Paradise in Portugal
Portugal Bike Tours
A bike tour in the Alentejo region of Portugal
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length4–8 days
- Prices from€530 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This bike tour in the lovely Alentejo region of Portugal combines accommodations at an authentic country guesthouse with daily guided or self-guided cycling excursions.
Located in a pastoral paradise, your accommodation is a genuine Monte, a traditional ancestral Alentejan farm, complete with orchard, organic vegetable garden, sheep grazing pastures, and an ancient olive grove, where cork oaks and holm oaks grow among large granite boulders. The occasional medieval village welcomes with its typical whitewashed houses trimmed in blue.
If you book the self-guided tour, there is an opportunity to participate in other guided activities such as hiking, kayaking, and wine and heritage tours. Just ask us for details and pricing.
Celebrate Alentejo Authenticity!
Highlights
- Accommodation at a beautiful guesthouse
- No packing and unpacking, just cycling and relaxing!
- Very flexible tour - distance can easily be adapted to your level
- Beautiful rolling landscape with vineyards, olive groves, cork oaks, and grazing land
- Very good Alentejo wine and fantastic gastronomy of Portugal
- Medieval villages and Évora historical center classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
- Very small groups (maximum 8 people)
All of our bike tours in Portugal can be found here.
Itinerary
This is a flexible cycling tour. You may combine the days in a different order or even kayak or hike instead of cycling. If you tell us your preferences in advance, we can help you plan the itinerary that works for you. You can enjoy short days or longer days, you can also reserve transfers so that you can linger longer at the place that interests you the most.
Example of routes
Route 1: The Famous Carpets
This suggested tour is an easy ride from the guesthouse to Arraiolos and then back, following the "green lane", or rails to trails path. It is a peaceful ride on gently rolling hills, 10 km of which is on dirt roads. You will cycle past small farms, eventually reaching Graça do Divor, a beautiful and well-preserved white and blue village. This is a wonderful place to stop for a drink and try delicious (and famous) meat pies. Following your refreshment, you continue to the village of Arraiolos, famous for its rich historical center, castle, and embroidered wool rugs and carpets which have been made since the middle ages. A local delicacy that you must sample is the delicious Pastéis de Toucinho. There is an opportunity to visit a winery (€6), and a cheese farm that also produces local liqueurs. (Sampling here is €11.) From the cheese farm, you can order an optional transfer back to the farmhouse. If you cycle back to the guesthouse, you pass Divor dam and its lovely lake. You can shorten the daily mileage by 12 km if you do not visit the cheese farm.Distance:
22 mi. (36 km) all visits described and transfer from cheese farm back to hotel
28 - 33 mi. (45 - 53 km) to winery and back
43 mi. (69 km) to winery and cheese farm and return by the same route
47 mi. (75 km) to winery and cheese farm and back a different routeLevel: easy to moderate, depending on the option you choose and if you purchase transfers. You will cycle on gently rolling hills which included approx. 15 km of dirt roads
Route 2: The Wine and Cork Route
Leaving the farm, the cycling leads in the direction of Igrejinha, a "white village" where all houses have stripes of different colors. There is a lovely winery here that can be visited. From Igrehinha, you cycle to the cork factory to learn how cork is transformed. This will be a highlight of your day. In the same village, you can visit a knife factory and see the process of making kitchen knives, cork cutting knives, and others. Nearby there is a wonderful sanctuary with murals from floor to ceiling. Next on the agenda is the village of S. Miguel de Machede where you can stop for refreshments.Level: easy with rolling hills (270 m of climbing with a transfer, 430 m without).
Distance:
27 mi. (42 km) - with a transfer back to the farm
46 mi. (74 km) without transferRoute 3: Megalithic Monuments
In the morning you cycle to Évora and unravel the amazing history of this old beautiful city, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Recommended is a visit to the surreal Bone chapel and to the impressive cathedral, originally from the 13th century and you can finish with a wine tasting in the Évora Wine Tour Shop. After, you ride into the country discovering beautiful holm oak forests and vast meadows, a peaceful landscape of grazing cattle and cheerful birds. Zambujeiros' Dolmen, the biggest in Europe, the Almendres' Cromlech, the oldest megalithic monument in Europe with a beautiful view over Évora, the Almendres Menhir, and Mitras' Church are also highlights.
