8 days
Duration
250 km
Distance

E-Bike tour in the North of Alentejo – Portugal and Spain

HIGHLIGHTS

  • This bike tour takes you through beautiful landscapes in Portugal and Spain
  • An Iberian tour passing through Portugal and Spain and it’s marvellous sceneries – 4 border crossings…but no border control
  • The smallest border ever…an isolated bridge over a little river. So beautiful and unexpected!
  • Marvão, its castle so high they say you see the back of eagles from there!
  • Elvas historical centre, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site
  • Juromenha castle, with its incredible views over the Guadiana river
  • Delicious regional Portuguese gastronomy from the Alentejo, always present at our unique gourmet picnics and selected restaurants
  • If E-bike is not for you, you can do this on a normal bike, but you must be super fit to enjoy
  • This is one of our most sustainable trips. You will visit isolated villages and producer who get little tourism. You will help the local economy by doing this trip

 

DESCRIPTION

Most nights will be passed in beautiful charming hotels.

Along the way, the beautiful castle of Marvão, the medieval village of Castelo de Vide, the fortified city of Elvas, world heritage site by UNESCO, and small fortified hamlets will tell the stories of wars with moors and in Spain. The border is right there on the other side of Guadiana river! We will cross it several times and you will bike in Spain as in Portugal. 2 different countries in 1 week!!!

The loveable Alentejo people, at first shy, the Mediterranean typical gastronomy along with the wonders of cork, marble, olive oil and other crafts will enrich your experience. And the wine… well, book and judge for yourself…

We will be pleased if you chose to cycle our Portugal E-Bike tour with us!

If you are having second thoughts because you look down on e-bikes, read our blog article about that! 

 

You can see our movie HERE!

 

SUSTAINABILITY

  • Visit to small hamlets
  • Locally owned small hotels in most places – and you can choose all, if you want
  • Small producers, with very few visitors – boost local economy
  • All our other Green policies apply to this trip as well. Read them here

You can make this Portugal Bike tour:

  1. with us in a guided bike tour getting all the interpretation and companionship
  2. having the support car guiding you
  3. friends in a self guided biking tour.
1

Day 1

Arrival
Arrival to airport.

Transfer to Marvão, medieval village with a beautiful castle.

6 p.m. – Welcome drink and first briefing of your bike tour

Welcome drink and dinner included in van guided and guided tours only
Accommodation: Pousada de Marvão

2

Day 2

Marvão to Castelo de Vide
Cycling from Marvão to Castelo de Vide.

We start by visiting the beautiful fortified village of Marvão with incredible views to the Natural Park of Serra de S. Mamede.

Along the day the landscape is marked by granite rock boulders and pre-historic monuments made with the same rock. The menir of Meada, a single standing stone of 7.15 meters stands out, being the tallest in the whole Iberian Peninsula.

The highlights of the day will probably be the visits to the artisan beer factory and the olive oil mill of Galegos. Here olive oil is already made with modern machines, but you can still see how it was made in the old times. Learn all about the healthiest fat you can eat and try a locally made olive oil. With the famous Alentejo bread, of course!

The train station of Beirã is another of our favorites. It was the first train station after crossing the border from Spain to Portugal, and so they decorated it with tile panels representing the most emblematic places of the country, for “marketing” purposes!

Castelo de Vide, our destination, is unexpectedly lively. A tiny village selected by many foreigners as a hiding isolated paradise, it has a kind of a cosmopolitan vibe. Make dure to have a beer at the Barona bar, where artisanal beers are served and where Portuguese people mingle with already local foreigners. There are a lot of nice restaurants and the square as plenty of modern art statues. Make sure to stroll around up to the castle, one of the best preserved medieval town in Portugal.

 Distance: 49 km
  Total ascent: 707 mts
 Difficulty:Difficult
Terrain: secondary asphalted roads, some climbs
Picnic included in van guided and guided bike tours only.
Dinner included.
Accommodation: A Burguesa Guest house
3

Day 3

Castelo de Vide do Arronches
Cycling from Castelo de Vide to Arronches

Today we go south, crossing the wonderful Natural Park of São Mamede. Narrow secondary roads lead us way to the middle of nowhere. You will meet few people. This is truly an out of the beaten track area. The scenery is gorgeous!

