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Experience the passion and adrenaline of the first week of LA VUELTA during its time in the Portugal.
It’s official: for only the fifth time in its 89-year history, LA VUELTA 2024 will start outside Spain! The country’s most famous cycle race will take off for the second time from Lisbon, which first had the honour of hosting the start of the race in 1997, the first foreign city ever to do so. Known as the “city of the seven hills”, Lisbon is sure to provide an exciting and challenging start to the race!
There’s nothing quite like pedalling the very same roads that the professionals will cycle mere hours later, and enjoying access to the VIP secton for the very best views of the start or finish of each stage. With front-row seats at the finish line in the exclusive VIP area, all you need to do is sit back and relax with a glass of champagne in your hand and wait for the excitement as the professionals arrive.
As an official La Vuelta Tour Operator, Bike Spain Tours offers a spectacular cycling trip that captures the beauty of the routes and the highlights of the race, while you enjoy an exciting ride. The relaxed atmosphere and the access to professional cyclists and their teams during the Vuelta make this tour a very special experience. Accommodation in 4-star luxury hotels in Lisbon, Évora and Lousã, VIP access to the race areas and tailor-made bike routes with logistical support at all times in addition to the presence of our experienced, bilingual (English and Spanish) guides, we can guarantee that it will be one of the best trips of your life!
Those who join this very different start to the race will enjoy a tour comprised of 7 days and three stages:
-Day 1 (Wednesday 14th August): Transfer from your hotel in Lisbon to Évora. Welcome and bike fitting.
-Day 2 (Thursday 15th August): Bike loop around Évora and Monsaraz.
-Day 3 (Friday 16th August): Transfer to Lisbon. Bike loop around Setubal and Arrábida National Park.
-Day 4 (Saturday 17th August): Ride the time trial route through Lisbon and watch the start of La Vuelta from the VIP section.
-Day 5 (Sunday 18th August): Bike loop ride around the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Watch the start of today’s stage from the VIP section. Transfer to Lousã.
-Day 6 (Monday 19th August): Ride today’s stage to the finish in Castello Branco, and watch the end of the stage from the VIP section. Transfer to Lisbon.
-Day 7: (Tuesday 20th August): Farewell & departure
Day 1: Wednesday, August 14th: Évora
Arrival Day
Accommodation: Convento do Espinheiro
Meals included: Dinner
Welcome to Portugal! We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Lisbon in the morning, and transfer you to the ancient city of Évora for your bike fitting.
Dating back to Roman times, Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves a fascinating range of monuments from different historical eras: the Roman temple of Diana, the 13th century Gothic Cathedral, various Renaissance palaces, and even a macabre chapel decorated with human skulls and bones.
We’ll kick off our cycling adventures with a loop through the countryside surrounding Évora, enjoying views of cork and olive tres and keeping our eyes peeled for the bulls and cattle that roam free around the local herdades (homesteads), before heading back to our hotel in Évora to enjoy our first dinner together.
Day 2: Thursday, August 15th: Évora
Accommodation: Convento do Espinheiro
Route: 70.6 km/43.9 miles
Elevation: +701 m/2300 ft
Meals included: Breakfast
Today we’ll head out of Évora to explore the enchanting Alentejo región, famous for its white marble towns. One of these is the medieval town of Monsaraz, which looks like something plucked straight from a fairytale. Among the oldest villages in Portugal, and once the property of the Knights Templar, Monsaraz exudes old-world charm, and boasts spectacular views over the Spanish border and the Alqueva lake – the largest artificial lake in Europe.
In the afternoon, we’ll have the opportunity to sample the local gastronomy and the famous Alentejo wine with a delicious lunch at a superb local winery. After lunch, we’ll return to Évora and spend some free time exploring this millennial city at our own pace.
Day 3: Friday, August 16th: Lisbon
Accommodation: Áurea Museum
Route: 77.2 km/48 miles
Elevation: +987 m/3240 ft
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Time to discover Portugal’s best-kept secret: the practically unknown District of Setubal!
After travelling to Lisbon by private transfer, we’ll set off on our bikes for a loop around the Setubal península, taking in the beautiful bay of the same name, enjoying the dramatic coastal landscapes and lush evergreen vegetation. Next, we’ll explore Arrábida National Park, home to some of the best beaches in Portugal, surrounded by soaring limestone cliffs. Arrábida is often referred to as the Costa Azul or Blue Coast, thanks to its pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear azure waters.
Day 4: Saturday, August 17th: Lisbon
Accommodation: Áurea Museum
La Vuelta: Stage 1: Lisbon > Oeiras
Route: 32.9 km/20.5 miles
Elevation: +250m/809 ft
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Today’s the big day: the first day of La Vuelta de España!
We’ll cycle the time trial routes ahead of time, training on the same paths as the professional competitors, along the River Tagus.
Next, it’s time to head up to the start of La Vuelta and soak up some of the excitement! We’ll watch the start of Spain’s biggest cycle race from our front-row seats in the VIP section, and see how our time trial results match up to the pros!
In the evening, we’ll discuss our impressions and predictions for the rest of the race over dinner together.
Day 5: Sunday, August 18th: Lousã
Accommodation: Palácio da Lousã
La Vuelta: Stage 2: Cascais > Ourém
Route: 65.7 km/40.8 miles
Elevation: +803 m/2634 ft
Meals included: Breakfast
Pack your bags – we’re going to Lousã!
In the morning, we’ll jump on our bikes and explore the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Home to some of Portugal’s most important cultural treasures, including Sintra: a former royal hideaway and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Natural Park is dominated by the Serra de Sintra mountain range, which gives the park the unique microclimate that makes it an extremely pleasant place to cycle! We’ll also see the famously colourful Palacio da Pena, and cycle all the way to the Cabo de Roca, the western-most point in mainland Europe.
In the afternoon, we’ll watch the start of the second stage of La Vuelta from our VIP seats, cheering on our favourite riders and soaking up the exciting race atmosphere, before travelling to Lousã by private transfer.
Located right in the centre of Portugal, deep within a mountain range of the same name, Lousã is a small but ancient city which dates back to the Roman era. Enjoy some free time taking in the beautiful natural surroundings, or discovering the town’s fascinating history.
Day 6: Monday, August 19th: Lisbon
Accommodation: Áurea Museum
La Vuelta: Stage 3: Lousã > Castelo Branco
Route: 119 km/73.9 miles
Elevation: +2152 m/7060 ft
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Today, we’ll cycle the Vuelta stage ahead of the professionals, arriving at the finish line in Castelo Branco in time to take our seats in the VIP section and wait excitedly, champagne glass in hand, for the riders to arrive.
After the last rider has crossed the finish line, we’ll hop back into our private transport for our transfer back to Lisbon, with plenty of time to enjoy at leisure exploring the city’s many beautiful viewpoints or trying a delicious pastel de nata!
Day 7: Tuesday, August 20th
Departure day
After breakfast in the hotel, our tour will finish. Today you are at leisure to enjoy some time in Portugal’s charismatic capital. The Bike Spain guides will be available to help you with your travel plans and with anything else you might need for the perfect end to your trip!
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.
Áurea Museum
This unique 5-star property is located on the banks of the Tagus River, in a historic building in Lisbon’s iconic Alfama quarter. The hotel features a permanent archaeological exhibition, as well as modern facilities, like an indoor pool, restaurant, massage room and Turkish bath.
Palácio da Lousã
Housed in an 18th-century palace, this hotel blends a historical setting with picturesque views of the Lousã Mountains. Set in beautiful gardens, Octant Lousa features an outdoor pool.
