Hop on your bike and go visit Portugal’s largest region. Golden plains, traditional whitewashed villages, majestic medieval cities, olive-covered hills, lime-green vines.. and roads that beg to be cycled.
Highlights
Visit and stay in Évora, UNESCO World Heritage City, and explore its medieval history.
Stay overnight at Convento do Espinheiro, a magnificent restored 15th century convent
Ride on virtually traffic-free roads through bucolic landscapes dotted with wildflowers, cork oak forests, olive trees and vineyards.
Visit one of the most prestigious wineries in the Alentejo.
From accommodation to gastronomy, we seek for you the genuine and original, in a word, the essence of the best in the region
Four wheels. If for any reason or at any time you prefer, we have for you a support vehicle that will take you to the destination of the day
Description
Day 1: Warm-up ride in flintstone landToday you loop to Castelo de Vide, known for its medieval castle, Renaissance fountains and ancient Jewish Quarter.
This area has remained unknown to tourists due to its inaccessibility, lucky you because these sleepy roads are some of the most scenic you’ll ever see.
You will visit the tiny 13th century Synagogue and climb the roofs of the Castle.
The roads back to Marvão are dotted with giant granite outcrops, and as you get closer to the medieval hamlet, the chestnut and cork oak forest surrounds you.
Meals: Dinner
Destinations: Marvão – Castelo de Vide – Marvão
Accomplished: 25km, elevation gain: 427 meters
Longer Option: 45km, elevation gain: 998 meters
Accommodations: Pousada Santa Maria
Day 2: Tonight’s inn: a castle/monastery/church
After winding down 5 km to the village of Portagem with its medieval bridge, once crossed by thousands of Jews during Spanish Inquisition, you will pedal along the slopes of the Serra de São Mamede and through the “Montado” a cork oak forest.
Once arrived at Flôr da Rosa you can choose to stay in the Hotel / Pousada and enjoy the pool and the comfort of one of the best examples of medieval and contemporary fusion architecture or continue cycling to the Alter do Chão stud farm, which has been dedicated to the breeding and training of Pure Blood Lusitano horses since 1748.
After watching the horses being released – and interacting with baby horses if you are lucky – choose to take the van back to the hotel or ride back, passing by Crato Castle and agrarian landscapes to the Pousada / Monastery.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Destinations: Flôr da Rosa
Accomplished: 39 km, elevation gain: 450 meters
Longer Option:60 km, elevation gain: 570 meters
Accommodations: Pousada Flôr da Rosa
Day 3: Sleepy villages
The flatness of the Alentejo will be witnessed at this stage that leads you to the Pousada Rainha Santa Isabel, known for the miracle of turning bread into roses. Along the way fuel your inspiration for photography as you roll a sequence of small, white villages, punctuated by vineyards and olive trees.
As an aprés ride event you will be taken to Herdade das Servas winery to taste a selection of the local wine and tour the winery, followed by dinner at the best tapas restaurant / winery / grocery store in town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Destinations: Estremoz
Accomplished: 66 km, elevation gain:950 meters
Accommodations: Pousada Estremoz
Day 4: Marble land
On this day, among other options, you can lay by the pool or cycle a loop to the epicenter of marble production in the Alentejo.
You will pass gigantic quarries from which the whitest marble is extracted (for the joy of sculptors) and used in the construction of most of the houses in this area, including the royal palace of Vila Viçosa.
The Braganças, Portugal’s last royal dynasty, selected Vila Viçosa as the best spot for a countryside palace, so it will be a good stop for a coffee.
Small villages like Alandroal and small wine producers dot the way back to Pousada.The afternoon is yours to explore the maze of streets and traditional stores in Estremoz.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Destinations: Estremoz
Accomplished: 57 km, elevation gain: 340 meters
Accommodations: Pousada Estremoz
Day 5: Eagles nest
In this stage you have extra motivation: the charming village of Monsaraz, known as the “eagles nest”.
The route is diverse, from the Serra da Ossa and its eucalyptus forest to the Mediterranean landscape dominated by vineyards and olive trees. Crossing a centuries-old cork oak forest you must spot the traditional black pig breed – it will be one of the options for our succulent dinner cooked by the experienced Dona Isabel.
Park your bikes inside, and time will fly back six centuries this is Monsaraz, a medieval village classified as a national monument, here you find authenticity and quietness which these days can be hard to find in the old continent.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Destinations: Monsaraz
Accomplished: 61 km, elevation gain: 780 meters
Accommodations: Casa Dom Nuno
Day 6: Monsaraz – Evora
Today you will connect two of the most beautiful Portuguese walled cities.
Evora, your destination, is the heart of the Alentejo, its Roman temple, the medieval cathedral and plenty of Moorish influences on urban architecture are perfect examples of those bygone days.
On the way you pass villages where white is only interrupted by the blue bands that trim the houses, and by Dolmens and Cromlechs, these megalithic monuments scattered in this region, as well as occasional shepherds at their stress-free pace.
Take a refreshing swim in the renowned Convento do Espinheiro’s pool, you will explore Évora on foot and toast to a wonderful week at the farewell dinner, which will be as local as it gets!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Destinations: Évora
Accomplished: 64 km, elevation gain: 541 meters
Accommodations: Convento do Espinheiro
Day 7: Transfer to Lisbon
Sleep in, enjoy a relaxed breakfast or rise with the sun for an early-morning swim. Your guides will transfer you back to Lisbon airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Lisbon
Duration: 7 days
Price: €2860
Included:
✓ 6 nights in Hotel
✓ A luxury hotel in a former convent, historic monuments converted into luxury hotels (the Pousadas de Portugal) and a traditionally preserved medieval house revealing the true character of the region
✓ Daily breakfasts, nutritious snacks
✓ 5 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants
✓ 5 delicious picnics/lunches including a selection of local products
✓ Selection of our favorite local wines
✓ Activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
✓ Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other events
✓ Gratuities for restaurants and hotel service
✓ High quality bicycle selection
✓ Bike helmet
✓ Complimentary Olive Cycling t-shirt, water bottle
✓ Experienced local bilingual guides with vast knowledge of the country and the region
✓ Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes water and snacks, and offers lifts when you need a break from the saddle
✓ Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
✓ Daily bike maintenance
Not included
✓ Flights / personal expenses / Tips / E-bike
✓ Single Supplement: 400€
✓ E-bikes Available. Supplement: 160€
Difficulty Level: 2, 3. Requires reasonable fitness, rolling hills, one demanding short climb
Pick up and drop-off from Lisbon
The bikes:
Your guides:
