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On this guided bike tour, you’ll be one of the few visitors exploring the Alentejo wine region, one of the best in Portugal, discovering magical white villages, medieval castles and endless vineyards.
Enjoy a week of biking through these peaceful rolling hills whilst exploring local wine cellars, sleeping in convents and discovering the UNESCO world heritage sites of cities like Évora, Elvas, Vila Viçosa and Monsaraz.
Discover the amazing history, culture and traditions of this thriving wine region, which was awarded the title of Best Wine Region in 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 traditions and lifestyle. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Évora, the fortified village of Marvão and the former Palace of the Portuguese Kings, and discover the rural lifestyle of the local homesteads.
The (practically) 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 celebrated gastronomy and wine, and fabulous accommodations, the Alentejo is a great destination to experience the best of Portugal, where luxury meets tradition.
Day 1: Alter do Chão
Arrival day
Route: 59.2 km/ 36.8 miles
Elevation: +1021m/+3350 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Vila Gale Alter Real
Welcome to Portugal, and your bike tour of the Alentejo wine region!
Our Bike Spain Tours team will meet you in Lisbon and transfer you to the charming Hotel Vila Galé Alter Real, a refined retreat blending comfort with classic Alentejo elegance. Upon arrival, we’ll carry out the bike fitting, before embarking on our first cycling adventure.
We’ll pedal through gently rolling landscapes towards the medieval city of Castelo de Vide, and then continue up to the hilltop fortified village of Marvão. There, you’ll wander narrow cobbled streets, explore the 9th-century castle and ancient cistern, and take in the breathtaking vistas of the Serra de São Mamede mountains. At mid-ride, we’ll pause for a leisurely lunch in this dramatic setting, savouring local flavours.
After lunch, we’ll cycle back to Crato, meandering along quiet, picturesque backroads through the Beirã countryside, where rolling hills and traditional Alentejo villages create a peaceful, scenic backdrop for our ride.
Day 2: Alter do Chão – Vila Viçosa
Route: 65.9 km/41.0 miles
Elevation: +790m/+2,590 ft
Accommodation: Alentejo Marmoris
We’ll begin cycling in the elegant village of Alter do Chão, pedalling through the rolling golden hills of North Alentejo. The landscape is dotted with cork oak forests, olive groves, and quiet country lanes, offering a serene introduction to this enchanting region.
Our first stop is the fortified medieval town of Estremoz, where we’ll wander through cobbled streets and historic squares before enjoying a leisurely lunch in the heart of the town. Afterward, we’ll continue to Vila Viçosa, the marble capital of Portugal, renowned for its grand palaces, squares, and buildings crafted from the local white and pink stone.
After the day’s ride, you’ll check in to the exquisite Alentejo Marmoris Hotel, a luxurious retreat where contemporary comfort meets the timeless elegance of the Alentejo. Relax in beautifully appointed rooms, enjoy the serene surroundings, and toast the day with a glass of fine regional wine as the sun sets over the rolling hills.
Day 3: Vila Viçosa – Elvas
Route: 73.8 km/45.9 miles
Elevation: +807m/+2,650 ft
Accommodation: Alentejo Marmoris
Today’s ride begins in the historic Garrison Border Town of Elvas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its striking star-shaped fortifications and charming old town. After a brief stroll to admire the walls and soak in the town’s rich history, we’ll set off on our bikes, following scenic country roads towards the castle of Juromenha. Perched dramatically above the banks of the Guadiana River, which forms the natural border between Portugal and Spain, the castle offers breathtaking panoramic views over the river valley — a perfect spot to pause, capture photos, and immerse yourself in the region’s timeless beauty.
Day 4: Monsaraz – Évora
Route: 45.8 km/28.5 miles
Elevation: +305m/+1,000 ft
Accommodation: Convento Espinheiro
We’ll begin today’s ride cycling towards the enchanting hilltop village of Monsaraz, one of Portugal’s most picturesque medieval gems. As we approach its ancient walls, the landscape opens to breathtaking, panoramic views over the vast Alqueva Reservoir — a shimmering expanse of water that creates a truly unforgettable backdrop.
Following lunch, a private transfer will take you to Évora, where you’ll check in to the exquisite Convento do Espinheiro, a luxurious 5-star retreat set within a beautifully restored 15th-century convent. Surrounded by serene landscaped gardens and steeped in history, the property offers a refined blend of elegance and comfort. Relax by the pool, indulge in the hotel’s world-class spa, or toast the evening with a glass of Alentejo wine in this unique and truly magical setting.
Day 5: Évora
Route: 48.8 km/30.3 miles
Elevation: +329m/+1,080 ft
Accommodation: Convento Espinheiro
At the start of today’s optional circular route, our first stop will be an impressive white-washed fortification on the outskirts of Évora, renowned for its exquisite woolen carpets adorned with intricate, traditional motifs. From here, we’ll set off cycling across the gentle central plains, surrounded by cork and olive trees, keeping an eye out for the free-roaming bulls and cattle that graze on the vast estates, known locally as Herdades.
For lunch, we’ll pause at a superb local winery, where you’ll savor a fine meal accompanied by the region’s best wines, celebrating the flavors and traditions of the Alentejo. Afterward, we’ll return to Évora, leaving the afternoon free to wander its charming streets, shop for local crafts, or explore the city’s remarkable monuments and historic squares at your own pace.
Day 6
Departure day
It’s time to say goodbye to Portugal, as your bike and wine tour of the Alentejo comes to an end.
Breakfast at the hotel and private transfer to Lisbon.
Vila Gale Alter Real
Vila Galé Collection Alter Real – Equestrian Resort, Conference & Spa is a hotel located in Alentejo, in Alter do Chão, within the Alter Stud Farm, the most ancient in the world.
This 4-star unit features 77 rooms, two outdoor pools for adults and one for children, a Satsanga spa with a heated indoor pool, a “Inevitável” restaurant with regional cuisine, and a “Dressage” bar. It also has a library, two meeting rooms and an event hall. For more intimate occasions, it also has a fully restored traditional olive oil mill, with a typical wood-fired oven, and a wine shop, where the hotel often organizes regional wine and olive oil tastings. The perfect place to begin your bike and wine tour in Portugal!
Hotel Alentejo Marmoris Spa
More than a Hotel, an experience of the Senses! Classified by a Guest as a “retreat of peace and quiet wrapped in luxury”, Alentejo Marmòris Hotel & Spa***** invites you to rest. Designed to celebrate all the quality of Portuguese marble, assumes itself as a true museum dedicated to marble.
Exclusive, luxurious, distinguished, the Hotel is located in the center of the monumental Vila Viçosa – considered the Princess of Alentejo – just 180km from Lisbon and 60km from Évora. It has 44 rooms and suites, and our services include: Spa, fine dinning restaurant, SnackBar, Wine Cellar, meeting rooms, private garage and StoryTeller service (cultural guide).
Convento do Espinheiro, Historic Hotel & Spa – Évora
In a converted 15th-century convent on 8 hectares of gardens, this upscale hotel is 5 km from the center of Evora, and 6 km from both the Capela dos Ossos monument and the Gothic Igreja de São Francisco church.
3.540,00€
On this guided bike tour in Alentejo, you will discover the millennial history, culture and traditions of one of the world’s best wine countries.
Minimum group size for guaranteed departure at this price: 4 people.
Other dates and group size options available upon request.
| Dates | Until November 30th |
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