8 Day Portugal Bike Tour, Castles and Wine in Alentejo

Guided Cycling Tour in Portugal

The Castles and Wine Portugal Bike Tour will live up to its name. Most nights will be passed either in a castle or an old convent, now beautiful charming hotels. Along the way, the great ancient city of Évora, a world heritage site, and small fortified hamlets will tell the stories of wars with moors and Spain. The border is right there on the other side of Alqueva, the biggest artificial lake in Europe. The loveable Alentejo people, at first shy, the Mediterranean typical gastronomy along with the wonders of cork, marble, olive oil, and other crafts will enrich your experience. And the wine… well come and judge for yourself… All this in safe backroads with some easy bits off the asphalt riding, with a guide by your side. Portugal Best Cycling will be pleased if you choose to join this tour!

You can do this trip with an hybrid bike or with an e-bike. E-bike is extra cost. Hybrib bike included in guided tours.

Key information

Trip type: Guided
Lodging: Point to Point
Starts in: Lisbon
Ends in: Lisbon
Total Distance: 160 Miles / 258 Kilometers

Highlights

Internationally awarded wine tastings
This tour takes you through beautiful landscapes with vineyards, olive groves, cork oaks
Évora Historical Centre, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
Delicious regional Portuguese gastronomy from the Alentejo
7 nights accommodation
Sleep in castles, palaces, and farmhouses
Do this bike tour the opposite direction for an easier grade experience

Skill level

Intermediate

7 days with instruction

Airport transfer included: Lisbon Portela Airport

Program

Day 1: Arrival

Early arrival at the airport. Then, transfer to Arraiolos, a medieval village with a beautiful castle. At 6 p.m., enjoy a welcome drink and first briefing of your bike tour (welcome drink and dinner included in van guided and guided tours only)

Accommodation – your choice between:

Pousada de Arraiolos, built in a wonderful 16th-century convent, with a swimming pool, 2 km from Arraiolos

Casa do Plátano, a very charming guest house in the village center

Day 2: Arraiolos Route

Cycling from Arraiolos to Évora.

The bike tour starts cycling through Arraiolos village, with its rich historical center. Here you can visit the fantastic carpet museum, where you will learn about the history of this almost millennium tradition, and try the delicious Pastéis de Toucinho, a local sweet. Climb to the castle, one of the few round-shaped on the peninsula, and conquer its unforgettable views from there.

On the way to Évora, it's time to visit the Fita Preta winery, located in a medieval property with a 14th-century palace, recently restored after several years left to abandonment. A lot of prized wines here! Or, alternatively, an aromatic herbs farm, where you will taste delicious teas, honey, and olive oil. Feel the wonderful aromas.

Distance: 30 km if you sleep in Évora. 45 km if you sleep at our guesthouse
Total ascent: 389 mts
Difficulty: easy + to medium
Terrain: rolling terrain, some dirt roads.
Wine tasting, aromatic herbal infusions, and picnics are included in van-guided and guided bike tours.
Dinner not included.

Accommodation:

Monte do Serrado de Baixo, a lovely guesthouse, with a swimming pool
Hotel Mar de Ar Muralhas, 4*, in Évora historical center, with a swimming pool

Luxury option: You may upgrade your stay to the 16th-century recovered convent, Hotel Mar de Ar Aqueduto

Day 3: Megalithic Route

Cycling around Évora

If you are intrigued by the evolution of our kind, puzzled by the enormity of some Neolithic constructions, or wondered about the magical meaning of some pre-historical sites, then this bike tour day is for you. The biggest dolmen and one of the most important cromlechs in Europe with over 5000 years of history are waiting for you.

The ride finishes in Évora, where you will have the chance to wander around and get immersed in this ancient pre-roman settlement. One of the highlights will be the visit to the surreal XIII century bone chapel.

Distance: 45 km, if you sleep in Évora. Also, 45 km, if you sleep at Portugal Best Cycling's guesthouse, with a transfer at the beginning of the day
Total ascent: 500 m
Difficulty: medium
Terrain: flat terrain, some dirt roads. A more demanding climb in the end that can be avoided with the transfer when you sleep at Portugal Best Cycling's farm.
Picnic and ticket to Bone’s chapel included in van guided and guided tours. Dinner is not included.

Accommodation in the same hotel

Day 4: The Valley of the Degebe River

Cycling from Évora to Reguengos de Monsaraz.

Leaving Évora toward the rising sun, a more barren landscape will keep you company. On this bike tour day ride between olive groves to reach the small and traditional village of Nossa Srª de Machede.

After a pause for a cold drink or coffee, there's a visit to an old working leather factory. After lunch, the mysterious castle of Valongo will provide shade while it unveils its Roman past. A calm ride through easy backroads sets the tone for the day’s final destination. Before dinner a visit to a local distinct winery where the scent of the brewing clay pots fills the air with the ancient knowledge that makes great wine. Dinner is a surprise!

Distance: 50 km (if you sleep in Évora) or 57 km (if you sleep at Portugal Best Cycling's guesthouse)
Total ascent: 500 m
Difficulty: medium
Terrain: undulating roads
Lunch and dinner are included in van-guided and guided tours
Accommodation: Solar de Alqueva, with a swimming pool

Luxury option: You may cycle 10 km more and stay at Herdade de S. Lourenço do Barrocal, a charming country hotel with an architecture prize. Having dinner there you may try the wine and olive oil done by the estate. If you choose this option, Portugal Best Cycling recommends that you stay for 2 nights, and they will adapt your cycling route to Monsaraz.

