfy seat and front suspension , comfortable upright riding position. These bikes come with rear luggage racks and can be supplied with one or two pannier bags as required. Optional handlebar bags and trip computers can also be supplied. These bikes come with gel filled tubes and typically have a very good puncture record. For 2013 there will probably also be some Giant hybrid tourers, probably the Giant Sedona model , featuring 24 speed click shift shimano gears, front suspension and comfy upright riding position .
Mountain bikes are also available and feature Trek 3900 or similar, a good solid basic mountain bike with front suspension, Shimano 27 speed click shift gears. Optionally available are slightly better quality bikes, usually Trek or Giant with hydraulic brakes and generally better spec gear changes and lighter weight frames.
For this tour, we offer Trek Navigators hybrid bikes. They are very solid and reliable touring bikes with shimano twist shift gears , sprung seat post and comfy seat and front suspension , comfortable upright riding position. These bikes come with rear luggage racks and can be supplied with one or two pannier bags as required. Optional handlebar bags and trip computers can also be supplied. These bikes come with gel filled tubes and typically have a very good puncture record. For 2013 there will probably also be some Giant hybrid tourers, probably the Giant Sedona model , featuring 24 speed click shift shimano gears, front suspension and comfy upright riding position .
Mountain bikes are also available and feature Trek 3900 or similar, a good solid basic mountain bike with front suspension, Shimano 27 speed click shift gears. Optionally available are slightly better quality bikes, usually Trek or Giant with hydraulic brakes and generally better spec gear changes and lighter weight frames.
This tour is on a mixture of dirt tracks and mostly traffic-calmed roads. It is rated leisurely and features relaxed cycling with occasional hills and distances of up to 35 miles per day.
The tour is rated leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition.
This tour is on a mixture of dirt tracks and mostly traffic-calmed roads. It is rated leisurely and features relaxed cycling with occasional hills and distances of up to 35 miles per day.
The tour is rated leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition.
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Faro, Portugal
Nearest train station: Faro, Portugal
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Tour start and end
Nearest airport: Faro, Portugal
Nearest train station: Faro, Portugal
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.
Activity Algarve, established in 2006, is based in the centre of the Algarve region of Portugal, an area well known for its warm climate and which is ideal for all year round mountain biking, cycling and walking, as well as a wide range of other outdoor pursuits.
Through our many cycling activities, day trips and bespoke holidays, we have introduced well over 500 individuals to the hidden gems of the Algarve in the last year alone, helping them to make the most of their time in Portugal, opening their eyes to the best of what this sunny region has to offer, from glorious sandy beaches and coves to quaint inland villages that seem to have stood still in time.
For the more independent traveller, we can arrange self-guided tours, providing you with all the information you need to explore the many wonders of the Algarve. Alternatively, we can provide a complete service including airport and luggage transfer, technical support and local guides. We offer a diverse range of tours covering all terrains suitable for mountain bikes, road bikes and hybrid tourers. Plus, whatever your level of fitness and cycling ability, we have routes to match.
Why Activity Algarve? Owner Paul Beesley has an unrivalled knowledge of excellent cycling routes within the Algarve. In the last year he has personally covered over 10,000 kms of cycling. Activity Algarve is based centrally, meaning we can easily transport clients from Faro airport to any part of the Algarve. We have been established for over five years and have excellent contacts with local accommodation and can provide information on a variety of local places of interest.
We have a range of self-guided tours already established; these are tried and tested holidays and have evolved in response to the needs of our clients over the last few years. Additionally, we can provide bespoke tours. Just tell us what you are looking for and we are happy to use our local knowledge and our biking experience to create a special holiday for you.
Activity Algarve, established in 2006, is based in the centre of the Algarve region of Portugal, an area well known for its warm climate and which is ideal for all year round mountain biking, cycling and walking, as well as a wide range of other outdoor pursuits.
Through our many cycling activities, day trips and bespoke holidays, we have introduced well over 500 individuals to the hidden gems of the Algarve in the last year alone, helping them to make the most of their time in Portugal, opening their eyes to the best of what this sunny region has to offer, from glorious sandy beaches and coves to quaint inland villages that seem to have stood still in time.
For the more independent traveller, we can arrange self-guided tours, providing you with all the information you need to explore the many wonders of the Algarve. Alternatively, we can provide a complete service including airport and luggage transfer, technical support and local guides. We offer a diverse range of tours covering all terrains suitable for mountain bikes, road bikes and hybrid tourers. Plus, whatever your level of fitness and cycling ability, we have routes to match.
