Itinerary

Day 1: Morning transfer from Lisbon Airport to Santiago do Cacém, whose Moorish past can be sensed in its steep winding streets and impressive castle walls overlooking the Serra de Grândola. Our warm-up ride passes through cork and olive groves, with stops to tour the Roman ruins of Miróbriga, a vintage working windmill, and a Moorish fortress. Our contemporary hotel was once a historic country estate. (25 mi.)

Day 2: Ridgetop views highlight our ride to the crescent beaches of Porto Covo. Picnic at the lighthouse overlooking the headlands of Cabo Sardão, and pedal an off-road path high above the coastline for breathtaking views of sea stacks and the crashing Atlantic. In Zambujeira do Mar, our simple inn is just blocks from an inviting beach. (32 or 52 mi.)

Day 3: Welcome to the Algarve! A backcountry route leads through vineyards and farmland to Aljezur, the last town to be reclaimed from the Moors. Continue down the coast to Sagres, where Prince Henry founded his 15th-century navigational school. Every room has an ocean view at our four-star cliff-top hotel. (41 or 54 mi.)

Day 4: Spin to the towering cliffs of Cabo de São Vicente, the southwesternmost point in Europe and once the end of the known world. Turning eastward, we follow the Algarve coast past tiny fishing villages and secluded beaches en route to Lagos for a two-night stay. A late afternoon walking tour reveals the city's colorful history, as the center of trade with Africa during Moorish times, and capital of the Algarve when it was an independent kingdom. (31 or 38 mi.)

Day 5: An optional morning ride starts at Fóia (2932’), the highest point in the Algarve. Our cycling route descends through cool mountain forests in the Serra de Monchique, as we pedal past coastal vistas and turn-of-the-century resort villages. Vineyards, carob, and orange groves line the road into Silves, where we’ll visit its impessive 10th-century Moorish fortress. Return to Lagos, with time to shop or explore the beautiful beaches of Meia Praia and Donha Ana. (0 or 28 mi.)

Day 6: Morning boat cruise through the fanciful rock formations and sea grottoes of Ponta da Piedade, followed by our farewell lunch. Depart Lagos on the afternoon train to Lisbon, or retire in the Algarve!

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