Cycling the Alentejo region: Portugal's Best Castles and Wine
Bike - Self-Guided Tour
Overview
On this tour you will cycle through Roman ruins, rural paradise and one of the most ancient towns in Europe: Evora, world heritage site. You will pass by the Alqueva reservoir, one of the world's best places for stargazing, at the border with Spain. Visit artisan centers, wine and cheese making farms and marble workshops.
Highlights
- Sleep in beautiful castles, palaces and farmhouses
- Roman ruins, UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Cycling through a rural paradise
- Alqueva reservoir, one of the world's best places for stargazing
- Taste internationally awarded wines
- Artisan centers of pottery, winemaking and marble work
Daily itinerary
Day 1 Day 1 - Tour begins in Arraiolos, Portugal
Highlights: mediaeval village famous for its round-shaped castle and embroidered carpets
Welcome to Arraiolos! After your transfer from Lisbon airport to your first hotel, we will meet this afternoon for a personalized bike fitting and tour briefing, at your first charm hotel, built in a wonderful 16th century convent.
Go for a stroll in the center of Arraiolos and admire its castle while tasting a delicious 'pasteis de toucinho' or relax in the hotel swimming pool before dinner on your own.
Accomodation: Pousada de Arraiolos, Casa Do Platano, or similar.
Day 2 Day 2 - Cycle from Arraiolos to our guesthouse out of Evora
Highlights: winery with its private carriage collections
Today's ride begins with a cycle through the charming village of Arraiolos, known for its rich historical center. Here, you can visit the Carpet Museum to learn about this nearly millennium-old tradition and even try the local sweet, Pastéis de Toucinho. Don't miss the climb to the castle, one of the few round-shaped fortresses on the peninsula, offering stunning views.
On your way to Évora, you have the option to stop at the Fita Preta winery, set in a beautifully restored 14th-century palace, known for its award-winning wines and impressive carriage collection. Alternatively, visit an aromatic herb farm to enjoy a sensory experience with teas, honey, and olive oil.
Tonight, you'll sleep at our guesthouse. You can reserve dinner* in advance to enjoy a relaxing meal featuring local flavors in a cozy countryside setting.
Daily distance: 47 km (29 miles) is staying at the farmhouse; 30 km if staying tìin Evora.
Elevation gain: +575 m (1886 ft)
Terrain: Rolling Hills
Accomodation: our guesthouse Monte Do Serrado de Baixo. If you'd rather stay in the city centre instead, we can offer alternatives such as Hotel Mar de Ar Muralhas, or similar.
*Please note that dinner is not included in the tour package (to be paid directly on-site) and requires a reservation.
Day 3 Day 3 - Loop ride on the Megalithic Route
Highlights: Ancient Roman settlement of Evora, prehistorical sites and 5,000 years of history or Cork factory and wineries
Today’s ride offers an opportunity to explore the fascinating world of Neolithic history. You’ll visit one of the largest dolmens and a significant cromlech in Europe, both boasting over 5,000 years of history. This experience is perfect for those curious about ancient civilizations and their monumental constructions.
The journey concludes in Évora, where you can wander through this historic pre-Roman settlement, rich in culture and charm. Be sure to visit the intriguing 13th-century Bone Chapel, a highlight of your day that offers a unique glimpse into the region’s history.
Daily distance: 75km (57 miles)
Elevation gain: +975m (3199 ft)
Terrain: Rolling Hills
Tonight, you'll sleep at our guesthouse. You can reserve dinner in advance to enjoy a relaxing meal featuring local flavors in a cozy countryside setting.
Please note that dinner is not included in the tour package (to be paid directly on-site) and requires a reservation.
Accomodation: our guesthouse Monte Do Serrado de Baixo. If you'd rather stay in the city centre instead, we can offer alternatives such as Hotel Mar de Ar Muralhas, or similar.
Day 4 Day 4 - Cycling from Evora to Reguengos de Monsaraz
Highlights: Degebe river valley, castle of Valongo, wine tasting
Today, pedal east from Évora through a barren landscape dotted with olive groves as you make your way to the charming village of Nossa Senhora de Machede. After enjoying a refreshing drink or coffee, explore the mysterious castle of Valongo, which reveals its Roman past. Much of the ride is along a new cycling lane, providing a peaceful and traffic-free experience.
Optional visit to a local winery where the scent of the fermenting wine in clay pots fills the air. Please inquire for price and availability.
Daily distance: 59km (37 miles)
Elevation gain: +348 m (1142 ft)
Terrain: Mostly Flat
Accomodation: our guesthouse Solar de Alqueva, or similar.
Day 5 Day 5 - Cycle from Reguengos to Monsaraz
Highlights: Pottery village, Alqueva reservoir, castles and fortified town of Monsaraz
Today’s bike tour takes you to the fortified village of Monsaraz, a significant stronghold near the Spanish border. Along the way, you'll stop in the renowned pottery village of S. Pedro do Corval, where artisans skillfully shape clay into beautiful pots and plates while others decorate them with intricate floral designs.
With Spain on the horizon, enjoy a leisurely lunch by the Alqueva dam reservoir, the largest artificial lake in Europe. Afterward, prepare to conquer the castle in Monsaraz. Your accommodation will be conveniently located near the city walls or within the village, both offering lovely views. Don’t miss the chance to witness the stunning sunset from the castle tower!
