Looking for cycling holidays in Portugal that will offer you an authentic adventure?
What sets the region of Alentejo apart from the rest of Portugal isn’t a roll call of famous cities or well-known sights. Instead, this laid-back, under-the-radar region enables cyclists to escape the tourist crowds and immerse themselves in a proudly traditional corner of Portugal with a rich cultural heritage, quiet countryside and unspoiled Atlantic coastline.
Teresa Vilas Boas is the owner of Turaventur and their cycling holiday brand, Portugal Best Cycling. Both are family-run businesses that have delivered cycling holidays in Portugal’s Alentejo region since 2002. They specialise in offering bike tours that give visitors a real insight into local culture and traditions.
Sound good? Read on to discover what Teresa loves about cycling in Portugal and what to expect from a bike tour of the Alentejo region.
Get ready to experience the real Portugal…
Why go on cycling holidays in Portugal?
Portugal is an increasingly popular European cycling destination.
However, other than in a few hotspots like Lisbon, Porto and certain stretches of famous coastline, it’s noticeably quiet. This is a huge part of Portugal’s appeal; there are still many peaceful corners and little-known cycling routes to experience.
With diverse landscapes ranging from vineyard terraced river valleys, extensive coastline and a rugged interior, Portugal appeals to a range of cycling abilities and interests; ample sunshine and a pleasant year-round temperature, particularly in Southern Portugal, also make this an attractive destination for cyclists seeking warm winter cycling.
Some areas of Portugal are busy
It’s true that hotspots like Lisbon and Porto are suffering from too much love from tourists. The popular EuroVelo 1 connects these well-known cities and according to EuroVelo, the EuroVelo 1 has recorded “a significant increase in traffic between 2023 and 2024” (2024, Cycling counts in Europe).
Further south, the Algarve also attracts winter sunseekers and professional cyclists looking to take on annual events like the Tour of the Algarve in early February.
Seek out the quiet areas
For those searching for unique and special places that offer a quieter, more authentic experience, these are not the places to head.
In contrast, Alentejo, in southern Portugal is perfect for a more authentic, calmer kind of trip. It’s a real gem for cycling; the network of lanes and trails offer cyclists the opportunity to really relax, unwind and enjoy a more genuine Portuguese experience.
We are based in Alentejo and, in my view, it’s here that guests have the opportunity to experience the best bike tours in Portugal.
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Looking for an authentic cycling holiday in Portugal?
We’ve been helping guests with cycling holidays in Portugal since 2022. We would love to help you with your trip.
Get in touch and let's discuss the best bike tour for you.
Check out our website so we can start helping you craft your perfect cycling trip.
Where is Alentejo?
Alentejo is Portugal’s largest region and is located in the south of the country.
It sits above the Algarve and below the Tagus River; the east of Alentejo borders Spain and the west borders the Atlantic Ocean.
Take a look at the map below which features some of the places mentioned in this article. Hover over the map pins to see the place names.
What is so special about cycling in Alentejo?
I absolutely love the south of Portugal, particularly the Alentejo region. For me, it offers the best cycling holidays in Portugal.
This largely rural region feels worlds away from the buzzing streets of Lisbon, despite being located only two hours drive from the capital.
It’s a fascinating region of Portugal that’s proudly steeped in tradition, offering a rare window into Portugal’s past.
Quiet country roads
First off, the roads have little traffic so it feels safe to cycle here.
As for the terrain, it’s gently undulating which keeps the cycling interesting but not too challenging; this makes Alentejo accessible to a range of cycling abilities.
Traditional culture
Much of the architecture is also still in the traditional style and is well-maintained by the Alentejo people.
Houses are low and whitewashed to help keep the heat away from the interior in the hot summer. You’ll notice a strip of colour around doors and windows and along the ground that is usually indigo-blue and very striking. It is supposed to keep the flies and insects out. However, in reality, this doesn’t usually work.
In schist rock areas, like mediaeval Monsaraz, the colour is substituted by the local rock. So in some villages, you’ll see white white with marble framing, or granite, and others schist. It’s fascinating to see the architecture taking inspiration from its local geology!
Unspoiled, rural landscapes
The largely rural landscapes of Alentejo have a lot of variety within short distances.
Cyclists can experience vast plains growing wheat, and rolling hills home to oak and cork trees, olive groves and Alentejo vineyards.
In the west, there is a vast rugged coastline home to breathtaking coastal views and countless golden sandy beaches. In the southwest the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina is a protected stretch of Portuguese coastline characterised by rugged sea cliffs and rocky sandy coves.
