MÉRTOLA – LAGOS: BIKE TOUR THROUGH THE ALGARVE COAST
From €2030
per person
An unforgettable journey along Portugal’s southern coast, combining gravel, road cycling, and culture along ECOVIA 4: The Castles Route and ECOVIA 20: Algarve South Coast.
DURATION: 9 days / 8 nights
LEVEL: Intermediate
TYPE OF TRIP: gravel / MTB bike trip with luggage transport, self-guided; overnight stays in guesthouses or 3/4* hotels.
SUITABLE FOR: bikers in good health, trained, and adaptable to different road surfaces.
RECOMMENDED PERIOD: April to December
PRIVATE TOUR – Available daily. Price per person based on a minimum of 2 participants.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR:
- Cross the Guadiana River, visit the abandoned São Domingos Mines, and explore small villages along its banks.
- Ride along the Algarve’s southern coast, cycling past stunning beaches, cliffs, estuaries, and salt pans.
- Enjoy charming historic towns: Mértola, Alcoutim, Vila Real de Santo António, Tavira, Faro, Albufeira, and Lagos.
- Opportunity to see Iberian wildlife, including the Iberian Lynx.
- Daily distances range from 43 km to 63 km with manageable climbs, suitable for intermediate to trained cyclists.
A tour that combines the exploration of historic routes, river valleys, ocean cliffs, and charming coastal villages!
PROGRAM – Algarve Bike Tour
- 1 Day – Arrival in Faro – private transfer to Mértola
- 2 Day – Mértola – Alcoutim
- 3 Day – Alcoutim – Vila Real de Santo António
- 4 Day – Vila Real – Tavira
- 5 Day – Tavira – Faro
- 6 Day – Faro – Albufeira
- 7 Day – Albufeira – Lagos
- 8 Day – Lagos – Vila do Bispo
- 9 Day – Departure – private transfer to Faro
INCLUDED
- 8 overnight stays with breakfast
- Transfer to Mértola
- Transfer to Faro
- Delivery and collection of bicycles (one way and drop-off)
- Road book with map, route description, and GPS tracks (self-guided option)
- Daily transport of personal luggage up to a maximum of 20 kg per participant
- Qualified staff and 24-hour telephone assistance with our office team
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Meals not mentioned in the detailed itinerary
- Optional visits and activities, and extra services due to force majeure
- Everything not included in the “Included” section
EXTRA
- Rental Bikes: MTB – €120, Gravel – €180, E-bike – € 230
- Single room supplement
- Possibility to extend your stay or add other activities.
Get in touch with us for a tailor-made quote!
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Tour Plan
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Day 1. Arrival in Faro - private transfer to Mértola
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Day 2. Mértola – Alcoutim
One of the most unique tours on the network takes you to cross the Guadiana River towards the now deactivated São Domingos Mines, an extraordinary point of interest for lovers of industrial archeology.
Enjoy the abandoned buildings and cycle a little along the old railway corridor that connected this mining area to Guadiana. Continue the journey and go down to Pomarão, the border town right before entering Spain. Much of the following route will run parallel to a water channel, at elevations well above the Guadiana, through paved paths part of the nature trails network in the neighboring country that takes you to the town of El Granado, always with gentle slopes.
Finally go down to Sanlúcar Del Guadiana, where you’ll have to take a boat to reach Alcoutim, on the other bank.
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Day 3. Alcoutim – Vila Real de Santo António
A trip of great beauty along the west banks of the River Guadiana. As you leave Alcoutim, you’ll enter a road with low traffic that closely follows the Guadiana. Cycle slowly and enjoy the natural scenic surroundings. Isolated dwellings on land – some improvised with trailers or motorhomes – and dozens of recreational boats on the water will also be part of the many curiosities you’ll see.
Then you will move away from the river crossing valleys, streams and low-lying sierras. You will pass through several villages such as Guerreiros do Rio, Almada do Ouro and Azinhal where you can energetically reinforce.
