Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Early arrival to Lisbon airport. Transfer to Arraiolos, a medieval village with a beautiful castle.
At 6:00 pm – welcome drink and first briefing of your bike tour.
Accommodation at Pousada de Arraiolos, built in a wonderful 16th century convent, with a swimming pool (charm).
Day 2: Arraiolos Route
Cycling from Arraiolos to Évora.
The bike tour starts cycling through Arraiolos Village, famous for its carpets, pastry, and its rich historical centre. Climb to the castle, one of the few in the Iberian Peninsula built on a round plan.
It’s now time to visit a winery, where there is a fantastic private carriage collection. We will have our lunch here. Riding through some small farms, we reach the Aldeia da Terra, a gigantic cartoon made of clay instead of paper. Curious?
We reach our final destination, Évora, riding the ecotrail, a green lane built on top of an old railway, traffic free, great for cycling.
Distance: 42 km.
Total ascent: 400 mts.
Level: medium.
Terrain: rolling terrain, some dirt roads.
Extra costs: cheese tasting – €11 per person.
Dinner not included.
Accommodation: Monte do Serrado de Baixo, our lovely guest house, with swimming pool (charm). Or in 4-star Hotel Mar de Ar Muralhas, in Évora historical centre, with swimming pool (charm).
Day 3: Megalithic Route
Cycling around Évora.
In this day we will visit some of the most important megalithic monuments of this region.
The landscapes are beautiful, surrounded with cork and oaks. We will visit the biggest dolmen and one of the most important in Europe with over 5000 years of history.
The ride finishes in Évora, where you will have a chance to wander around and get immersed in this ancient pre-roman settlement. Plus, we will visit a 13th century bone chapel.
Distance: 45 km.
Total ascent: 500 mts.
Level: easy +.
Terrain: flat terrain, some dirt roads.
Dinner not included.
Accommodation in the same hotel.
Day 4: The valley of the Degebe river
Cycling from Évora to Reguengos de Monsaraz.
On this bike tour, day ride between olive groves to reach a small and traditional Village of Nossa Senhora de Machede.
After a pause for a cold drink or a coffee, we’ll visit an old working leather factory. After lunch, the mysterious castle of Valongo will unveil its roman past.
Before dinner, we will visit a local and well-known winery, where the scent of the brewing clay pots fills the air with the ancient knowledge that makes great wines. Dinner is an unexpected surprise.
Distance: 57 km.
Total ascent: 500 meters.
Level: easy +.
Terrain: undulating roads.
Accommodation at Solar de Alqueva with swimming pool.
Day 5: Conquest of the Castle of Monsaraz
Cycling from Reguengos de Monsaraz.
We will ride to the fortified village of Monsaraz, an important stronghold in the defence of our nation just by the border with Spain. On the way, we will visit the famous pottery village of S.Pedro de Corval, where you can see the man making magic with the clay, transforming it into beautiful pots and plates, and the ladies painting them with flowers in an impressive speed.
Then, with Spain in sight, lunch by the biggest artificial lake in Europe, the Alqueva dam reservoir. Then it’s time to conquer the castle, use all your energy to climb up to Monsaraz before going down to the relaxing country hotel to cool off and dine.
Distance: 35 km.
Total ascent: 380 meters.
Level: easy except the climb to Monsaraz.
Terrain: flat roads, with one ascent to the castle.
Accommodation: Estalagem de Monsaraz, a charming hotel with swimming pool.
Day 6: The Sanctuary Route
Cycling from Monsaraz to Vila Viçosa.
We start the visit to the impressive Nossa Srª da Boa Nova Sanctuary and the flowered Terena village. Then we will pass by Bencatel marble quarries, where is extracted the “white gold”, used in wide streets and high buildings of Estremoz and Borba.
We will arrive at Vila Viçosa, one of the best resting-places for kings and nobles.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Distance: 50 km.
Total ascent: 680 meters.
Level: medium.
Terrain: undulating, with some climbing.
Accommodation at Pousada D.João IV, built in a convent, with swimming pool (charm).
Day 7: Marble Route
Cycling from Vila Viçosa to Estremoz.
We will start the day by the Palácio Ducal de Vila Viçosa and the marble museum.
In Borba, we’ll know some typical taverns, where are produced the traditional craft wine in clay pots.
We will cycle through villages, and we stop for lunch. We’ll arrive to Glória, where we will see the Igreja de Nossa Srª dos Mártires, a gothic marble church.
In Estremoz, you will admire the beautiful architecture and the castle tower, where you will sleep.
Distance: 35 kms.
Total ascent: 680 meters.
Level: medium.
Terrain: undulating, with some climbing.
Accommodation at Pousada Raínha Santa Isabel, built in a palace, with swimming pool (charm).
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Lisbon airport.