Spain to Portugal – Sunny Algarve (8PO2601)
Our e-bikes stand quietly waiting—but not for long. True to the motto “first the theory, then the practice,” we begin with a welcome briefing. The tour is introduced, final details are clarified, and a group of travelers धीरे slowly becomes a team with a shared goal in mind. Then comes the moment we’ve been waiting for: we get on our bikes. And just like that—even after the winter break—it feels surprisingly easy. The first turns of the pedals mark the beginning of our shared adventure. Our first short ride takes us into the center of Tavira. We dive into the Spanish way of life as the streets begin to fill, a lively buzz of voices in the air, and we enjoy a small drink in one of the tapas bars. The perfect ending to the day is a shared dinner featuring the delights of Spanish cuisine—a first taste of everything that lies ahead on this journey.
Right on the second day, it’s waiting for us: the queen stage—no problem at all for our group. The landscape changes quickly. We ride through forests and vast marshlands where colorful plants are in bloom, while the delicate scent of orchid trees lingers in the air. Flamingos appear only in the distance, but we encounter herons and storks much closer along the way. Along the way, a small change of plans is needed: the planned ferry crossing is canceled at short notice—most likely due to strong winds. But that’s all part of the experience, and we adapt our route with ease and flexibility. We marvel at the salt pans, their white fields stretching out before us, and some in the group can’t resist climbing the salt mounds with a sense of adventure. In the evening, we round off the day with a relaxed dinner at the hotel.
The day started with a truly excellent breakfast, accompanied by a wide view over the beautiful landscape around Tavira. It was the perfect mix of recharging energy and taking a quiet moment before getting back on the bikes. We then rolled once more through Tavira – just briefly this time, but it’s a place you simply can’t see often enough. A special highlight was the short trip on the little train out to Praia do Barril. At the end of the line, we reached the famous Anchor Cemetery – an impressive collection of old anchors in the sand, commemorating the era of traditional tuna fishing, when entire communities here depended on the sea. Today, the place feels calm, almost surreal, and definitely leaves a lasting impression. Back in the lively town of Olhão, things picked up again. Over lunch in the middle of the bustling atmosphere, we soaked in the authentic spirit of the place – vibrant, noisy, and full of life. Later in Faro, another highlight awaited us: the Sé de Faro truly impressed us with its remarkable architecture. So rich in detail, so many different styles – a building that reveals something new the longer you look at it. The final kilometers to our hotel were just as memorable. The route led us through wide marshlands, past calm waters and through charming suburbs – a landscape that almost slows you down in the best possible way. And the weather couldn’t have been better: bright sunshine accompanied us all day long. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect day. We end our day with a traditional beer from Cologne - a birthday beer followed by a delicious Cataplana at Alphonso´s!
Leaving Quarteira behind, we cruise relaxed along the coast. Flowers are in full bloom everywhere we look, and we take in that intense fragrance that you can only truly appreciate from the saddle of a bike. Our first coffee stop brings us to Albufeira. It’s hard to believe this was once a sleepy little fishing village—today, it’s a major tourist hub and the party hotspot of the Algarve. But we’re more about finding the quiet corners. Around noon, we reach the highlight of the day. We swap our bikes for a boat and head out into the wild waves. With plenty of speed and a fresh breeze, we zip along the rugged coastline straight to the famous Benagil Cave. Seeing the different rock formations from this perspective is simply stunning. Different birds nest in the tiny crevices of the cliffs—a real spectacle that you’d completely miss from the mainland. Our destination for today is Praia da Rocha. The beach stretches on for miles and looks exactly like the postcards. It’s the perfect spot to end the day: enjoying a group dinner with a direct view of the ocean.
We filled our "rest day" with so many cool activities, the title might need to be changed. In the morning we paddle to Alvor, a beautiful harbor town with a cute little shopping street! Did you know kork is not only used for wine bottles but you can make shoes out of it? Hats, Laptop cases, purses, belts... It´s fascinating to see what this material can be used for. After a short pit stop at the hotel we visit the museum of Portimao. Especially interesting is the story about their sardine factory! In the afternoon we enjoy a walk at the beach and write plenty of post cards before we meet for dinner in a gorgeous local fish restaurant. We could easily stay another night, there´s so much more to discover. But we are looking forward to our trip to Sagres tomorrow!
Recharged after our rest day, we set off with fresh energy into this special stage of our journey. In Lagos, we stroll through the charming old town—while also touching on a darker chapter of history: the slave trade that once had its place here. From this point on, the character of our यात्रा changes noticeably. It becomes wilder, more remote. The cliffs grow higher and steeper, the villages fewer and smaller. Instead, we are surrounded by an impressive variety of flora and fauna—we encounter goats, cows, and even horses along the way. Then a surprise – we turn the corner and see Julia. She treats us to a picnic right by the sea. The further we head southwest, the more barren the landscape becomes. Vegetation fades, the wind grows stronger—you can truly feel that we are approaching Cabo São Vicente, a place where a steady breeze is almost always present. Once there, time seems to stand still. You could spend hours at the cliffs, watching the powerful waves crash below, thinking of the daring Portuguese explorers who once set out from here, rounding the cape and heading into the unknown. Before reaching our hotel, we make a relaxed stop at one of the surfer bars in Sagres. With a drink in hand, we watch the surfers ride the waves—the perfect ending to an impressive day.
