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Bike Across Portugal

Enjoying all the sights and sounds on this guided bike tour in Portugal
  • Length 8 days
  • From USD$4350
  • Style/Level Classic 2.5
  • Countries Portugal
  • Begin/End Elvas / Lisbon
See related tours

Explore Portugal’s south-central lands and west coast with undulating wheat fields, cork and eucalyptus trees, olive orchards and vineyards. As the western outpost of continental Europe, this region harmonizes centuries of ancient, Roman, Arabic, Medieval and Renaissance influences. Highlights include:

  • Beautiful, serene historic hotels.
  • Roman ruins, rural paradise and one of the most ancient towns in Europe
  • Alqueva reservoir, one of the world’s best places for stargazing
  • Artisan centers of pottery, wine making and marble work
***Extend this trip by 4 days and with our Bike Across Portugal Plus! the Coast tour.***

Highlights

  • Roman cities, Undiscovered roads, A stay at one of Portugal’s historic Pousada hotels, Active marble quarry, The ceramics of São Pedro do Corval, Medieval town of Evora

Includes

  • 7 nights accommodation

  • meals as noted in itinerary

  • shuttle from and back to Lisbon

  • 1 unique olive oil tasting

  • All Classic tour inclusions

Keep in mind

We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

This is a rural region and on some days there will be fewer towns throughout the ride than other regions in Europe.

Open all days

Highlights: Elvas and its medieval walls

After arriving in Lisbon, you’ll take our morning shuttle east to Elvas, a fortified city just a stone’s throw from the Spanish border. After a light lunch together, the tour leaders will fit bicycles, and lead a safety briefing, then it’s off on a short loop ride around Elvas’ impressive Roman Aqueduct, its well preserved 16th century walls, and its other fortifications. Tonight’s hotel is built into the city’s walls, and has a beautiful pool-a great spot to relax before or after your sumptuous welcome dinner.

Meals : Lunch, Dinner
 Lodging : Hotel São João de Deus

Highlights: Historic hotel

Consider today’s short ride down to the river a warm-up for the excitement of the days ahead! You’ll pedal with views into Spain before turning west, riding toward Vila Vicosa through wheat fields and olive orchard dotted with cork-oak trees. This semi-arid region is one of the country’s least populated, and is known for its agricultural production, though today’s short climb ends at a town famed for its marble. The beautiful rose-colored Vila Vicosa marble can be seen everywhere in town-including the street pavers! This afternoon, you can log extra mileage, visit the marble museum where we learn about the history of production and extraction, or give yourself in to poolside relaxation at tonight’s hotel.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
 Lodging : Pousada de Vila Vicosa

Highlights: Alqueva reservoir, castles and fortified town of Monsaraz, marble area

Departing the rose-colored city, we’ll stop to visit an active marble quarry to learn more about its properties, history and extraction process. Our ride heads south to the castle town of Monsaraz, which overlooks the Alqueva reservoir. The largest reservoir in Europe, this body of water straddles the Spanish-Portuguese border, and was designated in 2012 as one of the first Starlight Tourism Destinations for its ideal star-gazing conditions and exceptionally low light pollution. Enjoy dinner together tonight, then bask in the inky night sky.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
 Lodging : Vila Planicie

Highlights: Ceramic town, medieval Evora, wine tasting

Today’s ride to Evora includes a pleasant stop in São Pedro do Corval, a well-known pottery town where you’ll have the opportunity to browse several workshops and visit with the artists who run them. Upon your arrival in beautiful Evora, notice how its Roman aqueducts and ruins blend with the Medieval walls and Renaissance churches. Inhabited for more than 2000 years, Evora is on the roster of most ancient towns in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll spend two-nights here which will allow you to take in some of its most notable sights.

