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 $ 1471 £ 763 $ 1,298 € 869 kr 133410 ₪ 3552 ¥ 146042 Mex$ 16205 NZ$ 1603 NOK 10409 zł 3822 S$ 1286 kr 10321 $ 944 $ 1217 £ 631 $ 1,074 € 719 kr 110382 ₪ 2939 ¥ 120833 Mex$ 13408 NZ$ 1326 NOK 8612 zł 3162 S$ 1064 kr 8539 $ 781 Self guided Tour "Charm" Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 1574 £ 817 $ 1,389 € 930 kr 142775 ₪ 3802 ¥ 156293 Mex$ 17343 NZ$ 1716 NOK 11139 zł 4090 S$ 1376 kr 11045 $ 1,011 $ 1335 £ 693 $ 1,178 € 789 kr 121128 ₪ 3225 ¥ 132597 Mex$ 14713 NZ$ 1456 NOK 9450 zł 3470 S$ 1167 kr 9371 $ 858 Supported Tour Standard Accommodation 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 3605 £ 1871 $ 3,181 € 2130 kr 327000 ₪ 8707 ¥ 357962 Mex$ 39720 NZ$ 3929 NOK 25512 zł 9367 S$ 3152 kr 25297 $ 2,315 $ 2691 £ 1396 $ 2,375 € 1590 kr 244098 ₪ 6500 ¥ 267211 Mex$ 29650 NZ$ 2933 NOK 19044 zł 6992 S$ 2353 kr 18884 $ 1,728 Supported Tour "Charm" Accommodation 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 3723 £ 1932 $ 3,286 € 2200 kr 337746 ₪ 8993 ¥ 369726 Mex$ 41025 NZ$ 4059 NOK 26351 zł 9675 S$ 3255 kr 26128 $ 2,391 $ 2792 £ 1449 $ 2,464 € 1650 kr 253310 ₪ 6745 ¥ 277295 Mex$ 30769 NZ$ 3044 NOK 19763 zł 7256 S$ 2441 kr 19596 $ 1,793 Guided Tour on set dates Twin room/double room, "Charm" Accommodation $ 3571 £ 1853 $ 3,151 € 2110 kr 323929 ₪ 8625 ¥ 354601 Mex$ 39347 NZ$ 3893 NOK 25273 zł 9279 S$ 3122 kr 25059 $ 2,293 Private Guided Tour Standard Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 4392 £ 2279 $ 3,876 € 2595 kr 398387 ₪ 10608 ¥ 436109 Mex$ 48391 NZ$ 4787 NOK 31082 zł 11412 S$ 3840 kr 30820 $ 2,820 $ 3647 £ 1893 $ 3,219 € 2155 kr 330838 ₪ 8809 ¥ 362164 Mex$ 40186 NZ$ 3976 NOK 25812 zł 9477 S$ 3189 kr 25594 $ 2,342 Private Guided Tour Charm Accommodations 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 4510 £ 2341 $ 3,980 € 2665 kr 409133 ₪ 10894 ¥ 447873 Mex$ 49697 NZ$ 4916 NOK 31920 zł 11720 S$ 3943 kr 31651 $ 2,897 $ 3757 £ 1950 $ 3,316 € 2220 kr 340817 ₪ 9075 ¥ 373087 Mex$ 41398 NZ$ 4095 NOK 26590 zł 9763 S$ 3285 kr 26366 $ 2,413 Self-guided supplements:
High season supplement twin/double:
Standard: $ 88 £ 46 $ 78 € 52 kr 7983 ₪ 213 ¥ 8739 Mex$ 970 NZ$ 96 NOK 623 zł 229 S$ 77 kr 618 $ 57 Charm: $ 115 £ 60 $ 102 € 68 kr 10439 ₪ 278 ¥ 11428 Mex$ 1268 NZ$ 125 NOK 814 zł 299 S$ 101 kr 808 $ 74 High season single supplement:
Standard: $ 535 £ 278 $ 472 € 316 kr 48513 ₪ 1292 ¥ 53106 Mex$ 5893 NZ$ 583 NOK 3785 zł 1390 S$ 468 kr 3753 $ 343 Charm: $ 641 £ 333 $ 566 € 379 kr 58184 ₪ 1549 ¥ 63694 Mex$ 7068 NZ$ 699 NOK 4540 zł 1667 S$ 561 kr 4501 $ 412 Single supplement on all other dates:
