Castles and Wine
Portugal Bike Tours
Cycling through Alentejo
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€719 Rates
Overview
This picturesque bike tour in Portugal is all about discovery on two wheels. Your itinerary showcases castles, churches, artisans, wine producers, and typical family owned cafés by day, and accommodations in palaces, convents, castles, or lovely farms by night. The landscape is diverse and varied, from olive groves, vineyards, and cork oaks to granite, schist, and marble.
Your adventure begins in the small village of Arraiolos, famous for its embroidery (Tapetes Arraiolos) and leads you to beautiful Évora, an impressive medieval city classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. You will cycle to Monsaraz, the lovely white castled village with a panoramic view over the biggest artificial lake of Europe, and then through Terena and its impressive sanctuary.
The perfect finish to you vacation is Estremoz, the city of the "white gold", surrounded by an old protective wall.
Highlights
- Accomodations in castles, palaces and farmhouses
- Tastings of Internationally awarded wine
- Cycling through beautiful landscapes with vineyards, olive groves, cork oaks
- Évora historical center, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site
- Medieval villages
- Fantastic gastronomy of Portugal and the Alentejo, always present at our wonderful gourmet picnics and selected restaurants.
You can choose how you want to cycle; guided, supported, or self guided.
A comprehensive list of our bike tours in Portugal can be found here.
Itinerary
Day 1: Individual arrival and transfer to Arraiolos
Day 2: Arraiolos - Evora, 22 or 26 miles (35 or 42 km)
Day 3: Cycling around Evora or Arraiolos to Evora, 28 miles (45 km)
Day 4: Evora - Reguengos de Monsarez, 31 or 35 miles (50 or 57 km)
Day 5: Reguengos to Monsaraz, 22 miles (35 km)
Day 6: Monsaraz to Vila Viçosa, 31 miles (50 km)
Day 7: Vila Viçosa to Estemoz, 22 miles (35 km)
Day 8: Departure*All distances are approximate.
Day 1: Individual arrival and transfer to Arraiolos
Upon arrival to the airport, you will be transferred to Arraiolos, a lovely medieval village with a gorgeous castle. At 6 pm, you will have a tour briefing. For those who have booked a supported or guided tour, you will enjoy a welcome drink and dinner. Accommodations this evening in Pousada de Arraiolos built in a lovely 16th century convent.Day 2: Arraiolos - Evora, 22 or 26 mi. (35 or 42 km)
Your destination today will be Arraiolos village, with its rich historical center and famous for its carpets and the delicious Pastéis de Toucinho. There will be an opportunity to visit a cheese farm and a winery for lunch. Riding past small farms through idyllic landscapes you will reach your final destination, finally riding in the ecotrail, a green lane built on top of an old railway. From the hilltop castle in Evora, you can see for miles! There are two possibilities for accommodations this evening. One is in a lovely guesthouse outside of Evora. Distance then will be 35 km. Another possibilities is a 4 star hotel in the historical center of Evora. Cycling distance will then be 42 km. Total ascent, 400 m. Upgrade possible to Hotel Mar de Ar Aqueduto or Pousada dos Loios.Day 3: Cycling around Evora, 28 miles (45 km)
Today you will have the opportunity to visit some of the most important megalithic monuments of the region. The landscape is lovely and filled with holm oak and cork trees. You will learn about the cork extraction and about the people that inhabited the region more than 5,000 years ago. Also, visit the Dolmen of Zambugeiro, one of the largest stone tombs in Europe. Also among the highlights are the Cromlech of Almendres and the roman ruins of Tourega. In the afternoon you cycle in the city of Évora and discover the amazing history of this beautiful city. You can visit the surreal Bone’s chapel and the impressive cathedral, originally from the 13th century. End the day with wine tasting in the Évora Wine Tour Shop. If your accommodations are the guesthouse, you will have a transfer in the beginning of the day. Total ascent, 500 m.Day 4: Evora - Reguengos de Monsarez, 31 or 35 miles (50 or 57 km)
