Bike Tour in the Douro River - Wine Country and International Park
Join this Douro bike tour, fit for road cyclists who want to discover the world’s first demarcated wine region and the portuguese historical villages Ride by the river, enjoying its trademark UNESCO world heritage “socalcos” or terraced vineyards and experience the secular traditions of this region. Visit the wine cellars, taste some of the best port and Douro wines and discover traces of the early history of Portugal, from up to 30000 years old. Visit the historical villages and challenge yourself up to top of the most beautiful viewpoints. Ride towards the portuguese historical villages and visit the medieval castles, the paleolithical engravings and rugged nature of the Douro International park and it's backroads.
The sheer history of this region starts and ends in Porto, one of the oldest city centres in Europe, settled in the 4th century during the roman occupation when it was named Portus Cale, to the UNESCO world heritage “socalcos”, that hold the wine farms on the steep hills of the Douro river, and to its own unique traditions, architecture, port wines and cellars. Visit the Palaeolithic archaeological sites with pre-historic rock art engravings and drawings dated from 22000-20000 years BC and spend your night in some of the historical villages of Portugal, with their very own medieval castles.
In this Douro bike tour, you'll get to experience beautiful landscapes and vantage points over the Douro valley, also a UNESCO world heritage, with its trademark "socalcos" or terraced vineyards; The undiscovered paradise of one of the most remote areas in Portugal, the Douro International Park: never-ending olive oil and orange fields, river beaches and animal life. Visit the authentic and picturesque villages of Peso da Régua, Pinhão, Marialva, Barca d'Alva; They are all close or on the riverbank of the Douro “expressway” and were historically focused on the commerce and transportation of the grapes and the wine, to and from Porto, in the traditional “Rabelo” boats that docked in their ports.
Dine and sleep in local charming hotels, once wineries or medieval castles, but now fully equipped hotels with their very own spas and amazing amenities to make you feel comfortable. Climb aboard a boat and sail in the Douro to discover the region from a different perspective.
Challenge yourself in this Douro bike tour by climbing towards the viewpoints and get a privileged look at the world’s most beautiful wine growing area. And fully enjoy the long, sweeping and almost car-free descents of the Douro International Park. Choose everyday between shorter or longer rides and define your own goals and pace throughout your riding experience.
After we were picked up from the airport and driven to the hotel, the magical adventure began. Riding the Douro Valley ...
My wife and I found this tour to be amazing, challenging and everything we had hoped for in a Portugal cycling ...
Day 1: Arrival in Porto – Transfer from Porto hotel/airport to your hotel in Pinhão, in the heart of the Douro River. You will stay either at the Quinta de La Rosa or the Vintage House Douro, a 5-star hotel on the Douro River. Free day to relax at the hotel. Hotel: Quinta de La Rosa or Vintage House Douro (Premium option)
Day 2: Douro Cycle Tour: Pinhão – Tabuaço – Adorigo – Peso da Régua – Pinhão (75km, 900 metres of accumulated climbing)
Breakfast at the hotel. The ride starts on the N222, voted the best road in the world by Avis. You will then head uphill towards Tabuaço, passing the Távora River and enjoying the magnificent views of the vineyards. In Tabuaço, stop to visit the town centre and then descend to Adorigo and Peso da Régua. Return to your Douro Valley bike tour and ride back to your hotel in Pinhão to finish the loop. In the afternoon, visit the Quinta do Seixo winery and cellar and taste some of Sandeman's finest ports. Hotel: Quinta de La Rosa or Vintage House Douro (Premium option)
Day 3: Douro bike tour: Pinhão – Casal de Loivos – Alijó – Favaios – Pinhão (60 km, 1300 metres of accumulated climbing)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the ride towards the river Pinhão, a tributary of the Douro. You will drive up to the viewpoint "Casal dos Loivos" and continue to Alijó (visit the wine and olive oil cooperative) and Favaios (home of the liqueur wine "Favaios") and then back to Pinhão, where you will arrive at your hotel. Relax by the swimming pool in the afternoon or visit the Douro Museum in Peso da Régua to learn more about the history of the Douro ecosystem. Hotel: Quinta de La Rosa or Vintage House Douro (Premium option)
