Bike Tour in the Douro River - Wine Country and International Park
Cycling Holidays in the Douro: Explore Portugal’s Stunning Wine Region by Bike
Enjoy a weeklong cycling holiday in the Douro, where breathtaking landscapes, terraced vineyards, and rich cultural heritage await. This journey through Portugal’s oldest demarcated wine region offers a perfect blend of challenging rides, scenic river views, and exceptional gastronomic experiences.
Your cycling holiday along the Douro River takes you through winding roads and rolling hills, surrounded by the iconic terraced vineyards that produce the world-famous Port wine. Pedal past traditional wine estates (quintas), charming villages, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the meandering Douro River.
Start your cycling in Douro adventure with routes that showcase the region’s natural beauty and cultural landmarks. Ride through UNESCO-listed landscapes, explore historic towns like Peso da Régua and Pinhão, and visit centuries-old wineries to taste the region’s renowned wines. The carefully chosen routes offer a mix of challenging climbs and gentle descents, ensuring an enjoyable experience for cyclists of all levels.
Venture further into the region and cycle through the Douro International Park, where the dramatic cliffs and deep valleys along the Portuguese-Spanish border provide some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in northern Portugal. Pedal through the timeless beauty of Portugal’s historical villages like Trancoso, known for its medieval walls and ancient Jewish quarter, and Castelo Rodrigo, a hilltop village offering panoramic views over the surrounding landscapes. Explore Marialva, a captivating medieval village where cobblestone streets, a ruined castle, and rustic stone houses transport you back in time. These routes combine cultural immersion with breathtaking natural beauty, making for a truly enriching cycling experience.
Along the way, indulge in traditional Portuguese cuisine and stay in handpicked accommodations, from boutique hotels to restored wine estates that blend modern comfort with authentic charm. Take the opportunity to unwind with a boat ride along the Douro River or explore local markets and cultural sites.
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.
/ Riding is a great part of my life, and I ride my bike regularly with my friends. I am comfortable with rides of 2 to 3 hours, or even more at a relatively strong pace. I like to be challenged and to surpass obstacles or just ride smoothly in a peloton.
You will get to feel different riding experiences, from tougher climbs to rolling along in great company. You’ll have time to enjoy the great landscapes, gain speed in the descents and also push yourself and climb those tough hills. You’ll enjoy the variety of terrain, riding in a peloton and pushing a little harder just before the stop at the café.
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.
