Night 1-2
See Tripadvisor ReviewsCasas do Moinho in Odeceixe
Guests will enjoy an authentic experience at these converted houses in a typical Portuguese hamlet near the beautiful windmill of Odeceixe.
Pedal Portugal’s southern coast on this 7-day self-guided cycling adventure
Discover why Portugal’s Algarve holds such a special place in so many travellers’ hearts on the 7-day self-guided Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour.
This mesmerizing cycling holiday on Portugal’s southern coast invites cyclists to explore breathtaking landscapes, setting out from the Alentejo region and heading south along the Algarve coast. The beautiful Mediterranean climate, along with peaceful quiet roads, affords cyclists the opportunity to truly appreciate the remarkable landscapes before them, soaking up every encounter with nature and enjoying a ride at their own pace.
A perfect balance is struck between pleasant day rides and relaxing evenings in authentic Portuguese villages and cities, where the freshest seafood and elegant local wines will make your evenings as unforgettable as your days. The marvellous route will take you through the towns of Maria Vinagre, Rogil, Zambujeira, Carrapateira, and many more. Overnight stays in comfortable accommodations in Odeceixe, Aljezur and Pedralva, (all with swimming pools!) will ensure you stay well-rested during the tour and ready to seize each exciting day on the bike.
A thrilling off-road adventure in the Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park is a highlight of the trip, where you’ll follow the Rota Vicentina along vibrant flowerbeds, dramatic cliffs, wild beaches, and charming villages.
Prepare to fall in love with Portugal as you dive headfirst on two wheels into the natural landscapes, culture and fabulous food and wine of Alentejo and the Algarve.
A private transfer will greet you at the airport and take you to your first accommodations in Odeceixe, situated in the region of Alentejo on the beautiful Seixe River.
Your stay in one of the historic village’s authentic houses (converted into a hotel) will give you your first taste of authentic Portuguese culture, no doubt leaving you charmed.
Today’s pleasant route will afford you plenty of time to explore the area as you cycle a gorgeous route past the beaches of Odeceixe, Carvalhal, and Zambujeira. A lovely plateau dotted with greenhouses and pastoral fields will also grace the trail, making for a wonderfully scenic introduction to the area.
Enjoy lunch in Zambujeira, a small fishing village known for its delicious fish (surprise, surprise!).
Your first ride inland takes you on gravel tracks along the scenic banks of the Odeceixe River, alongside lovely farms and holm oak woods.
The route unfolds along quiet tarmac roads through a peaceful rural area as you pedal through the villages of Maria Vinagre and Rogil, bound for the coast.
A sandy track will then lead you on a descent to Amoreira beach, a perfect place to stop for lunch, before continuing the final leg of today’s journey to Aljezur.
Today, there are two route options to choose from for the first section of the ride.
Option 1:
Enjoy an exhilarating steep ascent to the Aljezur Castle, continuing a circular route via the beaches of Monte Clérigo and Arrifana.
Option 2:
Enjoy an exhilarating ascent to the Aljezur castle, continuing through shady pine forests to the village of Carrapateira.
Both routes lead to a clifftop lookout, where views of the Costa Vicentina will take your breath away. A descent then guides you through the dunes of Bordeira, to Carrapateira, where you’ll find a myriad of neat shops and restaurants to peruse.
A final 10 kilometres in the saddle will take you through a tranquil rural valley from Vilarinho to Pedralva, your welcoming home base for the next three nights.
A lovely route has you descending through charming rural scenery as you cycle to the village of Carrapateira. Loved by tourists, surfers, and fishers, Carrapateira is home to many interesting sights, like the Museo do Mar e da Terra, a fascinating ethnographic museum.
Carrapateira is also home to a spectacular stretch of coast, and you’ll trace it, visiting two pristine beaches along the way. Sandy tracks pave your way through the hills as you then return to Pedralva.
With your gaze fixed on today’s destination of Cape Sap Vicente, Portugal’s southernmost tip, you’ll ascend through fragrant pine and eucalyptus forests, whizzing past a modern windfarm on the way to Vila do Bispo.
A flat and pleasant ride then takes you across the plain toward the cape, where you can enjoy refreshments at the cool café nestled below the lighthouse.
Spectacular cliffs accompany you the rest of the ride as you cycle to Sagres, where you will return your bike and take a private transfer back to Pedralva.
After breakfast, your cycling tour will come to an end. Pack up, check out, and head back to the airport to depart, taking with you a week’s worth of unforgettable memories on the bike. Tchau!
This self-guided cycling tour in Portugal is always run as a private tour for your group and the price per person depends on the number of people staying in one room, as well as the season.
Prices below are per person.
Departures from January 1st to February 28th:
Departures from March 1st May 27th:
Departures from May 28th to June 25th:
Departures from June 26th to August 31st:
Departures from September 1st to 30th:
Departures from October 1st to 31st:
Departures from November 1st to December 19th:
Departures from December 20th to 31st:
This tour is based on 3-star to 4.5-star hotels. The hotels offer comfortable rooms and are well located. All three hotels on the tour have swimming pools available for guests to use and modern amenities. Rooms are double or triple occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
You can pay a supplement to have a single room, please check Dates and Prices, where all the single supplements are included in the final prices.
Guests will enjoy an authentic experience at these converted houses in a typical Portuguese hamlet near the beautiful windmill of Odeceixe.