Cycle along olive groves to reach the small and traditional village of Nossa Srª de Machede. Here you should stop at a local café for a drink, visit the leather factory and an when in season, an olive mill to see how olive oil is made. Also cycle past Castle of Valongo and visit a cheese factory in Reguengos de Monsaraz. Arriving to Reguengos de Monsaraz, you still have plenty of time for some wine tasting in a gorgeous traditional winery where they still store their wine in old clay pots. If accommodations are the guesthouse, distance will be 57 km. Total ascent, 500 m. Accommodations in Solar de Alqueva with swimming pool.Day 5: Reguengos to Monsaraz, 22 miles (35 km)
Today, visit the famous pottery village of S. Pedro do Corval. Here, you can see the men working the clay, transforming it into beautiful pots and plates, and the ladies painting them with flowers. Conquer the climb to the gorgeous village of Monsaraz, built in a castle on top of a hill. Monsaraz a beautiful view over the lake of the Alqueva dam, the largest artificial lake of Europe. After a hard climb, you can relax by the lake and enjoy lunch. Total ascent, 380 m. Accommodation in Hotel Rural Horta da Moura, 4*, a charming hotel with swimming pool.Day 6: Monsaraz to Vila Viçosa, 31 miles (50 km)
Today you leave behind the schist land and discover the marble kingdom. The route begins with a gentle rolling hills. Along the way, visit the impressive sanctuary of Nossa Srª da Boa Nova and the flowery village of Terena. You will pass the marble quarries of Bencatel area with its moon-like landscape. From here, the white gold was extracted to build gorgeous cities such as Estremoz and Borba. We arrive at Vila Viçosa, a favorite resting place for many kings whose noble subjuects built beautiful manor houses in the area. Total ascent, 680 m. Accommodation in Pousada D. João IV, built in a convent, with swimming pool.Day 7: Vila Viçosa to Estremoz, 22 miles (35 km)
The day begins with a visit to the marble museum in Vila Viçosa, and the ducal palace, followed by pedaling to Borba. In Borba, you can visit one of those typical local cafés where the wine served is produced in the clay pots that also decorate the space. All of the wine served is locally produced. You will ride through some typical villages where you can stop for traditional "petiscos" (local snacks) for lunch. The route then leads to Gloria, where you will visit the Church of Nossa Srª dos Martires, a marble gothic church. Arriving to Estremoz, you will be impressed by the beautiful architecture and the imposing tower of the castle which will be your accommodation for the night! Theres is a possibility to eliminate some of these climbs by paying a small supplement fee. Total ascent, 680 m. Accommodations in Pousada Rainha St Isabel.Day 8: Departure
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Accommodation
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Self-guided:
- 7 nights’ accommodations in charming hotels (some castles, convents, or palaces) including breakfasts
- Bike rental with front bag, back rack, pannier, and tool kit
- Luggage transfers
- Route descriptions and maps including notes of historical interest
- Transfer from the farm to Megalithic tour (if you sleep at the farm in Evora)
- 24 hour emergency contact
- Souvenir
- Gastronomic surprises each day
- Personal accident insurance
- VAT tax
- Supported tour
- All of the above
- Transfer on private bus from Lisbon’s airport to Arraiolos
- Transfer on private bus from Estremoz to Lisbon’s airport
- Support Vehicle during 6 cycling days
- Guide who drives the vehicle and provides interesting information
- Water and fruit for the day
- 2 picnic lunches per person
- 1 “petisco’s”/snack lunch
- 3 lunches at regional restaurants
- 5 dinners with wine
- 2 wine tastings at wineries
- Entrance fee at Bones chapel, in Évora
- Entrance fee at Évora’s cathedral
- Entrance fee at Vila Viçosa’s Ducal Palace
- Portugal Best Cycling jersey
- GUIDED TOUR ONLY
- All the above
- Cycling guide
What’s Not Included
- Lunches (Self-guided tour)
- Dinners (Self-guided tour)
- Transfer from Lisbon airport to Arraiolos (Self-guided tour)
- Transfer from Estremoz to Lisbon airport (Self-guided tour)
- Entrance fees (Self-guided tour)
- Bicycle protection
- 2 dinners (Guided and supported tour)
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2017:
*Guided: November 11, 2017
Private guided dates are available for groups of two or more.
