Portugal - Cycling Lisbon to Porto via the Historic Interior - 8 Days
Mountain Bike hire - USD 225pp
E-Bike hire - USD 390 - (on request limited availability)
Single room supplement - USD 590
Overview
Cycle from one idyllic medieval village to the next as we journey between Portugal’s two major hubs – Lisbon and Porto. Along the way we'll enjoy rural scenes and wild landscapes well off the beaten path. We'll be challenged by some hilly terrain though always rewarded with quintessential Iberian wining & dining! This is an epic Portugal cycling adventure designed for the discerning traveler, complemented with cozy accommodation and unique experiences, including a train ride and boat cruise in the Douro Valley,
The journey begins with a pick up from Lisbon and a transfer inland to the eastern fringes of central Portugal. We’ll waste no time digging into medieval history at Idanha-a-Nova and then spend the following days cycling to further historic villages nestled in the ruggedly beautiful countryside. Highlights include the village of Monsanto, where houses are built alongside giant boulders, and the hilltop fortress of Castelo Rodrigo, with its cobblestone streets weaving through the remains of a once glorious castle. We will also be riding through the secluded national parks of Serra da Malcata and Douro International Natural Park, where plateaus, valleys, and escarpments provide stunning vistas and a chance to spot wildlife. The final days of the tour are focused on the picturesque Douro Valley, renowned for its terraced vineyards carved into rolling hills. You’ll be dropped off in Porto by river cruise where you can explore this vibrant coastal city before traveling onwards.
As the tour visits many charming villages, towns and ruins as well as national parks and vineyards, riding is not the only focus and a fair amount of time will be spent off-saddle to explore these fascinating and picturesque places.
Highlights: The Village of Monsanto and the hilltop fortress of Castelo Rodrigo.
Culture: Experience Portugal's vibrant culture through its historical influences, traditions and food.
Nature: Cruise through the olive groves, vineyards, and wheat fields of rural Portuguese countryside at its best.
Activity: An unforgettable cycling loop through the charming Douro wine region, followed by a leisurely boat cruise down the Douro River.
Culinary: From traditional dishes like paella and tapas to unique local wines, the Peninsula offers a diverse and flavorful culinary journey. Be sure to try the famous Portuguese custard tarts!
Souvenir: Port or Filigree Jewelry from Porto
Note: There are a limited supply of E-Bikes so please request to reserve one
Tour Gallery
Full Itinerary
Arrival in Lisbon
We'll pick you up from your hotel in Lisbon in the early afternoon and transfer 3 hours to the town of Idanha-a-Nova located in east-central Portugal. After checking in to our accommodation and a bike fitting, we'll take a stroll to the ruins of the town’s 13th-century medieval castle. From here we can get a good lay of the land for the cycling days ahead as we relish in stunning views over the surrounding countryside. We cap off the day with a welcome dinner.
Cycling Distance: 0
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Idanha-a-Nova
Idanha-a-Nova to Penamacor
This morning we'll ride out of Idanha-a-Nova towards the southern shore of the Marechal Carmona Reservoir, offering scenic views over the calm waters, then continue on to the tranquil Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Almortão. From here we'll dip into a lengthy stretch of back-country roads where we may encounter the occasional herd of cattle grazing on the edges of the extensive olive groves, vineyards, and wheat fields. At the 35 km mark we'll reach the village of Idanha-a-Velha and discover the remnants of its continuous occupation from the ancient Romans to the Knights Templar. Another 10 km cycle north lies the unique, historic village of Monsanto. Perched atop a rocky hill, the entire village of Monsanto coexists with giant boulders, some of which are incorporated into the houses themselves, offering fascinating visuals! We'll pass more villages and smaller hamlets on the way to our hotel near the town of Penamacor.
