Paradise in Portugal
Portugal Bike Tours
A bike tour in the Alentejo region of Portugal
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length4–8 days
- Prices from€535 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 an 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.
*All distances are approximate. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, you may find temporary local deviations/detours caused by roadwork not reflected in your route book or GPS tracks. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.
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 (extra cost), and a cheese farm that also produces local liqueurs. (extra cost) 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 the 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 highlighted.
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 ascent.Route 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 (extra cost). 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 sunset.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!
Distance:
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 downhill
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 routes 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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Map
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
The main accommodation used for this tour is the Monte de Serrado de Baixo, a traditional and ancestral Alentejan farm located outside of Evora, Portugal.
For those wanting to stay in town, it is also possible to reserve the 4-star Mar de ar Muralhas. Supplement applies, please ask us!Bicycles
Electric Bike
Focus Aventura 1.0
- Aluminum alloy frame
- Pedelec
- Impulse 2.0 motor
- Shimano 11 speed
- Magura hydraulic brakes
- Fizik Rondine saddle
- 28 inch wheels
- Schwalbe Energizer Pro, 700 x 38c tire
Cube Touring Hybrid One 400
- Aluminum Superlite frame
- Pedelec
- Bosch Drive Unit Active Plus Motor
- Bosch PowerPack 400 battery
- Shimano 9 speed
- Shimano hydraulic brakes
- Selle Royal Ariel saddle
- Schwalbe Energizer Pro, 700 x 38c tires
Bikes come equipped with pannier and helmet.
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
- 1 dinner on 4-day tour, 2 dinners on 5-day tour, & 3 dinners on 6, 7, & 8-day tours
- Bicycle rental equipped with tool kit, front bag, helmet, & back rack
- Transfer to/from Évora bus station on last day
- 3-night: two transfers from any routes except routes 6 or 7
- 4-night tour: three transfers from any routes except routes 6 and 7
- 5-night tour: Four transfers from any routes except routes 6 and 7
- 6 & 7-night tours: five transfers including one from Monsaraz or Estremoz (Routes 6 or 7) & guide for that day
- Maps, route descriptions, & tourist information
- Personal accident & third party insurance for the tour days
- 24-hour phone support
- Cycling jersey
- All of the above
- Two wine tastings
- One cheese & liqueur tasting
- Water & fruit for the day
- Cycling guide
- Entrance fees to the Bones Chapel, the cathedral in Evora, & Vila Vilcosa’s Ducal palace
- First-aid assistance
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
- Extra activities like wine tastings, kayaking etc (price on request)
- Transfer service for dinners in Évora – can be arranged at extra cost
- Support van
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
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 8-day group departures
Guided dates on request
*If above tour dates do not work for you, please do not hesitate to ask us for a private guided tour date.
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
2023
Twin/double
4 Days
5 Days
6 Days
7 Days
8 Days
Self-Guided $ 877 £ 469 $ 786 € 535 ₪ 2150 ¥ 81720 NZ$ 966 NOK 6415 kr 6358 $ 588 $ 1201 £ 642 $ 1,077 € 733 ₪ 2946 ¥ 111964 NZ$ 1323 NOK 8789 kr 8711 $ 806 $ 1543 £ 825 $ 1,384 € 942 ₪ 3785 ¥ 143889 NZ$ 1700 NOK 11296 kr 11194 $ 1,036 $ 1761 £ 941 $ 1,580 € 1075 ₪ 4320 ¥ 164204 NZ$ 1940 NOK 12890 kr 12775 $ 1,182 $ 1974 £ 1055 $ 1,771 € 1205 ₪ 4842 ¥ 184062 NZ$ 2175 NOK 14449 kr 14320 $ 1,325 Guided
$ 1237 £ 661 $ 1,110 € 755 ₪ 3034 ¥ 115325 NZ$ 1363 NOK 9053 kr 8972 $ 830 $ 1663 £ 889 $ 1,492 € 1015 ₪ 4079 ¥ 155039 NZ$ 1832 NOK 12171 kr 12062 $ 1,116 $ 2073 £ 1108 $ 1,859 € 1265 ₪ 5083 ¥ 193226 NZ$ 2283 NOK 15169 kr 15033 $ 1,391 $ 2499 £ 1336 $ 2,241 € 1525 ₪ 6128 ¥ 232941 NZ$ 2752 NOK 18286 kr 18122 $ 1,677 $ 2646 £ 1414 $ 2,373 € 1615 ₪ 6490 ¥ 246688 NZ$ 2915 NOK 19366 kr 19192 $ 1,776 Supplements 4 days 5 days 6 days 7 days 8 days Season supplement (April 1 to May 31)*
$ 25 £ 13 $ 22 € 15 ₪ 60 ¥ 2291 NZ$ 27 NOK 180 kr 178 $ 16 $ 33 £ 18 $ 29 € 20 ₪ 80 ¥ 3055 NZ$ 36 NOK 240 kr 238 $ 22 $ 41 £ 22 $ 37 € 25 ₪ 100 ¥ 3819 NZ$ 45 NOK 300 kr 297 $ 27 $ 49 £ 26 $ 44 € 30 ₪ 121 ¥ 4582 NZ$ 54 NOK 360 kr 357 $ 33 $ 57 £ 31 $ 51 € 35 ₪ 141 ¥ 5346 NZ$ 63 NOK 420 kr 416 $ 38 Season supplement (June 1 to September 30)*