The May 20 and September 9 departures will be at Vila Gale.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
 Lodging : M’AR de AR Aqueduto , Vila Gale Evora

Highlights: Visit Evora, or take a loop ride to Azaruja

Today’s optional ride leaves Evora along a towering aqueduct into the heart of the Portuguese cork industry. We’ll visit the factory where cork is transformed beyond bottle stoppers; you’ll see purses, dresses, and business cards created from this amazing bark. This evening you’ll enjoy a guided walk through the old part of Evora.

The May 20 and September 9 departures will be at Vila Gale.

Meals : Breakfast
 Lodging : M’AR de AR Aqueduto , Vila Gale Evora

Highlights: Rolling hills of the Alentejo, cheese tasting

As you leave the city you’ll pass through several small towns and the ancient castles that safeguarded them during the 13th century. Your rural destination for tonight is an expansive farm, raising goats and cork. As we get closer to the coast, the wide-open spaces become dotted with sea pines revealing the varied character of the Alentejo. Get ready for a hearty Alentejo dinner.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
 Lodging : Hotel Monte das Faias

Highlights: Coastal Alentejo

We leave rural Alentejo for coastal Alentejo today. As you get to the coast, you’ll see signs of more recent Portuguese development including Sines and its modern harbor which was once famed as the birthplace of Portugal’s most famous sailor – Vasco da Gama. A gentle sea breeze will be your first indicator that you are getting close to the beach and the Rio Mira confluence to the sea.

The Oct. 7, 2022 departure will stay at the HS Milfontes Beach.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
 Lodging : Quinta Do Moinho De Vento

Highlights: Transfer to Lisbon

Your bicycling adventure ends today. We’ll shuttle you back to Lisbon or the Lisbon airport. Boa viagem!

Meals : Breakfast

Visit our Tour Level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we dermine day and tour levels.

Date Price Private room fee Note
Oct 21-28, 2023 USD$3995 USD$550 Departure confirmed to go!
Book it
Apr 13-20, 2024 USD$4350 USD$550 Book by November 1 and save $200 per person.
Book it
May 11-18, 2024 USD$4350 USD$550 Book by November 1 and save $200 per person.
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May 25-Jun 1, 2024 USD$4350 USD$550 Private Departure. Recycle spots full.  
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Sep 7-14, 2024 USD$4350 USD$550 Book by November 1 and Save $200 per person.
Book it
Sep 21-28, 2024 USD$4350 USD$550 Book by November 1 and save $200 per person.
Book it
Oct 19-26, 2024 USD$4350 USD$550 Book by November 1 and save $200 per person.
Book it
DateOct 21-28, 2023
PriceUSD$3995
Private room feeUSD$550
NoteDeparture confirmed to go!
Book it
DateApr 13-20, 2024
PriceUSD$4350
Private room feeUSD$550
NoteBook by November 1 and save $200 per person.
Book it
DateMay 11-18, 2024
PriceUSD$4350
Private room feeUSD$550
NoteBook by November 1 and save $200 per person.
Book it
DateMay 25-Jun 1, 2024
PriceUSD$4350
Private room feeUSD$550
NotePrivate Departure. Recycle spots full.  
Book it
DateSep 7-14, 2024
PriceUSD$4350
Private room feeUSD$550
NoteBook by November 1 and Save $200 per person.
Book it
DateSep 21-28, 2024
PriceUSD$4350
Private room feeUSD$550
NoteBook by November 1 and save $200 per person.
Book it
DateOct 19-26, 2024
PriceUSD$4350
Private room feeUSD$550
NoteBook by November 1 and save $200 per person.
Book it

Download Itinerary

We’ll send you a link to a full day by day tour itinerary that can be downloaded and printed so you can review all the details online and offline. This packet also includes details about what to expect on tour and arrival and departure details.
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  • Thanks for a great tour and fun memories

    Angela D., Telluride, CO

  • It was a great experience! This was our 4th tour with EP. We look forward to our 5th.

    Connie K., Houston, TX

  • How would you describe this tour to a friend? Fascinating, beautiful, fun, fabulous biking. Superb trip and cannot wait to plan the next one! Thank you to all!

    Deborah S., Ossining, NY
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