Standard: $ 411 £ 213 $ 363 € 243 kr 37306 ₪ 993 ¥ 40838 Mex$ 4531 NZ$ 448 NOK 2911 zł 1069 S$ 360 kr 2886 $ 264 Charm: $ 506 £ 263 $ 447 € 299 kr 45903 ₪ 1222 ¥ 50249 Mex$ 5576 NZ$ 552 NOK 3581 zł 1315 S$ 442 kr 3551 $ 325Supported and Guided supplements:
High season supplement twin/double:
Standard: $ 88 £ 46 $ 78 € 52 kr 7983 ₪ 213 ¥ 8739 Mex$ 970 NZ$ 96 NOK 623 zł 229 S$ 77 kr 618 $ 57 Charm: $ 115 £ 60 $ 102 € 68 kr 10439 ₪ 278 ¥ 11428 Mex$ 1268 NZ$ 125 NOK 814 zł 299 S$ 101 kr 808 $ 74 High season single supplement:
Standard: $ 535 £ 278 $ 472 € 316 kr 48513 ₪ 1292 ¥ 53106 Mex$ 5893 NZ$ 583 NOK 3785 zł 1390 S$ 468 kr 3753 $ 343 Charm: $ 641 £ 333 $ 566 € 379 kr 58184 ₪ 1549 ¥ 63694 Mex$ 7068 NZ$ 699 NOK 4540 zł 1667 S$ 561 kr 4501 $ 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 $ 1625 £ 843 $ 1,434 € 960 kr 147380 ₪ 3924 ¥ 161335 Mex$ 17902 NZ$ 1771 NOK 11499 zł 4222 S$ 1420 kr 11401 $ 1,043 $ 1464 £ 760 $ 1,292 € 865 kr 132796 ₪ 3536 ¥ 145370 Mex$ 16130 NZ$ 1596 NOK 10361 zł 3804 S$ 1280 kr 10273 $ 940 Supported Tour Charm Accommodation 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 3732 £ 1937 $ 3,293 € 2205 kr 338514 ₪ 9014 ¥ 370567 Mex$ 41119 NZ$ 4068 NOK 26411 zł 9697 S$ 3262 kr 26188 $ 2,397 $ 2911 £ 1511 $ 2,569 € 1720 kr 264056 ₪ 7031 ¥ 289059 Mex$ 32074 NZ$ 3173 NOK 20602 zł 7564 S$ 2545 kr 20428 $ 1,869 Guided Tour on set dates Twin room/double room, "Charm" Accommodation $ 3588 £ 1862 $ 3,166 € 2120 kr 325465 ₪ 8666 ¥ 356282 Mex$ 39534 NZ$ 3911 NOK 25393 zł 9323 S$ 3137 kr 25178 $ 2,304 Private Guided Tour 2 guests 4 guests Twin room/double room $ 4519 £ 2345 $ 3,988 € 2670 kr 409901 ₪ 10915 ¥ 448713 Mex$ 49790 NZ$ 4926 NOK 31980 zł 11742 S$ 3951 kr 31710 $ 2,902 $ 3842 £ 1994 $ 3,390 € 2270 kr 348493 ₪ 9279 ¥ 381490 Mex$ 42331 NZ$ 4188 NOK 27189 zł 9983 S$ 3359 kr 26960 $ 2,467 High season supplement (July 1 to September 16): $ 91 £ 47 $ 81 € 54 kr 8290 ₪ 221 ¥ 9075 Mex$ 1007 NZ$ 100 NOK 647 zł 237 S$ 80 kr 641 $ 59 Single supplement: $ 526 £ 273 $ 464 € 311 kr 47745 ₪ 1271 ¥ 52266 Mex$ 5800 NZ$ 574 NOK 3725 zł 1368 S$ 460 kr 3694 $ 338 High season single supplement: $ 734 £ 381 $ 648 € 434 kr 66628 ₪ 1774 ¥ 72937 Mex$ 8093 NZ$ 801 NOK 5198 zł 1909 S$ 642 kr 5154 $ 472 Supplement for special tour start day: $ 135 £ 70 $ 119 € 80 kr 12282 ₪ 327 ¥ 13445 Mex$ 1492 NZ$ 148 NOK 958 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 7676 ₪ 204 ¥ 8403 Mex$ 932 NZ$ 92 NOK 599 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 594 $ 54 Single room: $ 169 £ 88 $ 149 € 100 kr 15352 ₪ 409 ¥ 16806 Mex$ 1865 NZ$ 184 NOK 1198 zł 440 S$ 148 kr 1188 $ 109 Pousada dos Lóios, Evora (2 nights):