Distance:
22 mi. (35 km) - with a transfer at the end of the day back to the farm
28 mi. (45 km) - with a transfer back from the Roman ruins
44 mi. (77 km) - cycling from farm and back
Level: moderate to difficult without a transfer and moderate with transfer and including cromlech. The climb to the cromlech is a 4 km dirt track ascentRoute 4: Conquest of Valongo Castle
The day begins on a road lined with olive groves, with gentle ups and downs until Nossa Senhora de Machede. There is an opportunity to visit a traditional leather factory and, if traveling in October or November, an olive oil mill. If traveling off-season, it could still be possible to arrange a tour subject to availability.Valongo Castle, dating from 1283, is on the agenda as well. Located in the solitary surroundings of Montoito, it stands alone and surreal. Following then a dirt road, through the country at its best, you reach Alcaide Water Mill and continue along the river passing several mills until reaching the main road. If you want to extend your cycling itinerary, you can add an extra 10 km and cycle to the Ervideira winery (supplement of €8). At the end of your cycling day, there is an included transfer back to the farmhouse.
Distance:
25 mi. (40 km) without the wine tasting and with transfer from Castelo de Valongo
31 mi. (50 km) without wine tasting and with transfer at the end of the route
37 mi. (60 km) with wine tasting and transfer from here.Level: easy with gently rolling hills. The last 6 km is on a dirt road which you can avoid if you request to be transferred early.
Route 5: Evora and its surroundings
This is an easier cycling day, perfect to end with a cooking class! From the farm, you will cycle to a cheese factory where you may do a visit and tasting. This cheese factory is very different from the one you may have visited in the Famous carpet route.
Then cycle to Evora where you may spend the day cycling and visiting several monuments.The city is classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site and there is plenty to do and see. After lunch, you can climb to Alto de São Bento, a favorite place for locals to watch the sun set.Distance, 16 to 22 mi. km (25 to 35 km)
Level: easy except for the climb to Alto the São Bento, but you may choose not to do.
Terrain: mostly flat and mix of dirt track and asphalt.
Route 6: The Medieval Village
A morning transfer will take you to Reguengos from which you cycle to medieval Monsaraz, perched high on a hill, overlooking the Guadiana River. The view spreads below for miles. As you enter the village, surrounded by castle walls, it is as though you have stepped back in time. The houses are made of white Schist with blinding white walls. In the area surrounding Monsaraz are several fascinating megalith and dolman monuments. These symbolic remains date back to between 4.000 and 2.000 years BC. Another highlight is the famous pottery village of S. Pedro do Corval. At the end of the day, there is a return transfer to the farm.Distance:
19 mi. (30 km) not including the lake
27 mi. (43 km) including the detour to the lake
31 mi. (50 km) if you cycle to Mourão village and transfer from hereLevel: easy to moderate with the majority of the itinerary on flat roads, however, there is a moderate 2 km climb to Monsaraz
Route 7: Wine and marble
You begin in Estremoz, an unforgettable city. It is highly recommended that you climb to the top of the marble donjon tower, from the 14th century, to take in the impressive views. From here you ride to the fantastic Villa Viçosa, where the marble used gives an aristocratic look to the village and you can visit the Ducal Palace, built between 1502 and 1700, or the marble museum.Continue through the marble land, visit a marble quarry, and ride to Alandroal, where marble, the white gold, continues to be the king. You then ride to Terena, where you cycle through the flowery center. The ride ends in the amazing fortified sanctuary of Srª da Boa Nova. Even if churches are not your thing, you'll enjoy this one!
19 mi. (30 km) if you cycle from Estremoz to Vila Viçosa.
31 mi. (50 km) if you cycle to TerenaLevel: easy with undulating terrain but mostly down hill
Tour length options
4 days/3 nights
1st day: Arrival. Accommodation and dinner at the guesthouse.
2nd and 3rd day: Cycling 2 routes, choose between Route 1, 2, or 5
4th day: Departure.5 days/4 nights
1st day: Arrival. Accommodation and dinner at the guesthouse.
2nd - 4th day: Cycling 3 routes, choose between Route 1, 2, 3, and 5. One more dinner at the farm on one of the nights.
5th day: Departure.6 days/5 nights
1st day: Arrival. Accommodation and dinner at the guesthouse.
2nd - 5th day: Cycling route 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Two more dinners at the farm in two of the nights.
5th day: Departure.7 days/6 nights
1st day: Arrival. Accommodation and dinner at the guesthouse.
2nd - 6th day: Cycling 5 routes, Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.8 days/7 nights
1st day: Arrival. Accommodation and dinner at the guesthouse.