This hotel straddles the border between Aljezur’s old quarter and its modern town. Guests will enjoy their stay in apartments that boast a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Historic houses have been converted into beautiful accommodations, brimming with personality and authentic charm.
6 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
A private transfer from Sagres to Pedralva is included on Day 6. Luggage transfer between accommodations on Day 3 and 4 is included on this tour. A transfer from Faro Airport (FAO) to the start point in Odeceixe on Day 1 is included only for those who rented a bike during the booking process.
How hard is the Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour?
We rate this tour a 2 / 5. You can expect gentle hills involving short climbs up the gravel paths of up to 200 metres. Daily distances range from 20 to 40 kilometres with plenty of opportunities for breaks. You should be comfortable riding a bike and used to riding these distances.
Do I need a visa to travel to Portugal?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour?
6 breakfasts are included on this tour.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Odeceixe to start this tour?
If you opted to rent a bike during the booking process, a private transfer will pick you up from Faro Airport (FAO) and take you to your first accommodations in Odeceixe. If you opt to bring your own bike or rent elsewhere, you can take a direct bus from the airport to Lagos, then a direct bus (REDE or EVA) to Odeceixe, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer in advance as a supplement, or arrange your own private transfer from the airport.
Where does the Highlights of Rota Vicentina Cycling Tour end?
The tour ends in Pedralva. From Pedralva, you can take a taxi to Crossroad Barâo de Sâo Miguel, then take a bus to Lagos. From Lagos, you can take a bus to Faro Airport (FAO). If departing from Lisbon Airport (LIS), you can take a taxi to Crossroad Barâo de Sâo Miguel, then take a bus to Lagos, then from Lagos to Lisbon Siete Rios, and then one final bus to Lisbon Airport (LIS). Alternatively, you can book a private transfer in advance as a supplement or arrange your own private transfer to the airport.
Can I rent a bike?
Yes! You can rent a bike during the booking process.
What does the bike rental include?
Bike rental includes an e-bike or mountain bike, repair kit, pump, and lock. Requests to add a map holder, 1 front pannier, and 1 rear pannier can be made in advance at no extra cost. Helmets are available on request at an extra cost of 5 EUR.
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes! You can bring your own bike (min 7 gears); however, a supplement will then need to be paid if you wish to take a private transfer from the airport to your start point in Odeceixe.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Portugal?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Portugal?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Spain for this tour?
The best time to travel to Portugal for this cycling adventure is spring or fall, but you can visit the southern coast year-round. The summer is wonderful, but it draws the most tourist. This tour is available every month of the year.
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I’ve been using 10Adventures route guides for a while, but had never booked a tour. My wife and I booked a self-guided hike in Greece and were so impressed with how we were able navigate the route without a guide with the detailed and easy to follow itinerary. We enjoy travelling independently, and 10Adventures made that happen.
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I was going through a tough time and really needed a getaway so I decided to book a tour through 10Adventures. My trip to Peru changed my life in so many positive and eye-opening ways. I am so thankful for the kind, empathetic team at 10Adventures.
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I’ve adventured around a lot of Canada and the US, but I’ve always wanted to explore other parts of the world. I felt a bit scared before booking my trip to Israel, but my conversations with the team at 10Adventures helped ease any worry. I can’t wait to explore more of the world!
Gabriela H.
Travel companies have had to go through a lot during the pandemic but 10Adventures were super flexible and accommodating nonetheless. I had to cancel my tour in France due to the pandemic. 10Adventures was great and let me reschedule for a later date!
Mikael V.
My wife Sarah and I had a great experience booking our 7-day cycling trip through Portugal via 10Adventures. The communication between us and Nadine leading up the trip was top-notch!
Alexandra D.
Communicating with 10Adventures feels like talking with a family-run business. I love to explore and travel, and exploring with the comfort of knowing I can talk to the team at 10Adventures with almost immediate feedback helps to ease any stress that comes with adventuring!
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Whenever I’m looking for my next adventure 10Adventures never fails. Their routes all over England are my main go to for exploring and I have only had great experiences booking both guided and self-guided trips in Europe and South America with them. I am looking into Africa next.
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I tend to have a lot of questions before travelling and was so happy to find that the team at 10Adventures responded to every single one of my inquiries in a timely fashion. I was never left waiting and waiting for a response. This was much appreciated!
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I have horrible dietary issues making it super hard to book a pre-planned trip sometimes, but the communication through 10Adventures helped me navigate this situation! I am so grateful for all of their help. I cant wait to book with them again!
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I just got back from backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, and WOW. What an unreal journey! The alpine meadows, waterfalls, and the lakeside camping spot were memorable highlights! I wonder what other tours 10Adventures has to offer. That one went so well that I am now convinced I need to book another!
Robert D.
I'm not a big fan of traveling because of my fear of flying, but my girlfriend convinced me to go on the Aurora Borealis Tour in the Yukon. I will never forget the mesmerizing northern lights. Such a romantic (and cold) getaway. I would highly recommend it.
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We rate this tour a 2 / 5. You can expect gentle hills involving short climbs up the gravel paths of up to 200 metres. Daily distances range from 20 to 40 kilometres with plenty of opportunities for breaks. You should be comfortable riding a bike and used to riding these distances.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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