Day 4: Douro bike tour: Pinhão – São João Pesqueira – Marialva/Longroiva (70 km, 1460 metres of accumulated climbing)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start of the bike tour from Pinhão towards São João da Pesqueira with a long but manageable climb – or start your tour in São João da Pesqueira and be transferred there. Experienced riders are invited to ride to the viewpoint of São Salvador do Mundo, from where there are great views of the river and the Douro Valley. Ride towards Mêda and the historic village of Marialva and witness the scenic changes as you go deeper into the Beira Alta. Stay and relax at the historic "Casas do Côro" hotel (included in the Premium option) in the centre of Marialva, next to the centuries-old castle, or at the newly renovated "Termas de Longroiva", a thermal hotel perfect for relaxing near Mêda. Hotel: Termas de Longroiva or Casas do Côro (Premium option)
Day 5: Douro bike tour: Marialva/Longroiva – Trancoso – Marialva (60km, 900 metres of accumulated climbing)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start the ride from Marialva to Trancoso, another historic village in Portugal, with its trademark medieval castle and ramparts surrounding the historic town centre. Return to Marialva across the plateau, past Mêda and back to Marialva. Relax at the hotel in the afternoon and join a sunset boat trip in the late afternoon, relaxing on a pristine beach on the Douro River. Hotel: Termas de Longroiva or Casas do Côro (Premium option)
Day 6: Douro Bike Tour: Marialva/Longroiva – Faia Brava – Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo – Barca D'Alva (62km, 900 metres of accumulated climbing)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start your Douro bike tour towards the Faia Brava National Park, on the river Côa. Ride on car-free roads to Freixo de Espada à Cinta and then enjoy the impressive 20km descent to Barca D'Alva, on the border with Spain. Transfer back to the hotel. Relax at the hotel or visit the museum and archaeological sites of Foz Côa. Recommended dinner at Casas do Côro. Hotel: Termas de Longroiva or Casas do Côro (Premium option)
Day 7: Marialva/Longroiva – Porto (Transfer)
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out at the hotel and transfer to Porto hotel/airport
EXTENDED STAY IN PORTO, PINHÃO or MARIALVA/LONGROIVA: On request.
Extend your stay in Porto, Pinhão or Marialva by an additional day before or after this trip.
This tour offers a mix of rolling hills, long steady climbs, and thrilling descents, set against the stunning backdrop of the Douro Valley and Beira Alta regions. Riders will navigate car-free roads and scenic routes through terraced vineyards, historic villages, and natural parks. The terrain includes challenging ascents, such as those to São João da Pesqueira and Casal de Loivos, balanced by panoramic views and rewarding descents. With a blend of moderate elevation gains and picturesque landscapes, this route is perfect for cyclists seeking both challenge and beauty in Portugal's Douro region.
/ I ride my bike an average of 100 kilometres or more per week and enjoy a fast paced ride for an extended period of time. I love to train, improve and be challenged by other riders. I enjoy all riding experiences, from big climbs to long, technical descents, especially the ones that allow me to push my limits and make long lasting memories.
You’ll get to ride in a peloton along with your peers but also challenge them on the long climbs. Lead the pack and take on the special extra-challenges we have in store for you – try to keep up with our guides as you go for the extra mile just before your well deserved rest and massage at the hotel!
Ricardo "El capitán" Costa is the"roadie" in charge of designing this tour. Having ridden all over the world, from Malaysia to the USA, it is in Portugal that he found some of the best rides in the planet. Ricardo has picked some of the best roads in the region, that will introduce you to his favorite vineyards, coffee stops, viewpoints, hotels and other secret spots.
