Cycle the Atlantic Coast of Portugal
Pedal along Portugal’s wild Atlantic coastline, following the legendary Rota Vicentina trail network from Setubal to the Algarve
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, expert, English-speaking guides and a bike mechanicAccommodation
6 nights in comfortable hotelsMeals
All breakfasts, all lunches, 1 dinnerTransfers & Support Vehicle
Group transfer to and from the airport and everything in between, including a support vehicle to carry your kitEquipment
Trek X-Caliber 9 bike (or similar)Small Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Pedal through laid-back Portuguese villages, peaceful montado cork forests and along the dramatic cliffs of Cabo Sardão
Discover some of the Algarve’s most remote and pristine beaches, stopping off at the golden sands of Bordeira and Amoreira for cooling dips in the sea
Finish up at Cape St. Vincent, Europe’s wildest western point, where the towering cliffs of the Algarve meet the vast Atlantic Ocean
Key Information
Day 1
Arrival in Setubal
Arrive at Lisbon Airport, then jump in your group transfer to head to the hotel in Setubal. In the afternoon, get to know your fellow adventurers and meet your guide for a welcome briefing and bike fitting, followed by a short warm-up ride around the backroads of Setubal, finishing at the beach (the length of this ride will depend on arrival timings). Tonight, you'll gather again for a welcome dinner, giving you the chance to enjoy a taste of Portuguese cuisine.
Day 2
Pedal through the Santo Andre Natural Reserve
Cycling
The adventure begins with a ferry crossing of the Sado River, taking you from Setubal to the stunning Troia Peninsula. From here, you’ll cycle along coastal backroads through the village of Comporta, passing rice fields and traditional whitewashed houses. Continue to Melides Beach, a serene stretch of sand bordered by the calm waters of Melides Lagoon. Pedal along the coastline, stopping for lunch near the Santo Andre Lagoon, tucked within the Santo Andre Natural Reserve where you’ll encounter coastal dunes and wild marshlands. You'll visit Monte do Paio, the National Centre for Environmental Education and Nature Conservation to learn more about this unique environment. The ride offers fantastic views of the expansive Costa de Santo Andre Beach, where wild dunes meet the Atlantic Ocean, a surfer's haven. Finish your day with a rejuvenating swim in the hotel’s saltwater pool.
Day 3
Through peaceful cork forests and dramatic cliffs
Cycling
Today is a day to connect with nature as you cycle through peaceful cork oak forests, known locally as ‘montado’ and dotted with ancient trees. The route winds down to dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, offering sweeping views of the ocean. Pass São Torpes beach, one of the best spots for surfing on the entire extent of the Portuguese coastline, before breaking for lunch in Porto Covo. After lunch, continue cycling to Vila Nova de Milfontes, known as the 'Princess of Alentejo'. Spend the evening chilling overlooking the river or perhaps take a sunset swim.
Day 4
Along the Rota Vicentina
Cycling
Today you’ll embark on the historic way of the Rota Vicentina and the Fisherman's Trail. This rugged coastal network of routes stretches over 120km along the Algarve and Alentejo regions, with some of the most spectacular coastal cycling in Europe. The ride takes you through peaceful landscapes, past the village of Longueira, and into Almograve, a charming seaside village. From here, head to Cabo Sardao, an untouched coastal landscape with dramatic cliffs and secluded beaches. The cliffs here are famous for being home to the stork colony that nests on them. Continue south, crossing Carvalhal Beach, and then head inland towards Odeceixe, where a local strawberry distillery tour and tasting awaits. You'll stop for the night in a family-ran farmhouse, unwind in the rural settings.
Day 5
Inland hills and pristine beaches
Cycling
After enjoying a delicious farm-to-table breakfast, today, you'll cycle inland through scenic hills and along the rugged coastline of the Rota Vicentina. The hills are dotted with cork oaks and olive groves, and the route takes you through picturesque little villages. As you approach the coastline again, the views of Amoreira Beach unfold. Ride through coastal settlements known for their dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches, taking a look up at the ruins of the castle at Aljezur before stopping for lunch in Arrifana. The day ends in Alfambras, where you’ll unwind at your cosy countryside lodging with a pool.
