We’ll meet you at Faro airport and transfer you to your hotel in Loulé, a traditional market town just a few kilometres inland. Free from mass tourism, Loulé offers a slower pace of life, with a maze of cobbled streets, colourful tiled buildings, and a bustling indoor market at its heart. Wander the historic centre, browse art galleries and local crafts, and enjoy a relaxed dinner in one of the town’s authentic restaurants or outdoor cafés.

Leave Loulé behind and head east along quiet country roads, passing through São Brás de Alportel, once at the heart of the cork industry and now a blend of old-town charm and artisan shops. Continue downhill to Estoi, known for its elegant palace-turned-pousada and Roman ruins, then on to Moncarapacho with its peaceful streets and quirky pink police station. The final stretch takes you through orange groves and river valleys before arriving in Tavira—a gem of the Algarve with a castle, Roman bridge, and a charming old town that straddles the River Gilão. Your hotel overlooks the river, and all of Tavira’s cafés and restaurants are within easy reach.

Today’s loop takes you inland and eastward toward the Spanish border. Ride through rolling farmland and sleepy villages, with a coffee stop in Vila Nova de Cacela. From there, cycle to Castro Marim, an ancient hilltop town crowned by a medieval castle, and then on to Vila Real de Santo António, a riverfront town rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. From here, the route returns west along the coast, passing seaside resorts like Monte Gordo and Altura. Take a break in the hilltop village of Cacela Velha for panoramic views over the Ria Formosa lagoon. A relaxed ride through the fishing village of Cabanas and along salt flats brings you back into Tavira.

Optional: Shorten the ride by taking the train one way between Tavira and Vila Real.

Your final ride follows the coast westward through some of the Algarve’s most picturesque scenery. Stop in the fishing village of Santa Luzia, known for its octopus dishes, and perhaps visit Pedras d’el Rei and the old tuna village near Barril Beach. Continue to Fuseta, where charcoal-grilled seafood and ocean views make a perfect lunch stop. From here, join the Ecovia Litoral, a dedicated cycle route through the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Ride past salt pans and shallow lagoons, where flamingos and wading birds are common sights. Arrive in Olhão, a lively fishing town with a Moorish-influenced old quarter, bustling waterfront, and excellent seafood restaurants—an ideal spot to toast the end of your trip.