Authentic Algarve By Bike

This cycling tour suits relatively fit, regular cyclists looking for an active holiday, spending several hours a day in the saddle as you discover the variety of the region over longer daily distances. The terrain is varied and generally rolling, with some longer or steeper climbs and descents that can feel a little exposed to the elements, so a degree of experience, technical knowledge and fitness is useful for this tour.

Most of the riding follows quiet country roads, with the occasional short stretch on busier roads through towns.

This tour is graded moderate. Within the tour individual days may vary in difficulty - some might be a bit tougher or easier than the overall rating suggests.

Accommodation is a mix of 3 and 4-star hotels, all with swimming pools and well located in the village or town. During the high season, you might be booked into alternative accommodation not listed in the main daily description, though it will always be of the same or better standard.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

Breakfast is included every day, and most of your accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch on request, which you can book on arrival. Lunch and dinner aren’t included, so you’re free to choose from the many cafes and restaurants in the villages and towns along the way.

This tour can start on any day of the week from the beginning of January to the middle of December, except for July and August, when conditions are too hot for comfortable cycling.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person. An extra bag per person can be added free of charge.

It’s vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

Most of the time you'll be cycling on small roads or cycle paths, making it relatively easy to find your way, with a mix of paved roads and some sections of off-road dirt track.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Faro is the closest airport, around a 45-minute drive to Tavira. It's served by at least one carrier from almost every regional UK airport, with direct flights from outside London typically on low-cost or charter airlines, and a flight time from London of around 2 hours 45 minutes. Lisbon Airport is also an option, around a 2.5-hour drive to Tavira, and is served by many airlines from the UK and US.

At the end of the tour, from Sagres the journey to Faro Airport takes around 1.5 hours, or around 3.5 hours to Lisbon. Transfers to and from the airport to your first and last hotels are included in the price.

You'll need your standard cycling gear. Bike hire comes with a pannier rack and bag, a pump, lock, a basic repair kit, and handlebar phone. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

Since you'll have your bike with you, shortening or skipping sections may not be easy. For the best local advice on transport options for cyclists, please consult your accommodation provider or reach out to our local bike partner, where applicable.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation

We hire bikes suited to the terrain, including e-bikes for a bit of extra assist, in a range of sizes - just let us know your height when booking so we can get your frame right. If you would like to bring your own bike then, in the majority of cases, this is not a problem – please contact us to talk it through. We encourage all cyclists to wear a helmet, and it is law in many countries across Europe. We recommend bringing your own helmet for hygiene and safety reasons, however on most tours you can hire one.

The following bikes are available for hire:

Hybrid Bike: Ghost trekking bike, with a Shimano rear derailleur, ST Suntour suspension, a soft saddle, ergonomic non-slip rubber handles, Schwalbe tires, Shimano brakes and an aluminum frame.
E-bike: Velo de Ville AEB Classic, step-through, with a Bosch Powerpack 545Wh battery and Shimano disc brakes.
Gravel Bike: 3T Exploro Ultra, mechanical gears, Shimano GRX 1x12 groupset, carbon frame and drop bars.
E-Gravel Bike: 3T Ultra Boost, mechanical gears, carbon frame, drop bars, Mahle X20 motor (55Nm, 350Wh, around 150km range), SRAM Apex Eagle 1x12 drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes and 700c wheels with Pirelli tires.

Tandem bikes aren't available on this tour. Brand and model may vary depending on availability, and the minimum age for e-bike hire is 16.

Please provide the following when booking:
- Your height, for bike sizing
- Your head circumference, if you'd like to hire a helmet

Bike hire includes a spare inner tube, helmet (though we recommend bringing your own), repair kit and pump, a handlebar bag and pannier or rear bag, one lock, a water bottle holder, a phone mount, and a battery charger for e-bikes.