8 days
Duration
258 km
Distance
Medium
Difficulty
Alentejo
Location

Portugal Premium Cycling Tour –  No Rush Bike tour

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Sleep in convents and farmhouses – premium accommodations
  • Stay 2 nights at each hotel, to have time to enjoy the fantastic experiences they provide
  • Internationally awarded wine tastings
  • This bike tour takes you through beautiful landscapes with vineyards, olive groves, cork oaks
  • Évora historical centre, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site; Mediaeval villages
  • Delicious regional Portuguese gastronomy from the Alentejo, always present at our unique gourmet picnics and selected restaurants
  • If you book guided or van guided you can count on being spoiled by us!

 

DESCRIPTION

The Castles and Wine NO RUSH BIKE TOUR will live up to its name! It is a Premium Cycling tour and you will not forget it. Take it to the next level selecting the guided option!

All nights will be passed either in an old convent or in a farming village, so beautiful charming hotels, of 5 star level. (that’s why you stay 2 nights in each!). Try a massage in the end of the day, or maybe book a star gazing experience in our UNESCO classified Dark Sky.

Along the way, the great ancient city of Évora, world heritage site, and small fortified hamlets will tell the stories of wars with moors and Spain. The border is right there on the other side of Alqueva, the biggest artificial lake in Europe.

The loveable Alentejo people, at first shy, the Mediterranean typical gastronomy along with the wonders of cork, marble, olive oil and other crafts will enrich your experience. And the wine… well come and judge for yourself…

You wont regret it if you chose to bike our premium cycling tour

You can make this Premium Cycling tour:

  1. with us in a guided bike tour getting all the interpretation and companionship
  2. with us, having the support car guiding you
  3. together with friends in a self guided biking tour.

Additional information

Tour typeCity, Heritage, Inland, Landscape
1

Day 1

Arrival
Early arrival to airport.

Transfer to Évora, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site.

6 p.m. – Welcome drink and first briefing of your bike tour

Welcome drink and dinner included in van guided and guided tours only
Accommodation – your choice between: Convento do Espinheiro 15th century recovered convent, M’ar de Ar Aqueduto 16th century recovered convent, or Pousada dos Loios, 15th century recovered convent
2

Day 2

The wine and cork Route
Cycling from Évora to Évora.

We start the day cycling to the cork factory, which will surely be one of the highlight of the day. See how cork is transformed and learn about all you can do with it!

Continue and discover all about the Prickly Pear plantation, on a very interesting visit with Susana or José, 2 brothers owners of the beautiful project. Tasty the prickly pear juice or the tea made with this flower, depending on season. Guided trips will have a picnic lunch here, with products from the farm.

Along the way, we cross Igrejinha, a very white village where all houses have stripes with different colors, given a great painting look to the place.

It´s time to visit the Fita Preta winery, located in a medieval property with a 14th century’s palace, recently restored after several years left to abandonment. A lot of prized wines here! Or, alternatively, an aromatic herbs farm, where you will taste delicious teas, honey and olive oil. Feel the wonderful aromas.

Distance: 56 km (round route) 36 km (with transfer in the morning avoiding 20km in a road with some traffic)
  Total ascent: 330 mts
 Difficulty: easy
Terrain: rolling terrain, some traffic in the first part
Wine tasting OR aromatic herbal infusions and picnic included in van guided and guided bike tours only.
Dinner included in van guided and guided tours only – Dinner at a very special place, with wine paring
Accommodation: Same hotel
3

Day 3

Megalithic Route
Cycling around Évora

If you are intrigued by the evolution of our kind, puzzled by the enormity of some Neolithic constructions or wondered about the magical meaning of some pre historical sites, than this bike tour day is for you. The biggest dolmen and one of the most important cromlech in Europe with over 5000 years of history are waiting for you.

The ride finishes in Évora, where you will have the chance to wonder around and get immersed in this ancient pre-roman settlement. One of the highlights will be the visit to the surreal XIII century bone chapel. An olive oil tasting will be included in guided tours.

