We had a wonderful week on the Alentejo wine country bike tour. The programme itself was excellent – we loved all the places we visited – the accommodation was outstanding – so unusual – and the towns and villages all so beautiful. The rides each day were great fun – challenging, but manageable, and the reward at the destination – reaching the beautiful town or seeing the magnificent view were always worth it. Lovely scenery along the way, good roads, fun coffee stops. Our guides Rodrigo and Luis were both super guys – we couldn’t have asked for better – not only efficient and organised, but so friendly and always helpful and patient when dealing with any request from anyone, and just fun people to be around! They took us to lovely restaurants, different every time, and we all really enjoyed the delicious Portuguese cuisine and wine! It was a lovely week, a great experience from every angle, and the beautiful weather in Portugal is just a bonus! Planning on doing the Douro bike tour next year.
Bike Tour in Alentejo - Heritage and Wine Country
Highlights from Our Alentejo Bicycle Tour
Bike tour in Alentejo, perfect for road cycling, where you’ll get to discover the millennial history, culture and traditions of one of the world’s best wine countries, from north to south of the region.
Start riding by the castles and monasteries of Marvão, Crato, Estremoz, discovering the medieval heritage of Portugal, explore the marble region of the Alentejo and its renaissance palaces, the fortified villages atop of the Alqueva and enjoy a week long ride in these peaceful rolling hills while exploring local wine cellars, sleeping in convents and discovering the UNESCO world heritage sites of cities like Évora, Vila Viçosa and Monsaraz.
Discover the amazing history, culture and traditions this wine region has to offer.
Voted Best Wine Region of the world in 2014, Alentejo is a picturesque and charming place, where you’ll fall in love with:
- the whitewashed villages,
- medieval castles,
- sunbathed plains
- and the secular traditions and lifestyle.
Visit the UNESCO world heritage sites in Évora, the fortified village of Marvão, the former Palace of the Portuguese Kings and the rural lifestyle of the local homesteads; Ride the never-ending rolling hills and the hidden trails between the fields. The car-free roads and trails of the Alentejo provide a great atmosphere for bike tours and its topography makes it a great region for beginner and intermediate riders. You’ll have plenty of time to stop and check out the “Sobreiros” and visit the “Antas” along the way.
With its trademark gastronomy, wine and amazing accommodations, the Alentejo is a great destination to experience the best of Portugal, where luxury meets tradition.
You’ll get to sleep in Convents and dine in some of the country’s best restaurants, harmonizing every meal with amazing wines; Admire the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, visit the Esporão Wine and Olive Oil “Herdade”, experience a boat ride in Europe’s biggest artificial lake and try an amazing array of experiences the Alentejo has to offer!
Gallery: Bike Tour in Alentejo
Day to Day of Our Alentejo Wine Country Bicycle Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon, Transfer to Marvão
Pick up from your hotel for a 2 hours transfer to Pousada do Marvão, in Alentejo. Check-in at this Pousada on the top of the hill and inside the village walls, overlooking the northern Alentejo plains. Set up of the bikes. Free afternoon to relax at the hotel or walk through the village’s narrow streets, visit the 9th century castle, cistern and admire the beautiful S. Mamede mountain range.
Hotel – Pousada de Marvão (upgrade to superior room in "premium" option)
Day 2: Bike tour in Alentejo – Marvão – Beirã – Castelo Vide – Crato/Alter do Chão (55km, 550 meters of accumulated height)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the ride to Alter by the beautiful “Beirã” region, passing the medieval city and stronghold of Castelo de Vide, for a quick stop and coffee. Keep riding through this rural area, rich in olive groves and Cork Oak trees, going through Flôr da Rosa and then Alter do Chão, home of the Lusitano thoroughbred. Relax at the hotel in the afternoon.
Hotel – Convento D'Alter or Pousada do Crato – 5 star small luxury hotel of the world (included in the "premium" option)
Day 3: Bike tour in Alentejo: Crato – Alter do Chão – Estremoz/Serra de Ossa (up to 75km, 1000 accumulated height)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the bike tour, from Crato to Alter do Chão, where we will ride the rolling hills of North Alentejo to the top of yet another medieval village: Estremoz, where our hotel, the Pousada de Estremoz (included in the premium option) is marvelously located overlooking the Alentejo plains, or the Convento de São Paulo, a unique historical house convent in the Ossa mountain range. Enjoy your afternoon visiting Estremoz or relaxing at this amazing charm hotel.