Cycling Distance: 67km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Penamacor
Penamacor to Rapoula do Côa
Today we'll cycle within the secluded Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve. As we enter the National Park outside of Penmacor, the scenery quickly changes from farmlands to dense Old World Mediterranean forest. This is the home of the elusive iberian lynx as well as many other species of animals and vegetation. It's a challenging gradual climb for the first 5 km and we'll be rewarded with expansive views. Then a relieving downhill section brings us to the beachy shores of Lake Meimão. Here the terrain flattens until we reach the village of Meimão where we’ll conquer a steep 3 km climb to the top of a ridge with towering windmills. After catching our breath we continue more leisurely at higher elevation through a mix of rural areas and national park before arriving at our accommodation nestled in the countryside of Rapoula do Côa - renowned for its thermal springs in use since the time of the Romans. Indulge in a refreshing soak to reward your cycling efforts today!
Cycling Distance: 64km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Rapoula do Côa
Rapoula do Côa to Castelo Rodrigo
Our journey today takes us through the Côa Valley, where the hills are crowned with picturesque medieval fortresses. We'll follow the Côa River for 15 km and cross the Ponte de Sequeiros, a beautifully arched stone bridge. We'll then head inland riding up and down from one hilltop castle village to the next. The first of these is Castelo Bom with its ruins overlooking a vast, rugged hinterland. Further north we'll enter the impressive gate of Almeida Castle, a true bastion known for its star-shaped defensive walls. From here we complete the final 25 km along narrow country lanes to the village Castelo Rodrigo. The serenity of this tiny cobblestoned village stands in sharp contrast to the remnants of the once fierce stronghold on which it sits.
Cycling Distance: 74km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Castelo Rodrigo
Castelo Rodrigo to Freixo de Espada à Cinta
A thrilling day awaits as we conquer roads and trails along the plateaus, escarpments and valleys of the Douro International Natural Park - an important wildlife corridor stretching north along both sides of Portuguese-Spanish border. Descending from Castelo Rodrigo, we'll ride along narrow off-road trails through olive groves, shrubland and rocky outcrops towards the small town of Barca D’Alva on the banks of the Douro River. From here we'll cycle to the ridge of Penedo Durão with its views of the deep gorges and mountains of neighboring Spain where we may spot eagles and vultures. After a brief photo stop we'll backtrack briefly then ride north along the vineyards and almond tree farms surrounding the historic town of Freixo de Espada à Cinta – our final destination for today.
Cycling Distance: 64km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Freixo de Espada à Cinta
Freixo de Espada à Cinta to Pocinho to Peso da Régua
Today we head west into the heart of the Douro wine region, combining cycling with a scenic train ride. We'll follow narrow rural trails as we climb steadily to the rustic village of Mazouco with its panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Then we'll cut across the Trás-os-Montes plateau, passing countless farms and villages, before rolling into the old mining town of Torre de Moncorvo. From here we'll follow a winding mountain bike path back to the Douro River near the village of Pocinho. Here we’ll pack up our bikes and board the train for a relaxing two hour journey with picturesque scenes of the Douro River and terraced vineyards. We'll disembark in the wine-rich town of Peso da Régua - our home for the last two nights of the tour. How about a glass or two of authentic port wine to unwind?
Cycling Distance: 60km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Peso da Régua
Douro Wine Region Loop
We'll begin our last cycling day with a bridge crossing then follow the course of the Douro River downstream. We'll enjoy a relatively flat ride flanked by vineyards, orange groves and estates before we begin our climb into the hills. Our meandering route takes us alongside the centuries’ old schist walls that give shape to the Douro valley’s famed UNESCO World Heritage terraced vineyards. Once we reach the top, we’ll enjoy a long stretch of more gently undulating riding with uninterrupted views of the river valley. At around 35 km we'll reach the city of Lamego with its large intricate stairway leading to a baroque-era church perched atop a hill. We'll finish the ride with a pleasant downhill back into Régua. Tonight we'll celebrate our unforgettable cycling journey over a shared dinner.