Day 5: Conquest of the Castle of Monsaraz

Today’s bike tour destination is the fortified village of Monsaraz, an important stronghold in the defense of Portugal, just by the border with Spain.

On the way, you will visit the famous pottery village of S. Pedro do Corval, where you can see the men making magic with the clay, transforming it into beautiful pots and plates, and the ladies painting them with flowers at an impressive speed.

Then, with Spain in sight, lunch by the biggest artificial lake in Europe, the Alqueva dam reservoir. Then it’s time to conquer the castle, use all your energy to climb up to Monsaraz! Your hotel is either just by the city walls or inside, either option really nice. See the sunset from the tower!

Distance: 35 km
Total ascent: 380 mts
Difficulty: easy+, except the climb to Monsaraz
Terrain: flat roads, with one ascent to the castle
Accommodation: Casa Dona Antónia, a charming bed & breakfast in the medieval castle or Retiro de Monsaraz, just by the castle, with a swimming pool

Day 6: The Sanctuary Route

Cycling from Monsaraz to Vila Viçosa.

The day’s ride will lead to the marble capital of Portugal and one of the biggest in Europe. The marble triangle will mark the landscape for the next bike tour days. The so-called white gold is the main economic driver of the region. Its richness is a constant presence in the wide streets and tall buildings. The picnic lunch and the visit to an impressive fortified sanctuary with an interesting tale will close in the morning. Then a rare sight of distinct colored lagoons finishing with accommodation in an aristocratic convent.

Distance: 50 km
Total ascent: 680 m
Difficulty: medium
Terrain: undulating, with some climbing
Picnic and dinner included in van guided and guided tours.
Accommodation: Pousada D. João IV, built in a convent, with a swimming pool or Solar dos Mascarenhas, a charming boutique hotel built in a manor house, with a swimming pool

Luxury option: You may also upgrade to the 5-star Marmoris Hotel, where you will find all sorts of marble applications in the architecture and decoration.

Day 7: The Marble Route

Cycling from Vila Viçosa to Estemoz.

As the song says: ‘And now, the end is near…’

Today’s bike tour ride is soft so take this opportunity to taste some local delicacies: Petiscos (snacks).

From tavern to tavern the ride will delight your senses. The rest of the day will be spent in contemplation and admiration until the doors of Estremoz, the final destination of the journey.

Dinner and closing celebrations with some surprises will be held in an old 15th-century jailhouse – only for the nobles!!! And the journey will not be over until you climb up to the marble Donjon tower of the castle where you will sleep!

Distance: 35 km
Total ascent: 680 m – possible to cut out some of these climbs – paying a small extra fee the luggage transfer will be done in a van that can pick you and the bikes up along the way.
Difficulty: easy +
Terrain: undulating, with some climbing
Lunch, consisting of several Petiscos / snacks, and dinner are included in van-guided and guided tours
Accommodation: Pousada Rainha Stª Isabel, built in a palace, with a swimming pool, or Pateo dos Solares, a charming boutique hotel built in a palace with a swimming pool

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to Lisbon airport.

Tour extension is possible. Portugal Best Cycling may transfer you to the gorgeous coastline and you may add their other "ALONG THE COAST TOUR" or the "WILD ALGARVE". There's a discounted price if you book two tours. We know you want to do several Portugal bike tours!

Note

On guided bike tours groups are accompanied by one or two cycling guides, besides a guide who takes the support car, prepares the picnics, and transports your luggage. Lunches are picnic-type with traditional foods from the area where you are cycling. Sometimes, you also use local restaurants.

In dinners arranged by Portugal Best Cycling, you can be sure you will try the best gastronomy as they choose restaurants well known by them for their good traditional food. No "touristy" places included!

On guided cycling tours, you can expect full service from your guides. They will do their best to make your holiday an unforgettable one.

The guides are all Portuguese and know the region very well. They are very service minded and most of them have been working with Portugal Best Cycling for many years. They are bikers themselves and love to go cycling on their holidays, so they know what you expect from them! They will make sure you have a great Portugal bike tour!

OPPOSITE WAY – The price to do the trip the opposite way is the same. The only difference is that it is easier. If you choose to stay 3 nights in Évora there might be a change in price, depending on your choice of hotel.

Food

Included in the price are daily breakfast, 6 lunches, 5 dinners with wine, and 2 wine tasting at wineries. Gluten free and vegan available with extra cost.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

Alcoholic beverages

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Vegetarian
Vegan
Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Pescatarian
Lactose Free

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

What's included

7 nights accommodation in a double room with breakfast
Maps, route instructions, and history notes
24-hour phone support
Personal accident insurance
Luggage transfer
Basic tools
Transfer back on from Megalithic tour (if you sleep at our farm)
VAT
Souvenir
Airport transfers
Support car with a guide
Bicycle, helmet, back rack, and pannier or similar
Water and fruit
6 lunches
5 dinners with wine
2 wine tasting at wineries
Entrance fee at Bones Chapel, in Évora
Entrance fee at Évora's cathedral
Entrance fee at Vila Viçosa's Ducal Palace
First-aid assistance
Portugal Best Cycling jersey
Guide

Check availability and plan your dream trip!

The organizer has discretion over price and availability for each inquiry.

First name

Please provide your first name

Last name

Please provide your last name

Please provide a valid email address.

Phone (optional)

Your message for Portugal Best Cycling (optional)

Message can't be empty when no date is selected

I would like to receive the Tripaneer email newsletter, including special Holidays offers and giveaways.

Best Price Guaranteed

Fast Response

Explore