COSTA VICENTINA GRAVEL TOUR GPX
Lisbon to Sagres self-guided gravel cycling tour over 5 or 6 days
Available now ✅
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LISBON TO SAGRES, ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST
380km down the West Coast
Bike Type: Gravel, e-Gravel, Touring, e-touring
Number of riding days: 5 or 6
Tour Type: Self-Guided or Instant Download
Airport Lisbon / Faro
Km / day: 59-60km or 52-80km
Elevation gain / day: 380-750 or 380-1300m
Overall Difficulty: Advanced or Intermediate
Accommodation: Handpicked Rural Hotels
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Lisbon to Sagres Gravel Cycling Tour
A spectacular gravel cycling journey from Lisbon to Sagres, following Portugal’s wild and beautiful south-west coastline along the Costa Vicentina.
Portugal remains one of Europe’s most rewarding yet underexplored cycling destinations: a country of welcoming people, exceptional food, quiet roads and tracks, and dramatic natural landscapes. Your adventure begins in Lisbon, Portugal’s vibrant and colourful capital. Founded more than 3,000 years ago, the city is rich in history and character, with tiled façades, cobbled streets, traditional yellow trams and the sound of Fado drifting from neighbourhood cafés and bars. It is also the perfect place to enjoy Portuguese classics, from grilled sardines to a freshly baked Pastel de Nata.
Leaving Lisbon, you will take a ferry across the River Tejo from Belém, escaping the city without having to contend with traffic. From there, the route heads south through the Setúbal Peninsula before crossing the Sado Estuary by ferry to the Troia Peninsula and the rice fields and pine forests around Comporta.
The journey then continues south along the Alentejo coast, linking quiet gravel tracks, backroads and traditional fishing villages before reaching Sagres, at the far south-western tip of mainland Europe.
The early stages take you through the beautiful Arrábida Natural Park, where lush indigenous vegetation meets white limestone cliffs and deep-blue Atlantic water. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the coast: dolphins are regularly seen in these waters.
Further south, the Costa Vicentina reveals one of Portugal’s most unspoilt landscapes. As the country’s largest protected coastal area, it offers wide sandy beaches, golden cliffs, small fishing towns and wonderfully quiet inland tracks shaded by cork oak and eucalyptus trees. In spring, the landscape is alive with wildflowers, while the climbs are consistently rewarded with sweeping Atlantic views.
For riders choosing the additional day from Sagres, the route continues along the Algarve’s south coast, revealing some of the beaches and coves that have made this region famous.
This Lisbon to Sagres gravel cycling tour is a true bucket-list ride for anyone looking to experience Portugal beyond the usual routes: remote, varied, scenic and full of character.
GPX route files are available to download from just €200.
FAQ’s
How challenging is the Costa Vicentina to ride on a gravel bike?
The Costa Vicentina does have some short sandy sections across the cliff-tops but the trickier bits are far outweighed by the mind-blowing scenery you have during those parts.
We recommend a MTB if you are a little more novice in terms of technical ability. Otherwise, a gravel bike is ideal for this tour.
You have two options. If you are a strong gravel rider, and comfortable with riding 4+ hours a day, for an average of 70km, our advanced 5-day tour will be perfect for you.
If you prefer days of 60km on average, the 6-day version may be more suitable.
What is the terrain usually like on the Costa Vicentina?
For the majority of this tour you will ride on quiet, low-traffic back roads and good gravel tracks.
There are a few, small and unavoidable sandy sections due to the proximity to the coast. Don’t be put off by this – the terrain is not technical and absolutely acheivable for less experienced off-roaders.
What type of bike is best for the Costa Vicentina Tour?
A gravel bike, or a road bike with gravel tyres, is most comfortable for this tour. A touring bike (including E-Touring bikes) are also great for this tour as well. Mountain bikes are not recommended due to the proportion of the tour which takes place on tarmac roads.
Don’t forget that we offer bike hire too, including e-bikes. Just get in touch.
What type of scenery can I expect along the way?
You will pass through the Arrabida Natural Park, the rice fields of Comporta, the Costa Vicentina and it’s fabulous cliffs over the wild Atlantic Coast, and all the way to Sagres, the very south western tip of mainland Europe.
You will ride through eucalyptus and cork forests, and past fields of wildflowers.
What is the best time of year to do this tour?
Spring and Autumn are perfect seasons for this tour, when the weather is mild and chance of rain is minimal. However, if you wish to ride this tour in the summer, you will still find that the the ocean breeze still keeps the coastal region cool enough for cycling.
Are the roads safe in Portugal?
We hate traffic just as much as you do – we stick where ever possible to small backroads, and if on gravel – the best smooth gravel tracks we can find. (We don’t like hike-a-bike either!)
ADVANCED 5-DAY TOUR
INTERMEDIATE 6-DAY TOUR
Swipe to compare 5 and 6 day tours…
5 Day Itinerary
Average mileage 75km per day
6 Day Itinerary
Average mileage 60km per day
Advanced 5-Day Tour
Day 1: Lisbon to Setúbal
90km
650m
This day will start with a short boat trip from Belem across the Tejo river. It’s a great way to start the trip as you will see Lisbon at it’s best from the boat.
Once across the river you will set off cycling south, along the ‘Costa da Caparica’ towards Sesimbra. You will head right to the very western point at Farol do Cabo Espichel. After that there is a stunning coastal section overlooking the estuary of the river Sado, before your descent to Setúbal.
Day 2: Setúbal to Santiago de Cacém
80km
600m
Today starts with an amazing section of gravel riding through the rice fields and small roads, all the way to Melides, a beautiful Alentejo small village perfect for a coffee stop. From here you will ride through more back roads and easy gravel to the stunning open ocean at Lagoa de Santo André. There is a small section which is a little sandy (keep pedalling!) along the coastline, before the route makes its way through tiny villages up to Santiago de Cacém.