2nd – 7th day: 5 cycling routes - one free day or one extra route at a supplement.
8th day: Departure.On one of the nights, you can enjoy a cooking class featuring Alentejo food. You will be taught to prepare a delicious Alentejo meal, using fresh and readily available ingredients.
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Accommodation
Your accommodations for this tour is Monte de Serrado de Baixo, a traditional Alentejan farm in Evora, Portugal. If the farmhouse is not available,
Inclusions
What’s Included
Self-Guided
- Accommodations for 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 nights according to booked tour length
- Breakfasts
- Welcome snack of wine, cheese, & olive oil
- Gastronomic surprises each day
- Bicycle rental equipped with tool kit, front bag, helmet, & back rack
- Transfer to/from Évora bus station
- Maps, route descriptions, & tourist information
- 1 dinner on 4-day tours, 2 dinners on 5-day tours, & 3 dinners on 6, 7, & 8-day tours
- 24 hour phone support
- 3, 4, 5 night tours: two transfers from any routes except both 6 and 7. You can choose 6 or 7.
- 6 & 7-night tours: three transfers including one from Monsaraz or Terena (Routes 6 or 7) & guide for that day.
- Personal accident & third party insurance for the tour days
- All of the above
- Entrance fees to the Bones Chapel, the cathedral in Evora, & Vila Vilcosa’s Ducal palace
- Two wine tastings for 5, 6, & 7-day tours
- One wine tasting in a 4-day tour
- One cheese & liqueur tasting
- Water & fruit for the day
- First-aid assistance
- Cycling guide
- Cycling jersey
Guided
What’s Not Included
- Transfer service from airport to Évora - can be arranged at extra cost
- Extra dinners at the guesthouse – can be arranged at extra cost
- Lunches (on guided tour, guide will stop at local café
- All meals other than those included
- Transfer service for dinners in Évora – can be arranged at extra cost
- Support van
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2021
Self-guided departures
Arrival possible any day, all year long.
*Not recommended for July and August as average high temperatures are close to 90° F.
Guided group departures
February 6, February 27, March 13, March 27, April 10, April 24, May 8, May 22, June 5, September 4, October 16, October 30, November 13, November 27, & December 11, 2021
If above tour dates do not work for you, please do not hesitate to ask us for a private tour date.
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2021
Twin/double 4 Days 5 Days 6 Days 7 Days 8 Days Self-Guided $ 850 £ 481 $ 830 € 530 NZ$ 914 kr 5481 $ 653 $ 1090 £ 617 $ 1,064 € 680 NZ$ 1172 kr 7032 $ 838 $ 1322 £ 748 $ 1,291 € 825 NZ$ 1422 kr 8532 $ 1,016 $ 1715 £ 970 $ 1,675 € 1070 NZ$ 1845 kr 11065 $ 1,318 $ 1835 £ 1038 $ 1,792 € 1145 NZ$ 1974 kr 11841 $ 1,411 Guided $ 1042 £ 589 $ 1,017 € 650 NZ$ 1121 kr 6722 $ 801 $ 1417 £ 802 $ 1,384 € 884 NZ$ 1524 kr 9142 $ 1,089 $ 1763 £ 997 $ 1,722 € 1100 NZ$ 1896 kr 11375 $ 1,355 $ 2132 £ 1206 $ 2,082 € 1330 NZ$ 2293 kr 13754 $ 1,639 $ 2260 £ 1278 $ 2,207 € 1410 NZ$ 2431 kr 14581 $ 1,737 Single supplement $ 221 £ 125 $ 216 € 138 NZ$ 238 kr 1427 $ 170 $ 295 £ 167 $ 288 € 184 NZ$ 317 kr 1903 $ 227 $ 369 £ 209 $ 360 € 230 NZ$ 397 kr 2379 $ 283 $ 442 £ 250 $ 432 € 276 NZ$ 476 kr 2854 $ 340 $ 516 £ 292 $ 504 € 322 NZ$ 555 kr 3330 $ 397 Season Supplements
