Enjoy early season cycling on quiet, country roads bordered by cork, olive, lemon, and orange groves in the sunniest part of Europe, the Alentejo and neighboring Algarve regions of southern Portugal. This 17-day tour starts in Evora, which is in the heart of the Alentejo region, Portugal’s agricultural breadbasket. We’ll spend six days exploring this sunny, dry, rolling tableland, cycling past orchards, vineyards, and cork forests. We’ll also have a free day in Evora, the capital of the Alentejo region.

Next, we head south and west towards the towering cliffs and windswept beaches of the remote Alentejo coast and follow the Atlantic coastline south for several days until we enter the Algarve. With its azure skies and rugged, surf-pounded Atlantic shores the Algarve boasts more shades of blue than you can imagine. We’ll pedal past ever-changing ocean views, tiny fishing villages, colorful harbors, sea cliffs, and golden sand dunes. Along the way we’ll take time to savor the Algarve’s treasures, from seafood specialties to Moorish history—not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe!

Sitnica Tourist Agency is owned and operated by Alen Augustin, an avid cyclist who lives in Croatia. Alen has offered numerous cycling trips for CCCTS, including tours of Croatia, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Munich to Venice, and Prague to Budapest.

This is a supported tour and there is flexibility in the pace and number of stops along the route. In order to enjoy this flexibility, each cyclist or group of cyclists should be able to navigate the route using Ride with GPS. Alen is most often leading the group and the support vehicle is at designated refreshment stops along the way. Charlotte and Bill ride at a relaxed pace so they can enjoy the scenery and take in some cultural sights.

Tour Fees

The Tour Fee is 3080 Euros per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. If you are traveling solo and would like a roommate, we will attempt to find one for you after the lottery closes. 

The charge for a Single Supplement is 980 Euros. Please note that this option may be limited due to hotel room constraints.  Please email the leaders at the time of registration if you want a single room and are willing to pay the Single Supplement fee.

There are 16 nights of lodging at 3- and 4-star hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, or historical inns (Pousadas) (see Itinerary for specific lodging information). 

We cycle for 12 days, primarily on paved roads. Daily distances typically range from 51 to 80 km, with one long day of riding (97 km). The average daily distance is 67 km and the average daily elevation gain is 680 m (total amount climbed on a ride). According to the Tour Contractor this tour is suitable for those who cycle regularly and are comfortable with some steep climbs and longer distances. This trip is early in the cycling season and a good level of fitness is required. GPS routes will be provided through Ride with GPS.

Historically, the weather in southern Portugal in April is warm and sunny with daily temperatures averaging between 18 and 25 C. The tour starts in Evora, east of Lisbon, and finishes in Tavira, a small town on the Mediterranean coast.

Sitnica Tourist Agency is owned and operated by Alen Augustin, who lives in Croatia. He has offered numerous trips for CCCTS including tours in Croatia, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Munich to Venice, and Prague to Budapest. Alen and his co-workers have done a great job with every tour they’ve led for our club.

This is a supported tour and there is flexibility in the pace and number of stops along the way. In order to enjoy this flexibility, each cyclist or group of cyclists should be able to navigate the route using Ride with GPS. Alen is on the bike and most often leading the group, and the support vehicle is at designated refreshment stops along the way. Charlotte and Bill (Tour Leaders) ride at a more relaxed pace that allows them to take in sights and experience some of the culture along the way.

• Lodging for 16 nights
• Meals as noted in the itinerary as B/L/D and includes all breakfasts (16), 4 lunches, and 5 group dinners
• Two tour-hosted Happy Hours (snacks and beverages)
• Support vehicle and luggage transport
• Water, fruit, and snacks on cycling days
• English speaking cycling guide (Alen Augustin) and driver 
• GPS data through Ride with GPS (routes to be downloaded on smart phones or other devices)
• Technical assistance to a certain level
• Tour Leader fee subsidy of 50% (1540 EUR)
• Credit card transaction charges (3%) for the Registration Fee

• Transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the tour. Both Evora and Tavira are well served by train and/or bus.
• Rental bikes. GALACIO BIKES in Evora rents pedal and e-bikes. All arrangements for bike rentals are between the participant and the bike shop: galacio-bike@hotmail.com  They provide delivery and pick-up services. Prices for renting bicycles in 2026 are not currently available but the trip leaders will let you know as soon as they are.
• Meals other than those noted above
• Transportation on free days
• Tip for contractor guides/staff

Day 1 – April 15 

Arrive in Evora, the city where we begin the tour. Use the afternoon to familiarize yourself with the bike you’ve rented and get organized for the tour. There is a group meeting later in the day followed by a welcome dinner that includes Portuguese delicacies. You’ll have plenty of time on Day 6 to explore this UNESCO World Heritage City. Lodging: Hotel Albergaria do Calvario; https://adcevora.com  +351 266 745 930

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Day 2 – April 16 Evora Loop Ride 

60 km (distance); +530 m (elevation gain)

Cycle through pastures, vineyards, and oak groves where the only sounds you’ll hear are chirping birds and the tinkling bells of sheep. Our destination for lunch is Arraiolos, revered for its colorful hand-stitched woolen floor tapestries. Enjoy a light lunch of local tapas before returning to Evora. Lodging: Hotel Albergaria do Calvario (see Day 1 hotel info)

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Day 3 – April 17 Evora to Estremoz 

80 km; +840 m

In the spring the rich colors of the Alentejo are at their brightest. Our route winds past hillsides carpeted in wildflowers and poppies, groves of cork and olives, and whitewashed villages accented by blue and white azulejo tiles—a Portuguese classic. Our goal today is Estremoz, where we take a short climb to the citadel and a marble castle that surveys the countryside. Lodging: Casa do Gadanha; https://casadogadanha.pt  +351 268 249 790

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Day 4 – April 18 Estremoz to Vila Vicosa 

61 km; +626 m

With its brilliant fields of poppies, medieval hilltop castles, and charming villages, one might think of the Alentejo as the Provence of Portugal! Our pastoral route winds through countryside filled with the wildflowers of spring, cork forests, olive groves, and whitewashed villages that sparkle in the sun. Vila Vicosa means “shaded town” in Portuguese. Its name reflects the tree-lined avenues and public squares. Local white marble adorns every building from simple homes to the Paco Ducal, a 15th century palace. Lodging: Solar dos Mascarenhas Boutique Hotel; https://solardosmascarenhas.com  +351 968 878 439

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Day 5 – April 19 Vila Vicosa to Evora 

63 km; +630 m

Enjoy cycling through the rolling hills of gold and green, with cork forests, hundred-year-old olive groves, and flocks of sheep to keep you company. In the small, charming town of Redondo visit an artisan potter at work before enjoying lunch in the old town. We cycle back to Evora in the afternoon. Lodging: Hotel Albergaria do Calvario (see Day 1 hotel info)

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Day 6 – April 20 Evora Free Day

Enjoy your day in this UNESCO World Heritage city, which is also the capital of Portugal’s south-central Alentejo region. Sites to see include the ancient Roman Temple of Evora (Temple of Diana), the Cathedral of Evora, a massive Gothic structure begun in the 12th century, and the Igreja de Sao Francisco, known for its Museological Nucleus, collection of Nativity Scenes, and the skeleton-adorned Chapel of Bones. Lodging: Hotel Albergaria do Calvario (see Day 1 hotel info)

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Day 7 – April 21 Evora to Grandola 

97 km; +785 m

We make our way to the south today with a big climb and the longest cycling distance of the tour. Grandola is a typical sleepy Alentejan town, surrounded by crops and cork forests. This town became well known when a folk ballad about what agrarian life was like during the Salazar regime was written. The song, “Grandola, Vila Morena”, was used as the definitive signal for action in the 1974 bloodless coup d’etat. The song’s role in bringing democracy is well known to the Portuguese. Lodging: Sobreiras Alentejo Country Hotel; https://sobreiras.pt +351 269 109 930

