Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cycling Tours
If you're looking for a good day trip or a longer cycling holiday, the following excellent
local companies can point you in the right direction.
Portugal Bike
(
www.portugalbike.com
) Lisbon-based operator that offers an excellent selection of bike tours - on road
bikes, mountain bikes or hybrids - available year-round. Trips go through the Algarve, Minho or Alentejo. There's also
a route that follows the Camino de Santiago through northern Portugal and into Spain. Tours run five to 10 days and are
available guided or self-guided.
Blue Coast Bikes
( 265 092 172;
www.bluecoastbikes.travel
;
Rua das Fontaínhas 82; bike hire per day from €15,
guided tours from €70) An American-Portuguese partnership based in Setúbal, offers six- and eight-day guided tours
through the Douro Valley, around the Alentejo and along the Costa Azul. Their mechanic is a former Portuguese down-
hill and cross-country champion.
Pedal in Portugal
(
www.pedalinportugal.com
) A well-established, Portugal-based company offering both guided and
self-guided road- and mountain-bike tours in both the Alentejo and the Algarve. It also runs day tours in the Algarve.
You can also try the following UK- and US-based companies.
Easy Rider Tours
(
www.easyridertours.com
)
Features several guided cycling itineraries in the Minho, Alentejo and Al-
garve and along the Lisbon coast near Sintra.
Saddle Skedaddle
(
www.skedaddle.co.uk
) Offers both guided and self-guided tours lasting eight to nine days. Trips go
through the eastern Beiras and the Alentejo (with a coastal and an inland route). The ambitious can sign on for a 16-day
trip.
Saranjan Tours
(
www.saranjan.com
)
High-end cycling tours in the Algarve, Alentejo, Minho and Douro regions.
Diving
Portugal's best dive sites are concentrated in the Algarve. The water temperature is a bit
crisp (around 14°C to 16°C, though it doesn't vary much between summer and winter);
most divers prefer a 5mm suit. Visibility is usually between 4m and 6m; on the best days,
it can range from 15m to 20m.
One of the best places for beginners to learn to dive is off Praia do Carvoeiro (
Click
ited courses are also offered in Lagos (
Click here
)
and Sagres (
Click here
)
.
Closer to Lisbon, there are diving outfits at Costa da Caparica (
Click here
)
, Sesimbra
(
Click here
)
and Reserva Natural da Berlenga (
Click here
)
.
Golf
Portugal is a golf mecca, and its championship courses are famous for their rolling greens
and ocean vistas. Although many courses are frequented mainly by club members, anyone
with a handicap certificate can play here. Greens fees run from €35 to more than €120 per
round.
