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A luxurious bike and wine tour from Spain to Portugal with spectacular views. Cycle through beautiful, dramatic landscapes, from the arid plains and medieval hilltop towns of the Ribera del Duero to the terraced vineyards that line the sloeps of the Douro Valley in Porto.
In Roman times, the Duero River was personified as a god: Durius. Now, it is personified as a god of wine. The remarkable Duero River irrigates some of world’s greatest wine regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Toro in Spain and the Douro Valley in Portugal.
From Madrid, we’ll travel north to one of the largest wine producing areas in the world, Ribera del Duero, where we’ll find ourselves surrounded by stunning medieval towns and large sunny valleys. Next, our bike tour takes us through the wine regions of Toro and Rueda, crossing the border from Spain into Portugal in the spectacular Natural Park of Arribes del Duero. From there, we’ll pedal along the stunning Dam of La Almendra, one of the largest in Europe.
Once in Portugal, the landscape gets wilder and more small towns begin to appear as the river grows to gigantic proportions. Charming family-run wineries, quiet cycle paths and excellent food characterise our journey into Portugal. We’ll cycle through the breathtaking terraced vineyards of the Douro River Valley, before finishing our bike and wine tour in style at a beautiful quinta (winery) in the charming town of Peso de Regua. From here, it’s an easy transfer t the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto!
Day 1: Peñafiel, Spain
Route: 55.2 km/34.3 miles
Elevation: 387 m/1269 ft
Accommodation: Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena
Meals included: Lunch and dinner
Your Bike Spain Tours guide will pick you up from your hotel in Madrid, and we’ll travel together by van to Sepúlveda, in the province of Segovia. This charming medieval town was most affluent in the 11th and 12th centuries, as evidenced by the splendid architectural legacy dating back to this era.
From Sepúlveda, we’ll continue to the stunning gorges of the Duratón river, Las Hoces del Duratón, set in their own protected Natural Park, populated by eagles and vultures. Our route takes us around the Natural Park, following the course of the Duratón river past centuries-old castles and windmills and eventually through vineyards as we enter the Protected Designation of Origin wine region of Ribera del Duero.
We’ll spend the night in one of the best-preserved 12th century Cistercian monasteries in Europe. Overlooking the Duero River, the views from the hotel stretch across over the surrounding vineyards and countryside.
Tonight, we’ll celebrate the start of our bike and wine tour with a delicious dinner together at our hotel.
Day 2: Peñafiel, Spain
Route: 60.6 km/37.6 miles
Elevation: +455 m/+1493 ft
Accommodation: Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Today’s route takes us through some of through the oldest vineyards of Ribera del Duero. We’ll visit the town of Pesquera del Duero, known for growing some of the best grapes in the region, and dedicated almost exclusively to wine production.
From here, we’ll follow the course of the Duero river through a sea of vineyards, finishing at the historic fortified town of Peñafiel, one of the region’s centres of wine production. The town’s castle, the oldest part of which dates back to the 9th century, has been repurposed into a Wine Museum.
From Peñafiel, we’ll head to a nearby bodega, where we’ll enjoy a guided tour and tasting, followed by a fabulous lunch of traditional Castilian fare, paired with the bodega’s very own wines.
In the evening, we’ll enjoy a gourmet dinner of traditional fare in a refurbished historic windmill.
Day 3: Toro, Spain
Route: 43.6 km/27.1 miles
Elevation: +235 m/+772 ft
Accommodation: Valbusenda Hotel Bodega & Spa
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
This morning, we’ll travel by van the short distance to Toro, known for the local variety of red wine: “Tinta de Toro”, which has its own Denomination of Origin status. Due to its strategic location, Toro has been of great importance over the centuries: a stronghold for the Moors and then the Christians in medieval times. The town is built in the shape of a fan, and offers views of the surrounding fertile plains, known as the Oasis of Castile.
From Toro, we’ll jump on our bikes and enjoy a gentle ride through picturesque, agricultural countryside with lots of sprawling vineyards. Toro is a relatively new wine-making region, which is slowly gaining recognition. Today’s route ends with a delicious lunch at a local winery in Toro.
Tonight, we’ll stay at the luxurious Valbusenda Hotel Bodega and Spa*****, where you can enjoy fabulous views of the surrounding vineyards from your room, and pamper yourself with the soothing properties of the local grape at the wine spa.
Dinner tonight is included at the hotel restaurant.
Day 4: Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal
Route: 41.8 km/26 miles
Elevation: +463 m/+1,521 ft
Accommodation: Colmeal Countryside Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
It’s time to say adiós Spain, and olá Portugal, as our bike and wine tour takes us across the border!
After breakfast, we’ll travel by van around the spectacular La Almendra dam, one of the biggest in Europe.
We’ll hop on our bikes and follow the course of the river across the border into Portugal. Our cycle route takes us through the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, recognised as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO due to the huge variety of flora and fauna that inhabit the area. Keep a look out for the famous black storks! We will also enjoy spectacular scenery as the river courses through a deep canyon, which marks the division between Spain and Portugal.
After crossing the border near the Salto de Saucelle dam, we’ll follow the river (now called the Douro in Portuguese) towards the beautiful riverside town of Barca d’Alva, surrounded by terraced vineyards and picturesque olive and almond groves. This area offers some of the best birdwatching in Portugal: buzzards, falcons, swifts, and black storks and nesting eagles!
We’ll enjoy lunch in Barca d’Alva before travelling by van to our final destination, the beautiful medieval village of Colmeal, which is just a stone’s throw away from our eco-friendly hotel.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy our first dinner in Portugal together at a nearby taverna.
