Alentejo Heritage & Wine Route
A Bike Tour through Alentejo’s unique History, Slow living culture and Mediterranean Landscape
Alentejo Heritage & Wine Route
A Bike Tour through Alentejo’s remarkable History, Culture and Landscape
QUICK FACTS
SNAPSHOT
- Evora, a World Heritage Site with 1000 years of history, Megalithic sites, Roman Ruins and Medieval feeling
- Ride past quiet, quaint whitewashed villages that seem to have stopped in time
- Enjoy the Mediterranean landscape dotted with olive groves and cork trees
- Taste the hearty food a award winning wines
ITINERARY
Day 1 Welcome Evora
Evora is a well-preserved open air museum, lined with cobble stoned lanes and a variety of monuments. An optional ride takes you to important Iberian Megalithic Monuments.
Optional ride: 40km – 25m | 450 m – 1477 ft
Day 2 Travel Back in Time
Follow a Rails to Trails Bike Lane into Arraiolos, best known for its hand-made tapestries, whose designs are beautifully depicted on cobbled sidewalks and in the main square.
Evora – Arraiolos: 26 kms – 16 miles | 285 m – 935 ft
Day 3 Olive Grove Riding
Bike across fertile valleys and small whitewashed villages. A vineyard welcomes you to Estremoz, enter through the drawbridge and ride all the way up to the Keep Tower.
Arraiolos – Estremoz: 66km – 40m | 580 m – 1093 ft
Day 4 Vila Viçosa – The White Gold Capital
Pedal past the impressive marble quarries into Vila Viçosa, where everything seems to be made of marble, from the pavement cobbles to its Ducal Palace. A short ride allows you time to further explore.
Estremoz – Vila Viçosa: 21km- 13m | 250 m – 820 ft
Day 5 Crossing Ancient Fortresses & Borders
Small villages topped with castles and a very unusual fortress-like Chapel lead the way to the hilltop village of Monsaraz, a vantage point over the vast plains and the Alqueva Lake.
Vila Viçosa – Monsaraz: 56km – 35m | 600 m – 1969 ft
Day 6 Vineyards & Wine
Scenic back roads take you through vineyards and olive groves, where renowned Portuguese wine and olive oil are produced. An old Castle on top of a vineyard is the perfect memento of Alentejo’s stillness.
Monsaraz – Évora: 62 kms – 39 miles | Gain: 450m – 1477 ft
Day 7 Farewell
One last chance to admire Evora before leaving Alentejo’s slow moving quiet pace.
This tour starts and finishes in Evora, a district capital in the Alentejo Region.
Closest international airport is in Lisbon.
Public Transport:
Evora can be easily accessed from Lisbon, either by train or bus, with various connections throughout the day.
Intercity Trains from Lisbon takes around 1h30m > more info on www.cp.pt
Bus Lines from Lisbon take about 1h30m > more info on www.rede-expressos.pt
Private Transfer:
We can help you organize a private transfer with a third-party provider.
Rider
An easy going ride, suitable for all cycling abilities with optional rides available.
Suitable for beginner riders with a couple of climbs (some optional), mostly riding on rolling hills.
Traveller
Looking to be away from the crowds, in a countryside setting, but not far from towns,
And those interested in Heritage, rich gastronomy and wine.
The Alentejo is known for its slow pace, small whitewashed villages, castle towns, vast plains and rolling hills.
Terrain
Mostly paved, includes options with hard packed gravel ways and rails to trails bike lanes.
Riding on rolling hills with some hilltop castles and scenic climbs with great views from the top!
Weather
The weather in Alentejo tends to be quite dry throughout the year.
In Spring temperatures tend to be mild and chances of precipitation are low.
Summer brings warmer temperatures and longer days allow more time to explore.
Autumn days can be mild and warm.
Temperatures will drop and there are more chances of rain in winter.
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Day 1: Optional Megalithic Loop > Gain: 450 m – 1477 ft
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Day 2: Evora to Arraiolos > Rails to Trails > Gain: 285 m – 935 ft
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Day 3: Arraiolos to Estremoz > Gain: 580 m – 1093 ft
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Day 4: Estremoz to Vila Viçosa > Gain: 250 m – 820 ft
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Day 5: Vila Viçosa to Monsaraz (Telheiro) > Gain: 430 m – 1410 ft
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Day 6: Monsaraz to Evora > Gain: 450m – 1477 ft
Elevation may vary depending on GPS device, mapping sources and other external elements.
Self-Guided Tours are private and available year-round, thus allowing you to select any dates you prefer.
Contact us for custom itineraries and tour options tailored to your needs!
PREMIUM HOTELS
Évora – Vila Galé
Located in the towns entrance, it features spacious rooms, a large garden and pool as well as an indoor pool and spa
Arraiolos – Pousada Arraiolos
A 16th century convent converted into an Historical Hotel which perfectly combines the old and the new. Sunny terraces and countryside panoramic views
Estremoz – Pousada Estremoz
Converted from an 800years old castle, it maintains gothic and baroque styles, with beautiful tiled walls, antique furniture and a poll overlooking the vast plains
Vila Viçosa – Pousada Vila Viçosa
A 16th century convent converted into a distinctive hotel, rich in art and history featuring thematic rooms and exuberant courtyard gardens
Monsaraz – Estalagem Monsaraz
This whitewashed Hotel located on the hilltop just a few steps away from the Monsaraz Castle, relax by the poll while enjoying the views
CASUAL HOTELS
Évora – M’Ar de Ar Muralhas
A Charming Hotel in the heart of the city with a terrace and a large garden with pool framed by Evora’s historical city walls
Arraiolos – Casa do Plátano
A welcoming family home converted into a Guesthouse, centrally located, perfect for relaxing time
Estremoz – Pateo dos Solares
A 19th century manor house with views of the castle and the old town. Take in the views with a glass of wine by the pool patio
Vila Viçosa – Solar Mascarenhas
Once housed by Portuguese nobles this 16th century home is now a restored Boutique Hotel with a combination of old-world charm and modern comforts
Monsaraz – Casa Saramago
This whitewashed Country House Hotel surrounded by olive groves and vineyards is at the foot of Monsaraz Castle. Immerse yourself in Alentejo’s starry sky
PRICE & INCLUSIONS
Tours are offered year-round and require a minimum of two participants.
Price are per participant, based on double occupancy. Contact us for single room rates.
AVAILABLE BIKES
ROAD TOURING BIKE
- Giant® Touring Bike
- Shimano 105 2×11 speed
- Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- Touring set-up
- Wheel Size 28″ / 700c
- Small to Extra – Large Frames
ELECTRIC TOURING BIKE
- Giant® E-Touring Bike
- Engine 70Nm, 250W
- Battery 500Wh
- 5 Levels of Pedal Assist
- Wheel Size 28″ / 700c
- Small to Extra – Large Frames [Ladies & Gents Frames]
REVIEWS
“Thank you for arranging a wonderful tour. We had a great time and the hotels were superb
Stan & Fran – NJ – USA
“We all would like to thank you for all of your assistance in making our trip so great. A great trip takes the efforts of a lot of wonderful people, good weather and some luck. You all at BikeIberia were some of the wonderful people we met along our long trip
Bill D – CA – USA