Arrival in Setúbal

Fly to Lisbon and travel by train, bus or taxi to Setúbal — or request a private transfer from the airport (optional). The journey from Lisbon takes approximately 45–60 minutes and offers a first glimpse of the stunning Portuguese landscape as you leave the capital behind and head south towards the Setúbal Peninsula.

Upon arrival, your guide will welcome you with a full briefing covering the route ahead, safety tips and what to expect over the coming days. You'll then move on to bike fitting to ensure your ride is perfectly adjusted to your measurements — comfort is key for the journey ahead. With the rest of the afternoon free, take the time to explore Setúbal: wander through its charming historic centre, with its mosaic pavements and traditional azulejo-tiled facades; browse the lively fish market (Mercado do Livramento), one of the most vibrant in Portugal; and stroll along the banks of the Sado River estuary, where the Atlantic breeze meets the calm of the lagoon. Don't miss a taste of the local choco frito (fried cuttlefish), a Setúbal specialty you'll find at any of the waterfront restaurants.

+ Luna Esperança Centro Hotel Setúbal (or similar)

Setúbal ▸ Vila Nova de Santo André

59 km | ↗ 423 m — A moderate stage with gentle gradients, ideal for settling into the rhythm of the ride. The route winds through some of Portugal's most unspoiled coastal landscapes, with long stretches of quiet roads and sandy tracks that make every kilometre a pleasure.

The day begins with a scenic ferry crossing across the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve — one of the most biodiverse estuaries in Europe. Keep your eyes on the water: the resident population of bottlenose dolphins is frequently spotted accompanying the boat, while the mudflats and sandbanks are home to flamingos, spoonbills and dozens of migratory bird species. A magical start to the day before you even turn a pedal.

Once ashore, the route takes you through Comporta, a village that has become one of Portugal's most fashionable retreats thanks to its white-sand beaches and relaxed bohemian atmosphere — yet it still retains the charm of its traditional rice-farming roots. You'll pedal past vast rice fields that stretch to the horizon, reflecting the sky in a mosaic of greens and golds depending on the season. Further along, Melides beach offers a perfect mid-route pause: a wild, unspoiled Atlantic shore beloved by locals and largely unknown to mass tourism. The final stretch leads you to the breathtaking Lagoa de Santo André, a protected coastal lagoon separated from the sea by a narrow strip of dunes — a favourite spot for surfers, birdwatchers and anyone seeking raw, undisturbed nature at its finest.

+ Hotel Rural Monte da Lezíria Vila Nova de Santo André (or similar)

Santo André ▸ Vila Nova de Milfontes

52 km | ↗ 423 m

A day to reconnect with yourself by the Atlantic Ocean. The stage begins by skirting the shoreline of the Santo André lagoon before heading south towards Sines — a town of contrasts, where a medieval castle and historic old quarter stand watch over one of Portugal's busiest industrial ports. Just beyond Sines, the pace slows at São Torpes beach, a wide and exposed Atlantic strand beloved by surfers and a perfect spot to stop, breathe in the ocean air and feel the spray on your face.

Continuing south along the wild coast, you'll reach Porto Covo — one of the most enchanting fishing villages in southern Portugal, with its whitewashed houses, cobbled lanes and clifftops plunging into a deep blue sea. It's the kind of place that tempts you to linger. From there, the route follows the coastline into Vila Nova de Milfontes, an utterly charming town where the Mira River winds its final stretch before meeting the Atlantic. With its castle, golden beaches and relaxed atmosphere, Milfontes is widely considered one of the most beautiful destinations on the entire Portuguese coast.

+ The Blue Bamboo Hotel Vila Nova de Milfontes (or similar)

Vila Nova de Milfontes ▸ Odeceixe

56,4 km | ↗ 487 m

The stage follows the Historical Way of the Rota Vicentina, a well-loved long-distance trail that winds through cork oak woodland, clifftop paths and quiet farming hamlets. After passing through Longueira, the route reaches the village of Almograve, where a series of dramatic sea stacks and rock arches rise straight from the ocean — one of the most photogenic spots on the entire Alentejo coast.