Arriving at Castro Marim, we suggest a climb to the Ermida de Santo António to observe the extensive marshes, salt flats and flood zones of the low lands near the mouth of the Guadiana. A new-built bike path then takes you to Vila Real de Santo António.
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Day 4. Vila Real – Tavira
Start this stage pedaling along the Guadiana River mouth and Vila Real de Santo António river front, at the end of the Ecovia 20.
Leave the town heading inland, climbing 35 meters in altitude to the highest point of today’s ride, from where you will have wide views over the Atlantic Ocean. Continue towards Altura and ride along some of the beautiful beaches of this part of the Algarve.
At Cacela Velha, take some time to enjoy one of the most stunning views over the Formosa River Estuary. The route then passes by a Golf Court and some farming areas, before reaching Cabanas de Tavira.
From here, follow a short section parallel to the Algarve Railway until you arrive in Tavira. Cross the bridge over the Gilão River and enter the historical town center, where the fresh waters of the river meet the salty waters of the Atlantic at the Formosa River Estuary.
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Day 5. Tavira – Faro
Start this stage in Tavira, crossing the Medieval Bridge built over the Gilão River. Leaving town, you will pass by one of the largest salt pans still in operation in Portugal, with its shimmering colors and mountains of salt.
Continue west and take a detour to Praia do Barril, a beach accessible only on foot, by bicycle, or by the small tourist train. After Fuzeta, ride past the Quinta de Marim Lagoon, where you can find the ruins of Roman fish salting tanks.
Approaching Olhão, the route follows sections of the Algarve Greenway, with several wooden catwalks and bridges running through impressive salt pans, many still in full activity.
As you continue towards Faro, you will cross the EN125 at a roundabout and contour it from the north, before crossing again. Pay close attention here due to high traffic. The stage ends riding parallel to the Algarve Railway until you reach Faro, the capital of the Algarve.
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Day 6. Faro – Albufeira
Start this stage in the center of Faro, just behind the train station – pay attention to trains when crossing. Ride through the city and soon you’ll cycle around Faro’s Airport, following footpaths and dirt waypaths. At the far end of the runway, it is suggested to stop and wait for a plane to pass over your head – a unique experience.
Continue towards Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo, and then cycle along the seafront of Quarteira, crossing the lively Vilamoura Marina. After this, the route opens up with views over agricultural fields before you reach Praia da Falésia.
From here, the ride continues with a bit more urban traffic until Olhos de Água. The final kilometers bring you to Albufeira, entering through the upper side of the town. Before descending, take in the panoramic view over the beach. If you wish to reach the historic center, you can use the automatic escalators by hand with the bike (place the front wheel perpendicular to the step to stabilize it).
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Day 7. Albufeira-Lagos
This mountain bike stage covers approximately 90 km along the stunning Algarve coast, with an average elevation gain of 800 m. The ride starts in Albufeira, initially along paved roads and bike paths around the town, before entering dirt trails through hills and pine forests between Olhos de Água and Armação de Pêra. The route alternates technical single tracks, fast dirt sections, and some short but challenging climbs.
Riders pass through small traditional villages such as Porches and Carvoeiro, ideal for scenic stops and photography. Natural highlights include the spectacular cliffs of Praia da Marinha, hidden coves, and long sandy beaches. The stage ends in Lagos, offering the opportunity to explore the historic center, the harbor, and the famous Ponta da Piedade rock formations. It is a demanding stage but full of breathtaking scenery, suitable for riders with good fitness levels.
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Day 8. Lagos – Vila do Bispo
Start this stage in Lagos, exploring the old town, the castle walls, and the riverfront. Leaving the town, head west along low-traffic roads towards Praia da Luz. You will pass by some beautiful beaches, including a semi-desert, naturally preserved one.
Continue along low-traffic roads, then mix with moderate traffic for the section approaching Raposeira, where you will carefully cross the EN125. From here, continue along the EN268 back towards Vila do Bispo.
Before reaching Vila do Bispo, make a detour to visit the ocean cliffs near Sagres and São Vicente Cape, as well as the old 15th-century navigators’ school at Sagres. The fortress and the cliffs are remarkable viewpoints over the Atlantic.
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