Day 6
The Algarve’s wild coast
Cycling
Wake up to your final day of cycling to pedal along more of the wild coastline of the southern Algarve. Head toward Bordeira Beach, a vast stretch of golden sand, then loop through Carrapateira for a coffee break in the village square. Head inland to discover hidden villages like Vilarinha and up into the Algarve’s hills, refuelling over lunch in Vila do Bispo before continuing to reach the dramatic Ponte d’Aspa viewpoint. Here, the cliffs soar over 100m above the ocean, and it's a popular launch point for paragliders. The last stretch of riding takes you to Cape St. Vincent, the most south-western point of mainland Europe – an iconic spot surrounded by cliffs and the vast Atlantic Ocean beyond. The ride finishes in Sagres, where you can spend the afternoon unwinding on the beach to cap off a wonderful week of coastal cycling.
Day 7
Farewell Portugal!
After a week of scenic cycling, you will be transferred to Faro Airport (or the train station, if you prefer). If you're not heading directly to the airport, we recommend extending your stay to further explore the enchanting Algarve region.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Lisbon Airport
14:00 on Day 1
Ends
Faro Airport
10:00 on Day 7
Transfers
On Day 1, a group transfer will be provided from Lisbon Airport to Setubal. The transfer is typically scheduled for the early afternoon (around 14:00) but will depend on the group's arrival times. Once the majority of the group has arrived, you'll depart together to your hotel in Setubal.
For those arriving early, or if your flight does not align with the scheduled transfer, getting to Setubal from Lisbon Airport is straightforward and can be arranged independently. A train service connects Lisbon to Setubal in just 50 minutes (departing from the Roma-Areeiro station) which runs regularly, costing approximately €5. Once you arrive at the station in Setubal, it's just a short taxi ride or a 15-minute walk to the hotel. Alternatively, a taxi or Uber can take you directly from the airport to Setubal. The cost will vary depending on traffic, but expect to pay around €30.
On Day 7 there will be a group transfer provided to Faro Airport (or Faro train station) leaving at around 10:00, subject to the group's various departure flight times.
If you are arriving before Day 1 or departing after Day 7, your host can arrange private airport transfers for an extra cost – see Optional Extras for details.
Travel options
There are regular direct flights to Portugal from major airports across the UK and Europe, as well as from New York and Toronto.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3 – Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
The cuisine along the Rota Vicentina is based on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, especially seafood and traditional meat dishes, olive oil and fragrant bread, reflecting the culinary heritage of the Algarve and Alentejo regions. Breakfasts typically include a selection of bread, cereal, yoghurt, fruit, cheese, and cured meats to fuel you for your rides. For lunch, your host will arrange light lunches or picnic meals, including sandwiches, local pastries and fruit. There are also plenty of cafes along the way for extra snacks and drinks, should you want them. In Sebutal and Sagres, you’ll find a variety of international and Mediterranean dining options; whilst in the more rural areas you're likely to find cosy traditional eateries. Your guide will help to recommend restaurants and can pre-arrange your evening meals if you wish to dine as a group. Of course, no visit to Portugal is complete without trying the famous pastéis de nata custard tarts!
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for although options in some restaurants may be more limited – please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Setubal
You'll spend the first night of the trip in Setubal staying at the comfortable Hotel Luna Esperanca Centro (or Hotel Cristal Setubal) in a twin-share ensuite room. Enjoy breakfast overlooking the Sado River and Troia Peninsula in this centrally located spot.
Santo Andre
You’ll stay one night at Hotel Vila Park Santo André (or similar). Close to the Santo André Natural Park, this hotel offers a peaceful environment with an outdoor saltwater pool and on site restaurant. The spacious ensuite rooms will be allocated on a twin-share basis.
