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 Touring in Alentejo Wine Country
Highlights from Our Bike Tour in Alentejo Wine Country
This is an easy to moderate bike touring experience by the historical and UNESCO world sites of Évora, Monsaraz and Vila Viçosa, exploring the vineyards of one of the world’s best wine countries. A bike tour in the sunny Alentejo plains, suited for every type of rider, where you’ll explore the natural beauty of the vineyards and olive fields, admire the Alqueva lake and its Dark Sky reserve as well as trying the delicious local gastronomy.
After a transfer from Lisbon, your tour starts in Évora, capital of Alentejo, being received by our guides for a private briefing and bike fit that will take place at your hotel, placed inside the fortified walls of the Évora city center, UNESCO world heritage site. For the following days, you’ll be riding by the backroads of Alentejo, visiting the monuments of the region like the Almendres Cromlech or the Diana temple, tasting the beautiful wines of Cartuxa and Esporão and enjoying the rural landscape of the Alentejo “Montado”. After exploring Évora in a series of loop rides that can take you as far or as close as you wish, you’ll ride towards Monsaraz, to explore the margins of the Alqueva Lake and the fortified village atop the lake. From your hotel in Monsaraz, you can choose to explore the region’s vineyards in several loop rides. Leaving Monsaraz, you’ll ride north, towards Vila Viçosa, in te middle of the marble region, to explore the marble quarries, Ducal Palace and castle and, in a series of loop rides from your hotel, ride up to Estremoz, Serra D’Ossa, Borba, and more. After a weeklong of riding and experiencing the wine country of Alentejo, get transfered back to Lisbon.
Gallery: Alentejo Wine Country Bicycle Tour
Day to Day on this Alentejo Bicycle Tour
Day 1: Transfer from Lisbon airport/train station/hotel to Évora.
Check-in, private briefing and bike fit at your hotel, Mar D’ar Aqueduto Hotel & SPA (Premium option) or Mar D’ar Muralhas. Free day to visit Évora’s city Center (walking tour included in the Premium option).
Night in Mar D’ar Aqueduto (included in the "Premium" option) or Mar D’ar Muralhas
Day 2: Évora loop to Arraiolos or Almendres Cromelech (34km, 380 meters accumulated height) or optional rest day
Breakfast at your hotel. Start of today’s loop ride, towards the fortified village of Arraiolos, to get to know it’s castle and textile traditions (45km). Optionally, visit the Almendres Cromelech, a 6000 year old menhir site, on a 38km loop. Visit to Cartuxa winery for wine tasting, late in the afternoon (included in the Premium option).
Night in Mar D’ar Aqueduto (included in the "Premium" option) or Mar D’ar Muralhas
Day 3: Évora – Monsaraz (67km, 690 meters accumulated height)
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Start of the ride, by some of the quietest roads of this region, through Montoito village and endless vineyards and farmland almost to the edge of the Reguengos, home of Herdade do Esporão, one of the iconic wine and olive oil producers in Alentejo. On the arrival at Monsaraz, check in at the hotel São Lourenço do Barrocal, a former “Herdade” now converted into a charming luxury hotel (included in the “Premium” option) or Horta da Moura, a 4 star rural resort, both near the fortified village of Monsaraz. Relax at your hotel for the rest of the day and take your time to gaze at the stars in this Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve.
Night in São Lourenço do Barrocal (included in the "Premium" option) or Horta da Moura
Day 4: Monsaraz loop – Reguengos and Esporão ride (54km, 400 meters accumulated height) or optional rest day
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the ride, towards Herdade do Esporão, to visit the vineyards – visit and learn how the wine is produced, from grape to bottle, and then sample it on a wine tasting (included in the Premium option). Ride back to your hotel and take a late afternoon hike to the top of Monsaraz village to enjoy the sunset before heading to a restaurant to taste the local gastronomy.
Night in São Lourenço do Barrocal (included in the "Premium" option) or Horta da Moura
Day 5: Monsaraz – Vila Viçosa (54km, 730 meters accumulated height)
Breakfast and check-out of your hotel. Start of the ride, going North, towards Vila Viçosa, in the heart of the marble region of the Alentejo. In the Alentejo backroads, you’ll ride along the Alqueva, marble quarries until you reach Vila Viçosa’s quaint center, where your hotel is located: Marmoris hotel, built around the marble theme (included in the Premium option) or Pousada Vila Viçosa.
Night in Marmoris (included in the "Premium" option) or Pousada de Vila Viçosa
Day 6: Vila Viçosa loop to Estremoz (42km, 450 meters accumulated height) or optional rest day
Breakfast at yout hotel. Start of the ride, going North, towards the quaint village of Borba, alongside the marble quarries, until you reach the fortified city of Estremoz. From Estremoz, visit Dona Maria vineyards (included in the Premium option) after lunch in Estremoz’s city center. Ride back to Vila Viçosa by the backroads, or by climbing to Serra D’Ossa, a beautiful Sierra with some great climbs and descents.
Night in Marmoris (included in the "Premium" option) or Pousada de Vila Viçosa
Day 7: Transfer to Lisbon
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and, at the scheduled time, private transfer to Porto Airport/ train station. End of the tour.
Map of this Bike Tour in Alentejo
This tour offers a mix of rolling hills, serene backroads, and picturesque vineyards, showcasing the tranquil beauty of the Alentejo region. The terrain features gentle climbs and descents, suitable for cyclists seeking a balance of leisure and challenge. Quiet rural roads weave through fortified villages, historic landmarks, and expansive farmlands. Highlights include moderate climbs to destinations like Monsaraz and Vila Viçosa, with panoramic views of the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve and marble quarries. Optional loops, such as the routes to Arraiolos and Estremoz, provide opportunities for more elevation and scenic exploration. Perfect for riders who value cultural immersion and scenic, undemanding rides.
Bike Tour in Alentejo Wine Country Options
Bike Tour in Alentejo Wine Country Options
Alentejo Wine Country Bicycle Tour Prices
Group Dates for the Next Bike Tour in Alentejo Wine Country
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.