Ancient history
The region’s ancient history is also evident in Alentejo’s scenery; impressive dolmens (stone slabs) and menhirs (standing stones) are historically significant sights and these megalithic monuments date back to 3,000 BC.
Castles are also part of our landscape and are closely tied to the history of Alentejo. For those unfamiliar, Portugal was reconquested from the Moors by Christians in a process which started in 1143 in the north and finished in the late 13th century in the south. The reconquest saw many castles built at key strategic locations for protection and at the same time several castles built along Alentejo’s border with Spain in the east.
Our cycling holidays visit many of these impressive, fortified castles and we even use some for accommodation.
Warm, friendly locals
You’ll notice that there aren’t currently as many cyclists in Portugal as you will find in other European destinations.
This means that many locals still find cyclists a novelty and generally treat them warmly.
You’ll often get a wave and sometimes even enjoy a chat about what you are up to, particularly if you show them our branded cycling jerseys, which have the Portugal map and our routes printed on the back. This usually gets enthusiastic approval!
Delicious food
Last but not least, you will eat some great food in Portugal!
Traditional soups, freshly caught fish and locally farmed lamb are all commonly found on Portuguese menus and will keep you well fuelled for cycling each day.
You could also try Petiscos in local bars. These Portuguese small plates (or snacks) are similar to Spanish tapas.
Top tip! Portugal Best Cycling believe experiencing local food is an important part of immersing yourself in the local culture. We factor in visits to local food producers and even offer cooking classes on our Cycling in Paradise cycle tour. Find out more below.
See more information about the best local foods to try below.
What are the best places to cycle in Alentejo?
Portugal Best Cycling offers cycling tours across Alentejo, enabling cyclists to experience a variety of local highlights and flavours.
Alongside place-to-place cycling itineraries, we also offer a centre-based stay at the farm that is also my home. See our Cycling in Paradise cycle tour below to find out more about this.
Head to our website to see our full range of cycling holidays in Alentejo.
Central Alentejo
Central Alentejo is the richest area in terms of architecture, local produce and a variety of things to do. Cyclists will be kept busy with lots of places to visit and experience, all within relatively short distances of each other. For example, on our farm stay we offer six different bike routes that are jam-packed with castles, local producer visits and palaces. See more below.
Despite there being so much to see, central Alentejo still feels off the beaten tourist track and all the cycling takes place on quiet, low-traffic roads.
Cycling tour: Castles and Wine
Best for cycling foodies looking for a route steeped in historical gems
This gentle cycling tour of Portugal takes place over eight days and covers 285 kilometres and 2,970 metres of elevation gain.
Daily distances range from 29 to 49 kilometres providing plenty of time to take relaxing breaks and explore the many local sites of interest.
Your journey starts in the historic town of Arraiolos, home to a hilltop medieval castle and whitewashed houses. It includes an overnight stay in Évora, the capital of Alentejo, the fortified medieval village of Monsaraz and several traditional Portuguese villages.
The tour finally finishes in the historically significant city of Estremoz, home to another impressive hilltop castle in Alentejo.
As well as cycling along ecopistas (old disused railways) and along beautiful river valleys, one of the major highlights of this cycle tour are visits to several local food producers, including an aromatic herb farm near Évora and award-winning wine tastings.
Top tip! This cycle tour in Portugal includes the opportunity to upgrade your accommodation options to enable you to sleep in beautiful palaces and a 16th-century fully restored convent. A great option for those looking to add a little bit of luxury to their visit to Alentejo.
More information
Head to Portugal Best Cycling’s website to learn more about the Castles and Wine cycling tour in Portugal.
Cycling Tour: Cycling in Paradise
Best for a relaxing, flexible centre-based cycling holidays in Portugal
Your accommodation for the duration of this trip will be on our traditional family-run Alentejan farm.
I live here with my parents and children, and we invite guests to stay here for stays of between three and seven nights.
The farm has extensive grounds including an orchard, centuries-old olive grove, cork and oak forests and an organic vegetable garden. We also have a classic car collection featuring many British cars which we encourage guests to visit!
There is also the opportunity to enjoy a cooking class to learn how to prepare a delicious traditional Alentejo meal.
Each day you can choose from a number of daily cycling routes in the surrounding local landscapes including a ride to Évora, impressive castles, monolithic monuments and wineries.
More information
Find out more about Cycling in Paradise here.
