BICYCLE TOURS & MOUNTAIN BIKING

Biking in Portugal: Costa Azul

The tour begins with the Mediterranean ambiance of Sesimbra, just 25 miles south of Lisbon. Sweeping ocean views highlight the first day’s ride through the Serra da Arrábida, where over a thousand plant species thrive. A half-day private cruise aboard an antique wooden sailboat will take you south in historic style to the Tróia Peninsula, where endless dunes and beaches line the cycling route. As you continue along the protected Alentejo coast, pine forests give way to expansive wheat fields dotted with vintage windmills. At Cabo Sardão, you’ll pedal or hike an easy dirt path along towering ochre cliffs with views of the pounding surf below. Continuing south, you’ll reach the land’s end at Cabo de São Vicente, once considered the edge of the Western world. A final ride leads to Lagos, where you’ll celebrate with a splash into the warm waters of the Algarve.

Dinners feature the abundance of the sea, with specialties of grilled swordfish and bass, squid stuffed with shrimp, and cataplana de mariscos, a steamed shellfish casserole. You’ll sample locally-made ewe’s-milk cheese and regional sweets made with almonds and figs. Accommodations include a contemporary seaside resort, a countryside quinta, and a pousada with panoramic views of the crashing Atlantic. A two-night stay in Zambujeira do Mar allows extra time to enjoy its magnificent setting and secluded beaches. Easy Rider will top off the tour with a free day in the historic seaport of Lagos, exploring its monuments and museums, gardens and ­­sidewalk cafes, and inviting ocean waters.

Tour Details

Day 1:
Morning transfer from Lisbon Airport to Sesimbra for a two-night stay at the Hotel do Mar. Unwind on the beach, or take a warm-up spin past castle ruins and colorful fishing docks. An alfresco welcome dinner overlooks the waterfront. (0 or 6 mi.)

Day 2:
Pedal through Arrábida Natural Park, with breathtaking views of the coastline and a 16th-century monastery nestled in the slopes of the Serra. In Azeitão, tour a workshop producing hand-painted tiles. (33 or 51 mi.)

Day 3:
Set sail for the Tróia Peninsula aboard the Galeo Riquitum! Tranquil afternoon ride passes sand dunes, rice fields, and pine nut trees. Overnight in Santiago do Cacém, whose Moorish past can be sensed in its steep winding streets and impressive castle walls overlooking the Serra de Grândola. (28 or 40 mi.)

Day 4:
Morning visit to Santiago’s castle and the Roman ruins of Miróbriga. Ridgetop views and groves of cork and olive trees highlight the route to Vila Nova de Milfontes. Long option leads to the crescent beaches of Porto Covo. (34 or 38 mi.)

Day 5:
The best of the southwest! Spin past forests, farms, and windmills to the beach at Almograve. Picnic at the Cabo Sardão lighthouse, then pedal or hike an off-road path high above the coastline for incredible views of sea stacks and the crashing Atlantic. Relax with a sunset stroll along the cliffs before dinner. Two-night stay overlooking the coast near Zambujeira do Mar. (23 mi.)

Day 6:
Free day in Zambujeira for beachcombing, swimming, and sidewalk cafes. Optional rides lead through the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo to the Moorish-influenced villages of Odemira and Santa Clara-a-Velha. A challenging return winds through the foothills of the Serra de Monchique. (0, 20, 30 or 54 mi.)

Day 7:
Backcountry ride through vineyards and farmland to Aljezur, the last town to be reclaimed from the Moors. Continue south to Sagres, where Prince Henry founded his 15th-century navigational school, and on to the towering cliffs of Cabo de São Vicente, the southwesternmost point in Europe. Two-night stay and rooms with a view at the Pousada do Infante. (53 or 63 mi.)

Day 8:
Take a final spin or opt for a shuttle to Lagos for a free day of sightseeing, shopping, or beachcombing. Afternoon options include a boat trip through the sea grottoes or a walk through the Old Quarter, where fashionable shops contrast with ancient Moorish walls and the gilded woodwork of Santo António chapel. Farewell dinner celebration. (0, 23, or 31 mi.)

Day 9:
Transfer to Lisbon Airport for early afternoon flights.