$ 49 £ 26 $ 44 € 30 ₪ 121 ¥ 4582 NZ$ 54 NOK 360 kr 357 $ 33 $ 66 £ 35 $ 59 € 40 ₪ 161 ¥ 6110 NZ$ 72 NOK 480 kr 475 $ 44 $ 82 £ 44 $ 73 € 50 ₪ 201 ¥ 7637 NZ$ 90 NOK 600 kr 594 $ 55 $ 98 £ 53 $ 88 € 60 ₪ 241 ¥ 9165 NZ$ 108 NOK 719 kr 713 $ 66 $ 115 £ 61 $ 103 € 70 ₪ 281 ¥ 10692 NZ$ 126 NOK 839 kr 832 $ 77 Single supplement (October 1 to March 31)** $ 139 £ 74 $ 125 € 85 ₪ 342 ¥ 12984 NZ$ 153 NOK 1019 kr 1010 $ 93 $ 185 £ 99 $ 166 € 113 ₪ 454 ¥ 17261 NZ$ 204 NOK 1355 kr 1343 $ 124 $ 233 £ 124 $ 209 € 142 ₪ 571 ¥ 21690 NZ$ 256 NOK 1703 kr 1687 $ 156 $ 279 £ 149 $ 250 € 170 ₪ 683 ¥ 25967 NZ$ 307 NOK 2038 kr 2020 $ 187 $ 324 £ 173 $ 291 € 198 ₪ 796 ¥ 30244 NZ$ 357 NOK 2374 kr 2353 $ 218 Single supplement (April 1 to May 31)** $ 205 £ 109 $ 184 € 125 ₪ 502 ¥ 19094 NZ$ 226 NOK 1499 kr 1485 $ 137 $ 272 £ 145 $ 244 € 166 ₪ 667 ¥ 25356 NZ$ 300 NOK 1991 kr 1973 $ 183 $ 341 £ 182 $ 306 € 208 ₪ 836 ¥ 31772 NZ$ 375 NOK 2494 kr 2472 $ 229 $ 408 £ 218 $ 366 € 249 ₪ 1001 ¥ 38034 NZ$ 449 NOK 2986 kr 2959 $ 274 $ 477 £ 255 $ 428 € 291 ₪ 1169 ¥ 44450 NZ$ 525 NOK 3489 kr 3458 $ 320 Single supplement (June 1 to September 30)** $ 249 £ 133 $ 223 € 152 ₪ 611 ¥ 23218 NZ$ 274 NOK 1823 kr 1806 $ 167 $ 333 £ 178 $ 298 € 203 ₪ 816 ¥ 31008 NZ$ 366 NOK 2434 kr 2412 $ 223 $ 578 £ 309 $ 519 € 353 ₪ 1419 ¥ 53920 NZ$ 637 NOK 4233 kr 4195 $ 388 $ 498 £ 266 $ 447 € 304 ₪ 1222 ¥ 46435 NZ$ 549 NOK 3645 kr 3613 $ 334 $ 580 £ 310 $ 520 € 354 ₪ 1423 ¥ 54073 NZ$ 639 NOK 4245 kr 4207 $ 389 *Easter, Christmas, and New Year's Eve may include an additional supplement. Pricing on request.
**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. Date-specific single supplement pricing includes applicable season supplement.
Extra Options
Bicycle rentals and equipment
GPS rental $ 82 £ 44 $ 73 € 50 ₪ 201 ¥ 7637 NZ$ 90 NOK 600 kr 594 $ 55 Phone rental $ 16 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 ₪ 40 ¥ 1527 NZ$ 18 NOK 120 kr 119 $ 11 Electric bike rental, daily charge $ 49 £ 26 $ 44 € 30 ₪ 121 ¥ 4582 NZ$ 54 NOK 360 kr 357 $ 33 Electric bike rental, weekly charge (8 days) $ 164 £ 88 $ 147 € 100 ₪ 402 ¥ 15275 NZ$ 180 NOK 1199 kr 1188 $ 110 Additional options
Cooking class $ 66 £ 35 $ 59 € 40 ₪ 161 ¥ 6110 NZ$ 72 NOK 480 kr 475 $ 44 Wine tastings, farm visits, kayaking, etc On request Upgrade to 4 star, hotel Mar de ar Muralhas (dinners not included) On request Transfers
Transfer to or from Lisbon airport to accommodations $ 139 £ 74 $ 125 € 85 ₪ 342 ¥ 12984 NZ$ 153 NOK 1019 kr 1010 $ 93 Transfer back from any route except Monsaraz or Terena $ 57 £ 31 $ 51 € 35 ₪ 141 ¥ 5346 NZ$ 63 NOK 420 kr 416 $ 38 Transfer to or from Monsaroz or Terena routes (lincuding guide for the day) $ 188 £ 101 $ 169 € 115 ₪ 462 ¥ 17566 NZ$ 208 NOK 1379 kr 1367 $ 126 (2 or 5 transfers are already included depending on tour length)
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 mi. 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 on the last day 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 cycling 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 cycling. 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 cycle. If cycling 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
Bikes
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.
Meals
Extra dinners can be included on request (at an additional cost of approx. €25 per person - minimum x2 people required). There is also one restaurant 2 km from the farmhouse, with the rest in the city (8 kms away). We recommend guests eat out on some of the nights, as it is a really pleasant experience. A taxi to the city costs approximately €11 per way. You will be provided with suggestions for lunch stops and where to eat out. Alternatively, picnic lunches can be arranged by the farmhouse on request (at an additional cost of approx €15). Extra meals can only be arranged and best to be booked in advance and paid on site.
Route activities
Certain of the routes have additional activities that can be included at an additional cost like wine tastings, degustations etc. At booking, we will send you a list of possible additional activities that can be included. These can either be added to your final invoice or paid on arrival. In order to guarantee space, we recommend that these be prebooked before arrival to avoid disappointment.Important to know
Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*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.Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
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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