 Distance: 53 kms
Total ascent: 500 mts
Difficulty:  easy
Terrain: flat terrain, some dirt roads. One more demanding climb.
 Picnic and ticket to bone’s chapel included in van guided and guided tours only. Dinner not included.
Same hotel

4

Day 4

The Valley of the Degebe River
Cycling from Évora to Monsaraz.

Leaving Évora toward the rising sun a more baren landscape will keep us company.

On this bike tour day ride between olive groves to reach the small and traditional village of Nossa Srª de Machede.

After a pause for a cold drink or coffee a visit to the mysterious castle of  Valongo will provide shade while it unveils its roman past. THen lunch at the most local café you can imagine. Real local food! A calm ride through easy backroads sets the tone to the day’s final destination. Before dinner a visit to a local distinct winery where the scent of the brewing clay pots fills the air with the ancient knowledge that makes great wine.

Distance: 61 km
Total ascent: 370 mts
Difficulty: medium
Terrain: undulating roads
Lunch and dinner included in van guided and guided tours only.
Accommodation: Retiro de Monsaraz,just by the castle of Monsaraz, with swimming pool. This will mean to cycle 6 kms more, so you may want to consider an e-bike if you prefer the premium option we sugest Herdade de S. Lourenço do Barrocal, a charm country hotel with an architecture prize. This hotel is wonderful but a splurge, so if you prefer we can book you in the lovely
5

Day 5

Conquest of the Castle of Monsaraz
Today’s bike tour destination is the fortified village of Monsaraz, an important stronghold in the defense of our nation just by the border with Spain.

On the way we will visit the famous pottery village of S. Pedro do Corval, where you can see the men making magic with the clay, transforming it into beautiful pots and plates, and the ladies painting them with flowers in an impressive speed.

Then with Spain in sight lunch by the biggest artificial lake in Europe, the Alqueva dam reservoir. Then it’s time to conquer the castle, use all your energy to climb up to Monsaraz! Your hotel is either just by the city walls or inside, either option really nice. See the sunset from the tower!

Distance: 35 km
Total ascent: 310 mts
Difficulty: easy, except the climb to Monsaraz
Terrain: flat roads, with one ascent to the castle
Lunch included in van guided and guided tours only. Dinner not included
Accommodation: Same hotel
6

Day 6

The Sanctuary Route
  Cycling from Monsaraz to Vila Viçosa.

The day’s ride will lead to the marble capital of Portugal and one of the biggest in Europe. The marble triangle will mark the landscape for the next bike tour days. The so called white gold is the main economic driver of the region. Its richness is a constant presence in the wide streets and tall buildings. The picnic lunch and the visit to an impressive fortified sanctuary with an interesting tale will close the morning. Then a rare sight over distinct colored lagoons finishing with accommodation in an aristocratic convent.

Distance: 47 kms
Total ascent: 560 mts
Difficulty: medium
Terrain: undulating, with some climbing
Picnic and dinner included in van guided and guided tours.
Accommodation:  the lovely  Pousada D. João IV, built in a convent, with swimming pool OR Alentejo Marmóris Hotel & SPA, with swimming pool (upgrade)

7

Day 7

The Marble Route
Cycling from Vila Viçosa to Estemoz.

As the song says: ‘And now, the end is near…’

Today’s bike tour ride is soft so take this opportunity to taste some local delicacies: Petiscos (Snacks).

From tavern to tavern the ride will delight your senses. The rest of the day will be spent in contemplation and admiration until the doors of Estremoz, the final destination of the journey.

Try to climb up to the marble Donjon tower of the castle of Estremoz! From there the views are impressive!

We cycle back with wineyards and marble quarrys by our side and the amazing scenery will make you forget the kilometers on your legs!

