Explore the beautiful landscape of the Algarve with a luxury tour tailored for excitement from start to finish!
In this region, we find pieces of motorcycling heaven, roads that stretch in front of us weaving themselves up hills full of wildflowers, mini pine trees, and lushness typical of these mountains blessed with a gentle influence from the Sea all year round.
One of the major advantages of riding a motorcycle in the Algarve is the favourable weather conditions. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, the region provides ample opportunities for riders to enjoy their bikes throughout most of the year.
There are two areas of elevation above 500 meters in the Algarve and Turtle Mototours has explored both extensively, finding the best roads and hidden treasures to share with you during this 3 days / 4 nights tour!
We start from Faro, ride up the mountains and hills, connecting the two major ones via the interior of the Algarve and come back to the starting point the closest way possible to the Ocean, from Sagres passing Lagos, Alvor, Portimão and as many beaches as motorcycling possible! You will also have the opportunity to ride the N2 during this tour, the longest road in Portugal at 738 km, from Chaves to Faro, which is experiencing at the moment a huge interest, and everyone wants to ride, cycle, and drive this road!! It's the Portuguese equivalent of Lands End-John O´Groats or Route 66, and one of the best parts is the 55 km from where we join it until Faro, where motorcyclists can indulge in 365 corners of pure fun.
Serra do Caldeirã is one of the best-kept secrets of Algarve! Unlike the popular tourist hotspots along the Algarve coastline, Serra do Caldeirão offers a serene and remote escape, providing a unique experience for those seeking to explore off the beaten path. The mountain range is characterised by its rugged terrain, rolling hills, and lush vegetation, creating a stunning natural backdrop. It is often referred to as the "Garden of the Algarve" due to its rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystems.
The other elevation in Algarve that our tour will visit is the Serra de Monchique. It stands as a natural barrier between the Algarve coast and the inland areas, rising to a height of approximately 902 metres (2,959 feet) at its highest point, Foia. The mountains are covered in lush vegetation, including dense forests of oak, chestnut, and eucalyptus trees. The region's elevated position provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the coastline. At the top, the view is quite spectacular. In the foreground, the Algarve race track, Autodromo do Algarve, and further on the land ends and the ocean shines in blue notes. Beyond is Morocco, visible when the sky, the clouds, and the wind allow it. It sure is special to be able to see Africa so close and yet so far.
Next on the trip is Sagres, Cape of Saint Vincent, the most south-westerly point in Europe. Sagres means sacred and for three millennia this was the end of the world as European men knew it. The Cape for all the Mediterranean people was the frontier for the mare incognitum, the unknown sea, beyond which monsters would come out of the Sea to swallow the boats and enchanting mermaids would take the sailor's soul to the bottom of the ocean.
There are many reasons why this is a truly special place… from the sacred spiritual significance of seating where the Earth ends, all Finisterre are magical, and the 50-metre straight cliff overhanging the sea. The fact it was the school of Henry the Navigator and where all the Portuguese Discoveries were planned, including how Vasco da Gama would go to India or simply how amazing it is to sit and feel the wind, the spray of the waves, and the smell of the Atlantic breaking on the rocks below.
It is a must for anyone that likes maritime history, so much of it has been written here throughout the centuries it's mind-blowing, and we sure will try to experience some of the magic of that history by visiting the Fortress where the Navigator's school was based, the lighthouse, and Ponta da Atalaia, a very mystical location and where we will spend the last night of this tour. It is still full of mystery and hidden stories, some of which we will be happy to share with you over dinner while watching the Sun sink into the seemingly infinite Sea in front of us.
Thanks for reading and sharing!
The Turtle