A highlight of the day is Cape Sardão, one of the most westerly points of the Alentejo coast and the only place in Europe where white storks nest on exposed sea cliffs — a truly remarkable sight with the Atlantic crashing below. From there, the route descends to Zambujeira do Mar, a small village tucked into a deep cleft in the cliffs, with a sheltered crescent beach that feels like a well-kept secret. The final stretch follows the coast into Odeceixe, a charming whitewashed village straddling the border between the Alentejo and the Algarve, overlooking a river lagoon that meets the sea.

+ Casa Dortia Odeceixe (or similar)

Odeceixe ▸ Carrapateira

45,2 km | ↗ 515 m

Today you cross into the Algarve — not the resort-lined south coast, but its raw, windswept western edge, protected within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park. The first stop is the beach and village of Odeceixe, where a wide river mouth opens onto a sheltered Atlantic beach that has long been a favourite among surfers and those looking to escape the crowds. The route then climbs inland through rolling scrubland and cistus-covered hillsides before dropping back to the coast, with sweeping views over the ocean at almost every turn.

Along the way, make a stop at the Sweet Potato Museum in Aljezur — a surprisingly engaging tribute to the Lira variety, a locally grown sweet potato with PDO status (Protected Designation of Origin) that has been cultivated in this area for centuries. Sample traditional pastries, jams and other regional delicacies made from this humble but celebrated ingredient before continuing south to Carrapateira, a small village perched above two exceptional surf beaches — Bordeira and Amado — and a perfect base to soak in the untamed spirit of the Costa Vicentina.

+ Hotel Casa Fajarda Carrapateira (or similar)

Carrapateira ▸ Vila do Bispo

46,8 km | ↗ 509 m

One of the most rewarding stages of the entire journey. The day opens with a descent to Amoreira beach, where a wide estuary fringed by golden dunes creates a dreamlike landscape of still water and breaking waves. Shortly after comes Amado beach, a long, exposed Atlantic strand famous among surfers for its powerful swells and also a designated marine turtle conservation area — vast, unspoiled and barely touched by tourism. Both beaches rank among the most beautiful and pristine in all of Europe.

The entire stage unfolds within the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, the largest protected coastal area in Western Europe and one of the last stretches of truly wild Atlantic coastline on the continent. The park's strict protections have kept development at bay, preserving a landscape of rugged sea cliffs, windswept heathland, rare endemic plants and an extraordinary diversity of migratory birds. The stage finishes in Vila do Bispo, a quiet market town at the heart of the park, close to the dramatic promontory of Cape St. Vincent — the southwesternmost point of continental Europe, where sailors once believed the world came to an end.

+ Hotel Mira Sagres Vila do Bispo (or similar)

Loop Sagres — Cape St. Vincent

36,3 km | ↗ 268 m

A shorter but deeply memorable stage, ridden as a loop from Vila do Bispo. The route heads west to Cordoama beach, one of the most dramatic on the entire Costa Vicentina — sheer cliffs rising over 100 metres straight from the ocean, with paragliders launching from the clifftops and riding the powerful Atlantic thermals overhead. The beach itself is wild and largely deserted, backed by ochre rock and pounded by heavy swells that make it a magnet for experienced surfers. The clifftop path continues south towards Sagres, a small fortress town at the very tip of the Iberian Peninsula, historically linked to the Portuguese Age of Discovery and Prince Henry the Navigator.

The undisputed highlight of the day — and perhaps of the whole journey — is Cape St. Vincent, the southwesternmost point of continental Europe. Standing on its windswept clifftops, above a lighthouse that has guided mariners since the 16th century, it is easy to understand why medieval sailors called this O Fim do Mundo — the End of the World. The cape is also one of the best raptor-watching sites in Europe, as thousands of migratory birds of prey funnel past each autumn on their way to Africa. A place of raw elemental power, where the Atlantic stretches endlessly to the horizon and the wind never seems to stop.

+ Hotel Mira Sagres Vila do Bispo (or similar)

Departure

After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the Costa Vicentina. A comfortable private transfer from Vila do Bispo to Faro Airport (approx. 1h 30 min) is available on request — ideal if you're flying home from the Algarve.

Alternatively, a private transfer to Lisbon Airport (approx. 3h) can be arranged for those continuing north or catching an international connection from the Portuguese capital.

E-bikes are returned in Vila do Bispo before departure — your faithful companions for the journey along one of Europe's last wild coastlines, now handed back as the adventure comes to a close.