Hotel – Convento de São Paulo or Pousada Castelo de Estremoz – Rainha Santa Isabel (included in the "premium" option)
Day 4: Bike tour in Alentejo: Estremoz – Redondo – Monsaraz (69km, 790 meters accumulated height)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of our bike tour, from Estremoz to Redondo going through the Ossa mountain range, a steady climb will let you enjoy the views from the top. Ride through Redondo and this quaint countryside of farmed land and rolling hills all the way to Monsaraz, a fortified village atop the Alqueva Lake, with beautiful views over the Alentejo plains. Arrival at our hotel, the Horta da Moura, in Monsaraz, the first rural hotel in the Alentejo or Herdade São Lourenço do Barrocal, a Small Luxury Hotel of the world (included for “Premium option”), perfect for relaxing and visiting its renowned Wine cellars.
Hotel – Estalagem de Monsaraz or Herdade São Lourenço do Barrocal (included in the "premium" option)
Day 5: Bike tour in Alentejo: Monsaraz – Montoito – Évora (61km, 580 meters accumulated height)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the ride towards Reguengos home of Herdade do Esporão, one of the iconic wine and olive oil producers in Alentejo. Once you leave Reguengos you'll ride some of the quietest roads of this region, through Montoito village and endless vineyards and farmland almost to the edge of the city of Évora. On arrival check in at the hotel M’Ar de Ar Aqueduto hotel, an amazing 5 star hotel by the Évora Aqueduct, or M'ar D'Ar Muralhas, a 4 star hotel placed inside Évora's fortified walls. Free afternoon to visit Évora before dinner at Luar de Janeiro, another opportunity to taste the majestically prepared local gastronomy.
Hotel – M’ar de Ar Muralhas Hotel or M’ar de Ar Aqueduto Hotel (“premium” option)
Day 6: Bike tour in Alentejo: Évora – Arraiolos – Évora (55km, 500m accumulated height)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of today’s optional bike tour, a morning loop towards Arraiolos, an amazing white washed fortification on the outskirts of Évora, famous for its woolen carpets with intricate and traditional motifs. Ride by the central plains of Alentejo enjoying the views of the cork and olive trees, the bulls and cattle that roam free in the big properties of the region, here called Herdades. Lunch in Évora. Free afternoon for visiting and shopping in Évora and its amazing monuments
Hotel – M’ar de Ar Muralhas Hotel or M’ar de Ar Aqueduto Hotel (“premium” option)
Day 7: Bike tour in Alentejo: Évora – transfer to Lisbon
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out and free time to enjoy Évora's city center before transfer to Lisbon (airport or hotel) or extended stay in Évora.
EXTENDED STAY IN LISBON/ÉVORA: ON DEMAND
Extend your stay in Lisbon or Évora for an extra day before or after this trip.
Alentejo Bike Tour Map
This tour features a mix of rolling hills, gentle climbs, and quiet rural roads through the picturesque Alentejo countryside. The terrain is characterized by open plains, olive groves, and cork oak forests, with steady ascents leading to charming medieval villages like Marvão, Castelo de Vide, and Monsaraz. Riders will enjoy scenic routes with moderate elevation, including stretches through vineyards and farmland, as well as views from the Serra de Ossa and fortified hilltops. The terrain is ideal for a balance of relaxed cycling and immersive cultural exploration in Portugal’s serene Alentejo region.
Alentejo Bicycle Tour Options
Alentejo Bicycle Tour Options
Alentejo Bicycle Tour Prices
Group Dates for the Next Bike Tour in Alentejo
Your group, your dates.
Private rides:
If you are looking for a different, exclusive experience, you can make this ride private for your group. Just choose any open trip date, get your group together and contact us to know the private trip listing.
Customized rides:
If you represent a group and want to schedule a different date than the ones listed, we are available to customize this and other experiences to better suit your needs and availability. Please contact us for more information.
AT YOUR SERVICE
Our team is composed of portuguese tourist guides and bike riders, in love with our country and proud to present the best landscapes, gastronomy, history, culture and experiences to anyone who chooses to ride in Portugal.
For the last five years, our team has been involved in the making of over 200 bike-related events in Portugal, from Granfondos to casual mountain bike rides, throughout the country. We are seasoned travelers and riders, able to tap into our local knowledge to provide great experiences to our guests.
Our team is composed of dedicated guides and riders. We make sure our guests’ cycling holidays run smoothly and exceed their expectations.