Eastern Alentejo
Alentejo’s remote hinterlands are located in the far east; this area of Alentejo is home to some of Portugal’s most remote landscapes and you are likely not to see a single other cyclist! This is the ultimate place for cyclists looking to really get off the beaten track. Highlights of this area are the wild and mountainous natural park of São Mamede, home to enormous chestnut trees and oaks.
The roads are typically narrow and flanked by beautiful granite walls that have been carefully stacked on top of each other. The villages are tiny and feel trapped in a 70s time warp.
The eastern border of Alentejo backs onto the neighbouring country of Spain and this strategic geographical location has led to the construction of several impressively fortified castles and beautiful cities, each built to protect against Spanish invasions over the centuries.
Cycling tour: Crossing the Border
Best for a remote, border-hopping adventure in Portugal and Spain
A great option for cyclists looking for more of a challenge! The cycle tour covers 250 kilometres and 4,986 metres of elevation gain over six days of cycling.
The increased levels of elevation and climbing you’ll need to tackle each day means cyclists will need a good level of fitness to comfortably complete this tour. However, you can also choose to cycle it on an e-bike if you are concerned about the hilly terrain.
The cycle tour starts in the northeast of Alentejo at the fortified, medieval village of Marvão located in the wild and rugged Serra de São Mamede Natural Park. You’ll head south through the Natural Park hopping over the Portugal-Spanish border multiple times, passing cattle farms, cork forests and several castles.
The route takes you deep into some of Alentejo’s most isolated and remote corners and really gives a feel for cycling off the beaten track. Other highlights of the journey include the seven-and-a-half metre menir of Meada, the tallest standing stone on the Iberian Peninsula, olive oil and wine tastings, and the UNESCO city of Elvas, situated on the border with Spain and uniquely fortified.
The cycle tour ends in Juromenha, home to a large, ruined fortress that’s located near the Guadiana River.
More information
- For the classic version of the cycling tour see here.
- Or for a slightly easier version, don’t miss the e-bike version here
Southwest Alentejo
Dramatic coastal landscapes are found in Alentejo’s southwest; it’s the perfect place for cyclists who love soaking up gorgeous sea views, cycling through sand dunes, spending time on beautiful beaches and the opportunity for a refreshing dip.
Alentejo’s coastline includes the beautiful Vicentine Coast Natural Park, one of Europe’s best-preserved stretches of coastline; this is a wild section of the Portuguese coast that is home to limestone sea cliffs and deserted golden beaches.
There are no major cities located along the coast here, only small sleepy towns and lovely fishing villages.
Cycling tour: Along the Coast
Best for a beach holiday with coastal trails
A gentle eight-day cycling tour along Alentejo’s varied coastline, covering 231 kilometres and 2,489 metres of elevation, over six days of cycling.
The tour starts in the beach resort of Sesimbra, located 45 minutes drive south of Lisbon. You begin cycling in the natural park of Arrábida an area characterised by green hills that contrast beautifully with the bright blue Atlantic Ocean.
Cycling south you’ll pass white sandy beaches before reaching the Sado Estuary natural park a biologically rich wetland area home to many birds and dolphins! You’ll also explore the Santo André and Sancha lagoons, another natural paradise for wildlife, including a colony of red herons.
Cycling further south you eventually reach the beautiful Vicentine Coast Natural Park, where you’ll experience some magnificent cliff-top cycling, secluded coves and the spectacular beach of Almograve.
More information
- Head to Portugal Best Cycling’s website to find out more about this cycling tour along Portugal’s coast.
- You can also choose to opt for a premium version of their coastal cycling tour in Portugal, which includes the luxurious Hotel Casa de Palmela.
Sponsor Message
Looking for an authentic cycling holiday in Portugal?
We’ve been helping guests with cycling holidays in Portugal since 2022. We would love to help you with your trip.
Get in touch and let's discuss the best bike tour for you.
Check out our website so we can start helping you craft your perfect cycling trip.
Practicalities for cycling in Portugal
The best time to visit
One of the best times to visit rural Portugal is during the spring months of April and May; during late spring Alentejo is at its greenest and bursting with wildflowers. It is a special time to explore by bike!
If you would prefer to explore the coast, late May and June offer better conditions and slightly warmer sea temperatures to enjoy a dip.
Top tip! It doesn’t rain a lot in Portugal and temperatures generally remain warm in the south of Portugal year-round.
As a result, a winter cycling trip in Alentejo is worth considering. Our centre-based Cycling in Paradise tour is a particularly good option for anyone considering visiting outside of spring, summer or autumn as it provides the flexibility to relax at the farm if the weather takes a turn.