Vila Nova de Milfontes
In Vila Nova de Milfontes you’ll stay at HS Mil Fontes (or similar). It's located on the main beach avenue with views of the Mira River bay, the Atlantic and Furnas Beach. It offers well-equipped ensuite rooms, which will be shared on a twin basis, an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a bar.
Odeceixe
You’ll spend the night at Hotel Rural Flor d'Mar (or similar). This small hotel is situated between the best beaches on the coast. You'll stay in simple, cosy, twin-share ensuite rooms each with a private terrace. Enjoy the swimming pool, in the middle of the countryside.
Alfambras, Aljezur
In Alfambras you’ll stay at the Barranco da Fonte (or similar), a countryside lodging offering a relaxed and comfortable stay. Spread across several buildings, the property features spacious ensuite rooms with a blend of rustic and contemporary styles, which will be twin-share. You can unwind in the outdoor pool and garden, and choose to have dinner in the locally renowned Quarenta & Quatro restaurant. The restaurant serves a variety of dishes inspired by Portugal's rich gastronomic tradition using fresh, local ingredients.
Sagres
The last night of the trip will be spent in Sagres at Mareta Beach (or a similar hotel). This modern boutique hotel offers stunning views of Mareta Beach, with an onsite coffee shop and Pizzeria. You'll stay in twin-share ensuite rooms, all with air-conditioning.The hotel is a short walk from both the beach and the historic centre of Sagres.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The southwest of Portugal has a Mediterranean climate influenced by the Atlantic, ensuring mild temperatures year-round. The trip is planned for spring (March to early June) and autumn (September to early December) when conditions are ideal for cycling, avoiding the summer heat. In spring, temperatures range from 15-20°C, and although there may be more rain, it’s perhaps the best season for scenery, with stunning wildflowers in bloom and lush greenery. Early June and late September offer warmer days in the mid-20s°C with long, sunny hours and little rain, perfect for cycling. October and November bring cooler temperatures, averaging 15°C, but with fewer crowds and plenty of clear and bright days, they still remain excellent months for cycling and swimming. Occasional showers may occur, however, and the country tends to get more rainfall in the north during this time of year.
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
Itinerary Activities
- Guided warm-Alfambrasup ride around Setubal
- Guided ride to Santo Andre
- Visit to Monte do Paio, the National Centre for Environmental Education and Nature Conservation
- Guided ride along the coast to Vila Nova de Mil Fontes
- Guided ride along the Rota Vicentina to Odeceixe
- Tour of a local strawberry distillery, with tastings
- Guided ride along the Rota Vicentina to Alfambras
- Guided ride to reach Cape St. Vincent
Guides
- Local, expert, English-speaking cycle guides and a bike mechanic
Accommodation
- 6 nights in comfortable, locally-run hotels
Meals
- All (6) breakfasts to fuel you up each day
- All (5) light lunches
- Welcome dinner on Day 1
- Snacks while cycling
Transfers
- Group arrival transfer from Lisbon Airport on Day 1
- Group departure transfer to Faro Airport on Day 7
- All transfers during the trip, including a ferry ride from Setubal to Troia
Equipment
- Trek X-Caliber 9 cross-country mountain bike (or similar)
Support Vehicle
- To hop in to if your legs need a rest
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Meals
Most dinners have not been included, to allow you to sample local restaurants of your choosing in the small towns you stay in. We recommend you budget about £20/€25 per meal to cover these.
Tips
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline:
- €30 per person for the main guide
- €5 per person for the driver and support vehicle service
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Personal expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional food and drinks, shopping and laundry.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
What do I need to bring?