Day 5: Marmelal, Portugal
Route: 74.4km/46.2 miles
Elevation: +1237m/+4060 ft
Accommodation: Vila Galé Douro Vineyards
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Our day begins with a visit to one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Europe. The Côa Valley is home to over a thousand outcrops with rock art, predominantly from the Upper Paleolithic, dating back to 30.000 years ago. The valley comprises a fascinating open-air prehistoric art gallery, set in a spectacular location above the Douro river, and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From here we make our way to the start of today’s bike ride, a beautiful route along quiet roads, with vineyards blanketing the landscape. We’ll reach the Douro River Valley at the beautiful town of Pinhão, where we’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the terraced vineyards that cover the valley slopes. We’ll make a stop here for lunch, before continuing to pedal through beautiful landscapes to our hotel, set in a vineyard of its own.
Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at our hotel, paired with locally-produced port wine.
Day 6: Peso da Régua – Porto
Route: 47.5 km/23.9 miles
Elevation: +967m/+3172 ft
Accommodation: Hotel Editory Boulevard Aliados
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
After leaving Pinhao by bike, we will enjoy a beautiful final ride along the course of the river, which offers us glimpses of the many fortresses that dot the surrounding landscape. This area is at the heart of port wine production in Portugal.
On arrival in Peso da Regua, known as the Port wine capital, we will visit a beautiful port wine quinta, for a guided wine tasting and a lunch of delicious local fare – the perfect opportunity to relive the week’s biking adventures.
After lunch, your Bike Spain guide will say goodbye to you as they make their way back to Madrid. You will travel by van to the colourful city of Porto, where you will spend the final night of your bike and wine tour.
Day 7: Porto
Departure day
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, your bike and wine tour of Spain and Portugal comes to an end.
Porto is a particularly beautiful city, built on gently sloping hills along the meandering curve of the Douro river just before it enters the Atlantic. With many cultural sites of interest, as well as modern art museums and historic port wine cellars, it is no wonder that this city is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Porto has a range of flight connections with major international airports; alternatively, it is easily accessible from Lisbon by train. Ask your Bike Spain Tours travel consultant for assistance with your onward travel plans if required.
Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena
Right at the heart of Ribera del Duero, this hotel – the first spa with 5 stars status in Castilla y León – is located in one the best preserved Cistercian monastery of the 12thcentury in Europe.
The Monastery of Santa María de Valbuena provides 79 rooms, all of them of high quality, a spa centre and hot spring bath, an outdoor pool, children’s playground and terrace.
Hotel Valbusenda
The luxurious Valbusenda Hotel Resort & Spa is 5-star hotel located in the beautiful region of the Vega de Toro.
Located 12 km from Toro village, and few meters away from the banks of the Duero River in Valbusenda winery complex. This spectacular wine resort with futuristic design is the perfect place to enjoy a unique experience in this famous wine area. It offers luxury rooms with minimalist decor and exceptional views of the vineyard.
Colmeal Countryside Hotel
Colmeal Countryside Hotel, “welcome to the land of silence”. This unique hotel is located right in the heart of the nature, where its architecture melts with the landscape.
The historical and uninhabited village of Colmeal is located on a farm spread over more than 650 hectares. This hotel, located in the middle of nature, it’s well-known for its unique design and for being as a “silence hotel”. At the Colmeal Countryside Hotel, we do not make strict vows of silence but of serenity. Welcome to the land of silence. Find what you need to switch off from the world. And connect to yourself.
There is a pool, a spa and beautiful surroundings: the perfect place to unwind during your bike and wine tour or Spain and Portugal.
Vila Galé Douro Vineyards
In the heart of the Douro region, Vila Galé Douro Vineyards is set in the centuries-old Quinta do Val Moreira. The property features an outdoor swimming pool and a terrace with scenic views over the Douro and the Tedo rivers.
Producing its own wines, the property features a restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views, serving regional cuisine. Guests can enjoy a drink at the bar or take a tour of the wine cellars, where wine tastings are available daily.
Vila Galé Douro Vineyards stands out for its location, charm and exclusivity. Enjoy walking among the vineyards, the olive groves or the almond tree groves.
Editory Boulevard Aliados
A boutique hotel with soul and charisma, with elegant, natural materials and an atmosphere that exudes discreet sophistication and timelessness, in spaces that appeal to both guests and locals.
The Editory Boulevard Aliados Hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, a sun terrage and a garden. This 5-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk.
Original price was: 3.890,00€.3.770,00€Current price is: 3.770,00€.
| Dates | 4 May 2025, 16 Jun 2025, 21 Sep 2025, 19 Oct 2025, Custom dates |
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In general 9-10 – things were really good and absolutely no complaints – and a great and service oriented guide, Kiki.
Great nature, good friends, flexibility in terms of adjusting the days, good food and great service
A solid 9plus ! Quality and price were all reasonable. Our favorite hotel was Qunita Da Pacheca-watching the wine production explained by the head wine maker was a treat ! Bike Spain did an outstanding job with all the logistics of transportation and solving any problems.
My bicycle was a high end Specialized E-Bike. I have never been on an E-Bike and thoroughly enjoyed the experience especially on the steep hills. The ride was incredibly smooth and the gearing was easy to use !
Visiting the Douro Valley and watching the wine production was indeed special.
We had a wonderful trip. The hotels were outstanding. The food was delicious.
Wine House Hotel Quinta da Pacheca Had the best staff!! They were amazing. They let us watch the port making and that was off the charts good!
Our guides were great. The ride is much improved when the guide rides with the group.
The whole trip was great. We loved it!!