Accommodation
Remember to double-check accommodation bike storage arrangements (and any other services you need) before booking as policies often change.
There are all sorts of accommodation options in Alentejo – but big, corporate hotels are quite rare in this region. Which is how we like it!
Small, family-owned places and boutique-style hotels are the most usual types of accommodation.
Top tip! For family-owned places that include staying on traditional farms, look out for Turismo Rural or Casa de Campo. Or for a bit more luxury, the Pousadas chain features hotels built in convents, palaces and castles.
Portugal Best Cycling’s bike tours use a mix of accommodation styles to suit your specific needs. We offer standard, charm and premium cycling holiday options depending on your budget and accommodation preferences.
Our standard place-to-place cycling holidays in Portugal generally include a mix of small, characterful accommodations. If you want to stay in a castle or palace you can choose our charm or premium packages. We find these can add a really special and memorable experience to cycling holidays in Portugal. Premium holidays also include luxurious boutique farm stays.
Length of stay
This depends on your own specific needs. The region of Alentejo is easily accessible from the capital of Lisbon making it possible to visit for a short amount of time.
We have some great options for people with limited time who are looking for a short break. Our Cycling in Paradise bike tour has options from three to seven nights, so it is super flexible. We have six cycling routes from the farm, and you can choose which you would prefer to ride each day.
Our other cycling tours in Portugal are typically seven nights. But if you have time, and want to maximise your cycling in Portugal, you could choose to combine an inland cycling route in Portugal and a coastal one and stay for 15 days – or longer!
Bike hire
Bike hire is possible with other companies and from cities like Lisbon or Évora. However, anyone wishing to hire bikes will need to factor in transport costs and logistics at the start and end of your cycling trip.
We offer bike hire as part of our services, including leisure bikes with trekking tyres which are best suited to for the mix of terrain. We also offer e-bikes and road bikes are available on request.
Find out more information about our bike hire options here.

Bike hire and set up on a Portugal Best Cycling holiday (photo credit: Turaventur)
Guided cycling tours in Portugal
It is possible to cycle independently in Alentejo and feels safe to do so. But cycling routes are not signposted and you may struggle to seek out the best places.
If you visit Alentejo with Portugal Best Cycling, you’ll find that we have done all the hard work for you. We supply everything you need to navigate on a self-guided cycling holiday, including a navigation app.
However, for those looking for additional peace of mind, mechanical support and the opportunity to experience a deeper connection with the Alentejo region, we also offer supported tours and guided tours. This includes:
- Supported cycling tours: A local guide will drive a support van and join you at key stops each day and prepare daily picnics for you.
- Fully guided cycling tours: Two local guides will join you for the full duration of the trip, one will cycle with you each day and the other with drive a support van and prepare daily picnics. Your cycling guide enables you to connect with the Alentejo people and you will benefit from their local expertise, including many stories and insights.
What to pack
Apart from the usual biking gear, we also suggest bringing swimwear if you plan to cycle by the coast. It’s also worth bringing a lightweight, packable waterproof jacket, especially if you choose to join us between October and March.
If you visit with Portugal Best Cycling, we supply a full tool kit with your rented bike. If you’re on a self-guided trip, there aren’t a lot of bike shops along our routes, so it is important to know how to fix basic problems, such as punctures and broken chains with the quick link tool we supply. If you’re on one of our guided trips, we will be there to help!
Take a look at this detailed packing guide for cycling holidays for more useful tips.
Food and drink
Portuguese food is simply gorgeous.
From north to south, there is a huge difference in the food you will come across. This article specifically focuses on the local dishes you are likely to come across in the south of Portugal.
Some dishes I suggest everyone try include:
- Sopa de cação (dogfish soup): This traditional soup is eaten across Portugal but originated in Alentejo. It is made with slices of Portuguese dogfish which is widely eaten in Portugal and served in a tasty broth that’s flavoured with garlic and coriander. For a truly local dish, you will eat it with yesterday’s bread.
- Tomato soup: Served with goat cheese and a poached egg! We offer the opportunity to learn how to cook this classic dish in a cooking class that can be taken on our centre-based cycling in Paradise tour. See more information here.
- Açorda: Another traditional soup that differs from the same dish you will likely find in Lisbon. The açorda Alentejana is created with the water from cooking codfish, garlic, coriander, salt, olive oil and egg. It’s a very simple, delicious dish.
- Ensopado de borrego: Any lamb dish in the south will typically be amazing. But the most traditional way to eat it is in this delicious, strong-flavoured stew.