Optional visit to Monsaraz castle. Please inquire for price and availability.
Daily distance: 30km (19miles)
Elevation gain: +343 m (1125ft)
Terrain: Rolling Hills
Accomodation: Estalagem de Monsaraz, or similar.
Day 6 Day 6 - Cycle from Monsaraz to Vila Vicosa
Highlights: the marble capital of Portugal
Today, you will ride toward the marble capital of Portugal, a significant hub for marble production in Europe. The landscape will be defined by the marble triangle, a region where this "white gold" drives the local economy and can be admired in the grand buildings and wide streets of the town.
Enjoy a visit to an impressive fortified sanctuary, rich with intriguing stories from the past.
Daily distance: 51km (32 miles)
Elevation gain: +607 m (1991ft)
Terrain: Rolling Hills
Accomodation: Pousada de Vila Viçosa, or similar.
Day 7 Day 7 - Cycle from Vila Vicosa to Estremoz
Highlights: the marble route, taste petiscos, Estremoz
Today’s gentle ride allows for stops at taverns to savor local delicacies called "petiscos." As you cycle between taverns, enjoy delightful flavors while taking in the scenery on your way to the final destination, Estremoz.
Tonight, you’ll stay in a historic 15th-century jailhouse, once reserved for nobles, in Estremoz, a town known as the second largest exporter of marble in the world. Your adventure won’t end there: be sure to climb to the top of the marble Donjon tower of the castle for a memorable finish to your day!
Daily distance: 33km (21 miles)
Elevation gain: +288 m (945 ft)
Terrain: Mostly Flat
Accommodation: Historic Hotel Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel, or similar.
Day 8 Day 8 - Tour ends in Estremoz
Highlights: Boa viagem!
Your tour ends today after breakfast.
Airport transfer to Lisbon airport is included according to your flight schedule. Please inquire.
Boa viagem!
PLEASE NOTE: The final itinerary, including hotels and/or activities described here, are subject to changes according to availability.
Difficulty description
Stages average around 50 km (32 miles) per day and 520 meters (1700 feet) of climbing on asphalt. Some of the bike paths are on hard packed dirt roads. Only one loop ride on this itinerary, these routes will please the ones who like new scenary and sightseeing every day.
Visit our Tour difficulty level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.
Map
What's included
- 7 nights lodging in 3-4 star charm hotels (most built in castels and convents), in a double room
- All breakfasts
- Maps, route instructions and history notes
- Luggage transfers
- Airport transfers
- Transfer back from Megalithic tour (if you sleep at the farm)
Optional activities
- Winery visit
- Wine tasting
- Picnic Lunch
- Herbarium
- Wineshop
- Cooking class
Dates and availability
This tour is available all year round. We highly recommend avoiding the months of July and August.
Starts every Saturday. Other start days available by request (€110 extra fee will apply).
Tour code: ptbs3476
________________________________________
Partner Tours Collective
Since we cannot directly operate self-guided tours everywhere, we use our vast network in the continent to curate and offer tours operated by select local partners that we know and trust. These tours are similar in quality to those we operate directly – for example, they usually begin with an in-person briefing and bike fitting (with English-speaking local staff); bicycles are provided in optimal condition; the roadbook and navigation instructions, as well as lodging are of similar quality, as well as the routes and inclusions.
Prices
€1460 per person based in double occupancy, for parties made of 4 or more participants
€1650 per person based in double occupancy, for parties made of 2-3 participants
High-Season ( April to October) Single supplement: €815 (in double room for single use)
Low-Season Single supplement: €480(in double room for single use)
Solo traveler (only one person on the departure) and Group departures are also available. Please inquire for pricing.
Lodging Upgrade: Room upgrades are possible in some hotels - please inquire for prices and availability.
Extra nights: If you'd like to add nights before or after the tour, please inquire - we will be happy to provide a quote and add the nights to your tour package!
Bike rental
We offer quality bikes in different styles, all great options for this bike tour. Our bikes are maintained and delivered in optimal working condition.
The prices below are per bike for the duration of the tour (6 cycling days), including: helmet, multi tool, tyre removal tool, 2 inner tubes, pump, back rack and pannier, or similar.
Bike rental rates
Hybrid bike: €100
E-Bike: €200
For more information on bikes, please see Portugal Bikes
Trip planning
Starting point
We recommend flying into Lisbon airport / Lisbon airport
Your Airport transfer is included in the quote
Ending point
We recommend flying out of Lisbon airport / Lisbon airport
Your Airport transfer is included in the quote
Photo gallery
Customer reviews
Click to read past traveler reviews
My favorite was stopping at the small shops (pottery factories) and seeing the cork trees.
- Karen P. (USA, 2024)
It was loads of fun. Loved it.
- Anonymous traveller (2023)
The hotels were in general beautiful."What was your favorite experience on this trip?" Marble quarry, wine tastings, the towns.
- Anonymous traveller (2022)
The accommodations were excellent! "What was your favorite experience on this trip?" The beautiful country and excellent cycling roads and paths. I really liked going to the cork factory and the marble quarries. The hybrid bike that I used was terrific.
- Anonymous traveller (2018)