Riding on a post card road where the tree trunks were painted white, we arrive to the roman city of Ammaia. The museum is very informative and well organized. And the city is worth it as well! Then stop at the local winery where you can do a wine tasting. Don’t drink too much… a lot of biking ahead!

We pass several tiny hamlets to finally reach Alegrete, with a small castle perched way up a hill. Time to climb….again! Here we recommend you stop at Café dos Amigos (The friends café).

The scenery maintains amazing.

Arriving to the village’ hotel we still invite you to do a circular route to visit some cave paintings. A super complete and rewarding day!

 Distance: 48 kms
Total ascent: 690 mts
Difficulty: Difficult
Terrain: Secondary asphalted roads, undulating, with some climbs.
 Picnic.
Accommodation Monte da Esperança

4

Day 4

Arronches to Elvas
Cycling from Arronches to Elvas.

Get ready for a long day with plenty pictures stops. Go early so you have time to do all the proposed visits as they are unforgettable.

You will ride on secondary roads, almost without traffic, quite isolated. Undulating roads where you can spot griffons and storks. Crossing the border to Spain is a mistic experience. The smallest and more isolated border you will ever see…

We ride through cattle farms in Spain and view the Castle of Alburqueque in the distance. It’s tempting, but don’t go there. We will present you with more castles in Portugal!!!  Crossing the border again, we reenter our beautiful country.

Have a break at the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora de Enxara and then climb to the gorgeous castle of Ouguela. A true testimony of history.  In Campo Maior is compulsory to go to the Bone’s chapel, and here is where you can choose to visit the Coffee Museum – adding a few extra kms on your day.

Elvas, considered world heritage by UNESCO, is our destination. To visit tomorrow.

Distance: 58 km
Total ascent: 748 mts
Difficulty: Difficult
Terrain: undulating roads
Lunch and dinner included in van guided and guided tours only.
Accommodation: Hotel Vila Galé – A rehabilitation of the ancient São Paulo Convent, is themed after the Portuguese military fortifications scattered around the world. Boutique hotel. OR Quinta de Santo António
5

Day 5

Elvas to Elvas
Cycling arround Elvas.

Elvas is a beautiful city. There is so much to see that we have to stop here for a full day.

You will bike around the city and most likely will opt not to do the 35 kms. Because just around here we have the aqueduct, 2 amazing fortresses and a plum factory.

Add the beautiful streets, the local museums and the gorgeous hotel’s SPA and why should you leave….

You will still bike 10 to 15 kms if you visit all we suggest. But inside the castle we find it simpler to walk.

Distance: 35 kms out to the country side and/or 10 to 15kms around the city
Total ascent: 708 mts
Difficulty: Medium+
Terrain: Undulating roads, some climbs.
Accommodation: the same hotel
6

Day 6

Elvas to Juromenha
  Cycling from Elvas to Juromenha.

Today we’re going to Spain, again! We keep crossing the border! We have the Guadiana River as a companion! The river is the natural border between Portugal and Spain and offers fantastic natural views. On the Portuguese side we bike through farmlands. Badajoz is already on the other side of the border, a city full of history. If you have an e-bike and go very early, you might consider visiting the historical center. But it would be extra kms to an already long day!

Following the waters of the river, we pass by olive groves and green fields. We visit Olivenza and its castle. This village, apparently belonging to Spain, is, by our history knowledge, Portuguese. One of those fights….

We return to Portugal heading to the beautiful charming village of Juromenha. We recommend you take the local taxi boat to cross the river.

Distance: 85 kms
Total ascent: 481 mts
Difficulty: Difficult
Terrain: mostly flat, with some climbing and dirt roads.
Picnic and dinner included in van guided and guided tours.
Accommodation: Casas da Juromenha, with swimming pool

7

Day 7

Juromenha to Juromenha
Cycling arround Juromenha.

