Castles and Wine
Portugal Bike Tours
Cycling through Alentejo
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€719 Rates
- Book This Trip
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 $ 1473 £ 764 $ 1,300 € 869 kr 133496 ₪ 3555 ¥ 146137 Mex$ 16162 NZ$ 1605 NOK 10413 zł 3823 S$ 1287 kr 10315 $ 945 $ 1219 £ 632 $ 1,076 € 719 kr 110453 ₪ 2941 ¥ 120912 Mex$ 13372 NZ$ 1328 NOK 8616 zł 3163 S$ 1064 kr 8534 $ 782 Self guided Tour "Charm" Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 1576 £ 818 $ 1,391 € 930 kr 142867 ₪ 3804 ¥ 156395 Mex$ 17296 NZ$ 1718 NOK 11144 zł 4091 S$ 1377 kr 11039 $ 1,011 $ 1337 £ 694 $ 1,180 € 789 kr 121206 ₪ 3227 ¥ 132683 Mex$ 14674 NZ$ 1457 NOK 9454 zł 3471 S$ 1168 kr 9365 $ 858 Supported Tour Standard Accommodation 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 3611 £ 1873 $ 3,186 € 2130 kr 327211 ₪ 8713 ¥ 358194 Mex$ 39614 NZ$ 3934 NOK 25523 zł 9370 S$ 3153 kr 25282 $ 2,317 $ 2695 £ 1398 $ 2,378 € 1590 kr 244256 ₪ 6504 ¥ 267384 Mex$ 29571 NZ$ 2937 NOK 19053 zł 6994 S$ 2354 kr 18872 $ 1,729 Supported Tour "Charm" Accommodation 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 3729 £ 1934 $ 3,291 € 2200 kr 337964 ₪ 8999 ¥ 369966 Mex$ 40916 NZ$ 4064 NOK 26362 zł 9677 S$ 3257 kr 26113 $ 2,393 $ 2797 £ 1451 $ 2,468 € 1650 kr 253473 ₪ 6749 ¥ 277474 Mex$ 30687 NZ$ 3048 NOK 19772 zł 7258 S$ 2443 kr 19585 $ 1,794 Guided Tour on set dates Twin room/double room, "Charm" Accommodation $ 3577 £ 1855 $ 3,156 € 2110 kr 324138 ₪ 8631 ¥ 354831 Mex$ 39242 NZ$ 3897 NOK 25284 zł 9282 S$ 3124 kr 25044 $ 2,295 Private Guided Tour Standard Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 4399 £ 2282 $ 3,882 € 2595 kr 398644 ₪ 10615 ¥ 436392 Mex$ 48262 NZ$ 4793 NOK 31095 zł 11415 S$ 3842 kr 30801 $ 2,822 $ 3653 £ 1895 $ 3,224 € 2155 kr 331051 ₪ 8815 ¥ 362398 Mex$ 40079 NZ$ 3981 NOK 25823 zł 9480 S$ 3191 kr 25579 $ 2,344 Private Guided Tour Charm Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 4517 £ 2343 $ 3,987 € 2665 kr 409397 ₪ 10901 ¥ 448163 Mex$ 49564 NZ$ 4923 NOK 31934 zł 11723 S$ 3946 kr 31632 $ 2,898 $ 3763 £ 1952 $ 3,321 € 2220 kr 341036 ₪ 9081 ¥ 373329 Mex$ 41288 NZ$ 4101 NOK 26602 zł 9765 S$ 3287 kr 26350 $ 2,414 Self-guided supplements:
High season supplement twin/double:
Standard: $ 88 £ 46 $ 78 € 52 kr 7988 ₪ 213 ¥ 8745 Mex$ 967 NZ$ 96 NOK 623 zł 229 S$ 77 kr 617 $ 57 Charm: $ 115 £ 60 $ 102 € 68 kr 10446 ₪ 278 ¥ 11435 Mex$ 1265 NZ$ 126 NOK 815 zł 299 S$ 101 kr 807 $ 74 High season single supplement:
Standard: $ 536 £ 278 $ 473 € 316 kr 48544 ₪ 1293 ¥ 53141 Mex$ 5877 NZ$ 584 NOK 3787 zł 1390 S$ 468 kr 3751 $ 344 Charm: $ 642 £ 333 $ 567 € 379 kr 58222 ₪ 1550 ¥ 63735 Mex$ 7049 NZ$ 700 NOK 4541 zł 1667 S$ 561 kr 4499 $ 412 Single supplement on all other dates:
Standard: $ 412 £ 214 $ 364 € 243 kr 37330 ₪ 994 ¥ 40864 Mex$ 4519 NZ$ 449 NOK 2912 zł 1069 S$ 360 kr 2884 $ 264 Charm: $ 507 £ 263 $ 447 € 299 kr 45932 ₪ 1223 ¥ 50282 Mex$ 5561 NZ$ 552 NOK 3583 zł 1315 S$ 443 kr 3549 $ 325Supported and Guided supplements:
High season supplement twin/double:
Standard: $ 88 £ 46 $ 78 € 52 kr 7988 ₪ 213 ¥ 8745 Mex$ 967 NZ$ 96 NOK 623 zł 229 S$ 77 kr 617 $ 57 Charm: $ 115 £ 60 $ 102 € 68 kr 10446 ₪ 278 ¥ 11435 Mex$ 1265 NZ$ 126 NOK 815 zł 299 S$ 101 kr 807 $ 74 High season single supplement:
Standard: $ 536 £ 278 $ 473 € 316 kr 48544 ₪ 1293 ¥ 53141 Mex$ 5877 NZ$ 584 NOK 3787 zł 1390 S$ 468 kr 3751 $ 344 Charm: $ 642 £ 333 $ 567 € 379 kr 58222 ₪ 1550 ¥ 63735 Mex$ 7049 NZ$ 700 NOK 4541 zł 1667 S$ 561 kr 4499 $ 412 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 $ 1627 £ 844 $ 1,436 € 960 kr 147475 ₪ 3927 ¥ 161440 Mex$ 17854 NZ$ 1773 NOK 11503 zł 4223 S$ 1421 kr 11395 $ 1,044 $ 1466 £ 761 $ 1,294 € 865 kr 132881 ₪ 3538 ¥ 145464 Mex$ 16087 NZ$ 1598 NOK 10365 zł 3805 S$ 1281 kr 10267 $ 941 Supported Tour Charm Accommodation 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 3738 £ 1939 $ 3,298 € 2205 kr 338732 ₪ 9020 ¥ 370807 Mex$ 41009 NZ$ 4073 NOK 26422 zł 9699 S$ 3265 kr 26172 $ 2,398 $ 2916 £ 1512 $ 2,573 € 1720 kr 264226 ₪ 7036 ¥ 289246 Mex$ 31989 NZ$ 3177 NOK 20610 zł 7566 S$ 2546 kr 20415 $ 1,871 Guided Tour on set dates Twin room/double room, "Charm" Accommodation $ 3594 £ 1864 $ 3,171 € 2120 kr 325674 ₪ 8672 ¥ 356513 Mex$ 39428 NZ$ 3916 NOK 25404 zł 9326 S$ 3139 kr 25163 $ 2,306 Private Guided Tour 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 4526 £ 2348 $ 3,994 € 2670 kr 410165 ₪ 10922 ¥ 449004 Mex$ 49657 NZ$ 4932 NOK 31994 zł 11745 S$ 3953 kr 31691 $ 2,904 $ 3848 £ 1996 $ 3,396 € 2270 kr 348717 ₪ 9285 ¥ 381738 Mex$ 42218 NZ$ 4193 NOK 27201 zł 9985 S$ 3361 kr 26944 $ 2,469 High season supplement (July 1 to September 16): $ 92 £ 47 $ 81 € 54 kr 8295 ₪ 221 ¥ 9081 Mex$ 1004 NZ$ 100 NOK 647 zł 238 S$ 80 kr 641 $ 59 Single supplement: $ 527 £ 273 $ 465 € 311 kr 47776 ₪ 1272 ¥ 52300 Mex$ 5784 NZ$ 574 NOK 3727 zł 1368 S$ 460 kr 3691 $ 338 High season single supplement: $ 736 £ 382 $ 649 € 434 kr 66671 ₪ 1775 ¥ 72984 Mex$ 8072 NZ$ 802 NOK 5201 zł 1909 S$ 643 kr 5151 $ 472 Supplement for special tour start day: $ 136 £ 70 $ 120 € 80 kr 12290 ₪ 327 ¥ 13453 Mex$ 1488 NZ$ 148 NOK 959 zł 352 S$ 118 kr 950 $ 87 Solo traveler: on request
Upgrades:
5 star Mar de Ar Aqueduto, Evora (2 nights):