4 Days 5 Days 6 Days 7 Days 8 Days April 1 to May 31 $ 24 £ 14 $ 23 € 15 NZ$ 26 kr 155 $ 18 $ 32 £ 18 $ 31 € 20 NZ$ 34 kr 207 $ 25 $ 40 £ 23 $ 39 € 25 NZ$ 43 kr 259 $ 31 $ 48 £ 27 $ 47 € 30 NZ$ 52 kr 310 $ 37 $ 56 £ 32 $ 55 € 35 NZ$ 60 kr 362 $ 43 Single supplement $ 269 £ 152 $ 263 € 168 NZ$ 290 kr 1737 $ 207 $ 359 £ 203 $ 351 € 224 NZ$ 386 kr 2316 $ 276 $ 449 £ 254 $ 438 € 280 NZ$ 483 kr 2896 $ 345 $ 539 £ 305 $ 526 € 336 NZ$ 579 kr 3475 $ 414 $ 628 £ 355 $ 614 € 392 NZ$ 676 kr 4054 $ 483 June 1 to September 30 $ 48 £ 27 $ 47 € 30 NZ$ 52 kr 310 $ 37 $ 64 £ 36 $ 63 € 40 NZ$ 69 kr 414 $ 49 $ 80 £ 45 $ 78 € 50 NZ$ 86 kr 517 $ 62 $ 96 £ 54 $ 94 € 60 NZ$ 103 kr 620 $ 74 $ 112 £ 63 $ 110 € 70 NZ$ 121 kr 724 $ 86 Single supplement $ 293 £ 166 $ 286 € 183 NZ$ 315 kr 1892 $ 225 $ 391 £ 221 $ 382 € 244 NZ$ 421 kr 2523 $ 301 $ 489 £ 277 $ 477 € 305 NZ$ 526 kr 3154 $ 376 $ 587 £ 332 $ 573 € 366 NZ$ 631 kr 3785 $ 451 $ 684 £ 387 $ 668 € 427 NZ$ 736 kr 4416 $ 526 A single supplement applies for an extra person in a group of 2 or more and not for a solo traveler. Please ask us for pricing if you are traveling alone.
2021 pricing coming soon!
Extra Options
Supplements
Cooking class: $ 62 £ 35 $ 60 € 39 NZ$ 66 kr 398 $ 47 Electric bike:
Per diem: $ 48 £ 27 $ 47 € 30 NZ$ 52 kr 310 $ 37 Weekly (7 nights): $ 160 £ 91 $ 157 € 100 NZ$ 172 kr 1034 $ 123Transfers
Transfer from or to Lisbon Airport to accommodation per person: $ 120 £ 68 $ 117 € 75 NZ$ 129 kr 776 $ 92 (minimum of two people)
Transfer back from any route except Monsaraz or Terena, per person: $ 56 £ 32 $ 55 € 35 NZ$ 60 kr 362 $ 43
Transfer to and from Monsaroz or Terena routes (included guide for the day): $ 345 £ 195 $ 337 € 215 NZ$ 371 kr 2223 $ 265
(2 or 5 transfers are already included depending on tour length)
Equipment rental
GPS rental: $ 80 £ 45 $ 78 € 50 NZ$ 86 kr 517 $ 62 Phone rental: $ 16 £ 9 $ 16 € 10 NZ$ 17 kr 103 $ 12
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
This is a moderate guided or self-guided hotel based tour on rolling hills. You will have sections of dirt road as well as an occasional bike trail. The average daily mileage is approximately 29 and elevation gain is 2,200 feet or 700 m. There are many options for your cycling itineraries and difficulty can range from easy-moderate or even more difficult depending on how you design your itinerary.
Airport Info
Fly to Lisbon International Airport (LIS)
Local Travel
Transfers from Lisbon airport to Evora are available for a supplement. There is a bus transfer from Evora bus station included in the tour price. Take a taxi from the airport to Lisbon bus station and from there, bus to Evora. Travel time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Climate
Portugal has a mild Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sun per year! The summer season is six months long, lasting from May to October. Though this tour is offered year-round, the best time for your walking tour would be March through October. The spring months of April/May or the Autumn months of September/October generally provide the best weather for walking. Portugal is often quite hot and very humid in the summer months. It’s also important to note that because Portugal sits on the Atlantic coast, the weather can change rapidly and you will need to take rain gear regardless of what time of year you choose to walk. If walking in the late fall and winter months, please pack accordingly. Do check local conditions prior to your arrival. Below you will find monthly weather averages for the region.
Day of Rest
Any day can be designated a day of rest!
Remarks
Do note that you are expected to change your own flat tire and do basic bike maintenance if needed on your ride. You will be charged a fee if you need assistance for basic services. Emergency assistance will be a phone call away.
Important to know
Documents
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have proper identification. For US citizens, the U.S. Passports & International Travel website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. It is important to research before you travel as airlines will not permit boarding if you do not have the required valid documents.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
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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