Portugal's Algarve & Alentejo Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
Portugal's Algarve & Alentejo Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
2025: Mar-Jun, Aug-Nov
From Lisbon to Vineyards, Castles & Beaches
Ancient Moorish palaces, fresh-caught seafood, expansive olive groves and vineyards—this is the exhilarating landscape of southern Portugal. Start your adventure in stylish Lisbon before embarking on a cycling journey through the tranquil Alentejo region. Past golden hillsides, cork forests and charming whitewashed villages, pedal toward a rich tapestry of gorgeous scenery, history and local flavor.
Highlights
- Bike from Lisbon, Portugal's captivating capital, where tradition and modernity have blended together to form a vibrant waterfront city
- Traverse tranquil rural roads and enjoy extraordinary views from hilltop Monsaraz, considered to be one of the country's most beautiful villages
- Get to know Portuguese architecture, a distinct mix of colorful tiled facades, medieval castles and ornate cathedrals influenced by Romanesque, Gothic and Manueline styles
- Discover picturesque beaches, ancient ruins and postcard-ready white-walled villages
Start/End Lisbon
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Start your trip in alluring Lisbon, where old-world charm meets cosmopolitan culture • Bike past olive and cork trees and endless vineyards in Portugal's agricultural heart • Visit an olive oil farm and learn about the centuries-old process behind this regional delight • Relish a typical Alentejo-style dinner in one of the area’s most beautiful villages and enjoy luxury accommodations in historic Monsaraz.
Nights 1-2
A luxuriously restored 200-year-old agrarian estate that offers stylish rooms, rustic charm, lush gardens and farm-to-table dining. (pool, spa)
Day 3
Admire the warm tones of terra-cotta in Portugal’s pottery capital and fill up on souvenirs before picnicking at a traditional family-run herdade (farmhouse) • Bike amid a tranquil rolling landscape en route to Évora • Discover Alentejo's spectacular capital—a World Heritage site, vibrant university town and member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network.
Night 3
A luxuriously renovated 15th-century convent with spacious rooms and elegant details, located just outside of Évora's World Heritage-designated town center. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
Experience dramatically different landscapes in the neighboring Algarve region • Take in majestic coastal views from the Monchique Mountains toward honey-hued limestone cliffs • Enjoy the fragrance of orange blossom flowers as you bike quiet country roads • Swing through a Moorish hamlet before settling into our beachfront Relais & Châteaux hotel • Ride along the rugged coast near Sagres, protected by Costa Vicentina National Park • Adventure to Vasco da Gama's home port • Savor local flavors at our farewell dinner • Close out your journey with an early morning ride through a fishing village or a walk on the beach.
Nights 4-5
Adjacent to famed Praia da Rocha, this exquisite hotel seamlessly blends traditional and modern in uniquely Portuguese fashion. A Relais & Château member. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The slower pace, relaxed approach to life and old-world qualities in Portugal are some of the highlights of this spectacular region and are reflected in the hotels and restaurants on this trip. This said, service can lack a sense of urgency when compared with the service found in other parts of Europe. Additionally, while the Premiere hotels we've chosen are some of the finest in the country, they may seem a bit simpler than the Backroads European standard. The same can be said for Portuguese cuisine, which is traditionally a celebration of local flavors but is also bit more rustic than other places we visit in Europe.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
A luxuriously restored 200-year-old agrarian estate that offers stylish rooms, rustic charm, lush gardens and farm-to-table dining. (pool, spa)
Night 3
Premiere Hotel
A luxuriously renovated 15th-century convent with spacious rooms and elegant details, located just outside of Évora's World Heritage-designated town center. (pool, spa)
Nights 4-5
Premiere Hotel
Adjacent to famed Praia da Rocha, this exquisite hotel seamlessly blends traditional and modern in uniquely Portuguese fashion. A Relais & Château member. (pool, spa)
Gallery
#MyBackroadsTrip
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- Suited for a wide range of cyclists
- Comfortable ergonomic seat
- Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
- Upright handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
- $400 rental fee
- Hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed Cro-Moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train
- Custom upgraded wheelset
- Best for riders with some tandem experience.
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 30 customers
A Great Way to See Portugal
Another Backroads gem. This was a great way to experience Portugal's rolling hills and aesthetic charms. The Backroads magic happens every day on this trip, sometimes with a little live singing during dinner, and sometimes, literally, under the night stars. It was my 7th Backroads trip, and it lived up to everything I've come to expect. A dip in the ocean in the Algarve adds just the right exclamation point.
Best trip ever!
Everything about this trip was top-notch - from the leaders to the hotels to the meals! The ebikes were a great equalizer between myself and my husband who can bike further/faster than I can. The experience of biking along backroads past olive trees, vineyards, cork trees and eucalyptus was amazing and call out "Bom Dia" to the people as we cycled through small towns was a wonderful experience! The extras they had for us - from olive oil tasting to a men's choral group to a Fado singer were all such a special touch. The accommodations were all unique and had so much history to them. And the other people we met on the trip were all so fun to hang out with! I am looking forward to my next Backroads trip!
Our trip far exceeded our expections!
This is a great way to travel with out a care in the world. Everything is meticulously planned by Backroads. Our leaders, Raquel and Berta, and support staff Gus, made this trip truly a Joy-Filled experience. The bike routes were through beautiful vistas! (Yay for E Bikes!) The accommodations were exquisite! And the food experiences and cultural experiences were experiences we never could have planned on our own! This was our first Backroads trip, but will not be our last!
Fabulous experience led by wonderful trip leaders, again!
Great biking experience, beautiful terrain
Exceptional in every way.
Great mix of challenging cycling, relaxation, and socializing.
About a perfect as a trip could be
If you mix a private group of 24 people, amazing coastlines and hills, top-notch guides, and an immersive cultural experience, you get about as perfect of a trip experience as one can expect. The rides in Eastern and Southern Portugal were so memorable, the lectures, fado, and wine tastings complemented and informed our cultural experience. Our guides worked tirelessly to make every part of this trip easy on the group. I could not recommend this trip more highly.
The tour leaders experience, enthusiasm and caring stand out
A high standard was provided for all. aspects of the trip including accommodation & dining , lunches . Route introduction & support and history/ background to areas taken on route But the inclusive leadership to bring the whole group together and enjoy each day was excellent
The best way to explore this part of Portugal
We just came back from this trip and we had a wonderful time! The region is very interesting and offers a lot to explore, and the BR itinerary maximizes the experience. The routes are well chosen and the accommodations outstanding. We loved the activities on the side, which included guided visits to old historically significant towns, insights on local artisanal industries and exposure to the arts. And all of this was of course made possible by the amazing leaders that we had (Judit, Jorge and Gemma). They supported us so well, both on the technical sides of things and on the social/leisurely aspects of the trip, always there for us with their wonderful disposition which made even the steepest hills bearable!
Really enjoyed the May 2023 Portugal trip.
My partner and I really enjoyed the trip. Great group of other guests. Great bike rides. Great accommodations. Great Leaders. We are starting to think about another Backroads trip.
We were Really impressed by the level of care by the guides
Lovely accommodations, food, biking and cultural insights (wine/cheese/olive oil tastings, music, pottery and old town tours)
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