B/L/D

Day 8 – April 22 Grandola to Porto Covo 

74 km; +760 m

It’s time to get to know the Atlantic Coastline as we cycle past Santiago do Cacem, whose Moorish past can be sensed in its steep winding streets and commanding castle views. We continue on a ridge top road through groves of olives and cork trees, then descend to the coast for the crescent beaches of Porto Covo. Lodging: Porto Covo Praia Hotel & Spa; https://portocovopraiahotelspa.pt  +351 269 039 100

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Day 9 – April 23 Porto Covo to Sao Teotonio 

62 km; +538 m

Rice fields and traditional villages highlight our ride as we make our way towards the Algarve. This area is home to the Parque Natural do Sudoeste, which is rarely more than 6 km wide and is 120 km long, covering nearly the entire western Algarve and Alentejo shoreline. This protected area is home to 200 species of birds, including storks and osprey. There is a lot to see along the way, including breathtaking views of sea stacks and crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean as we cycle an off-road path high above the coastline. We overnight in a small village on the south bank of Ribeira de Seixe, which forms part of the border between the Algarve and Alentejo. Lodging: Enigma Nature & Water Hotel; https://www.enigma-hotel.pt  +351 283 098 186

B/L/D

Day 10 – April 24 Sao Teotonio to Sagres 

70 km; +680 m

We cycle through vineyards and farmland towards Aljezur, the last town to be reclaimed from the Moors. This tranquil village has two nearby surf beaches. Picnic at the Carrapateira headlands, then cycle down the coast to Sagres, where Prince Henry the Navigator founded his 15th century navigation school. Lodging: Memmo Baleeira Hotel; https://www.memmohotels.com/baleeira  +351 282 624 212

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Day 11 – April 25 Sagres Free Day

Enjoy the day as you wish. Hop on your bike for an easy ride to the towering cliffs of Cabo de Sao Vicente, the southwestern-most point in Europe and once thought to be the end of the known world. Other options include relaxing at one of the nearby beaches or taking a dolphin-watching cruise or a surfing lesson. Lodging: Memmo Baleeira Hotel (see Day 10 hotel info)

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Day 12 – April 26 Sagres to Lagos 

73 km; +920m

Our route today picks its way through a mixture of farmland, small villages, and some of the stunning coves along this rugged stretch of coast. We follow the coastline past tiny fishing villages, then head inland through carob and almond orchards and orange groves. We climb towards the highest mountains (900 m) in the Algarve, the Monchique Range, en route to Lagos. Lodging: Vila Gale Lagos; https://www.vilagale.com/pt/hoteis/algarve/vila-gale-lagos  +351 282 771 400 (national landline network)

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Day 13 – April 27 Lagos to Silves 

57 km; +550 m

Today’s fairly short ride gives us time to enjoy the medieval town of Sagres with its orange-coloured rooftops. This walled town with its narrow, winding streets is located on the banks of the Arade River and has two well-preserved castles. Enjoy exploring the town with its open-air cafes, cobbled streets, and relaxed pace of life. Lodging: Hotel Colina dos Mouros; https://www.colinahotels.com/en  +351 282 440 420

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Day 14 – April 28 Silves to Vilamoura Pestana Sol 

57 km; +762 m

Descend through cool pine and chestnut forests to the Mediterranean lowlands of oak, palmetto, and grasses. We still have some climbing to do as we cycle through the tiny white villages of Alte, Barranco Velho, and Quereca with their castle ruins and pretty squares. Lodging: Pestana Vila Sol Vilamoura; https://www.pestana.com  +351 289 320 320 Note: This is a 5-star hotel.