Double/twin: $ 85 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7681 ₪ 205 ¥ 8408 Mex$ 930 NZ$ 92 NOK 599 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 593 $ 54 Single room: $ 170 £ 88 $ 150 € 100 kr 15362 ₪ 409 ¥ 16817 Mex$ 1860 NZ$ 185 NOK 1198 zł 440 S$ 148 kr 1187 $ 109 Pousada dos Lóios, Evora (2 nights):
Regular season:
Double/twin: $ 195 £ 101 $ 172 € 115 kr 17666 ₪ 470 ¥ 19339 Mex$ 2139 NZ$ 212 NOK 1378 zł 506 S$ 170 kr 1365 $ 125 Single: $ 458 £ 237 $ 404 € 270 kr 41477 ₪ 1104 ¥ 45405 Mex$ 5021 NZ$ 499 NOK 3235 zł 1188 S$ 400 kr 3205 $ 294 High season:
Double/twin: $ 222 £ 115 $ 196 € 131 kr 20124 ₪ 536 ¥ 22030 Mex$ 2436 NZ$ 242 NOK 1570 zł 576 S$ 194 kr 1555 $ 142 Single room: $ 458 £ 237 $ 404 € 270 kr 41477 ₪ 1104 ¥ 45405 Mex$ 5021 NZ$ 499 NOK 3235 zł 1188 S$ 400 kr 3205 $ 294Extra Options
2017:
E bike: $ 170 £ 88 $ 150 € 100 kr 15362 ₪ 409 ¥ 16817 Mex$ 1860 NZ$ 185 NOK 1198 zł 440 S$ 148 kr 1187 $ 109 GPS Rental: $ 85 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7681 ₪ 205 ¥ 8408 Mex$ 930 NZ$ 92 NOK 599 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 593 $ 54 Phone Rental: $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1536 ₪ 41 ¥ 1682 Mex$ 186 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: $ 170 £ 88 $ 150 € 100 kr 15362 ₪ 409 ¥ 16817 Mex$ 1860 NZ$ 185 NOK 1198 zł 440 S$ 148 kr 1187 $ 109 Groups of four or more: $ 110 £ 57 $ 97 € 65 kr 9985 ₪ 266 ¥ 10931 Mex$ 1209 NZ$ 120 NOK 779 zł 286 S$ 96 kr 772 $ 71 Last hotel to Airport
Groups of two: $ 203 £ 106 $ 180 € 120 kr 18434 ₪ 491 ¥ 20180 Mex$ 2232 NZ$ 222 NOK 1438 zł 528 S$ 178 kr 1424 $ 131 Groups of four or more: $ 119 £ 62 $ 105 € 70 kr 10753 ₪ 286 ¥ 11772 Mex$ 1302 NZ$ 129 NOK 839 zł 308 S$ 104 kr 831 $ 76 2018 supplements:
Self- guided:
E bike: $ 170 £ 88 $ 150 € 100 kr 15362 ₪ 409 ¥ 16817 Mex$ 1860 NZ$ 185 NOK 1198 zł 440 S$ 148 kr 1187 $ 109 Tour start other than Saturday: $ 136 £ 70 $ 120 € 80 kr 12290 ₪ 327 ¥ 13453 Mex$ 1488 NZ$ 148 NOK 959 zł 352 S$ 118 kr 950 $ 87 Transfers (price is per person):
Airport to first hotel: $ 119 £ 62 $ 105 € 70 kr 10753 ₪ 286 ¥ 11772 Mex$ 1302 NZ$ 129 NOK 839 zł 308 S$ 104 kr 831 $ 76 Last hotel to Airport: $ 119 £ 62 $ 105 € 70 kr 10753 ₪ 286 ¥ 11772 Mex$ 1302 NZ$ 129 NOK 839 zł 308 S$ 104 kr 831 $ 76 GPS rental: $ 85 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7681 ₪ 205 ¥ 8408 Mex$ 930 NZ$ 92 NOK 599 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 593 $ 54 Phone rental: $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1536 ₪ 41 ¥ 1682 Mex$ 186 NZ$ 18 NOK 120 zł 44 S$ 15 kr 119 $ 11 Guided:
E bike: $ 339 £ 176 $ 299 € 200 kr 30724 ₪ 818 ¥ 33633 Mex$ 3720 NZ$ 369 NOK 2397 zł 880 S$ 296 kr 2374 $ 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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