We visit Juromenha and its fortress, which served as an important point of defense against attacks from Spain. Thankfully not necessary anymore! We cycle in a constant up and down between a forest of cork and holm oaks. We understand why the Alentejo region is so important in the production of cork.

The small village of Terena and its sanctuary waits for us. Another wonderful castle. The cemetery is a place of art as well. We must visit it. The marble rock is carved in such artistic way that the place even feels welcoming.

Bike back to the hotel saving some time to relax!

Distance: 73 kms
Total ascent: 689 mts
Difficulty: Difficult
Terrain: undulating, with some climbing
Picnic lunch and dinner included in van guided and guided tours only
 Accommodation: Casas da Juromenha, with swimming pool 
8

Day 8

Departure
Transfer to Lisbon airport

Tour extension:

You can finish your trip with a transfer to our lovely farm in Évora and spend somedays cycling or visiting this beautiful UNESCO city.

We may transfer you to the gorgeous coastline and you may do our ALONG THE COAST TOUR or the WILD ALGARVE

DISCOUNT PRICE IF YOU BOOK TWO TOURS!

We know you want to do several Portugal Bike tours!

Notes

On Van guided Portugal bike tours the guide will be the driver. He/she will guide you from a distance. The car will be near enough so that you can see it on the junctions. The guide will stop at important or interesting places to give history explanations or tell a story. Some people call this a supported tour, though in our case it is more than that because you are actually being guided.

On Guided bike tours groups are accompanied by one or two cycling guides, besides a guide who takes the support car, prepares the picnics and transports your luggage. Lunches are picnic type with traditional foods from the area where we are cycling. Some times we also use local restaurants.

In dinners arranged by us and you can be sure you will try the best gastronomy as we choose restaurants well known by us for its good traditional food. No «touristy» places included!

On van guided or guided cycling tours you can expect full service from your guides. They will do their best to make your holiday an unforgettable one.

Our guides are all Portuguese and know our region very well. They are very service minded and most of them have been working with us for many years. They are bikers themselves and love to go cycling on their holidays, so they know what you expect from them! They will make sure you have a great Portugal bike tour!

 

MAP

1st cycling day from Marvão to Castelo de Vide

Altitude gain: 591 mt/ 1938 ft
Total Distance: 50,90 km/ 31 mi
Level: Difficult


2nd cycling day Castelo de Vide to Arronches

g

Altitude gain: 579 mt/ 1899 ft
Total Distance: 49 km/ 30 mi
Level: Difficult


3rd cycling day from Arronches to Elvas

Altitude gain: 517 mt/ 1696 ft
Total Distance: 48.1 km/ 29 mi
Level: Difficult


4th cycling day from Elvas to Elvas

Altitude gain: 417 mt/ 1368 ft
Total Distance: 31.6 km/ 19 mi
Level: Medium plus


5th cycling day from Elvas to Juromenha

Altitude gain: 671 mt/ 2201 ft
Total Distance: 48.2 km/ 29 mi
Level: Difficult


6th cycling day from Juromenha to Juromenha

Altitude gain: 315 mt/ 1033 ft
Total Distance: 31,2 km/ 19 mi
Level: Medium plus

Prices per person – 2024

Departures everyday for all types of Tour.

Come on our set dates and Get a Better Price.

Discount price if you book 2 tours!

LUXURY OPTIONS – Upgrade cost under request, depends on type of room available and seaso


Notes:

Not Included: Bikes insurance, Travel insurance, Tour cancellation insurance, and all items not mentioned above. See Terms & Conditions for more details.

Guided group tour dates


Subject to availability, you can do this tour at any date as a private guided tour or as a self guided tour. The fact that a group date is full does not mean you cannot do a private tour on that date. So contact us anyway!

Late June until early September can be quite hot for this tour. For these dates consider the Along the Coast or the Wild Algarve, an Ocean of Fortresses tour.

E-bike cycling tours - Great fun for everyone!

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