Today is our last day in the Algarve before we head to the beautiful Alentejo region tomorrow. The change in nature is already quite noticeable. This morning we drive along rugged cliffs. The rocks rise high out of the water, and below, the sea is making a real racket! The waves, the sound, the energy! WOW! Cam can't get enough of it. Later, it becomes quieter. More and more nature, the distances between the villages increase. In return, we find beautiful flowers by the roadside and drive past a strawberry field. We have lunch in Carrapateira, the town with what is probably the most enthusiastic bell tower we've ever heard. Every 15 (!) minutes, the beautiful church chimes! Before the invention of the wristwatch or even the iPhone, the townspeople structured their daily lives around this beautiful sound. The border between the Algarve and the Alentejo lies along a river, the Seixe. This river also plays an important role for the beautiful town of Odeceixe, which we reach in the afternoon. After visiting the amazing windmill, we enjoyed a power smoothie at a lovely café right on the main square. The little town was bustling with life, the sun was shining, and we were having a fantastic time! After our final push, Ernst was waiting for us at the hotel with a glass of port and delicious Portuguese treats. A perfect end to a spectacular day!
We have now arrived in the Alentejo—and you can sense the change immediately. It’s becoming more rural: cows, sheep, and storks accompany our path, while vast fields, meadows, and agricultural lands shape the landscape. At the same time, it’s getting lonelier. Tiny villages, hardly any tourism, but all the more nature. Life seems to move at a slower pace here—and that is exactly what we are enjoying. Coastal towns like Zambujeira, Vila Nova de Milfontes, and Porto Covo delight us with their spectacular cliffs and idyllic sandy beaches. Time and again, we pause to let our gaze wander over the ocean and soak in the tranquility. However, just before reaching our destination, a small challenge awaits: the road bridge has collapsed. This calls for some improvisation. Together, we find a solution, diverting onto small paths and eventually even driving a stretch along the beach. And so, we finally reach Sines—another day filled with a vast array of impressions.
Our destination for today is the beautiful, vibrant, and tile-covered town of Setúbal. But before we reach the highlight of the day, a few other experiences await us. After a dynamic, fast ride along beautiful fields, we turn right into a cork oak forest. What a stunning spot! Did you know that cork oaks aren't felled, but harvested? The cork is found under the bark. The tree is stripped of its bark and then allowed to recover for 9-12 years before the next harvest. The forests are enchanting; besides the trees, a variety of other green friends and creatures inhabit the woods. We enjoy the peace and fresh air before continuing our journey along adventurous, sandy paths into nature. We stop for lunch at a legendary French bakery. The selection is overwhelming, and everything is baked on-site. We opt for various quiches, palmera pastries, and lemon tart. What a hidden gem! A beautiful hour's ride across the peninsula to the ferry follows. The sea stretches out to our right and left, and the long road stretches ahead. What a backdrop! We cover the last few meters on the bright green ferry. The sun shines on our faces, and we can already see the vibrant, colorful city from the ferry. We arrive at the hotel in the afternoon, leaving us plenty of time to explore Setúbal. Have you spotted the big cat on the roof yet? In the evening, we head to a chic restaurant by the harbor. For the perfect ending, we enjoy a very special piece of cheesecake. A fitting end to a wonderful day! Off to bed, because tomorrow we need plenty of energy to cycle to our destination: Lisbon!
The last day of our journey—and as a grand finale, a true cyclist’s treat awaits us. What we spotted in the distance yesterday now lies right ahead: the Arrábida mountains. Just after Setúbal, the road begins to climb. With every turn of the pedals, we gain elevation, and the views over the coast and the sea become more and more spectacular. Looking north, we can already see Lisbon. The vegetation changes noticeably too—more humid, lush, almost Mediterranean. After a fast and thrilling descent, a special highlight awaits us: a guided tour of one of Portugal’s most renowned wineries, Bacalhôa. Art, culture, and enjoyment come together here—a museum featuring African art, insights into winemaking, and of course, a tasting. We cover the final stretch by ferry. Gently rocking over the water, we approach Lisbon, our final destination. From the dock, it’s just a short walk to the hotel. In the evening, it’s time to say goodbye. Together, we look back on the most memorable moments of the week—special encounters, landscapes, and experiences. And as we finally make our way back, it feels like no one is quite ready to call it a night—everyone would happily stay just a little longer.