**Supported: Arrival possible any day for groups of two or more people
Self-Guided: Arrival possible any day for groups of two or more people
(July and August is not recommended as it is very hot!)
2018:
Self guided and Van supported: Every Saturday with minimum of 2 people. Special tour start day can be arranged for a supplement. See pricing.
Guided: March 17, April 7, May 5, and October 20, 2018. Private dates can be arranged for minimum of 2. See pricing.
*Guided tours: Accompanied by one or two cycling guides and support vehicle. Driver will prepare picnic lunches, transfer luggage, and be available for support if needed.
**Supported tours: Driver (who will also serve as guide) and van will be available at all times for support. The guide will stop at important and interesting places to give explanation or provide some history but will not cycle with group.Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Self guided Tour Standard Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 1451 £ 759 $ 1,296 € 869 kr 133239 ₪ 3628 ¥ 149488 Mex$ 16230 NZ$ 1595 NOK 10456 zł 3830 S$ 1291 kr 10373 $ 948 $ 1201 £ 628 $ 1,072 € 719 kr 110240 ₪ 3002 ¥ 123684 Mex$ 13428 NZ$ 1320 NOK 8651 zł 3169 S$ 1068 kr 8582 $ 784 Self guided Tour "Charm" Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 1553 £ 812 $ 1,387 € 930 kr 142591 ₪ 3883 ¥ 159981 Mex$ 17369 NZ$ 1707 NOK 11190 zł 4098 S$ 1382 kr 11101 $ 1,014 $ 1317 £ 689 $ 1,176 € 789 kr 120973 ₪ 3294 ¥ 135726 Mex$ 14736 NZ$ 1448 NOK 9493 zł 3477 S$ 1172 kr 9418 $ 861 Supported Tour Standard Accommodation 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 3557 £ 1860 $ 3,176 € 2130 kr 326580 ₪ 8893 ¥ 366408 Mex$ 39781 NZ$ 3910 NOK 25629 zł 9387 S$ 3165 kr 25424 $ 2,323 $ 2655 £ 1388 $ 2,371 € 1590 kr 243785 ₪ 6638 ¥ 273516 Mex$ 29696 NZ$ 2919 NOK 19131 zł 7007 S$ 2363 kr 18979 $ 1,734 Supported Tour "Charm" Accommodation 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 3674 £ 1921 $ 3,280 € 2200 kr 337313 ₪ 9185 ¥ 378450 Mex$ 41088 NZ$ 4039 NOK 26471 zł 9695 S$ 3269 kr 26260 $ 2,400 $ 2755 £ 1441 $ 2,460 € 1650 kr 252985 ₪ 6889 ¥ 283837 Mex$ 30816 NZ$ 3029 NOK 19853 zł 7271 S$ 2452 kr 19695 $ 1,800 Guided Tour on set dates Twin room/double room, "Charm" Accommodation $ 3523 £ 1843 $ 