Road - Scott Addict or Scott Addict Disc
On the road, you will be riding a Addict - a lightweight and comfortable carbon bike, designed to help you on the climbs and keep your speed on flat sections. Our Addict bikes come equipped with a full Shimano Ultegra kit, for great performance.
MTB Mountain bikes - Scott Aspect 910
On our mountain bike tours in Portugal, you'll be riding a Scott Aspect 910. These all-rounder, 29 inch wheel size bikes come equipped with front suspension with suspension lock, for better reaction and comfort. They are perfect for short or long distance rides and even for technical trails, and come equipped with Shimano components for the best cycling experience.
Touring - Scott Sub-Cross
For mixed terrain, we equip our Scott Sub-Cross fleet with touring tires, so that you’ll roll easily by the countryside backroads and macadam trails alike. These bikes are equiped with a front suspension remote lock-out and handle bar bags, making them the perfect option for touring enthusiasts
E-bikes -Scott E-Scale 930 or Scott E-Ride
Our E-bike fleet is composed of the Scott E-Scale 930 and Scott E-Ride bike models, equipped with 500W Bosch batteries, that will allow you to go great distances and with 250W Bosch motors, to assist you during the toughest climbs! These aluminum framed Scott bikes come equiped with front suspension with lockout.
In our bike trips, you’ll also get to use our Garmin Edge 820 GPS device, so you can record and upload all your rides.
RIDE SUPPORT AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES
In our cycling holidays, you’ll be accompanied by our always present staff and vehicles. They will provide for all the services you need for the best biking experience in Portugal.
At your service, you’ll have a fleet of premium equipped vehicles with several amenities for your comfort.
/Mechanical assistance during the bike tours;
/Luggage and bike transfer between hotels;
/Transfer to and from hotels/airports;
/Premium passenger transport and assistance during the rides, at your disposal;
Bike touring at it's best!
AFTER A GREAT DAY IN THE SADDLE, IT'S TIME TO RELAX.
We work with the best hotels and SPA's, to guarantee you full-access to great relaxing experiences and a good night's sleep after your bike tour.
/ Acess to the best SPAs;
/ Free time for sightseeing;
/ Experience adapted to your own pace and holiday style;
We strive to provide our guests with time to relax and immerse into the atmosphere, providing a balance between great activities and well deserved “me time” on your cycling holidays Portugal!
CYCLING HOLIDAYS FOR EVERY TYPE OF RIDER
While planning your cycling holidays, our staff may contact you to ask for further details to better design a bike tour more suited to you. However, all our tours are built to adapt to groups with different riding experience, having shorter and longer options. For "expert" riders, we provide additional cycling challenges. On the other hand we invite all our guests to simply hop into our premium equipped vans if they feel so or just enjoy a recovery day without using their bike.
RIDER TYPES:
1 BEGINNER
/ I ride my bike on a regular basis, for fitness, commuting or out with friends. I prefer rolling terrain but enjoy reaching my goals and enjoy an active lifestyle. I like to overcome some challenges on my bike, but mostly enjoy the landscapes and atmosphere during group rides.
You will get to ride at your own pace, in moderate distances and hop on our premium van if you so desire or, you can challenge yourself when you feel comfortable! You’ll get to ride in a peloton with like-minded people and always accompanied by our guides. If you want an extra "help" on your rides, you can also request an e-bike.
2 INTERMEDIATE
/ Riding is a great part of my life, and I ride my bike regularly with my friends. I am comfortable with rides of 2 to 3 hours, or even more at a relatively strong pace. I like to be challenged and to surpass obstacles or just ride smoothly in a peloton.
You will get to feel different riding experiences, from tougher climbs to rolling along in great company. You’ll have time to enjoy the great landscapes, gain speed in the descents and also push yourself and climb those tough hills. You’ll enjoy the variety of terrain, riding in a peloton and pushing a little harder just before the stop at the café.
3 EXPERT
/ I ride my bike an average of 100 kilometres or more per week and enjoy a fast paced ride for an extended period of time. I love to train, improve and be challenged by other riders. I enjoy all riding experiences, from big climbs to long, technical descents, especially the ones that allow me to push my limits and make long lasting memories.
You’ll get to ride in a peloton along with your peers but also challenge them on the long climbs. Lead the pack and take on the special extra-challenges we have in store for you – try to keep up with our guides as you go for the extra mile just before your well deserved rest and massage at the hotel!
Cycling holidays Portugal for all.