B/D

Day 15 – April 29 Vilamoura Pestana Sol to Tavira 

58 km; +642 m

Pedal through hill towns of the Serra de Mone Figo, then descend to the coast at Fuzeta Harbour with its colorful fishing boats, nets, and octopus pots. The Ecovia bike path leads through the Ria Formosa reserve with views of marshlands, salt pans, and nesting waterfowl. The tour ends in one of the most charming towns in the Algarve, Tavira. Enjoy its riverfront, Roman bridges, and inviting plazas. We have a two-night stay at the Pousada Convento de Graca, built from a former monastery. Tonight we have an amazing farewell dinner. Lodging: Hotel Pousada Convento de Tavira; https://www.pousadas.pt/en/hotel/pousada-tavira  +351 281 249 800

B/D

Day 16 – April 30 Tavira Free Day

Free day in Tavira for sightseeing, shopping, or cycling a backcountry route to the Spanish border. Cycle past river gorges, orchards, and the medieval fortress of Castro Marim before returning along the coastal Ecovia. Don’t miss the tiny but historically significant village Caclea Velha, with its turreted fortress and commanding ocean views. Lodging: Hotel Pousada Convento de Tavira (see Day 15 hotel info)

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Day 17 – May 1 Departures

Enjoy breakfast at the Pousada with your friends, both old and new, before you head out to start your next adventure or return home.

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Registration will be on the CCCTS website on the date shown. A computerized lottery system and waitlist will be utilized in the event that the ride is over-subscribed. A $100 CAD payment is required at the time of registration. The lottery signup will run for 7 days, after which the Ride Leader will review the results.

The selection process will consider the following criteria in evaluating candidates:

• fitness and riding ability and experience required for the tour,
• a history of demonstrating safe riding practices,
• acceptable social behavior.

The leader may interview riders or others who know them to verify their suitability for the tour. The leader will have the final decision on whether someone is accepted for the tour and may reject applicants after discussion with the Tour Director. The leader also has the option to prioritize 30% of the tour applicants up to a maximum of 6 people.

• The leader will notify registrants of their selection status. If the ride is not filled to capacity, registration will continue until the closing dates shown.

• Tour member selection is done primarily by lottery results but the leader will have the final decision on who is accepted or not for the tour.
• After you have been notified you are selected for the tour, you will be given instructions on how to make the following payments to Sitnica Tourist Agency:
• • Tour fee Deposit - January 5, 2026 - 980 EUR; note that the Single Supplement of 950 EUR also is due at this time 
  • Remainder of Tour Fee -  February 28, 2026 - 2100 EUR

Waitlist                                                                                                                  

If you are not selected for the tour because it has been oversubscribed, you will be added to the Waitlist in lottery number order. If you wish to withdraw from the Waitlist, please notify the Ride Leader and your Registration Fee will be refunded. If you remain on the Waitlist but don’t get on the tour, your Registration Fee will be refunded after the registration closing date.

CCCTS Cancellation Policy                                                                                               

In the event of cancellation – The registration fee is non-refundable when a member withdraws from a tour or hub & spoke. If a replacement can’t be found, we will refund any fees for costs that could be avoided. However, if there are costs that cannot be avoided, these will not be refunded. 

Sitnica’s Cancellation and Refund Policy                                                          

The tour operator’s cancellation policy is as follows: Cancellations must be made in writing to Sitnica Tourist Agency sitnica@pu.t-com.hr or info@sitnica.t-cloud.hr and the tour leader. Cancellation charges are:

• 60 - 46 days before departure - 10% of the tour fee (Feb 2 - Feb 28)
• 45 - 29 days before departure - 30% of the tour fee (Mar 1 - Mar 17)
• 28 - 15 days before departure - 60% of the tour fee (Mar 18 - Mar 31)
• less than 15 days before departure - 100% of the tour fee (April 1 - arrival)

Communicable Illness Information

• The CCCTS Communicable Illness Policy takes into consideration regulations and recommendations from the Public Health Authority of Canada, BC Centre of Disease Control, and Public Health Ontario. In the case of illness while on tour, it is expected that all participants will follow the procedures outlined in this policy. Please refer to https://cccts.org/club-document/communicable-illness/ for details on the club’s Communicable Illness Policy.

• CCCTS strongly encourages all participants to be up-to-date on their vaccinations for COVID and all other communicable diseases.  
• Everyone should bring 3 COVID test kits with them on the tour and take responsibility for self-testing if they feel ill.