Cycling Distance: 49km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Peso da Régua
Departure Day - Douro River Cruise to Porto
We'll finish our tour in style with a relaxing boat cruise down the Douro River to Porto. We'll board in Regua and pass through picturesque terraced vineyards as well as through some impressive river locks. You may even spot some Rabelo boats - historically used to transport wine along the river. Cruising time is around 6 hours and includes lunch on board. Once in Porto, we’ll transfer you from the pier to your hotels. Porto is Portugal's second largest city - famous for its stunning architecture, rich history and of course its Port wine. Maybe you'd like to stay in Porto for a few days following the tour to make the most of this stunning city.
Cycling Distance: 0KM
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
Download the Itinerary PDF here
All distances are approximate. Our tours often go off the beaten track and follow routes that are not always predictable. We cannot always guarantee the weather. For these reasons we may occasionally have to update our itineraries. We will only do this to improve your experience or for safety reasons. Our listed accommodation is always accurate at the time of writing but should we need to change you can rest assured that it will be for similar or better. Display price may differ to what is quoted as this tour is invoiced in the currency stated, and can be dynamic with daily exchange rates.
The Details
- 7 nights in hotels
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners
- Snacks and drinking water on riding days
- Local cycling guides
- Support vans & drivers
- Train ride as mentioned
- Hotel pick up
- Hotel drop off
- Water bottle
- Boat cruise as mentioned
- Flights, travel visas, travel insurance
- Meals and beverages (if not included in the tour price)
- Bike hire (& optional insurance)
- Helmet (compulsory): bring own or request in advance
- Special dietary requests
- Entrance fees for sites not included in the tour price
- Extra nights
- Tips for the tour guides and crew
This tour covers 378 km over 6 days riding in Portugal's interior region in the east and north of the country. The first 5 cycling days cover mountainous and rugged terrain, with historic villages and hilltop castles dotted along the valleys and plateaus. Scenic stretches through more wild areas in the national parks also feature prominently. Days 6 and 7 are focused on the Douro Valley, renowned for its terraced vineyards.
The trip is fully supported and your guide's expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you'll always know what's ahead in terms of distance and difficulty. There's always the option of hopping into the van at certain points if the riding is too difficult.
Active trips require cycling experience, but not technical expertise, as most road conditions are tarmac. Riders should have a good level of fitness as the average daily climb is more than 900 m. There will also be plenty of time spent off the saddle exploring ruins and charming villages as well as national parks and vineyards.
To prepare for this trip, ride three times a week, with a longer ride, up to 70km, on the weekends. Aim to feel comfortable spending several hours at a time in the saddle, and with cycling on back-to-back days. Try to ride in hillier areas to get used to climbing.
If you're unsure about anything, please see our FAQs page for extra information.
FAQsBooking information
Participants will be asked to complete a booking form after confirmation of their booking.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
If the minimum number of participants required for a trip is not met (18 participants for bike and boat trips, unless otherwise noted), we reserve the right to cancel it. The decision about the trip taking place or not will be made as early as possible; at least three weeks before beginning of the trip.
Upon submitting your booking request, we will provide specifics regarding minimum numbers. Following trip confirmation, you may proceed with flight bookings and other travel arrangements. A ‘Limited’ trip status signifies limited spaces available. For trip status inquiries, kindly email or call our office.
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A deposit is required to secure your place on your selected tour departure. On receipt of your deposit, Global Cycling Adventures will email you a confirmation to verify your travel arrangements and advise final payment details. The final payment is normally required 60 days before departure date unless otherwise specified.
CANCELLATIONS & AMENDMENTS
All tour cancellations will require notification in writing to Global Cycling Adventures by the person participating on the tour. Please be advised that booking cancellations or amendments will incur relevant fees. Cancellation charges are tour-specific and timing-dependent. For a comprehensive outline of our terms and conditions, including the cancellation policy, please refer to the travel proposal provided by our team.
We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance on payment of your tour deposit in case unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your tour.
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For all overseas tours, the terms and conditions, laws, and jurisdiction of the destination country will apply. By booking a tour with us, you acknowledge and agree that local regulations, industry practices, and terms specific to the destination country may supersede or modify our standard terms. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable local laws and regulations while participating in the tour.
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