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What to expect

Multiple Activites

Multiple Activites

Hiking, cycling & paddleboarding

Spectacular Scenery

Spectacular Scenery

Cycle Castro Marim nature reserve

Four-star Central Hotel

Four-star Central Hotel

Stay minutes from the beach

Guided Walk

Guided Walk

Explore Olhão's Fisherman's Quarter

About this trip...

Join Solos as we head to the unspoilt eastern Algarve in Portugal, a fantastic destination for an active escape combining beautiful coastal scenery with authentic local charm. This active trip blends cycling, walking and paddleboarding, taking you through the Ria Formosa Natural Park, along scenic coastal trails and across tranquil waterways. From exploring traditional towns like Tavira and Castro Marim to discovering island communities by boat and enjoying time on the water in Isla Canela, each day offers a perfect balance of activity, culture and relaxation in one of Portugal’s most picturesque regions.
Activity Level: Activity Level Rating
What's this?

What's included

  • Return airport transfers (Faro Airport)
  • Private room
  • Daily breakfast & dinner
  • Welcome drink & information meeting
  • Organized activities: hiking, paddleboarding, cycling and a guided walk
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader

What's extra:

  • International flights are not included

  • Let us help you book them! Learn more.

  • Travel insurance

  • Tips & drinks

  • Meals when not included in the itinerary

  • Activities when not included in the itinerary

Itinerary

  • Arrive in Monte Gordo
  • Hiking Altura to Monte Gordo
  • Cycling Castro Marim Nature Reserve
  • Day at leisure
  • Cycling Tavira Ecovia
  • Barrier Islands Tour
  • Stand Up Paddle Isla Canela & Hike Ayamonte to Monte Gordo
  • Depart Monte Gordo

What you'll be doing

Day One: Arrival into Faro

Day One: Arrival into Faro

On arrival at Faro Airport, we will have a private transfer to our centrally located hotel. Depending on our arrival time, we'll have an orientation walk before dinner.
  • Dinner included
Day Two : Hiking Altura to Monte Gordo

Day Two : Hiking Altura to Monte Gordo

We begin today’s walk in the coastal village of Altura, known for its cafés, restaurants and long stretch of white sandy beach. From here, we follow raised walkways across the dunes towards Monte Gordo, observing the changing landscape and plant life along the way, including European beach grass and sea holly. The beach feels endless, with sweeping views leading down to the calm, gently lapping sea.

  • Breakfast & dinner included

Day Three: Cycling Castro Marim Nature Reserve

Day Three: Cycling Castro Marim Nature Reserve

Today’s ride takes us on a scenic loop through the Castro Marim Nature Reserve, set along the banks of the Guadiana River and its salt pans, home to an abundance of birdlife. We also visit the charming historic town of Castro Marim, where its ancient castle and later fortifications overlook the river, offering sweeping views across the surrounding countryside.

  • Breakfast & dinner included

Day Four: Day at leisure

Day Four: Day at leisure

Enjoy a day at leisure to relax and make the most of the hotel’s facilities, including the outdoor pool, wellness area and beachfront setting, or head out to explore the charming waterways and character of the Algarve’s “Venice.”

  • Breakfast & dinner included

Day Five : Cycling Tavira Ecovia

Day Five : Cycling Tavira Ecovia

A scenic cycling route along the coastal Ecovia, following the Ria Formosa and taking in the charming village of Cacela Velha with its Moorish-influenced architecture. Continue through Cabanas, where cafés line the attractive waterfront, before finishing in Tavira—one of the Algarve’s most unspoilt towns—where there’s time to wander and soak up its relaxed charm.

  • Breakfast & dinner included

Day Six:  Barrier Islands Tour

Day Six: Barrier Islands Tour

This morning, we take a short walk through Olhão’s Fisherman’s Quarter, wandering its narrow, maze-like streets while discovering stories of the past among the distinctive Moroccan-style houses. We then continue to the waterfront to visit the lively Municipal Market, where stalls are filled with fresh local produce including fish, fruit, almonds and honey. From the nearby harbour, we board a boat to explore the turquoise waters, marshlands and shellfish farms of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, home to a variety of birdlife and wildlife. Along the way, we visit the local island communities before returning to Olhão by boat.

