Albufeira Silves Road Bike Circuit
Albufeira, Portugal
Trip Type: Bike & Mountain Bike Tours
Duration: 4 hours
Starting in the popular tourist town of Albufeira, this road bike tour takes in spectacular coastlines, cliff top views and picturesque unspoiled traditional Algarvean countryside. A tour of scenic contrasts with some challenges along the way, but a tour that you are sure to enjoy.
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Starting in the popular tourist town of Albufeira, this road bike tour takes in spectacular coastlines, cliff top views and picturesque unspoiled traditional Algarvean countryside. A tour of scenic contrasts with some challenges along the way, but a tour that you are sure to enjoy.
Tour starts in Albufeira old town and shortly after, you will be away from the hustle and bustle of this town, heading West along the coast. Pass through the resort of Armação de Pêra, with its nature reserve full of wildlife including a wide variety of birds and even the odd turtle. Then head up to Porches, from where we make our way through quiet country roads, down to the beautiful, tiny bay at Benagil. It’s a sharp contrast to the expansive beaches around the main tourist spots, and it’s a steep climb down to (and back from) the little cove, but worth it. There are a few more hills to tackle as we head towards Carvoeiro, a seaside resort set in a valley with a lively square and beach-front cafes.
Final stop on the coastal part of this tour is Ferragudo, which is a fishing village on the Arade River. There are fabulous views across the bay as we head inland towards Estômbar. Up and over the hills, start to experience true Algarvean countryside as we make our way toward Silves, once the Moorish capital of the Algarve. It’s a dramatic entrance to this ancient city as we catch sight of the old castle on the hill above the town. It’s the perfect spot for a refreshment break and, if you have the energy, you can climb up to the castle where you will enjoy stunning views across the surrounding countryside.
From Silves, you have a few options, depending on your desire and ability. We can take the shorter route back, cycling through orange groves to Algoz, a small working agricultural town, then along quiet country lanes towards Tunes and over the hills to drop back down to Albufeira. Alternatively, we can add an extra loop back into the interior landscape, taking in the spectacular Arade Reservoir. With beautiful views of the northern mountains, we follow the winding roads all around the reservoir and cross the imposing dam, before continuing through sleepy villages (where a café stop and a sample of the local produce is a must), and heading South through the orange groves towards our destination, Albufeira old town. This really is an amazing circuit which can easily be adapted as a bespoke tour, should you wish to make it even more challenging and want to spend more than the usual 3 to 4 hours cycling.
Final stop on the coastal part of this tour is Ferragudo, which is a fishing village on the Arade River. There are fabulous views across the bay as we head inland towards Estômbar. Up and over the hills, start to experience true Algarvean countryside as we make our way toward Silves, once the Moorish capital of the Algarve. It’s a dramatic entrance to this ancient city as we catch sight of the old castle on the hill above the town. It’s the perfect spot for a refreshment break and, if you have the energy, you can climb up to the castle where you will enjoy stunning views across the surrounding countryside.
From Silves, you have a few options, depending on your desire and ability. We can take the shorter route back, cycling through orange groves to Algoz, a small working agricultural town, then along quiet country lanes towards Tunes and over the hills to drop back down to Albufeira. Alternatively, we can add an extra loop back into the interior landscape, taking in the spectacular Arade Reservoir. With beautiful views of the northern mountains, we follow the winding roads all around the reservoir and cross the imposing dam, before continuing through sleepy villages (where a café stop and a sample of the local produce is a must), and heading South through the orange groves towards our destination, Albufeira old town. This really is an amazing circuit which can easily be adapted as a bespoke tour, should you wish to make it even more challenging and want to spend more than the usual 3 to 4 hours cycling.
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