Why Activity Algarve? Owner Paul Beesley has an unrivalled knowledge of excellent cycling routes within the Algarve. In the last year he has personally covered over 10,000 kms of cycling. Activity Algarve is based centrally, meaning we can easily transport clients from Faro airport to any part of the Algarve. We have been established for over five years and have excellent contacts with local accommodation and can provide information on a variety of local places of interest.
We have a range of self-guided tours already established; these are tried and tested holidays and have evolved in response to the needs of our clients over the last few years. Additionally, we can provide bespoke tours. Just tell us what you are looking for and we are happy to use our local knowledge and our biking experience to create a special holiday for you.
Cancellation or changes to your holiday
Activity Algarve reserve the right to make cancellation charges as follows:
If you need to make alterations to your holiday after your deposit has been received and accepted by Activity Algarve, we’ll do our best to help, but this may incur an additional charge.
Alterations inside 8 weeks before departure would, in effect, be a cancellation and re-booking.
In February 2005 a Europe-wide law relating to denied boarding, delays and cancellation of flights came into force. This law granted rights to passengers including in certain circumstances the right to cancel their flight and receive reimbursement of the cost of the flight from their airline.
Full details of these rights are publicised at EU airports and are also available from affected airlines. However, you should note that reimbursement of the cost of a flight that forms part of your holiday is the responsibility of your holiday airline and will not automatically entitle you to reimbursement of the cost of your holiday from us. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Air Transport Users' Council on 020 7240 6061 www.auc.org.uk
Force Majeure
We cannot accept liability or pay compensation where your booking or holiday is affected by 'force majeure' or Act of God. In the context of these terms and conditions, 'force majeure' is any event that we could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. These events include but are not limited to war, threat of war, flood, explosion, sabotage, riot, civil commotion or strife, hostilities, industrial dispute, natural disaster, fire, acts of God, terrorist activity, nuclear disaster, adverse weather, government action, technical problems with transportation or other events outside our control.
Client’s responsibility
During the tour the client is responsible for the rented bike. The bike cannot be left unattended and must be handled properly. If the bike is stolen or if any part is damaged due to misuse, the client must pay for the respective loss. Our rental bikes are checked regularly. However , it is the responsibility of the client to satisfy themselves that the rental bike is in roadworthy condition. Clients are responsible for their own safety and should be able to ride competently on a variety of road surfaces and traffic conditions. You participate at your own risk and no person(s) or organisation(s) can be held responsible for any accident, injury or loss to yourself.
Cancellation or changes to your holiday
Activity Algarve reserve the right to make cancellation charges as follows:
If you need to make alterations to your holiday after your deposit has been received and accepted by Activity Algarve, we’ll do our best to help, but this may incur an additional charge.
Alterations inside 8 weeks before departure would, in effect, be a cancellation and re-booking.
In February 2005 a Europe-wide law relating to denied boarding, delays and cancellation of flights came into force. This law granted rights to passengers including in certain circumstances the right to cancel their flight and receive reimbursement of the cost of the flight from their airline.
Full details of these rights are publicised at EU airports and are also available from affected airlines. However, you should note that reimbursement of the cost of a flight that forms part of your holiday is the responsibility of your holiday airline and will not automatically entitle you to reimbursement of the cost of your holiday from us. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Air Transport Users' Council on 020 7240 6061 www.auc.org.uk
Force Majeure
We cannot accept liability or pay compensation where your booking or holiday is affected by 'force majeure' or Act of God. In the context of these terms and conditions, 'force majeure' is any event that we could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. These events include but are not limited to war, threat of war, flood, explosion, sabotage, riot, civil commotion or strife, hostilities, industrial dispute, natural disaster, fire, acts of God, terrorist activity, nuclear disaster, adverse weather, government action, technical problems with transportation or other events outside our control.
Client’s responsibility
During the tour the client is responsible for the rented bike. The bike cannot be left unattended and must be handled properly. If the bike is stolen or if any part is damaged due to misuse, the client must pay for the respective loss. Our rental bikes are checked regularly. However , it is the responsibility of the client to satisfy themselves that the rental bike is in roadworthy condition. Clients are responsible for their own safety and should be able to ride competently on a variety of road surfaces and traffic conditions. You participate at your own risk and no person(s) or organisation(s) can be held responsible for any accident, injury or loss to yourself.