- Bacalhau com broa: A full piece of cod baked in the oven with cornbread crumbs, and onion and coriander on top. We also offer the opportunity to learn how to cook this at our farm.
- Bacalhau à brás: This is a classic Portuguese dish and real comfort food! It is usually cheap and delicious. The dish consists of boiled cod that is flaked into small pieces and mixed with potatoes, scrambled eggs and mixed with loads of coriander.
For anyone with a sweet tooth, you’re also in for a treat! According to history, the nuns in the convents used eggs whites to stiffen their hats, and monks used them to clarify wine as part of a flocculation process.
This left lots of egg yolks and the invention of “convent cakes” which are a combination of yolks, sugar, almonds and other ingredients to add variety. The result? An abundance of deliciously sweet cakes, including Portugal’s most famous sweet treat, the pastel de nata.
The Alentejo is also rich in wineries. It was a hard job for us to select the best ones for you to visit on our cycling holidays! So we considered not only the quality of the wines but also the quality and uniqueness of the visit. For example, there is a winery set in a 14th century palace and another where you will encounter an old olive mill.
Clay pot wine is wine that is aged in huge clay pots; it’s the traditional way of aging wine in this region. The wine cellars that still have these huge clay pots are particularly beautiful.
For more information about the food you will experience in Alentejo don’t miss this article which includes a link to a Turaventur cookbook.
Language
English is widely spoken in Alentejo. However, you may find some of the older locals only speak Portuguese (although in our experience this often doesn’t stop them from working out how to communicate with English-speaking guests).
Be aware! Make sure you don’t say Gracias when you are cycling in Portugal. This is a common mistake that many visitors make. Thank you in Portuguese is Obrigado (if you are a male), or Obrigada (if you are a female).
Top tip! If you feel nervous testing out the local language, it is better to say thank you in English than in Spanish. Our guides explain why on our guided tour!
Bom dia is also a common greeting you may encounter on Portugal cycle tours, it means good morning.
Highway code and travel information
As ever, it’s a good idea to check current travel information before you book and travel. For UK visitors, the UK government travel information pages for Portugal are here.
You should also read and follow Portugal’s highway code.
Getting to Portugal
Lisbon is the closest and most airport for a trip in the Alentejo.
If you book with Portugal Best Cycling, we include a private transfer or information about how to get to the starting point by public transportation (including bus or train), depending on the trip.
Sponsor Message
Looking for an authentic cycling holiday in Portugal?
We’ve been helping guests with cycling holidays in Portugal since 2022. We would love to help you with your trip.
Get in touch and let's discuss the best bike tour for you.
Check out our website so we can start helping you craft your perfect cycling trip.
What does Portugal Best Cycling offer?
Our company is small; we are just ten people dedicated to creating some of the best cycling routes in Portugal.
Our office is at the farm where I live with my parents, my husband, and our children. On the same farm, we have a bed and breakfast from where we also run bike tours.
We are passionate cycling holiday enthusiasts who have extensive experience exploring on our bikes across Portugal and globally. This means we know exactly what our guests want and need.
We take care to engage personally with each guest and adapt our cycling tours in Portugal to your individual needs. This enables you to have a special experience with us.
Our cycling holidays include accommodation, luggage transfers, detailed route information and 24-hour phone support, in case of any issues. Depending on the style of cycling trip you choose, for example, self-guided, guided or supported, the price of your trip will include additional services, such as a van and cycling guides. Take a look at our prices for further information.
Where can cyclists find out more about your services?
Head to Portugal Best Cycling’s website for full details about our bike tours in Portugal. We also love to have a video call with any potential guests and find this is a useful way for us to help you find the best cycling holiday in Alentejo. We pride ourselves on a personal service!
A massive thanks to Teresa for sharing these insights into planning cycling holidays in Portugal – we certainly now have the region of Alentejo on our wishlist!
Do you like the sound of Portugal Best Cycling’s bike tours in Portugal? Or have you already experienced the laidback region of Alentejo by bike before? Drop us a comment to share your thoughts.
Looking for more Portugal bike tours? Don’t miss our guide to cycling Portugal and the Algarve. You might also like the Atlantic Ring Route, which can be combined with cycling Porto to Lisbon.
For other destinations that avoid tourist crowds, don’t miss these destination dupes for 2025.
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Sponsor Message
Looking for an authentic cycling holiday in Portugal?
We’ve been helping guests with cycling holidays in Portugal since 2022. We would love to help you with your trip.
Get in touch and let's discuss the best bike tour for you.
Check out our website so we can start helping you craft your perfect cycling trip.
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