10. Lagos, Portugal
Best for: Taster Sessions.
Lagos is right at the south west tip of Europe, a beautiful old fishing port that has largely been taken over by backpackers and surfers. As such, it’s a funny, counter-culture oasis in the golfing and sun-worshipping Algarve region. Head there and seek out The Mountain Bike Adventure, an off-shoot of the hugely successful Surf Experience company. They have an uplift service to take you to the top of the nearby volcano, where a two-hour descent through some brilliant dusty shrubland awaits. Finish the ride with a dip in the sea and a surf. Perfecto.
themountainbikeadventure.com