  • Breakfast & dinner included

Day Seven: Stand Up Paddle Isla Canela & Hike Ayamonte to Monte Gordo

Day Seven: Stand Up Paddle Isla Canela & Hike Ayamonte to Monte Gordo

Today we head to Isla Canela for a stand-up paddleboarding experience. Calm waters and gentle conditions make this the perfect place to learn or improve, with time to explore the scenic coastline, river and surrounding marshlands. Afterwards, we spend some free time in Ayamonte, with the option to enjoy Spanish tapas, before taking the ferry back to Portugal. From Vila Real de Santo António, we set off on a relaxed hike to Monte Gordo, bringing the day to a scenic close.

  • Breakfast & dinner included

Day Eight: Depart Monte Gordo

Day Eight: Depart Monte Gordo

Today we enjoy our final breakfast at the hotel, before transfering to the airport for our flight home.

  • Breakfast included

Accommodations

Hotel Baia de Monte Gordo Three-star

Our cozy, friendly, hotel is located near the beach and within reach of the resorts bars and restaurants and acts as an ideal base for the week.
Facilities include
Facilities include restaurant, bar, small rooftop swimming pool, lounge area & Wi-Fi.
Room includes
Our rooms have ensuite bathroom, desk, flat screen TV, hairdryer, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and balcony.

Dates & Prices

Departure Return Nights Price from Other Info
Oct 24 2027 Oct 31 2027 7
$2230
 

Essential Information

Transfer time
From Faro Airport to Baia Beach Hotel, it is roughly 50 minutes depending on traffic.
General information
Please note:
  • The day by day running of the holiday can vary depending on weather. The places we go to on the activities can also vary depending on weather.
  • At the beginning of your trip, your Tour Leader will ask if you would be happy to sign a photo permission form. This means that any photographs taken during your holiday can be used by Solos to share what the Solos experience is all about. It also means you have lots of memories to go home with! Details will be given at your welcome meeting.
WhatsApp Group: Just before the start of your trip, you will be sent an invite to the WhatsApp group which will put you in touch with your fellow Solos travellers and Tour Leader prior to your departure day. By choosing to join, you're consenting to share your contact details with other members of your group. However, if you prefer not to join, that's completely fine, and you can meet the group on your first day instead. Please note, if you have not received an email within 24 hours of departure, we recommend you check your email junk folder.
Dress code
On an activity holiday, dress is generally very informal, the emphasis being on comfort and warmth. We suggest comfortable walking shoes, swim wear and something you find comfortable to cycle in for the activity days. For dinners in the hotel, the dress is smart casual.
Gratuities
We suggest a Group Collection to cover transfer drivers, and hotel staff of €20.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate percentage on.
Passport, Visa & Entry Requirements
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
Not sure what travel documents you need? Our trusted partner, sherpa°, makes it easy to check visa and entry requirements based on your destination and passport. One quick check now means smooth sailing later. Click here to learn more.
Health Requirements & Insurance
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance before any trip — it safeguards you against unexpected issues like illness, cancellations, or lost luggage. It also protects your health and travel investment, giving you peace of mind to fully enjoy your journey. Click here to learn more.

Important information
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.  You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet.  

Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired. 

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Rated as Excellent (4.8/5) by our customers

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Fantastic time

I’ve recently returned from my first Solos trip and had a fantastic time. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute, and the memories will last a lifetime.
-Patricia

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Highly Recommended

I’d highly recommend Solos to people looking to travel on their own with a group of like minded people.
-David

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Brilliant Week!

We laughed until our bellies ached. It was such a brilliant week.
-Janev

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Go for it!

I still get a bit nervous but this will be my third time with Solos and its one of the best decisions I have ever made- everyone is so friendly, just go for it!!
-Jane

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