3,146 € 2110 kr 323514 ₪ 8809 ¥ 362968 Mex$ 39408 NZ$ 3873 NOK 25388 zł 9299 S$ 3135 kr 25186 $ 2,302 Private Guided Tour Standard Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 4333 £ 2266 $ 3,869 € 2595 kr 397876 ₪ 10834 ¥ 446399 Mex$ 48466 NZ$ 4764 NOK 31224 zł 11436 S$ 3856 kr 30975 $ 2,831 $ 3598 £ 1882 $ 3,213 € 2155 kr 330413 ₪ 8997 ¥ 370709 Mex$ 40248 NZ$ 3956 NOK 25930 zł 9497 S$ 3202 kr 25723 $ 2,351 Private Guided Tour Charm Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 4450 £ 2327 $ 3,974 € 2665 kr 408609 ₪ 11126 ¥ 458441 Mex$ 49773 NZ$ 4892 NOK 32066 zł 11744 S$ 3960 kr 31810 $ 2,907 $ 3707 £ 1939 $ 3,310 € 2220 kr 340379 ₪ 9269 ¥ 381890 Mex$ 41462 NZ$ 4075 NOK 26712 zł 9783 S$ 3299 kr 26499 $ 2,422 Self-guided supplements:
High season supplement twin/double:
Standard: $ 87 £ 45 $ 78 € 52 kr 7973 ₪ 217 ¥ 8945 Mex$ 971 NZ$ 95 NOK 626 zł 229 S$ 77 kr 621 $ 57 Charm: $ 114 £ 59 $ 101 € 68 kr 10426 ₪ 284 ¥ 11698 Mex$ 1270 NZ$ 125 NOK 818 zł 300 S$ 101 kr 812 $ 74 High season single supplement:
Standard: $ 528 £ 276 $ 471 € 316 kr 48450 ₪ 1319 ¥ 54359 Mex$ 5902 NZ$ 580 NOK 3802 zł 1393 S$ 470 kr 3772 $ 345 Charm: $ 633 £ 331 $ 565 € 379 kr 58110 ₪ 1582 ¥ 65197 Mex$ 7078 NZ$ 696 NOK 4560 zł 1670 S$ 563 kr 4524 $ 413 Single supplement on all other dates:
Standard: $ 406 £ 212 $ 362 € 243 kr 37258 ₪ 1015 ¥ 41802 Mex$ 4538 NZ$ 446 NOK 2924 zł 1071 S$ 361 kr 2901 $ 265 Charm: $ 499 £ 261 $ 446 € 299 kr 45844 ₪ 1248 ¥ 51435 Mex$ 5584 NZ$ 549 NOK 3598 zł 1318 S$ 444 kr 3569 $ 326Supported and Guided supplements:
High season supplement twin/double:
Standard: $ 87 £ 45 $ 78 € 52 kr 7973 ₪ 217 ¥ 8945 Mex$ 971 NZ$ 95 NOK 626 zł 229 S$ 77 kr 621 $ 57 Charm: $ 114 £ 59 $ 101 € 68 kr 10426 ₪ 284 ¥ 11698 Mex$ 1270 NZ$ 125 NOK 818 zł 300 S$ 101 kr 812 $ 74 High season single supplement:
Standard: $ 528 £ 276 $ 471 € 316 kr 48450 ₪ 1319 ¥ 54359 Mex$ 5902 NZ$ 580 NOK 3802 zł 1393 S$ 470 kr 3772 $ 345 Charm: $ 633 £ 331 $ 565 € 379 kr 58110 ₪ 1582 ¥ 65197 Mex$ 7078 NZ$ 696 NOK 4560 zł 1670 S$ 563 kr 4524 $ 413 Single supplement on all other dates:Upgrade to Pousada or 5 * Hotel in Evora (two nights):
Upgrade for Pousada dos Loios in Evora (two nights):(There will be additional charge for upgrade in July and August. Please ask us.)