CYCLING KIT
- Helmet (required)
- Cycling shoes (bring your own pedals if using cleats)
- Saddle, if you would rather use your own
- Gel saddle cover (optional, if preferred)
- Bumbag for riding (optional, handlebar bag is provided)
- Reusable water bottle: it is recommended that you bring a cycling water bottle that fits into standard bottle cages on bikes (500ml, 600ml or 750ml)
CLOTHES
- Padded cycling shorts
- Sports top or cycling jersey
- Waterproof jacket
- Cycling gloves
- Buff or neck scarf
- T-shirts
- Underwear and socks
- Sleepwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Sandals
- Fleece jacket or similar for the evenings
- Trousers/leggings for the evenings
- Trainers/sandals
- Swimwear
OTHER
- Duffel bag, rucksack or soft suitcase (max. 80L)
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or small torch
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
Private arrival transfer from Lisbon Airport
Payable Before Departure
Private arrival transfer from Lisbon Airport
…
Private departure transfer to Faro Airport
Payable Before Departure
Private departure transfer to Faro Airport
…
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 120kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
- A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
It's no secret that we love cycling and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country, however, we realise that organising your own trip can be a total faff. On our cycling trips, we’ve found a local guide who has put together a perfect route and will navigate for you all the way. We also send a van that transports your overnight luggage and provide high-quality bikes and delicious snacks to keep you going. Faff eliminated!
All you have to do is turn up, pedal and take in the amazing landscape with your fellow tourers. You will cycle at your own pace, with regular stops to regroup so that no-one gets left behind. These trips are not just open to lycra-clad roadies, although those are welcome too!
Have a read of our article on cycling difficulty levels for further information on selecting the right level of bike adventure for you.
You'll be riding Trek X-Caliber 9 cross-country mountain bikes (or similar), which have a light aluminium frame, hydraulic disc brakes and front suspension. Your host will need to know your height to ensure the correct frame size is supplied. The bikes are equipped with a water bottle cage, handlebar bag and come with standard flat pedals and male/standard saddles. If you would rather bring your own saddle and pedals (including SPDs), please do so and these will be fitted to the bike for you.
Yes, you will cycle point to point during the trip. Each day, you'll travel from one location to the next, cycling through stunning landscapes of the Alentejo and Algarve regions.
The guide-to-cyclist ratio on the trip is 1:8 customers; this means that for groups of nine or more, there will be two cycling guides. Throughout the trip you will also be accompanied by a support vehicle, driven by a bike mechanic.
In the event of poor weather such as heavy rain, strong winds and/or storms, it is possible that conditions may become unsafe to complete the planned rides on this trip. Your guide will assess the conditions and weather forecasts and make a decision with your safety in mind. If it becomes necessary to make a change to the planned itinerary, an alternative route or activity will be offered.
The support vehicle will have large containers of water that you are able to top your water bottles up with. Most hotels will also provide safe drinking water so single-use water bottles should not be needed.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
This trip is graded Level 3
Moderate
For active people who want to explore more wild and adventurous places
Multiple days of steady activity, four to five hours long
This trip is designed for experienced cyclists who enjoy a bit of adventure. You should be comfortable cycling distances of 50km or more each day. The route features a variety...
Browse all our Moderate trips
Your next adventure is out there
There's a level for everyone – find your match
No Reviews yet
This trip is brand new
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
How fit do you need to be?
Every trip is different. Our friendly experts are here to help, whether it's about altitude, terrain, or recovering from injury.
We've got your back
Guaranteed to run
All Much Better Adventures trips are now guaranteed to run. Once you’ve booked your spot you can immediately make your travel arrangements, no uncertainty, no hanging about (excludes 'request to book' departures). Full details
Flexible payments
Secure your spot with the minimum deposit and pay off the remaining balance in as many instalments as you like, with no interest or fees. Full details
Happiness Guarantee
We’re so confident you’ll have an amazing time we’ll put our money on it. Full details
Full financial protection
To give you complete peace of mind Much Better Adventures is backed by ABTOT, ABTA and ATOL memberships. Full details
Tried & Trusted
Much Better Adventures is rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 1000 verified trip reviews averaging 4.8/5.
Connect before you go
You'll be invited to join a WhatsApp group to get to know each other before your big adventure together. Full details
DEPARTURE DATES
Sunday 10th May 2026
to Saturday 16th May 2026
Sunday 7th June 2026
to Saturday 13th June 2026
Sunday 4th October 2026
to Saturday 10th October 2026
