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Portugal by bike : Freewheeling through the Alentejo
    • Portugal - Mainland Portugal
    • 7 days
    • Cycling
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Trip code : K1202
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About the Portugal by bike : Freewheeling through the Alentejo trip

About the cycling trip in Portugal

Your cycling journey begins and ends in Lisbon, the famous ‘capital of the sea’. Whether you are discovering the city for the first time or returning as a happy customer, you will be charmed by the light, the architecture, the trees and the majestic Tagus river. With its cork oak forests, plains and hills blanketed in vines or olive trees and the impressive Lake Alqueva, the Alentejo region is tranquil, genuine and timeless.
The gentle rolling hills coupled with the low population density make this the ideal region to discover by bike. At each stage of the trip, you will discover the rich history and culture of the Alentejo region: wine domains, weaving and pottery workshops, restaurants and gastronomic “tascas”, castles and megaliths… The traditions are well maintained with architectural gems dotted here and there, in Evora, Arrroilos,Vila Viçosa, Terena or Monsaraz, and the perched villages where time has stood still

A Portugal cycling trip in wide open spaces and a journey through time.


Highlights of the cycling trip in Portugal

  • Evora - a Unesco World heritage - a superb and proud regional capital
  • Whitewashed towns and villages, typical of the Alentejo region
  • The rolling green hills, bathed in sunlight, ideal for cycling
  • Lake Alqueva, the largest artificial lake in Europe
  • The rich archaeology of the region: roman temples, dolmens, cromlechs et menhirs
  • The quality of the hand-picked accommodations


    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Portugal by bike, Freewheeling through the Alentejo : Day by Day 

Day 1 - Arrival in Lisbon

best cycling tour in south portugal alentejo

    • Arrival in Lisbon : Airport welcome and transfer to your hotel in the city centre (20 mn).
    • Free time to explore the city with its narrow streets, squares, and viewpoints over the majestic Tagus river. Lisbon is a cosmopolitan and colourful place to visit. Strolling through the old medieval quarters you can feel the "saudade", a nostalgia for the time of the sailing ships that came from and went to distant continents and made Lisbon a city loved by travellers.
    • Night in Lisbon.

    • We recommend : 
      . Havre an extra night in Lisbon at the start and/or end of the trip
      . Explore Lisbon by bike – Contact us

    • Access :
      . Direct regular flights to Lisbon

Day 2 - Evora, the whitewashed city : a discovery on foot

portugal cycling trip in alentejo

  • Walk - Countryside > Evora
    10 km / 6.2 miles - Ascent: + 150m / Descent: - 150m 
  • Transfer to the station for a train journey to Evora (1h30 or optional private transfer), crossing rice fields and cork oak forests. Transfer to the start of your walk along a superb 18th century aqueduct. Explore on foot the main monuments that make Evora an architectural treasure, listed as a World Heritage Site: roman temple, cathedral, aqueduct and many more.
  • Night in Evora.
  • MEALS included: Breakfast  

Day 3 - From Evora to Arroilos

cycling holiday in alentejo portugal

  • Ride - Evora > Arroilos > Evora
    50 km / 31 miles - Ascent: + 350m / Descent: - 350m
  • This morning, you collect your bikes for a short transfer (20 minutes) to Arroilos, renowned for its rugs and pastries. From the castle, you cross the village, exploring at your own pace, before continuing the beautiful bike ride through cork oak and olive trees. You rejoin Evora along the cycle path which was once a railway track.
  • Night in Evora
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 4 - The megaliths of Almendres

best cycling routes and trip to alentejo in south portugal

  • Ride - loop from Evora
    50 km / 31 miles - Ascent: +  600m / Descent: -  600m
  • A bike ride through the archaeological gems of the region: the impressive Zambujeiro dolmen, the cromlech and menhir of Almendres, the Mitra church or the roman ruins of Notre-Dame de Tourega, rising up from rolling green hills. The itinerary is full of surprises as you ride through the countryside surrounding Evora.
  • Night in Evora
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 5 - To the Spanish border

best cycling roads in alentejo south portugal

  • Ride - Vila Viçosa > Lake Alqueva > Monsaraz
    50 km / 31 miles - Ascent: + 500m / Descent: - 500m
  • Morning transfer with your bikes (40 mn) to Vila Viçosa and the Duke’s Palace (visit possible - not included). You start your cycling ride  through the hills, skirting the "marble mountains" of the famous marble quarries of the region. You reach the small flowery village of Terena with its 15th century castle. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Boa Nova and small white villages adorn the path to the sprawling and spectacular Lake Alqueva, the largest artificial lake in Europe and the border with Spain.
  • Night in Monsaraz
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Loop ride around Monsaraz

best cycling trip in portugal alentejo

  • Loop Ride - Monsaraz 
    40 km / 24.8 miles - Ascent: +380 m / Descent: -380 m
  • Monsaraz is one of the most beautiful perched and fortified villages of the Alentejo region. Its cobbled streets, old stone buildings and whitewashed walls give it a timeless character. The views are stunning over the rolling hills and Lake Alqueva. Today’s bike ride allows you to explore the countryside around Monsaraz and the ceramic centre of São Pedro de Corval, whilst pedalling through olive groves and vineyards, cromlechs and menhirs. It is possible to swim at the lakeside beach along the way.
  • Night in Monsaraz.
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Back to Evora and Lisbon

self guided tour active cycling holiday in portugal alentejo in evora

  • Transfer to Evora train station for your journey by train back to Lisbon. (1h30 or optional private transfer).
  • End of your trip in Lisbon
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

More Portugal cycling tours

Portugal by bike : Freewheeling through the Alentejo
    • Portugal - Mainland Portugal
    • 7 days
    • Cycling
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Comfort
      • Charming

    • Highlights of the cycling trip in Portugal

    • Evora - a Unesco World heritage - a superb and proud regional capital
    • Whitewashed towns and villages, typical of the Alentejo region
    • The rolling green hills, bathed in sunlight, ideal for cycling
    • Lake Alqueva, the largest artificial lake in Europe
    • The rich archaeology of the region: roman temples, dolmens, cromlechs et menhirs
    • The quality of the hand-picked accommodations


      Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 725 € / pers
    Portugal cycling holiday: along the Algarve coastal trails
      • Portugal - Mainland Portugal
      • 8 days
    • Cycling
    • Self-guided
      • From January to December

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming

    • Highlights of the cycling trip in Portugal

    • The stunning landscapes of the Algarve: soaring cliffs, long white sandy beaches
    • The spectacular Ponta da Piedade and the Cape Saint Vincent: Europe’s untamed extremity
    • An itinerary along the stunning ecovia coastline cycle path 
    • Daily swimming opportunities during the summer months 
    • 3 nights in Tavira, one of the most charming villages in the Algarve 
    • Peddling through the wild and unspoiled natural parks: Ria Formosa in the east and Vicentine in the west


      Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 860 € / pers
    Trip details
    Portugal by bike : Freewheeling through the Alentejo
        • Portugal - Mainland Portugal
        • 2 adults (2x725€)
        • 0 children (0x725€)
      • 7 days
      • Comfort
    Total 1450€
    Deposit 436€
    Book now !