Regular season:
Double/twin: $ 195 £ 101 $ 172 € 115 kr 17655 ₪ 470 ¥ 19327 Mex$ 2145 NZ$ 212 NOK 1377 zł 506 S$ 170 kr 1366 $ 125 Single: $ 457 £ 237 $ 403 € 270 kr 41451 ₪ 1104 ¥ 45375 Mex$ 5035 NZ$ 498 NOK 3234 zł 1187 S$ 399 kr 3207 $ 293 High season:
Double/twin: $ 222 £ 115 $ 196 € 131 kr 20111 ₪ 536 ¥ 22016 Mex$ 2443 NZ$ 242 NOK 1569 zł 576 S$ 194 kr 1556 $ 142 Single room: $ 457 £ 237 $ 403 € 270 kr 41451 ₪ 1104 ¥ 45375 Mex$ 5035 NZ$ 498 NOK 3234 zł 1187 S$ 399 kr 3207 $ 293Extra Options
2017:
E bike: $ 169 £ 88 $ 149 € 100 kr 15352 ₪ 409 ¥ 16806 Mex$ 1865 NZ$ 184 NOK 1198 zł 440 S$ 148 kr 1188 $ 109 GPS Rental: $ 85 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7676 ₪ 204 ¥ 8403 Mex$ 932 NZ$ 92 NOK 599 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 594 $ 54 Phone Rental: $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1535 ₪ 41 ¥ 1681 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: $ 169 £ 88 $ 149 € 100 kr 15352 ₪ 409 ¥ 16806 Mex$ 1865 NZ$ 184 NOK 1198 zł 440 S$ 148 kr 1188 $ 109 Groups of four or more: $ 110 £ 57 $ 97 € 65 kr 9979 ₪ 266 ¥ 10924 Mex$ 1212 NZ$ 120 NOK 779 zł 286 S$ 96 kr 772 $ 71 Last hotel to Airport
Groups of two: $ 203 £ 105 $ 179 € 120 kr 18423 ₪ 491 ¥ 20167 Mex$ 2238 NZ$ 221 NOK 1437 zł 528 S$ 178 kr 1425 $ 130 Groups of four or more: $ 118 £ 61 $ 105 € 70 kr 10746 ₪ 286 ¥ 11764 Mex$ 1305 NZ$ 129 NOK 838 zł 308 S$ 104 kr 831 $ 76 2018 supplements:
Self- guided:
E bike: $ 169 £ 88 $ 149 € 100 kr 15352 ₪ 409 ¥ 16806 Mex$ 1865 NZ$ 184 NOK 1198 zł 440 S$ 148 kr 1188 $ 109 Tour start other than Saturday: $ 135 £ 70 $ 119 € 80 kr 12282 ₪ 327 ¥ 13445 Mex$ 1492 NZ$ 148 NOK 958 zł 352 S$ 118 kr 950 $ 87 Transfers (price is per person):
Airport to first hotel: $ 118 £ 61 $ 105 € 70 kr 10746 ₪ 286 ¥ 11764 Mex$ 1305 NZ$ 129 NOK 838 zł 308 S$ 104 kr 831 $ 76 Last hotel to Airport: $ 118 £ 61 $ 105 € 70 kr 10746 ₪ 286 ¥ 11764 Mex$ 1305 NZ$ 129 NOK 838 zł 308 S$ 104 kr 831 $ 76 GPS rental: $ 85 £ 44 $ 75 € 50 kr 7676 ₪ 204 ¥ 8403 Mex$ 932 NZ$ 92 NOK 599 zł 220 S$ 74 kr 594 $ 54 Phone rental: $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1535 ₪ 41 ¥ 1681 Mex$ 186 NZ$ 18 NOK 120 zł 44 S$ 15 kr 119 $ 11 Guided:
E bike: $ 338 £ 176 $ 299 € 200 kr 30704 ₪ 818 ¥ 33611 Mex$ 3730 NZ$ 369 NOK 2396 zł 880 S$ 296 kr 2375 $ 217Extra 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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