Distance: 48 kms
Total ascent: 340 mts.
Difficulty: easy
Terrain: undulating, with some climbing to the castle
Lunch, consisting on several Petiscos/snacks and dinner included in van guided and guided tours only
 Accommodation: Same hotel
OR
if you prefer you can cycle only 30km  and sleep in Pousada de Estremoz
8

Day 8

Departure
Transfer to Lisbon airport

Tour extension: We may transfer you to the gorgeous coastline and you may do our ALONG THE COAST TOUR or the WILD ALGARVE

DISCOUNT PRICE IF YOU BOOK TWO TOURS!

We know you want to do several Portugal Bike tours!

Notes

On Van guided Portugal bike tours the guide will be the driver. He/she will guide you from a distance. The car will be near enough so that you can see it on the junctions. The guide will stop at important or interesting places to give history explanations or tell a story. Some people call this a supported tour, though in our case it is more than that because you are actually being guided.

On Guided bike tours groups are accompanied by one or two cycling guides, besides a guide who takes the support car, prepares the picnics and transports your luggage. Lunches are picnic type with traditional foods from the area where we are cycling. Some times we also use local restaurants.

In dinners arranged by us and you can be sure you will try the best gastronomy as we choose restaurants well known by us for its good traditional food. No «touristy» places included!

On van guided or guided cycling tours you can expect full service from your guides. They will do their best to make your holiday an unforgettable one.

Our guides are all Portuguese and know our region very well. They are very service minded and most of them have been working with us for many years. They are bikers themselves and love to go cycling on their holidays, so they know what you expect from them! They will make sure you have a great Portugal bike tour!

MAP

PROFILES

1st cycling day

Altitude gain: 330 mt/ 1082 ft
Total Distance: 56km/ 34 mi
Level: medium


2nd cycling day

Altitude gain: 579 mt/ 1899 ft
Total Distance: 53 km/ 32 mi
Level: medium


3rd cycling day

Altitude gain: 370 mt/ 1213 ft
Total Distance: 61 km/ 37 mi
Level: medium


4th cycling day

Altitude gain: 310 mt/ 1017 ft
Total Distance: 35 km/ 21 mi
Level: easy plus


5th cycling day

Altitude gain: 671 mt/ 2201 ft
Total Distance: 48.2 km/ 29 mi
Level: medium


6th cycling day

Altitude gain: 340 mt/ 1115 ft
Total Distance: 48 km/ 29 mi
Level: easy plus

Prices per person – 2024

Departures everyday for all types of Tour.

Come on our set dates and Get a Better Price.

TOUR PRICE WITH 2 NIGHTS IN MONSARAZ VILLAGE (DAY 4 AND 5) AND POUSADA AT VILA VIÇOSA (DAY 6) – under request up grade for Herdade de São Lourenço and Hotel Marmoris

Discount price if you book 2 tours!

Notes:

Not Included: Bikes insurance, Travel insurance, Tour cancellation insurance, and all items not mentioned above. See Terms & Conditions for more details.

Turaventur uses the REDUNIQ @Payments System. These payments are made in a simple, practical and secure way. The payment link is sent to your email, which will be redirected to a secure UNICRE page. Here the customer places the card details and makes the payment. After the data is validated and authorized by the bank, the transaction is finish. At the end you are notified of payment via email.

Guided group dates


Subject to availability, you can do this tour at any date as a private guided tour or as a self guided tour. The fact that a group date is full does not mean you cannot do a private tour on that date. So contact us anyway!

Late June until early September can be quite hot for this tour. For these dates consider the Along the Coast or the Wild Algarve, an Ocean of Fortresses tour.

Palace of vila viçosa
Convento do Espinheiro
picnic in monsaraz
pottery patalim
Convento do Espinheiro
Pousada Estremoz room
sunset ride
quarries of marble
Pousada dos Loios
Pousada Estremoz
Pousada dos Loios room
estremoz castle
Herdade do Barrocal
Pousada Vila Viçosa room
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Herdade do Barrocal
monsaraz
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Pousada Vila Viçosa
estremoz market
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