Bike Tour in Alentejo - Heritage and Wine Country
Embark on unforgettable cycling holidays in Alentejo, where peaceful rolling hills, medieval villages, and world-class wines await. Perfect for road cycling enthusiasts, this journey takes you through the heart of one of the world’s top wine regions, blending history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes from the north to the south of Alentejo.
Begin your cycling Alentejo adventure among the medieval castles and monasteries of Marvão, Crato, and Estremoz, discovering Portugal’s rich heritage. Pedal through the region’s renowned marble towns and visit the stunning renaissance palaces of Vila Viçosa. Explore the fortified villages perched above Alqueva Lake, offering panoramic views and peaceful surroundings. Along the way, stop at local wine cellars to taste exceptional Alentejo wines and experience the region’s deep-rooted traditions.
Ride through Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its Roman temples and whitewashed architecture, and uncover hidden gems like Monsaraz, Marvão, and other timeless villages. The gently rolling terrain and car-free roads make cycling in Alentejo ideal for beginner and intermediate riders, with plenty of opportunities to pause at cork oak forests, megalithic monuments, and quiet countryside trails.
Throughout your journey, enjoy stays in charming accommodations, including converted convents and historic estates, where luxury meets tradition. Indulge in Alentejo’s renowned gastronomy, savoring meals paired with local wines in some of Portugal’s finest restaurants.
We had a wonderful week on the Alentejo bike tour. The programme itself was excellent - we loved all the places ...
From start to finish this was a professionally orchestrated tour. The hotels were spectacular, particularly Convento de espinheiro and São Lourenço ...
Pick up from your hotel for a 2 hours transfer to Pousada do Marvão, in Alentejo. Check-in at this Pousada on the top of the hill and inside the village walls, overlooking the northern Alentejo plains. Set up of the bikes. Free afternoon to relax at the hotel or walk through the village’s narrow streets, visit the 9th century castle, cistern and admire the beautiful S. Mamede mountain range.
Hotel – Pousada de Marvão (upgrade to superior room in "premium" option)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the ride to Alter by the beautiful “Beirã” region, passing the medieval city and stronghold of Castelo de Vide, for a quick stop and coffee. Keep riding through this rural area, rich in olive groves and Cork Oak trees, going through Flôr da Rosa and then Alter do Chão, home of the Lusitano thoroughbred. Relax at the hotel in the afternoon.
Hotel – Convento D'Alter or Pousada do Crato – 5 star small luxury hotel of the world (included in the "premium" option)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the bike tour, from Crato to Alter do Chão, where we will ride the rolling hills of North Alentejo to the top of yet another medieval village: Estremoz, where our hotel, the Pousada de Estremoz (included in the premium option) is marvelously located overlooking the Alentejo plains, or the Convento de São Paulo, a unique historical house convent in the Ossa mountain range. Enjoy your afternoon visiting Estremoz or relaxing at this amazing charm hotel.
Hotel – Convento de São Paulo or Pousada Castelo de Estremoz – Rainha Santa Isabel (included in the "premium" option)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of our bike tour, from Estremoz to Redondo going through the Ossa mountain range, a steady climb will let you enjoy the views from the top. Ride through Redondo and this quaint countryside of farmed land and rolling hills all the way to Monsaraz, a fortified village atop the Alqueva Lake, with beautiful views over the Alentejo plains. Arrival at our hotel, the Horta da Moura, in Monsaraz, the first rural hotel in the Alentejo or Herdade São Lourenço do Barrocal, a Small Luxury Hotel of the world (included for “Premium option”), perfect for relaxing and visiting its renowned Wine cellars.
Hotel – Estalagem de Monsaraz or Herdade São Lourenço do Barrocal (included in the "premium" option)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the ride towards Reguengos home of Herdade do Esporão, one of the iconic wine and olive oil producers in Alentejo. Once you leave Reguengos you'll ride some of the quietest roads of this region, through Montoito village and endless vineyards and farmland almost to the edge of the city of Évora. On arrival check in at the hotel M’Ar de Ar Aqueduto hotel, an amazing 5 star hotel by the Évora Aqueduct, or M'ar D'Ar Muralhas, a 4 star hotel placed inside Évora's fortified walls. Free afternoon to visit Évora before dinner at Luar de Janeiro, another opportunity to taste the majestically prepared local gastronomy.
Hotel – M’ar de Ar Muralhas Hotel or M’ar de Ar Aqueduto Hotel (“premium” option)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of today’s optional bike tour, a morning loop towards Arraiolos, an amazing white washed fortification on the outskirts of Évora, famous for its woolen carpets with intricate and traditional motifs. Ride by the central plains of Alentejo enjoying the views of the cork and olive trees, the bulls and cattle that roam free in the big properties of the region, here called Herdades. Lunch in Évora. Free afternoon for visiting and shopping in Évora and its amazing monuments
Hotel – M’ar de Ar Muralhas Hotel or M’ar de Ar Aqueduto Hotel (“premium” option)
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by check-out and free time to enjoy Évora's city center before transfer to Lisbon (airport or hotel) or extended stay in Évora.
Extend your stay in Lisbon or Évora for an extra day before or after this trip.
This tour features a mix of rolling hills, gentle climbs, and quiet rural roads through the picturesque Alentejo countryside. The terrain is characterized by open plains, olive groves, and cork oak forests, with steady ascents leading to charming medieval villages like Marvão, Castelo de Vide, and Monsaraz. Riders will enjoy scenic routes with moderate elevation, including stretches through vineyards and farmland, as well as views from the Serra de Ossa and fortified hilltops. The terrain is ideal for a balance of relaxed cycling and immersive cultural exploration in Portugal’s serene Alentejo region.
Our E-bike road fleet is composed of Scott Addict E-ride 20 bikes, equipped with a Mahle 36V-236Wh battery, that will allow you to ride longer and climb higher! These lightweight carbon road bikes, equipped with disc brakes and electronic shimano gears provide a great option for our road bike tours.
/ 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.
Pedro is passionate about touring and slowing down to experience all the little details that you can only appreciate while on a bike. Off or on the road, gravel or trails, he designed this tour in order for it to show off the best of the region, pairing it with other experiences that boast the local culture.