It’s a varied and very interesting day of riding – no section is the same!
Day 3: Santiago de Cacém to Vila Nova de Milfontes
50km or 70km
380m or 690m
Today you have two options. The shorter version starts with a gorgeous long descent to the coast. If you opt for a longer day, you will head inland to São Domingos, before riding an awesome gravel track through rural Alentejo countryside, to the sea.
The second half of the day, for both routes, follows the cliffs and beaches of the Costa Vincentina, with stunning beaches and rocky coves to visit along the way.
Day 4: Vila Nova de Milfontes – Monchique
70km
740m
After Vila Nova de Milfontes the route switches between gravel tracks and small roads through the small coastal villages to Cabo Sardão. Here begins a truly spectacular cliff-top path that looks over the Atlantic below. This will be a highlight of your tour. For the rest of the day you will enjoy very small roads and gravel tracks through Zambujeira do Mar and Odeceixe, and through the whitewashed, cobbled town of Aljezur. Its a few kilometres past the town to your hotel.
Alternatively, you can climb inland from Oxedeixe and opt for a night inland at Monchique!
Day 5: Aljezur to Sagres
60km
660m
A spectacular way to finish your adventure! This route will take you down from Monchique, off the mountain and along the spine of the Algarve with views in all directions towards the most south westerly point in continental Europe – Cabo St Vicente.
Its then a short cycle to Sagres and your hotel.
Intermediate 6-Day Tour
Day 1: Lisbon to Sesimbra
62km
644m
This day will start with a short boat trip from Belem across the Tejo river. It’s a great way to start the trip as you will see Lisbon at it’s best from the boat.
Once across the river you will set off cycling south, along the ‘Costa da Caparica’ towards Sesimbra. You will head right to the very western point at Farol do Cabo Espichel and it’s fantastic views over the Atlantic before cycling east towards your hotel.
Day 2: Sesimbra to Comporta
50km
650m
Today is your longest day, but it’s very flat. You will enjoy some spectacular views from the Arrabida Natural Park as the road winds down to Setubal. From here you will take another small boat across to Troía. Then it’s just a 20km or so flat cycle through comporta to Melides. Comporta is, surprisingly, famous for it’s rice production. The area is full of beautiful, large rice fields. You will finish the day in Vila Nova do Santo André.
Day 3: Comporta to Santiago de Cacém
60km
550m
Today starts with an amazing section of gravel riding through the rice fields and small roads, all the way to Melides, a beautiful Alentejo small village perfect for a coffee stop. From here you will ride through more back roads and easy gravel to the stunning open ocean at Lagoa de Santo André. There is a small section which is a little sandy (keep pedalling!) along the coastline, before the route makes its way through tiny villages up to Santiago de Cacém.
It’s a varied and very interesting day of riding – no section is the same!
Day 4: Santiago de Cacém to Vila Nova de Milfontes
50km or 73km
380m or 690m
Today you have two options. The shorter version starts with a gorgeous long descent to the coast. If you opt for a longer day, you will head inland to São Domingos, before riding an awesome gravel track through rural Alentejo countryside, to the sea.
The second half of the day, for both routes, follows the cliffs and beaches of the Costa Vincentina, with stunning beaches and rocky coves to visit along the way.
Day 5: Vila Nova de Milfontes to Aljezur
80km
740m
After Vila Nova de Milfontes the route switches between gravel tracks and small roads through the small coastal villages to Cabo Sardão. Here begins a truly spectacular cliff-top path that looks over the Atlantic below. This will be a highlight of your tour. For the rest of the day you will enjoy very small roads and gravel tracks through Zambujeira do Mar and Odeceixe, and through the whitewashed, cobbled town of Aljezur.
Alternatively, you can opt to climb from Odeceixe to Monchique, and stay the night inland!
Day 5: Aljezur to Sagres
60km
660m
What a spectacular way to finish your adventure! Today you will ride some of the wildest and rockiest cliffs of the coast, with striking sea views all the way.
Cape St Vincent is the most southwesterly point in Europe, and the site of a naval battle in 1797 between the British and Spanish, during which Nelson rose to fame. Its then a short cycle to Sagres and your hotel.
Which tour option is best for you?
🗺Self‑Guided Tour | ⚡Instant Download Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| GPX Files | ✅ | ✅ |
| Detailed Daily Overview & Route Preview | ✅ | ✅ |
| Recommended Cafés en Route | ✅ | ✅ |
| Points of Interest | ✅ | ✅ |
| Airport Transfers | ✅ | ❌ |
| Luggage Transfers and/or Support Vehicle | Optional extra | Optional extra |
| 24/7 WhatsApp Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Restaurant Booking | ✅ | ❌ |
| Accommodation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Breakfast | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bike Rental | Optional extra | Recommended Providers |
| Civil Liability Insurance | ✅ | ❌ |
⚡Download Route Files Now! ⚡
✅ Tried and tested route files in GPX format
✅ Detailed daily itinerary
✅ Recommended cafés en route
✅ Points of interest
✅ Points of caution - e.g. river crossings
✅ WhatsApp contact with a Paradise guide
Please note that our luggage transfer deal only applies to groups of up to 5 riders. If you are a group of 6 or more, please get in touch via the contact form.
Looking for a custom route?
Our Bespoke Route Design service allows you to ride the trip of your dreams, without any of the hassle. We have 15 years of collective experience riding in the Algarve, and we love to create new routes which showcase the best of cycling in Portugal.
Get in in touch
Would you like some more information about this tour? Drop us a line and one of our friendly team will be in touch with you within one working day.
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