Algarve to Andalusia

During the day arrive at Faro airport where a transfer is included to your first accommodation in Tavira. The transfer will take around 40 minutes. Depending on the flight schedule, you may have time to discover this charming Algarve town. Tavira is well known for its decorated facades, traditional doors, windows, and roofs. It also has some lovely local island beaches. There is even the possibility to take a boat to the island of Tavira and its lovely long beach. Of course, you are here for three nights so plenty of time to explore on another day.

Today your bikes are delivered to your hotel. You will cycle along the banks of the river Gilão, following a minor road.  You shall cycle passing many orange, lemon, and carob tree orchards. Soon you shall come across a deep basin created by a waterfall, a real sub-tropical paradise, this is known as “the well of hell”. Take a break here and enjoy the landscape. Now you continue your ride passing through lovely villages such as Santo Estevão, Santa Luzia, and the beach of Barril.

Why not go to the colourful local market of Tavira to buy fresh and local products for a picnic, then set out by bike along coastal paths passing the salt flats and the canals of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Again you will be passing many orchards and the pine forests towards Fuzeta.  Fuzeta is a small fishing village with a lovely harbour situated on a sandy bank at the edge of the lagoon with stunning turquoise waters. The return bike ride to Tavira is through small inland roads, in the “barrocal” with its farms, gardens, and orchards, and the charming village Moncarapacho.

Today you cycle along a wonderful cycle path along the coastline. You can visit Cacela Velha which as you will see, one of the most beautiful places in the Algarve situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the lagoons and sandbanks of the Ria Formos. The cycle route now leads you to Castro Marim, a town protected by two fortresses, one medieval and the other from the 18th century. After having alook around continue along the River Guadiana which borders Spain to eventually arrive to Vila Real de Santo Antonio.

Using a small ferry boat you can cross the river to Ayamonte, in Andalusia. As you shall see it is so close and so different from its Portuguese neighbour across the river. The visit to Spain allows you to better understand what links and differences between these two countries. Now an easy cycle path leads us to Isla Christina, a peninsula prized for its long beaches. After returning by boat to Vila Real de Santo Antonio, paths lead through a large pine forest that borders the coast.

Breakfast and transfer to Faro airport (40 min).