2018:
Self guided Tour Charm Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 1603 £ 838 $ 1,431 € 960 kr 147191 ₪ 4008 ¥ 165142 Mex$ 17929 NZ$ 1762 NOK 11551 zł 4231 S$ 1426 kr 11459 $ 1,047 $ 1444 £ 755 $ 1,290 € 865 kr 132625 ₪ 3611 ¥ 148800 Mex$ 16155 NZ$ 1588 NOK 10408 zł 3812 S$ 1285 kr 10325 $ 944 Supported Tour Charm Accommodation 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 3682 £ 1925 $ 3,288 € 2205 kr 338080 ₪ 9206 ¥ 379310 Mex$ 41182 NZ$ 4048 NOK 26531 zł 9717 S$ 3276 kr 26320 $ 2,405 $ 2872 £ 1502 $ 2,565 € 1720 kr 263717 ₪ 7181 ¥ 295879 Mex$ 32124 NZ$ 3157 NOK 20696 zł 7580 S$ 2556 kr 20530 $ 1,876 Guided Tour on set dates Twin room/double room, "Charm" Accommodation $ 3540 £ 1851 $ 3,161 € 2120 kr 325047 ₪ 8851 ¥ 364688 Mex$ 39594 NZ$ 3892 NOK 25508 zł 9343 S$ 3150 kr 25305 $ 2,313 Private Guided Tour 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 4458 £ 2332 $ 3,981 € 2670 kr 409375 ₪ 11147 ¥ 459301 Mex$ 49866 NZ$ 4901 NOK 32126 zł 11767 S$ 3967 kr 31870 $ 2,912 $ 3790 £ 1982 $ 3,385 € 2270 kr 348046 ₪ 9477 ¥ 390492 Mex$ 42396 NZ$ 4167 NOK 27313 zł 10004 S$ 3373 kr 27095 $ 2,476 High season supplement (July 1 to September 16): $ 90 £ 47 $ 81 € 54 kr 8280 ₪ 225 ¥ 9289 Mex$ 1009 NZ$ 99 NOK 650 zł 238 S$ 80 kr 645 $ 59 Single supplement: $ 519 £ 272 $ 464 € 311 kr 47684 ₪ 1298 ¥ 53499 Mex$ 5808 NZ$ 571 NOK 3742 zł 1371 S$ 462 kr 3712 $ 339 High season single supplement: $ 725 £ 379 $ 647 € 434 kr 66543 ₪ 1812 ¥ 74658 Mex$ 8106 NZ$ 797 NOK 5222 zł 1913 S$ 645 kr 5180 $ 473 Supplement for special tour start day: $ 134 £ 70 $ 119 € 80 kr 12266 ₪ 334 ¥ 13762 Mex$ 1494 NZ$ 147 NOK 963 zł 353 S$ 119 kr 955 $ 87 Solo traveler: on request
Upgrades:
5 star Mar de Ar Aqueduto, Evora (2 nights):
Double/twin: $ 83 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7666 ₪ 209 ¥ 8601 Mex$ 934 NZ$ 92 NOK 602 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 597 $ 55 Single room: $ 167 £ 87 $ 149 € 100 kr 15332 ₪ 418 ¥ 17202 Mex$ 1868 NZ$ 184 NOK 1203 zł 441 S$ 149 kr 1194 $ 109 Pousada dos Lóios, Evora (2 nights):
Regular season:
Double/twin: $ 192 £ 100 $ 171 € 115 kr 17632 ₪ 480 ¥ 19783 Mex$ 2148 NZ$ 211 NOK 1384 zł 507 S$ 171 kr 1373 $ 125 Single: $ 451 £ 236 $ 403 € 270 kr 41398 ₪ 1127 ¥ 46446 Mex$ 5043 NZ$ 496 NOK 3249 zł 1190 S$ 401 kr 3223 $ 295 High season:
Double/twin: $ 219 £ 114 $ 195 € 131 kr 20085 ₪ 547 ¥ 22535 Mex$ 2447 NZ$ 240 NOK 1576 zł 577 S$ 195 kr 1564 $ 143 Single room: $ 451 £ 236 $ 403 € 270 kr 41398 ₪ 1127 ¥ 46446 Mex$ 5043 NZ$ 496 NOK 3249 zł 1190 S$ 401 kr 3223 $ 295Extra Options
2017:
E bike: $ 167 £ 87 $ 149 € 100 kr 15332 ₪ 418 ¥ 17202 Mex$ 1868 NZ$ 184 NOK 1203 zł 441 S$ 149 kr 1194 $ 109 GPS Rental: $ 83 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7666 ₪ 209 ¥ 8601 Mex$ 934 NZ$ 92 NOK 602 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 597 $ 55 Phone Rental: $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1533 ₪ 42 ¥ 1720 Mex$ 187 NZ$ 18 NOK 120 zł 44 S$ 15 kr 119 $ 11 2017:
Transfers for self guided (price is per person)
Airport to first hotel
Groups of two: $ 167 £ 87 $ 149 € 100 kr 15332 ₪ 418 ¥ 17202 Mex$ 1868 NZ$ 184 NOK 1203 zł 441 S$ 149 kr 1194 $ 109 Groups of four or more: $ 109 £ 57 $ 97 € 65 kr 9966 ₪ 271 ¥ 11181 Mex$ 1214 NZ$ 119 NOK 782 zł 286 S$ 97 kr 776 $ 71 Last hotel to Airport
Groups of two: $ 200 £ 105 $ 179 € 120 kr 18399 ₪ 501 ¥ 20643 Mex$ 2241 NZ$ 220 NOK 1444 zł 529 S$ 178 kr 1432 $ 131 Groups of four or more: $ 117 £ 61 $ 104 € 70 kr 10733 ₪ 292 ¥ 12042 Mex$ 1307 NZ$ 129 NOK 842 zł 308 S$ 104 kr 836 $ 76 2018 supplements:
Self- guided:
E bike: $ 167 £ 87 $ 149 € 100 kr 15332 ₪ 418 ¥ 17202 Mex$ 1868 NZ$ 184 NOK 1203 zł 441 S$ 149 kr 1194 $ 109 Tour start other than Saturday: $ 134 £ 70 $ 119 € 80 kr 12266 ₪ 334 ¥ 13762 Mex$ 1494 NZ$ 147 NOK 963 zł 353 S$ 119 kr 955 $ 87 Transfers (price is per person):
Airport to first hotel: $ 117 £ 61 $ 104 € 70 kr 10733 ₪ 292 ¥ 12042 Mex$ 1307 NZ$ 129 NOK 842 zł 308 S$ 104 kr 836 $ 76 Last hotel to Airport: $ 117 £ 61 $ 104 € 70 kr 10733 ₪ 292 ¥ 12042 Mex$ 1307 NZ$ 129 NOK 842 zł 308 S$ 104 kr 836 $ 76 GPS rental: $ 83 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7666 ₪ 209 ¥ 8601 Mex$ 934 NZ$ 92 NOK 602 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 597 $ 55 Phone rental: $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1533 ₪ 42 ¥ 1720 Mex$ 187 NZ$ 18 NOK 120 zł 44 S$ 15 kr 119 $ 11 Guided:
E bike: $ 334 £ 175 $ 298 € 200 kr 30665 ₪ 835 ¥ 34405 Mex$ 3735 NZ$ 367 NOK 2406 zł 881 S$ 297 kr 2387 $ 218Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
This is a moderate bike tour on slightly undulating, mostly paved roads. Average daily distances cycling between 22 and 35 miles (35 and 57 km).
Airport Info
Fly to Lisbon.
Local Travel
From Lisbon airport, take a taxi to the bus station, Sete Rios, or the train station, Oriente. A taxi from departures (not arrivals) is recommended for better service. From the bus station, travel to Alvito is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. From the train station, travel to Alvito is approximately 2 hours with one change in Casa Branca. A private transfer may be included and if not can also be arranged at an additional cost. Please see pricing.
Climate
Check local conditions prior to arrival. Average high/low temperature for the area in degrees Fahrenheit: May 70/52º, June 79/58º, September 81/60º, and October 71/54º.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Portugal Best Cycling.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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