Portugal's west coast (2)

Explore the sights of the capital, stroll along the lively Tejo-shores and enjoy Portuguese hospitality.

A beautiful cycle path takes you along the river Tejo all the way to the harbour. After a short ferry ride across the wide river you reach Seixal and start your cycle tour. You cross the peninsula southward and marvel at the Arrábida nature park with initial impressive rock formations. Breathtaking views over the coastline take turns nearly by the minute with beautiful bays for swimming and sunbathing.  Today’s Day Finish is Setúbal, where as early as the 16th century Lisbon aristocracy had palaces and country estates built there.

In the morning you take the ferry through the nature reserve at the Sado estuary. With a bit of luck you might even spot some dolphins during the crossing. The stage starts on Troia-peninsula with its beautiful beaches and special sceneries. This is why you are probably puzzled by the rice fields, which you would not expect in this region – definitely a special sight. You continue past the glorious sandy beaches featuring crystal-clear water, past flower fields and lush green wine growing areas. Characteristic and particularly charming are here also the villages with their whitewashed houses. In Sines you stroll along the promenade, visit the castle or enjoy the slow-paced ado in the town.

One of the most unspoilt coastal sections in Europe, the Costa Vicentina Nature Park, will enthrall you with a many impressions. Breathtaking views over the Atlantic ocean, fantastic beaches, little harbours and authentic fishing villages entice time and again for a little break. In the evening you enjoy the atmosphere of the coastal town Vila Nova de Milfontes. Here again a fantastic sandy beach is right at your feet.

You continue your ride through the marvellous Costa Vicentina Nature Park with its diverse fauna and flora. Impressively high cliffs characterise today’s cycle tour and you can feel the refreshing wind from the Atlantic on your face and all around you. You spend the night in the village Aljezur, situated a few kilometres from the coast and with this also discover the rural architecture of the villages typical for this region. Above the village towers the historic little castle offering a beautiful view over the fertile land.

You experience a unique highlight still on the final stage. You cycle through the special coastal scenery to the cape St. Vincent, the most southwestern tip of Europe with its renowned lighthouse and the ‚Final fried sausage before America‘ – it certainly is a special experience to pose here for a selfie with your bike. There are only a few kilometres left until you reach Sagres. Your final Day Finish with its ample cultural heritage is one of the most significant towns on the Algarve. Particularly spectacular here are the high-rising cliffs framing the idyllic sandy beaches.