Portugal Sportive Self-Guided Tour

Day 1: Lisbon (Arrival)
You will arrive individually at Lisbon Airport and make your way to Palmela, approximately 30 minutes south of the capital. After checking in, you will collect your bike and detailed roadbook with GPS tracks, then settle into the evening at your own pace — perhaps with a stroll through Palmela's hilltop castle quarter and a fresh seafood dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Palmela – Setúbal (65 km; +/- 1485 m)
The road will first take you to Sesimbra, one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Portugal. You will visit the 12th-century castle built by order of King Sancho I, towering above the harbour and known as The Moors Castle. A tour of the fish market in the charming village and a quick dip from the beach will be the perfect start. Continuing along the route, the lush green of the Arrábida Natural Park will keep you company until you reach the beach of Portinho da Arrábida — the ideal place for a swim. The last stretch will bring you to Setúbal, where you will discover the impressive Fisherman's Museum.

Day 3: Setúbal – Santo André (71 km; +/- 540 m)
After breakfast, you will explore the centre of Setúbal before taking the ferry across the Sado River. The road will lead you south through rice paddies and salt pans, where you may spot wild flamingos. The flat terrain will carry you along a beautiful cycling path by the river and ocean to Santo André, a peaceful lagoon village where a long sandy beach stretches between ocean and lake — ideal for a late afternoon swim.

Day 4: Santo André – Vila Nova de Milfontes (70 km; +/- 1240 m)
After warming up, you will reach Santiago do Cacém, an ancient town with an aristocratic past and a castle offering panoramic views of the surrounding farmland. The route will wind through fields of sunflowers and wheat before arriving in Vila Nova de Milfontes, a charming town at the mouth of the River Mira. You will find the perfect spot for a picnic on the beach and wander through the town's narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses.

Day 5: Vila Nova de Milfontes – Aljezur (87 km; +/- 670 m)
You will set out on incredible roads framed by rocks diving into the ocean, adorned with storks' nests, unexplored bays and little beaches with an impressive range of colours and contrasts. Parts of the route will develop on dirt roads with some challenging sections — stopping to take photographs will be inevitable. Along the way, you will discover wild hidden beaches, including Praia de Odeceixe, one of the most beautiful in Portugal. The stage will end in Aljezur, with its characteristic rural Algarve houses, art gallery and local museums.

Day 6: Aljezur – Sagres (85 km; +/- 1150 m)
You will start the day by conquering the hill crowned by Aljezur Castle, enjoying a splendid view over the village. From the heights, the route will descend toward the coast and the dramatic scenery of the Costa Vicentina. You will pass the Pedra da Agulha — a striking rock needle rising from the ocean — and ride on to Cabo de São Vicente, the most southwestern point of mainland Europe. The ancient Romans called this place the end of the world, and standing on the cliffs above the crashing Atlantic, you will understand why. The day will end in Sagres, where you will visit the imposing Fortaleza de Sagres before settling into a charming Pousada.

Day 7: Sagres – Lagos (55 km; +/- 720 m)
Pedalling eastward, you will encounter a landscape of cliffs ranging from black shales to orange sandstones, with calmer, warmer waters. There will be many opportunities to enjoy these magical places — you may choose to pedal entirely on asphalt or follow the more scenic and challenging seaside track. Lagos, a characteristic historic town of the Algarve, will welcome you with picturesque beaches, vibrant streets and excellent tourist facilities. You will explore the local museum, visit the beautiful church and immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Day 8: Lagos (Departure)
After breakfast, you will make your way to Lisbon Airport, approximately 3 hours north, carrying home the memories of an extraordinary cycling adventure along Portugal's wild coast.